Justo Almario

Regarded by this writer as the número uno jazz reedman of Latin American origin found west of the Mississippi, the Colombian-born and South Pasadena-based Justo Almario is a truly solid multi-instrumentalist/composer/arranger, whose compelling and joyful tenor (never mind that he also plays convincing alto on the original track titled Dysfunctional) graces the bebop-oriented CD Love Thy Neighbor, in which he leads a rhythm section comprised of bassist René Camacho, pianist Donald Vega, and drummer Lorca Hart, augmented on three numbers with Francisco Torres' effective trombone interventions. Characterized by the powerful inventiveness of its costeño (native of Colombia's Caribbean coast) protagonist, this partially original (half of the repertoire was penned by Almario) 2004 session demonstrates his unique approach to the instrument he plays most frequently, within a mainstream jazz context, as opposed to the Latin jazz format that he is most often associated with.

A brief statement offered by the late bass legend Al McKibbon could summarize the nature of Almario's most recent, self-produced project: "Listening to Love Thy Neighbor ... I'm reminded of the outstanding jazz recordings where musicians played with heart, emotion and intelligence ... For me, Justo is one of the top multi-reed players in the jazz world." Amen, brother Al!
- Luis Tamargo - Latin Beat Magazine

Justo Almario Quartet
Friday Night Jazz Series, Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Los Angeles, California
May 2, 2008


The weather was just right as a crowd of jazz enthusiasts gathered to experience the glorious and tireless musicianship of woodwind virtuoso Justo Almario and his ensemble May 2 at the Friday Night Jazz Series hosted by Los Angeles County Museum of Art. It was jazz served up with sizzling sound-check appetizers, marvelous main courses, and dazzling desserts.


Almario conducted a sound check with the Jerome Kern standard, “All The Things You Are,” which quickly captivated all those on hand. His attention to melody, harmony, and the essence of the tune during his warm-up was exquisitely beautiful, more like a finished product. Almario humbly accepted the applause and whispered into his microphone with a mischievous smile, “sound check, just a sound check.” Merely a teasing appetizer for what was yet to come. The seating quickly filled at the outdoor venue, but latecomers weren't complaining even as they stood in crowded spaces. They were eagar to see Almario and his matchless supporting cast concoct a scrumptious musical meal for us.


The Thelonius Monk tune “I Mean You” was the starter course for the evening, intertwined with a quote from a Thelonius Monk/Kenny Clarke bop favorite “Epistrophy,” which evoked nods of approval from both the rhythm section and the audience. Next up was Sonny Rollins' “Oleo,” wonderfully performed at high speed. We continued our fine dining, enjoying the interaction of a trade of fours between the rhythm section and Almario. Staccato, legato, slurred, or tongued--the articulations of each note, effortless phrasing, and deft negotiation of chords made for an exciting statement, filling the atmosphere with joy. The audience even had an opportunity to join in during a soulful rendition of Herbie Hancock's “Watermelon Man,” chanting the piece's title whenever cued by the leader.


The night provided another tempting course with a beautiful Cuban piece composed in the 1920s by Ernesto Lecuona--”Al Fin Te Vi.” Adding to the enticement were Walter Rodriquez on drums and Edwin Livingston on bass, each providing alluring solos in addition to supporting Almario's brilliant mastery on clarinet. As the evening progressed, so did the quartet's vibrant expressiveness on each tune, assuring that no one was left unsatisfied by the delectable jazz delights of this rich musical feast. - Kim Vinson, All About Jazz

Legendary saxophonist Justo Almario recently joined fellow Colombian Juanes and American superstar Fergie on the new album, by Sergio Mendes, Encanto, to be released in stores June 10, 2008.

(Billboard Publicity Wire) March 25, 2008 -- Mr. Almario continues to showcase Latin Jazz music to the world, fusing it with Mendes' Brazilian hip-hop flair and Juanes pop artistry. Fueled by exciting talent and vibrant energy, the album is posed to be a crossover, international hit with additional contributions from Italian rapper Jovanotti, Japanese pop group 'Dreams Come True,' the Belgian group 'Zap Mama' and American Stars Natalie Cole, Herb Alpert and his wife, original Brasil '66 singer, Lani Hall.


"I had a very musical experience working with Sergio on this new project." said Justo Almario. "He is a master of the Brazilian sound and I'm specially delighted to play in the same track with Juanes. It is great to have two Colombians contributing their talents to this great CD."


Encanto caps off a busy start to 2008 for Mr. Almario. Among other recent studio recordings, he was pleased to take part in The Open Hands Project Quartet featuring Abraham Laboriel, Greg Mathieson, and Bill Maxwell - which employed a cutting edge two-channel analog-tape simulating technique.


Veteran producer/engineer Bill Schnee and mastering genius Doug Sax developed the digital delivery medium to simulate the sound quality of the phonograph record. The results are recordings with previously unrealized clarity, definition, and imaging.


"I am tremendously impressed by the quality and integrity of the live-to-two track recordings," said Billy Woodman, President of the famed speaker manufacturer ATC in England. "The image was large, three dimensional and coherent with, as you say, a natural fidelity. Great achievement."


Justo Almario, a native of Colombia, is a renowned reedman -- soprano and tenor saxophones, clarinet and flute--a clinician, composer and arranger. He is no stranger to such fusing of styles, often weaving Latin, Afro-Cuban, South American, Funk and Jazz.


He has performed with Patrice Rushen's Grammy Awards Orchestra, Freddie Hubbard, Roy Ayers, George Duke, Tito Puente, Machito, Dave Grusin, Ndugu Chancler, Alex Acuna, Abraham Laboriel, TOLU, Donald Vega, Harold Land Jr. Al Mckibbon, Master P, Bebe Winans, Queen Latifah, Charles Mingus, Chaka Kahn, Linda Rondstadt, Herb Alpert, Bobby Shew, John Heard, Lorca Hart, Billy Higgins and "Jose Rizo's Jazz on the Latin Side All-Stars".


Mr. Almario has contributed to a number of Grammy winning albums, including -- Andrae Crouch's "Mercy", and by the late Cachao's "Master Sessions, Vol. 1" and "Ahora Si".


Justo Almario is also heard on the soundtracks of the Oscar-winning films "Sideways" and "Happy Feet." In addition, Mr. Almario is featured on Andy Garcia's recent release, "The Lost City", and on "Romance and Cigarettes" produced by John Turturo and starring Susan Sarandon and James Gandolfini. - Billboard Publicity Wire

On April 15, the Refuge was swinging to the tune of a jazzy beat as the AC Jazz Combo, directed by Dr. Jim Laughlin, and Grammy winner Justo Almario rocked the place for this year's jazz concert.

Almario spent the afternoon in a clinic with the combo, consisting of Phillip Galindo on piano, Austin Brazille on guitar, Terrence Clarkson on guitar, Matt Cassetty on bass, Michael Fiore on bass and Tyler Anderson on drums.

He helped them prepare for an upcoming jazz festival in Colorado.

"It is simply amazing what he was able to help us accomplish this afternoon," said Laughlin as he addressed the crowd at the concert. "We are really very grateful for everything he taught us today."

Almario commented in an interview on the clinic and concert with the Jazz Combo.

"Being here for me is a tremendous blessing because I like to teach a little bit, but I also like to learn a little bit," he said.

"So I am here with the combo and sharing with them what I know, but they are also sharing with me their feelings and what they know, so it's very important."

Also at the concert was the AC Jazz Choir Past to Present, consisting of Alex Winn, Tiffany Mosier, Brandon Willhelm, Anne Rauscher, Jennifer Alpar, Chris Rogers and the director, Dr. Steven Weber.

They performed a few covers of popular songs, including a student-arranged version of Crazy Little Thing Called Love.

The fun continued for a second day as Almario also performed in the Oak Room of the College Union Building on the Washington Street Campus.

"This is just so much fun, he is so good," said a member of the audience.

Almario traveled to Amarillo from the University of Richmond in Virginia, where he had conducted a clinic and played in a concert. Now he is touring across California from Yoshi's in San Francisco to Vibrato's in Beverly Hills. - Kyle Martin, The Ranger

Los Angeles (Billboard Publicity Wire) May 29, 2008 -- This summer keep your ears open, as International Colombian saxophonist Justo Almario can be heard in Kung Fu Panda's (Dreamworks) upbeat and epic-like original musical score.

Kung Fu Panda will be opening in theaters everywhere on June 6th. Co-written by Hans Zimmer and John Paul, the musical score is an adventurous score with unique rhythms and instrumentation. No stranger to film festivities; on May 19th he performed at the Cannes Film Festival alongside Andy Garcia and the CineSon All Stars. Mr. Almario was also featured on the recently released documentary Cachao: Uno Mas, a film distinguishing Israel Lopez "Cacho" as one of the greatest Afro-Cuban musicians of our time. Justo Almario shares details about his friendship with Israel Lopez "Cachao" and an unforgettable story of one of Israel Lopez's last concerts.

"I'm extremely blessed to have had his friendship in my life. One of the last concerts that I played with him was, of all places, in the Caribbean coast of Colombia in 2006 at the Barranquijazz Festival in my home country," Justo says. He adds, "The audience gave him a standing ovation after the very first song and they were on their feet for the rest of the concert. Like the title of the beautiful and important documentary produced by Andy Garcia about Cachao's life and music: 'Cachao, Como Su Ritmo No Hay Dos,' I'm forever grateful and forever will miss you."

Master of soprano and tenor saxophones, Justo Almario also recently joined the legendary Brazilian musician Sergio Mendes on his upcoming album Encanto (Concord Records), which brings together a fusion of flavors and grooves from artists all over the world. Justo joined Sergio with fellow Columbian-artist Juanes in "Y Vamos Ya" and "The Look of Love" featuring American-pop star Fergie. On June 10th look out Justo in Encanto, as this album is another exhilarating showcase about the enchantment of Brazilian music with an eclectic blend of Justo's clever instrumentation of Latin and jazz. With homage awards on August 14th at Encuentro Nacional de Bandas and on August 15th at Universidad de Sucre in Colombia, Justo Almario is indeed a world-wide respected and celebrated artist.

Justo has had an eventful start nationally and internationally, continuously fusing Latin and jazz elements to different genres, collaborating with a diversity of artists, and connecting with listeners on many levels--to include musical scores for films such as Oscar-winning films Happy Feet and Sideways. Performances are currently being planned through 2008/09 to include Cartagena, Colombia, The Jakarta Jazz Festival, and the Go Global Festival in Denmark. This summer you can find the legendary Justo Almario at the following venues:

May 30th --Charlie O's
June 5th --Coral Church Congregation Church "Summer Series"
June 14th-- Rhythms on Vine
July 26th--Central Avenue Jazz Festival
August 14th -- Encuentro Nacional de Bandas
August 15th -- Universidad de Sucre
September 26th--San Antonio Jazz Festival


About Justo Almario

A native of Colombia, reedman, clinician, composer and arranger, Justo Almario has fused Latin, Afro-Cuban, South American, Funk and Jazz genres into his own humble offering. Mr. Almario studied at the prestigious Berklee School of Music before a stint with Mongo Santamaria as the bands musical director.

A multi-instrumentalist of the highest caliber, Mr. Almario has mastered the soprano and tenor saxophones, clarinet and flute. Justo thoroughly engages his listeners with rhythmic, call and response interludes. Although he is extremely appreciative, this modest wind wizard frequently deflects any accolades, opting instead, to thank folks for merely showing up and sharing. This is paramount to a keenly sensitive artist who warmly connects with his audience on so many levels.

Justo has performed with Patrice Rushen's Grammy Awards Orchestra, Freddie Hubbard, Roy Ayers, George Duke, Tito Puente, Machito, Dave Grusin, Ndugu Chancler, Abraham Laboriel, TOLU, Al Mckibbon, Master P, Bebe Winans, Queen Latifah, Jennifer Lopez, Charles Mingus, Chaka Kahn, Linda Rondstadt, Herb Alpert, Bobby Shew, John Heard, Billy Higgins and Andy Garcia and the CineSon All Stars. Always in demand, Justo's complete list of credits is simply too extensive to mention.

About Emerson Bran Management

Emerson Bran Management is a full-service booking and management agency established in 1999 exclusively in the Latin & Jazz industry. Our commitment is to bring you the best performers in Jazz, Latin Jazz, Afro-Cuban music and more. EBM represents, books, and has produced events with Grammy Award winners, national and international recording artists as well as emerging talent. From celebratory international and national headlining performances, to unforgettable collaborations and special presentations, EBM's artists offer a diversity of world genres and rhythms for any siz - Billboard Publicity Wire

For Immediate Release Grammy award winning, multi-instrumentalist Justo Almario joins top, international talent at fall weekend Festival "…Justo [Almario] is one of the top multi-reed players in the jazz world." –Latin Beat Magazine Solvang, California, August 27, 2009— The Universal Guild for Jazz and Progressive Music is pleased to announce that world-renowned, Grammy award winning, multi-instrumentalist Justo Almario will join this year’s stellar Solvang Jazz Festival lineup. Almario will perform two shows with the Eugene Maslov Trio. Almario joins Maslov and other special guests for the Festival’s "Hip Improvisational Evening of Jazz – Night Club Performance" on Friday, September 25th, at 7:30 p.m. and at 9:30 p.m. at Hotel Corque. In addition to his extensive roster of honors and credientials, Justo Almario is also heard on the soundtrack of Oscar-winning film "Sideways".



"Justo Almario has been a significant influence on Jazz and collaborations across musical genres," said Stix Hooper, Founder and Artistic Director of the Solvang Jazz Festival and President of the Universal Guild of Jazz and Progressive Music, the nonprofit presenting the Festival. "We are honored to present the true wizard of woodwind at this year’s Solvang Jazz Festival."



A native of Colombia, Justo Almario is a reedman, musician, clinician, composer and arranger who continues to mesmerize audiences worldwide. He fuses Latin, Afro-Cuban, South American, Funk and Jazz genres into his own offering. A multi-instrumentalist of the highest caliber, Mr. Almario has mastered the soprano and tenor saxophones, clarinet and flute. Almario studied at the prestigious Berklee School of Music before a stint with Mongo Santamaria as the band’s musical director.



Almario has performed with many other top figures in Jazz and other popular music, including Patrice Rushen’s Grammy Awards Orchestra, Freddie Hubbard, Roy Ayers, George Duke, Tito Puente, Machito, Dave Grusin, Ndugu Chancler, Alex Acuna, Abraham Laboriel, TOLU, Donald Vega, Harold Land Jr. Al Mckibbon, Master P, Bebe Winans, Queen Latifah, Charles Mingus, Chaka Kahn, Linda Rondstadt, Herb Alpert, Bobby Shew, John Heard, Lorca Hart, Billy Higgins and "Jose Rizo’s Jazz on the Latin Side All-Stars". Almario’s stellar career was recently celebrated during a segment of "orld Stage Stories", a comprehensive oral history series that chronicles the evolution of jazz.



Almario is also the recipient of numerous honors from prestigious music, education and cultural organizations including recording and production on Grammy- winning and nominated albums, and soundtracks for Oscar-winning films including "Sideways" and "Happy Feet".



Along with Almario, The Solvang Jazz Festival is bringing artists from the world over, in a variety of jazz genres, to the Central Coast. This year’s lineup includes:





Friday September 25th, TWO SHOWS: 7:30 & 9:30 p.m. A Hip Improvisational Evening of Jazz – Night Club Performance: Eugene Maslov Trio with Special Guest Justo Amario, other guests to be announced, Hotel Corque
Eugene Maslov is a Russian pianist and has performed at Carnegie Hall with Al Jarreau, Joe Lovano and other jazz greats. He has jammed with jazz legends like Pearl Bailey, Louis Belson, Pat Metheny and Dave Brubeck’s quintet. Justo Amario is a master of woodwinds and has performed with Mongo Santamaria, , Freddie Hubbard, Tito Puente, Queen Latifah, Charles Mingus, Chaka Kahn, Linda Rondstadt, Herb Alpert, and many others.


Saturday, September 26th, 12 to 4 p.m. Student Jazz Group Performance, Solvang Festival Theater
A variety of local student jazz groups will perform; this event is open to the community.


Saturday, September 26th, 7:00 p.m. All Star Jazz Concert, Tribute to Freddie Hubbard:
Take 6 and a tribute band under the leadership of Kamasi Washington with other guests to be announced, Solvang Festival Theater
Winners of 10 Grammy Awards, 10 Dove Awards, one Soul Train Award and two NAACP Image Award Nominations, Take 6 is an a cappella jazz group that combines swing, gospel and jazz influences. The group has performed or recorded with top jazz luminaries including Quincy Jones, Ella Fitzgerald and more.


While bringing the legends and bright new stars of Jazz music and culture to the Central Coast, The Solvang Jazz Festival aims to promote awareness and appreciation of America’s indigenous musical art form – jazz. The Universal Guild for Jazz and Progressive Music (UGJPM), presenter of the Festival, provides local educational opportunities including competitions for students ages 10 to 19 and a workshop program led by local and guest artists and educators. Competition winners are awarded financial assistance to help further their musical education. An exciting new opportunity for students this year is the Student Jazz Group Performance at the Solvang Festival Theater on Saturday, September 26 from 12 to 4 p.m.



About Uni - ejazz news

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) March 24, 2009 -- International saxophonist/arranger Justo Almario joins a diverse panel of 110 participants from all over the world at the Sixty-First Annual Conference on World Affairs on April 6-10, 2009. Presented by the University of Colorado at Boulder, the annual event is sure to offer a refreshing look at the world through perspectives from distinct worlds--including Justo Almario's Latin and jazz world. Some of the people on the panel this year include: NPR Correspondent Margot Adler, Retired Ambassador Wendy Chamberlain, New York Times Journalist, James Glanz, and Film Critic Roger Ebert from Chicago Sun Times. Other musicians also attending the panel include: Dave and Don Grusin, Oscar Castro-Neves, and Nestor Torres. Panelists from previous conferences include Vice President Joseph Biden, Ralph Nader, and Ariana Huffington from the Huffington Post.

Justo Almario is a legendary jazz maestro, and is known to captivate audiences through his expressive musical passages--and for the first time ever he joins a dynamic gathering for a 5-day extravaganza of stimulating discussions on world affairs. Justo is continuously fusing Latin and jazz elements to different genres, collaborating with a diversity of artists, and connecting with listeners on many levels. He has been featured on musical scores for films such as Kung Fu Panda, Living Out Loud, and Oscar-winning films Happy Feet and Sideways.

"It's an honor to be a part of such an elite and prestigious conference, and to be sharing views with such luminaries," says Justo Almario. He adds, "The panel will give the attendees a chance to transform their thoughts and get to know people from many backgrounds up closely-I'm excited." With today's rapidly changing times, the Annual Conference on World Affairs offers a one-of-a-kind event to share, connect, and transform with over 200 panels and performances. Every April in Boulder, audiences range in size from an intimate 75 to well over 2,000 at individual sessions.

Justo continues to inspire and shine through Latin and jazz cadences in 2009, and most recently in the album OPEN HANDS, a collaboration of long-time friends that include Abraham Laboriel, Gregg Mathieson and Bill Maxwell. OPEN HANDS was recorded live at Schnee Studio in North Hollywood, California by Grammy and Emmy Award winning engineer Bill Schnee. Justo also recently joined Sergio Mendes on his latest recording "Encanto" which features fellow Colombian-artist Juanes and other American pop icons such as Natalie Cole, Fergie, Ledisi and Will.i.am.

About Justo Almario:
A native of Colombia, reedman, clinician, composer and arranger, Justo Almario has fused Latin, Afro-Cuban, South American, Funk and Jazz genres into his own humble offering. Mr. Almario studied at the prestigious Berklee School of Music before a stint with Mongo Santamaria as the bands musical director. A multi-instrumentalist of the highest caliber, Mr. Almario has mastered the soprano and tenor saxophones, clarinet and flute. Justo thoroughly engages his listeners with rhythmic, call and response interludes. Although he is extremely appreciative, this modest wind wizard frequently deflects any accolades, opting instead, to thank folks for merely showing up and sharing. This is paramount to a keenly sensitive artist who warmly connects with his audience on so many levels. Justo has performed with Patrice Rushen's Grammy Awards Orchestra, Freddie Hubbard, Roy Ayers, George Duke, Tito Puente, Machito, Dave Grusin, Ndugu Chancler, Abraham Laboriel, TOLU, Al Mckibbon, Master P, Bebe Winans, Queen Latifah, Jennifer Lopez, Charles Mingus, Chaka Kahn, Linda Rondstadt, Herb Alpert, Bobby Shew, John Heard, Billy Higgins and Andy Garcia and the CineSon All Stars. Always in demand, Justo's complete list of credits is simply too extensive to mention.
http://www.myspace.com/justoalmario

About the Sixty-First Annual Conference on World Affairs:
The Conference on World Affairs, originally founded in 1948 as a forum on international affairs, expanded rapidly in its early years to encompass the arts, media, science, diplomacy, technology, environment, spirituality, politics, business, medicine, human rights, and so on. Roger Ebert, who has participated in the CWA for thirty-eight consecutive years, refers to the CWA as "the Conference on Everything Conceivable." The event is open to the public--and attended by students, faculty, staff, alumni, journalists and visitors from around the nation. Each April 110 participants representing a wide range of backgrounds gather in Boulder for what The New York Times calls "a week-long extravaganza of discussion and debate" on over 200 panels, plenaries and performances. The CWA owes its existence to a vast network of volunteers. Although many of the panelists ordinarily command large speaking or performance fees, CWA participants attend at their own expense, finding reward in a fascinating and diverse group of - PR Web