SANTI DEBRIANO

Santi Debriano is acclaimed as one of the most interesting and original voices on the international jazz scene today. As a soloist, he has performed at many of the world’s most renowned festivals and concert halls, oftenpresenting his own compositions with his bands.

“The depth of his performances and his energy [are] an inspiration for his colleagues and his audiences” Jabali Billy Hart

“In my estimation he is a living jazz master.” Mike Longo

His jazz group, Flash of the Spirit, is a sextet of virtuoso musicians who perform regularly on the New York jazz scene. The band moves easily through modern jazz, latin jazz and the avant garde jazz idioms. The group’s recording, Flash of the Spirit, on Truth and Revolution Recordings, was in the top 10 on the Jazz Weekly charts for 14 weeks in 2021, among the top 3 for 4 weeks.

His large band, Arkestra Bembe, uses 5 horns and 4 rhythm section playing his original compositions and arrangements. The Arkestra’s debut performance was at the Hamptons Jazz Festival in July 15, 2021.

Together with Essiet Essiet and Harvey S., Santi created “Castle Magic”, a trio of double bassists in which he is soloist and director.

With the Garth Fagan Dance Company and Don Pullen Santi participated in the realization the dance piece Sacred Common Ground. He participated in the production of two documentary films on jazz with French filmmaker Marc Huraux, Check the Changes and Bird Now. He appears in performance with Archie Shepp in the Canadian film Imagine the Sound.

He has realised concerts and albums such diverse jazz masters as Kenny Clarke, Mal Waldron, Archie Shepp, Kirk Lightsey, Chico Freeman, Arthur Blythe, David Murray, Attila Zoller, Lee Konitz, Oliver Lake, Baikida Carrol, Cecil Taylor, Sam Rivers, Hank Jones, Elvin Jones, Randy Weston, Roy Hanes and many others.

He is the author of two instruction books of Jazz Bass Studies. Along with guitarist Roni Ben Hur and Dr Fredrick Rouquier, Debriano started the Summer Jazz Camp in San Cezaire Sur Siagne, France, now in its fifth year, and the Adventures in Jazz Camp at Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. He is often invited to hold seminars in prestigious musical institutions and Universities, among which worth-mentioning are the: Wesleyan University, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, The New School for Jazz, New York University, University of Panama.

Santi has recorded CDs for Highnote, Savant, Freelance, Jazzheads and Motema Records. Several of his concerts have been broadcasted by WBGO, WNYC and National Public Radio.

He participates as a jury member in the Young Arts National jazz competition Panamanian by birth, Santi has resided in NYC for many years now, and few years ago he established his main studio on Staten Island, NY.

He counts as his primary influences: Duke Ellington, Ornette Coleman, Charles Mingus, Johnny Dyani, Israel Cachao Lopez, Miroslav Vitous, Archie Shepp, Scott LaFaro, Dave Holland, Eddie Gomez, Stanley Clarke, Buster Williams, Daniele Roccato, Paul Chambers, Jimmy Garrison.