Esteban Herrera is a musician originally from Mexico, living in Canada. He was born in Mexico City in 1979 and began his musical formation very young. He studied a Bachelor’s degree in jazz music performance and a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences. He has 30 years of professional experience as a full-time musician. He has performed, recorded and toured with several artists in many important venues all around Mexico, USA, Canada, Spain, England, Italy, Germany, France and Latin America. His music is an original approach to contemporary world jazz with Latin heritage, exploring odd meters and complex rhythms, letting the improvisation to lead each live session and recording. He writes the music and lyrics, arranges, plays the piano, produces, directs and designs the covers of his albums. He has released 12 albums as a leader so far, all available in the main internet networks of music streaming and purchasing sites.
He has received the ArtShare 2021 Grant (Calgary Arts Development), the Individual Micro Grant 2021 (Alberta Music), the Individual Artist Grant 2021 (Calgary Arts Development) and the AFA Music Individual Project Grant 2022 (Alberta Foundation for the Arts). He has been nominated for the Junos 2022 in the category of Jazz Album of the Year (Group) with the album THE PROPHET by the Esteban Herrera Quintet. He was selected as one of the twenty Compelling Calgarians of 2023 by the Calgary Herald.
Discography: • MEXICANA (2023) • COLIBRI DE PAPEL (2022 • ROMERO&HERRERA VOL 1 (2022) • PIANO SOLO VOL 1 (2022) • THE PROPHET (2021) • MIL VECES MAS (2019) • SUEÑOS (2018) • HOGAR (2018) •TRANSPARENTE (2017) • FANTASMA (2015) • ORIGEN (2014) • ESTRELLA (2013)
STEFANO VALDO, B.Sci, M.Mus.
Stefano Valdo is an experienced Performer, Studio Musician and Music Educator. Born in Northern Italy, he studied classical guitar and double bass at the local Conservatory.
In 1988 he moved to Los Angeles to study jazz arranging and composition at the Grove School of Music. After completion of the two-year program, Stefano immersed himself into the L.A. music scene and as a freelance musician for live performances and studio sessions. It was at this time that he joined the Grove School of Music Faculty, assisting noted music educator Mark Harrison in the General Musicianship and Small Group Arranging classes.
In 1999, Stefano earned his Master of Music degree from California State University at Long Beach. While at CSULB, he taught theory and ear training classes for the Undergraduate Program and continued to produce, record and perform for numerous independent projects. Among them he produced and arranged a twelve-piece jazz band album entitled, “L.A. Supper Club”, and two CD’s for noted flamenco group, Sarkis Quatro, for which he also served as Music Director. Among top jazz artists Stefano has performed with are: Ed Shaughnessy, Greg Bissonette, Justo Almario, Bobby Shew, Buddy Collette, and Jimmy Smith.
Stefano and his family moved to Calgary in 2006 where he keeps a busy schedule performing and recording for television and radio commercials and various independent artists. Since 2008 he has been educating aspiring young jazz musicians at Ambrose University teaching jazz ensembles and jazz theory classes where he is also director of jazz studies. In addition to Ambrose University commitment he is working as clinician for many Junior High and High Schools both in the CBE district and surrounding areas.
Stefano has been fortunate to be part of the Vic Lewis band festival faculty for the last six years.
ABOUT THE CONCERT
The ” Valdo-Herrera” project is a performance based on completely improvised music inspired by both the personal music background and experience of the performers. The audience will be taken on an exciting music journey by the mystery of melodic expectations. Every performance is a very unique experience that cannot be repeated. The music is created in the moment, involving the listener in a fascinating original music experience. The performance will be a series of short musical segments titled “Maiden Journey” written by Stefano Valdo and Esteban Herrera. V-H Project
