Short Bio:
Carlos Averhoff Jr.
Native Cuban saxophonist, composer, band leader is a recording artist at Sunnyside Records, Jazz label, an endorsee at the prestigious Theo Wanne saxophone mouthpieces and Gonzalez saxophone reeds. Recipient of a Grammy nomination for his collaboration in the album, “Buena Vista Social Club Presenta a Omara Portuondo”. Carlos currently collaborates with worldwide known Cuban pianist, Chucho Valdes and his legendary band, Irakere.
Carlos Averhoff Jr., is considered one of the top names in the list of the new generation of Cuban saxophone player around the globe. As a performer, he brings a unique approach and sound combining the fire and energy of Jazz legends, John Coltrane, Sony Rollins, Joe Henderson, with the lyricism of the great, Lester Young.
All About Jazz names Carlos "a dynamic fresh new voice on the saxophone”. Latin Jazz Network portrays his playing as “quite extraordinarily expressive and beautiful,” further adding, “Carlos Averhoff Jr. is a musician who is renowned as a virtuoso soloist.”
In Spain, 2005, Carlos Averhoff Jr., won the first price of SGAE, 2005 for best composition and solo performances on his original compositions, Con Calma, Raquel and Soft Drink.
The music of Carlos Averhoff, Jr., blends an authentic combination of old and modern Afro-Cuban rhythmic elements such as: Danzon, Cha-Cha-Cha, Rumba, Timba - just to mention some - with a strong presence of today’s contemporary Jazz language. Carlos masterfully paint a landscape of authentic harmonies and rhythms from his native land, Cuba with a very personal and dynamic musical touch.
A particular element that Carlos brings to his shows is a unique technique he developed and named, M.A.R.I (Melodic And Rhythmic Independence) where he plays a percussive instrument with his left foot while simultaneously playing his saxophone. Along with his natural a seductive charisma on the stage, Carlos and technique, M.A.R.I, deliver to the audience a unique Cuban musical taste on his shows.
Throughout his career as a band leader and side man, Carlos Averhoff Jr. has performed in recognized stages and Jazz Festivals around the world such as: Carnegie Hall, Paris Philharmonic, Jazz At Lincoln Center , ELB Philharmonic, Monterey Jazz Festival, Krakow Philharmonic, Jazz Odd Nowa Jazz festival, Beantown Jazz Festival, Monte-Carlo Sporting Club, Berklee Performance Center, Scullers Jazz Club, Blue Note Jazz Club, SFJazz, Angela Peralta Theater, Barcelona Jazz Festival, Palao De La Musica Catalana, Detroit Jazz Festival, Toronto Jazz Festival, Irapuato International Jazz Festival among others.
Carlos Averhoff Jr. has played alongside well known artists from the Jazz and Latin Jazz scenario such as: Chucho Valdes & Irakere, Chucho Valdes & La Creacion Yoruba Orchestra, Jazz drummers, Louis Hayes, Jimmy Cobb & Bob Moses, Juan De Marcos and The Afro-Cuban All Stars, Cuban drummer Horacio ‘El Negro’ Hernandez; trumpet players Arturo Sandoval, Brian Lynch, pianists, Jason Moran, Roberto Fonseca; saxophonists Dave Liebman, Greg Osby, Paquito De Rivera and the list goes on.
In 2011, in the US, Carlos Averhoff Jr. graduated with bachelor degree, Summa Cum Laude from Berklee College Of Music. He was recipient of the one of the most important music scholarships awards at Berklee, the Charlie Parker scholarship. In 2013, continued his Master studies in Jazz Performance at well recognized boutique school, The New England Conservatory where he graduated with honors inn 2013.
Carlos Averhoff Jr. took instruction from Jazz luminaries Jerry Bergonzi, George Garzone, Ed Tomassi, Frank Tiberi, Greg Osby, Bill Pierce, Terri Lyne Carrington, Joe Lovano, Jason Moran, Cecil McBee, Ran Blake, John McNeil and Donny McCaslin.
FUll Bio
Carlos Averhoff Jr is a Latin Grammy nominated Cuban tenor saxophonist, contemporary Afro-Cuban Jazz composer and educator. All About Jazz names Carlos "a dynamic fresh new voice on the saxophone” and Latin Jazz Network portrays his playing as “quite extraordinarily expressive and beautiful,” further adding, “Carlos Averhoff Jr is a musician who is renowned as a virtuoso soloist.”
Born in Havana, Cuba, Carlos first encounter with music was through his mother’s womb by the hands of his father, legendary saxophonist and member of Chucho Valdes’s Irakere, Carlos Averhoff. Classically trained in Cuba’s top music schools Manuel Saumel Conservatory of Music, Amadeo Roldan School of Music and Havana’s Superior Institute of Art, Carlos continued his education in the United States earning Suma cum Laude Honors at Berklee College of Music and a Master’s Degree with Honors from the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music.