Curation Window
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Curations by:
The Matrix ℵ via ↴
Who I Am & Where I Live
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Name:
Otmaro Ruiz
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City:
Los Angeles, California
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Country:
United States
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Hometown:
Caracas, Venezuela
My Life & Work
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Bio:
Considered one of the most important jazz pianists in the current scene, Venezuelan Otmaro Ruiz is known for his versatility and virtuosity. After working intensively in Venezuela with artists such as Soledad Bravo and Ilan Chester, Otmaro moves to Los Angeles in 1989 to join the group of great names of the jazz world such as Alex Acuña, Justo Almario y Abraham Laboriel, with whom still collaborates in diverse projects.
With an intense musical career, filled with concerts, workshops and recordings worldwide, Otmaro worked for 5 years with Dianne Reeves as a pianist and musical director. During this period, Otmaro participated in the recording project of her CD “In The Moment – Live in Concert”, which won the Grammy Award 2001. In that same year, Alex Acuna’s album “Acuarelas de Tambores, also with Otmaro’s collaboration, was nominated to a Grammy. His collaboration with Weston Woods Studios for the Scholastic Series of animated children videos have won important recognitions like the “2004 Audie Award” in the Children Production Category and Bronze Remi at the 2004 Worldfest-Houston International Film Festival (for the Soundtrack of “Chato and The Party Animals”); Otmaro also received a Life Time Special Award “International Exposure” from the Venezuelan National Artist’s Institute (for outstanding career in a foreign country). In 2012, Otmaro was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Musical Arts from Shepherd University. His work as an arranger was recognized by the American Academy of Recording Arts with a 2016 Grammy Nomination and a double Latin Grammy Award Nomination in 2019.
The long list of re-known musicians with whom Otmaro works, constantly confirms his versatility, proving that this jazz giant sails with ease in many different styles, from Straight-Ahead jazz to Pop-Rock, from the most authentic Salsa & Afro-Cuban to the most exciting Fusion, with unusual ability to express his own language both at the acoustic piano and in the electronic world of synthesizers. Among these amazing artists: John McLaughlin, Randy Brecker & Bill Evans’ SoulBop Project, Simon Phillips’ Protocol, Tito Puente, Arturo Sandoval, John Patitucci, Paquito D’Rivera, Jing Chi, Nana Caymmi, Dori Caymmi, Akira Jimbo, Frank Gambale, Peter Erskine, David Weckl, Art Davis Quintet, Charlie Haden Liberation Music Orchestra, Alain Caron, Gino Vannelli, Tolu, Frank Morgan, Robben Ford, Vinnie Colaiuta and Jon Anderson.
Regarded as one of the most sought-after keyboardists for recordings in today’s scene, Otmaro is still able to dedicate time to teaching, scoring of movie sound-tracks and to the production of his works as a leader with original compositional material, captured in the CDs “Otmaro Ruiz plays Ryuichi Sakamoto”, “Distant Friends”, “Nothing to Hide”, “Latino” and in his most recent album “Sojourn”. Released in September 2008, Sojourn encompasses the rhythmic complexity, harmonic sophistication and melodic beauty of his most recent compositions, under the architecture of a constant equilibrium, and presented with his own quartet, with the talented Jimmy Branly (drums), Carlos Del Puerto (acoustic bass) y Ben Wendel (saxophones and bassoon). In 2015, Otmaro produces and releases the album “Catina DeLuna and LADO B Brazilian Project featuring Otmaro Ruiz”, earning his first Grammy Nomination in the Arranging category, and in 2018,”Elemental” is released, featuring legendary bassist Jimmy Haslip and Jimmy Branly. “Elemental” marks the realization of a long time dream of producing a more electric infused Fusion project. “Elemental” generated international accolades and a double nomination at the Latin Grammy Awards in the categories of Best Arrangement and Best Jazz Album.
Otmaro Ruiz worked as Jazz Piano Faculty at University of Southern California (USC), at Cornell School of Contemporary Music at Shepherd University, has been a frequent guest clinician at Los Angeles Music Academy (LAMA), at Musicians Institute (MI) and continues to travel the world not only as a performer, but also as an educator, dictating workshops and Masterclasses in top conservatories.
Contact Information
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Management/Booking:
For Information on Bookings in the U.S., Online Master Classes and Lessons:
info@otmaroruiz.com
For Information or Bookings in Europe and South America:
Alejandro Orellana / Artemedios
Direct Music Collective
+39-06-99344184
aorellana@artemedios.com
artemedios@gmail.com
More
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Quotes, Notes & Etc.
“He is one of my favorite musicians. Besides being a great composer, arranger, Otmaro can also play all styles and any genre on both keyboards and acoustic piano. BTW, we all have a special gift and OT has a very unique and wonderful one. He recorded on several of my CDs and always will be my first call.”
ALEX ACUÑA (Drum legend / Member of Weather Report)
“Otmaro is one of the greatest keyboardists I ever played with. His astonishing abilities and the musical ear that guides them puts him into the top levels of “rarified” musical talent. He is terrific!”
JEFF BERLIN (Bassist extraordinaire)
“February 1988, I was staying in LA for my recording. One night I visited some club in Ventura Blvd to see the show of Dori Caymmi. The music was wonderful and I was so attracted by the playing of the keyboard player. All the notes he played were so rich musically and hit the strings of my heart. After the show, I went straight to the back stage and said to the guy “You are so wonderful” The guy was Otmaro. Since then, he has been my “first call”. It is truly wonderful experience to make music with him. He is different. He has something very special. I truly think so.”
AKIRA JIMBO (Drummer extraordinaire / Co-founder of Casiopea)
“Jazz with rich harmonic content, sophisticated melodic material and exciting improvisation… but filled with emotion, images and stories… we might have arrived to yet another music category… Otmaro’s work is “Cinematic Jazz”..
JACQUES BRAUNSTEIN (Venezuelan / International Jazz Radio Personality)
I first heard about Otmaro when he was a rising star (a young buck full of piss and vinegar) I was immediately impressed by his musical sense and embarrassing wealth of skills. After almost 14 years, I believe Ot has accomplished what only serious and uncompromising artists do, and that is, settle the ongoing argument between sound and space, hammering out notes from places in the heart. Self-possession in lieu of self-indulgence. One of my favorite pianists.
My constant respect and admiration.
GINO VANNELLI (Pop-Rock-Jazz Legend)
On one opportunity, I took Leny Andrade to listen to Otmaro playing solo piano. Otmaro played “Stella by Starlight”. When he finished, Leny look at me very surprised and pleased. Otmaro continued with “Body and Soul”. Leny smiled and squeezed my hand. Otmaro siguio con “Autumm Leaves”. Leny held her head between her hands. And so the jazz recital continued until Otmaro, as a finale, started dealing with a Venezuelan piece. When he concluded, Leny told me: “YES!!!”… she stood up, applauded until exhaustion while yelling BRAVO!!!, BRAVO!!!, and when Otmaro approached our table, she hugged him and kissed him. She would just not release him!!! Otmaro gave us a lesson: “Talk about your people and you shall reach universality”
CHUCHITO SANOJA (Venezuelan Composer)
“Otmaro, playing the piano is one of those rare musical gems that combines exquisite taste with prodigal technical abilities. He is jazz, he is latin, he is humorous… and he is damn good at all of them.”
ILAN CHESTER (Venezuelan Pop Celebrity)
“Few years back, just before a major tour of Europe and the US, I lost my keyboard player to Wayne Shorter.
I had heard about Otmaro, but never heard his music, so my call to him to bail me out was’ grasping at the unknown’ except for high recommendation. He came in and already by the middle of the first rehearsal, we had forgotten the name of my original keyboard player! …What more can I say ?! Otmaro is genial ! ”
JOHN MCLAUGHLIN (Jazz Guitar Legend)
“Otmaro is a singularly fascinating artist in his beautiful technique and unbridled passion at the piano. His devotion to music and his generosity have inspired me each time we play. I have never known a pianist like him. He has enormous experience as an arranger, composer and ensemble leader and yet is willing to collaborate in an egoless way that I find profound and inspiring. What a great and amazing soul he is.”
Rhiannon (Master Vocalist / Actress / Improviser)
My Instruction
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Lessons/Workshops:
I feel fortunate to have had a rich history as a touring and recording musician for 40+ years across many different styles. I also have a true passion for transferring this knowledge to students. “Music Educator” has been on my CV as both a private group, individual, and Master Class instructor & lecturer, and also as higher learning faculty, e.g. USC Thornton School of Music for 7+ years, Cornell School of Contemporary Music at Shepherd University for 7+ years, etc.
Despite the many roads travelled since I myself was a student, I look back with a clear recollection of my past as an aspiring musician in Venezuela. I yearned for a time and place where I could access the caliber of mentorship I required. Both the over-mystification and the excessive, “casual” tone of available instruction was completely frustrating.
Therefore, my Personal Mission is to be a clear, supportive teacher – to articulate concepts in as many ways as possible so that any student can process and apply them. The über-talented, “all-ears” jazz pupil will simply not assimilate information the same way a PhD Classical Pianist does; it’s my responsibility to customize presentation of material to match how each student learns optimally.
The scope of our lessons can cover anything from:
• Basic – yet vital – piano technique and relaxation drills
• Jazz harmony
• Impromptu re-harmonization tips
• Improvisation (traditional jazz, no-BS-modern, crossover and beyond…)
• Specific, “to the point” content applied to Fusion, Afro-Cuban and Brazilian musical traditions; this can encompass practical application, plus theory and historical context, as desired.
Our meetings can be structured as Lectures or Coaching [for those who are already looking for different perspectives to be applied to on-going projects]. I can address specific concerns & questions or design a specific course of action. “Flexibility” being the operative word, without sacrificing substance or objectivity.
Next Steps:
1) Reach out today for rates to info@otmaroruiz.com
2) Decide on lesson frequency: weekly, bi-monthly, monthly, etc.
3) Schedule a mutually available time(s)
4) Pick a platform: FaceTime, Zoom, Skype, etc.
I truly look forward to sharing some music with you!!!
Clips (more may be added)
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Otmaro Ruiz/ℵ A CURATED WINDOW UPON OTHER WORLDS