About this project
Be a part of Manuel Valera's THE NEW CUBAN EXPRESS' first album!!
Hello everyone,
I'm very excited about my newest project THE NEW CUBAN EXPRESS. Even though I have done many projects in the past and a number of records as a leader, this is the first time that I have a project that focuses mostly on Cuban music. I took about a three-year hiatus from leading my own bands in order to go on the road as a sideman with other artists. I'm very thankful for than opportunity and I learned a lot. I knew there would be a time when I had to get back to my own projects and music, and that time is now.
The New Cuban Express features some of my favorite musicians in the NYC scene. I've had the pleasure of working with them since I got to NYC 11 years ago in different contexts, and they've always inspired me. The members of The New Cuban Express are Yosvany Terry on saxophones and chekere, John Benitez on bass, Tom Guarna on guitar, Mauricio Herrera on percussion and Eric Doob on drums. As a "working band" and we have been able to perform the repertoire at length before going in the studio. This group performs regularly around NYC and the North East, so catch us live if you can!!
I'm very glad to have found Kickstarter because the bottom line is that we need financial help!! Unfortunately we need about $9000 in order to finish our debut album. These funds will go to mixing, mastering, duplication and promotion of the record! Your very special contributions--whether $1 or $3000--will be immensely appreciated and will help pay for musician, studio, mixing, mastering, CD reproduction and publicity. We will be very grateful if you decide to back this project and help us reach the finish line.
There are cool rewards, including lessons, performances, Charts, Music Minus ones, etc.
Also, If we don't reach our goal then we won't get any of the funding (of course your credit card will not be charged by Kickstarter either). So, help us spread the word!!!
Please make your contribution by clicking the green button.
Come on board a be a part of the journey!!
Manuel
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
20
Backers
$635
pledged of $9,000 goal
Funding Canceled
Funding for this project was canceled by the project creator on January 25.
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Thank you so much for helping out!!!
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD Receive a High Quality digital download of entire album and Art work in PDF format
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pre-release DIGITAL DOWNLOAD Receive a High Quality digital download of entire album and Art work in PDF format before the album is released!!!
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AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF NEW CD: Receive an autographed copy of the CD when it is released along with personal thank you note and 1 song pre-release digital download.
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
NEW CD Plus PREVIOUS CD. You will receive a copy of the new record plus a copy of one of Manuel's previous releases. Your Choice of Currents, Vientos, Forma Nueva or Historia
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
NEW CD PLUS MUSIC CHARTS. You will receive a physical copy of the New CD. a digital High Quality Download version, plus lead Sheets in PDF format for all the 9 compositions/arrangements on the Recording.
Pledge $125 or more Pledge $125 or more
TAKE A PIANO LESSON WITH MANUEL. You will receive a copy of the New Album plus a 1 hour piano or composition lesson with Manuel in NYC or Via Skype.
Pledge $150 or more Pledge $150 or more
NEW CD plus ALL OF MANUEL"S CDs. You will receive a copy of the new record plus a copy of Manuel's previous 5 cds.
Pledge $150 or more Pledge $150 or more
A copy of the new record plus a custom made selection of five "music minus one" play along tracks (in hq digital download form) from the New Cuban Express Repertorie (select your "minus one" instrument) along with charts for your instrument.
Pledge $300 or more Pledge $300 or more
HAVE MANUEL ON YOUR RECORD. You get a copy of the New Album plus I will record a piano track for your project (overdub session in my studio facility). In Addition your name will appear as a contributor on the recording
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
Special Contributor #1! you will receive 2 copies of the new album, a pre-release High Quality digital download of the record, Lead Sheets for all the compositions, your name will appear as a contributor, and you'll get a personal thank you video and an exclusive solo piano recording of your favorite Jazz Standard or Manuel's composition that only YOU will have. You will also receive Manuel's previous five records: Forma Nueva, Melancolia, Historia, Vientos and Currents. In Addition your name will appear as a contributor on the recording
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR #2 You will receive special contributor 1 plus Executive Producer status on the liner notes. In Addition Manuel will record an exclusive performance of your favorite jazz standard in a Trio format (piano, bass and drums) that only YOU will have.
Pledge $1,500 or more Pledge $1,500 or more
MANUEL VALERA SOLO PIANO CONCERT AT YOUR HOME!! you will receive Special contributor 2 + Executive Producer status on the CD. I will come to your house and play a Solo Piano Concert gratis. Recipient would cover travel and lodging expenses from NYC as applicable, equipment rental.
Pledge $3,000 or more Pledge $3,000 or more
NEW CUBAN EXPRESS HOUSE CONCERT!! you will receive Special contributor 2 + Executive Producer status on the CD. I will come with the New Cuban Express to your home and play a house concert (recipient would cover travel and lodging expenses from NYC as applicable, equipment rental and sideman fees)
Project By
Connected as Manuel Valera (1869 friends)
Manuel Valera
Leader, pianist and composer
Billboard predicted Valera is “destined to play a role in the future of jazz,” and that future is now.
Born in 1980 in Havana, Cuba, Valera is one of the most acclaimed young pianists on the New York jazz scene. Pianist, bandleader, composer and arranger Valera is in the forefront of contemporary modern jazz. He represents the next generation of great performers and composers. His sound is fresh, inviting and evocative, and his goal is to forge innovative sounds that bring a vitality and newness to the idioms of jazz and Latin jazz.
His musical training started at an early age at Havana’s Manuel Saumell Conservatory where he originally studied classical saxophone. It wasn’t until emigrating to the United States in December 1994 when Valera switched to the piano. He began composing in 2000 while enrolled in the jazz program at the New School in New York studying with, among others, Reggie Workman, George Garzone, Jane Ira Bloom, Gerard D’Angelo and Richie Bierach.
Valera leads his latest project, The New Cuban Express. Dubbed "Jazz Cubano for Modern Times" this all-star band of prominent musicians, features a contemporary compositional take on the music of the island of Cuba as well as original pieces.
This dynamic and prolific artist has recorded five cds as a bandleader. Valera’s critically acclaimed debut cd Forma Nueva featuring John Patitucci, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, Bill Stewart and Seamus Blake—which received nationwide radio airplay and garnered strong reviews in the jazz and music press Billboard, Jazztimes, Jazziz, All Music Guide and Latin Beat among others. Historia, a jazz quartet recording for Fresh Sounds New Talent followed in 2005. In 2006, Melancolía—which employed a string quartet incorporating world rhythms and classical concepts in the jazz idiom—opened up new vistas of compositional colors and textures across the full range of Valera’s sources. In 2007, Vientos represented a new working quartet, featuring bassist James Genus, drummer Ernesto Simpson, saxophonist Joel Frahm and a woodwind quartet. His fifth major recording and most recent trio work, Currents, was released on MaxJazz in 2009, featuring Ernesto Simpson and James Genus. Manuel will be going into the studio to record music for The New Cuban Express this fall.
Valera has played with Paquito D’Rivera, Arturo Sandoval, Brian Lynch & Spheres of Influence, Dafnis Prieto, John Benitez, Donny McCaslin, Claudio Roditi, Louis Hayes, Giovanni Hildago, , Eddie Gomez and Yosvany Terry.
Manuel's most recent recognition for Vientos is the Jazziz Critics' Choice for "The Best of 2007" and the "2007 Jazz Twirlies," a celebration award given to those most worthy in modern jazz. He is a recipient of the 2006 Chamber Music America's New Works Commission, the 2005 ASCAP Young Composers Award and a final nominee of the 2005 Jazz Journalist Association's awards in the Up & Coming Musician of the Year category.
