Nalisio Taveras

American by birth, Dominican by blood, and raised all over the world. My first run-in with music would come in the 8th grade when I started playing the sax. I studied classically at first but, shortly after, began studying jazz.

Now, originally, the plan was that, after high school, I'd go to college to study law, make a few Benjamins, do the wife thing, have a couple of kids, live in a big house, yada yada yada...but...things didn't go as planned (they seldom ever do) and instead of studying law I went on to study music...but it was a beautiful thing. I invested time in her and she blessed me with the ability to express emotions that I was incapable of expressing through any other means.

In the fall of '99, my musical pursuit would lead me to the University of North Florida where I was immediately taken under the wings of renowned jazz saxophonist Bunky Green. I’d soon find that professor Green was far more than just a teacher; he was a father figure, a role model, a mentor, a friend, and, undoubtedly, one of the most beautiful souls I’ve come across in this world. So when my 4 year stint at the university was up – when I had completed my bachelors in jazz performance- Bunky Green made sure that I'd walk away with much more than a fancy piece of paper stating “yeah, the kid can play.” He had already taught me the value of dreams and the importance of believing in one’s self. I now knew that life’s possibilities were endless…when properly sought out.

Furthering my education seemed like the next most logical progression so I ventured north to William Paterson University in New Jersey where I’d work towards my masters degree in Jazz Arranging/Composition under the tutelage of another great mind - Rich Derosa. It was professor Derosa who first detected my inherent lyrical ability…an ability that not even I was totally aware of. Over time, professor Derosa would cultivate and refine my creative approach, while always allowing room for my independent style to blossom.

I’ve since completed my master’s degree and I’ve managed to support myself off of my musical talents alone. Throughout the years I’ve been fortunate enough to play and interact with many incredible artists such as: Dave Brubeck, Don Braden, Steve Coleman, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, The Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All Stars, Kenny Garrett, Slide Hampton, Antonio Hart, Albert “Tootie” Heath, Jimmy Heath, Percy Heath, Conrad Herwig, John Lee, Harold Maburn, Jose Madera, Pat Martino, Bob McChesney, Bobby Militello, James Moody, Eddie Palmieri, Marcus Printup, Maria Schneider, Gary Smulyan, Jim Snidero, The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, and James Williams to name a few. I have also had the honor of performing at a number of prestigious venues and events including: the Midwest Band and Orchestra clinic (Chicago- 2002), the Jazz Showcase (Chicago- 2002), the I.A.J.E. convention (Toronto- 2003), the North Sea Jazz Festival (Holland 2003), the Montreux Jazz Festival (Switzerland 2003), the Vienne Jazz Festival (France 2003), and the Jacksonville Jazz Festival (2003). Upon graduation from the University of North Florida, in 2003, I was the recipient of the Outstanding Scholar Award. And in October of 2004 I was featured in Jazziz Magazine as 1 of 10 up and coming young jazz musicians/composers in schools across the U.S. (http://www.jazziz.com/Pages/Jazziz_on_Disc/View_albums.asp?product_id=511).

I may not be a billionaire but that’s not exactly an item on my “things to do” list. Now, more than anything, I just want to write. I want to play. I want to sing (even if you don’t want to hear me)…I want to do all the things that make me smile on the inside…and…why waste time doing anything else?