«Cuban Night» – featuring Yasek Manzano Silva (tp)
Sometimes unexpected encounters lead to the most inspiring musical partnerships. When Cuban trumpeter Yasek Manzano Silva stepped in at short notice for an ailing colleague last year, he captivated the Zurich Jazz Orchestra and its audience from the very first moment. The musical chemistry between Yasek and the orchestra was extraordinary. For Ed Partyka and the musicians of the ZJO, one thing was immediately clear: this collaboration simply had to continue!
Now Yasek Manzano Silva returns to Zurich. This time, he brings some of his own compositions, specially rearranged for the Zurich Jazz Orchestra by Ed Partyka. This adds an exciting new dimension to their musical encounter: the Cuban trumpeter’s distinctive musical voice meets the orchestral richness and creative energy of a modern jazz big band.
Yasek Manzano Silva was born in Havana and received his musical education at the Alejandro García Caturla and Amadeo Roldán conservatories. He discovered his passion for jazz at an early age and soon began making a name for himself in the vibrant music scene of his hometown. A scholarship later took him to the prestigious Juilliard School in New York, where he studied with Wynton Marsalis, among others.
Throughout his international career, he has collaborated with renowned artists such as Chucho Valdés, Roy Hargrove, Celia Cruz and Wynton Marsalis. As a trumpeter, composer and producer, he moves effortlessly between Afro-Cuban music, modern jazz and a wide range of other musical styles.
His playing is characterised by technical brilliance, rhythmic sophistication and exceptional expressive power. He combines the musical roots of his Cuban homeland with the freedom of jazz improvisation and an openness to new musical possibilities.
Just how compelling this combination can be was evident during his first appearance with the ZJO at Moods. The enthusiastic response from the audience and the unmistakable joy of music-making on stage made it a truly memorable evening.
With “Cuban Night”, this musical partnership now enters a new chapter. Yasek’s own compositions, presented in fresh arrangements by Ed Partyka, promise a programme full of rhythmic energy, unexpected musical colours and outstanding solo performances.
An evening in which Cuban passion and orchestral jazz come together in an exhilarating musical experience.
