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Marialy Pacheco's High 5

Marialy Pacheco's High 5 "Marialy is a rare kind of musician who has a perfect blend of knowledge, touch, tone and freedom in her music. She seamlessly…

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High 5

“Marialy is a rare kind of musician who has a perfect blend of knowledge, touch, tone and freedom in her music. She seamlessly weaves in and out of musical stories and delights the soul with free flowing improvisation that takes the listener by surprise, causing us to trust her with our hearts and ears! She’s HOT!!!”

  • Tommy Emmanuel, CGP (Legendary Australian Jazz Guitarist)

“Marialy takes you through a journey of passion for music that radiates the listener. It’s more than talent. It’s a gift!!!”

  • Karl Perazzo (Pecussionist, Santana)

“Marialy’s art can not be trimmed to fit into convention or category, in her playing is the unity of youth and experience, both the carefree and the careful desire to live and create.”

  • CD Universe

Marialy Pacheco represents the next generation of emerging Cuban musicians. Her music is a fine balance between Cuban tradition, jazz and her classical training. She brings the piano to life with an immense talent for highly nuanced improvisations.

Born in Havanna, Cuba in 1983, pianist and composer Marialy began her musical education at age studying piano at one of Cuba’s most prestigious Conservatoriums (Alejandro García Caturla Conservatorium). At age 15 she was accepted into the National School of Arts (Escuela Nacional de Artes) in Havana, studying under Olga Valiente. At the age of 20 she was accepted into the National University of Arts in Havana, (Instituto Superior de Artes de la Havana) where she studied composition under Tulio Peramo for three years.

At the age of fifteen she was invited to Asturias, Spain to the Festival de Jovenes Talentos for her first international performance. In 2002 at age 19 she won the Cuban competition Jo-Jazz, with Grammy award-winner Chucho Valdez presiding over the jury, and in 2004 she was invited to Bremen, Germany to record her first album Bendiciones with Weltwunder Records.

Relocating to Germany in 2004 she continued to tour Europe and build her international reputation. She was invited three consecutive years to perform in Festival Son Cuba, a Cuban performance that celebrates Cuban traditional music and tours Europe annually, as well as touring extensively throughout Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands, both as a solo pianist and with her trio.

In 2006 she was invited to perform with “Cuba Percussion” at the Dresden Jazz Festival, and in the same year she was awarded the Second Prize at Choral Gables Congregational Church Florida for her work for string orchestra “Güajira para Tulio”. In 2008 she was a guest soloist at concerts with Australian guitarist Tommy Emmanuel.

Marialy Pacheco has released 5 independent albums and in 2011 was a finalist at Europa Fest International Jazz Competition in Bucharest, Romania.

1. KEITH JARRETT SOLO - Berlin, October 12th 2009

Keith Jarrett has been my most beloved pianist since I was a teenager. My dream was always to have the opportunity one day to see him play live. Living in Cuba, that was almost an impossible dream.

Seeing him play solo in Berlin was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. My heart was pounding so fast, before, during and long after the concert was finished. I thought I was dreaming! That man playing the piano was not from this world, nor was the music emerging from the piano: it was magical!

2. PAUL GRABOWSKY & JAMIE OEHLERS DUO - Brisbane Festival Spiegeltent Jazz, Sunday, September 11th, 2011

I loved this concert so much! It was passionate, intoxicating and fun! The music flowed perfectly, mostly improvised yet so coherent. Paul’s playing was so vibrant and colourful, a journey through a world of harmony. I couldn’t stop smiling. It was so inspiring.

3. GONZALO RUBALCABA - Jazz Plaza Festival, Havana, December 2003

Gonzalo Rubalcaba is for me a genius of Cuban piano. He has inspired me and influenced my playing in many ways. At the Jazz Plaza Festival in Havana he played solo and with his Trio (Armando Gola on bass and Ignacio Berroa on drums). I was just starting to play jazz at the time and this concert gave me a bright vision of the many possibilities of the Trio and how Cuban music and Latin jazz can be approached in a more sophisticated way.

4. SWAN LAKE - Berlin State Opera, Staatskapelle Berlin Orchestra and Berlin State Ballet, January 2007

Principal dancers: Vladimir Malakhov and Polina Semionova -

I was extremely touched by this performance. It was perfection. The Orchestra, the music, the dancing - heartfelt, impeccable, honest.

5. TOMMY EMMANUEL - Die Glocke Theater, Bremen November 2008

I played as guest at this concert with Tommy Emmanuel. I played solo and one of Tommy’s compositions together with him. It was a unique experience for me. Tommy is not only an incredible guitarist but also an inspiring man. We talked for hours back stage, about music and life. I’m honoured to have him as my good friend.

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