Piano Cubano – Rafael Zaldivar: Afro-Cuban Rhythms & North American Jazz

Rafael Zaldivar – piano

John Bacon Jr. – drums

Our “Piano Cubano” music series returns as Rafael Zaldivar and renowned Buffalo jazz drummer John Bacon Jr. join forces to expertly bring together the rhythmic and melodic elements of Afro-Cuban music and North American Jazz.

When Cuban pianist and composer Rafael Zaldivar sits down at the piano, he brings a wealth of inspiration to the keys. His compositions display his percussion expertise, his many years of collaborating with top jazz musicians, and his cultural heritage. Born in Camagüey, Cuba, Zaldivar is carrying on a rich family legacy of musicianship. After taking up percussion and piano at a young age, Zaldivar pursued his studies at the Higher Institute of Arts in Havana.

After arriving in Canada at 22, Zaldivar earned a B.A. at Université de Montréal and an M.A. and D.Mus. from McGill University. His musical career has since thrived, allowing him to collaborate with renowned musicians like Barry Harris, Kenny Barron, and Herbie Hancock. Recently, he has performed at international jazz festivals, including those in Rochester, Querétaro, and the North Sea. He was personally invited by GRAMMY-winning drummer Terri Lyne Carrington to perform at Boston’s Bean Town Jazz Festival, where he shared the stage with her.

Zaldivar has collaborated with artists like Roy Hargrove, Steve Coleman, Nate Smith, Ben Wendel, Ari Hoenig, Dan Weiss, Nir Felder, and Greg Osby, and recorded with Kurt Rosenwinkel, Miguel Zenón, and Ingrid Jensen. He received the Second Award at the International Jazz Piano Competition in Jacksonville, Florida, and served on the jury for the 2023 and 2024 Juno Awards. His skills as an artistic director, pianist, and composer have bolstered his career in the Canadian and international jazz scenes.

John Bacon, Jr. is one of Buffalo’s most versatile drummers, percussionists, and composers. A fixture of the region’s jazz and creative music scene, he has performed internationally with artists such as Lester Bowie, Roswell Rudd, Bobby Previte, and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. His own ensembles — including JBQ, Star People, and the Morgan Street Stompers — highlight his range from modern jazz to Afro-Cuban and experimental sounds. An award-winning educator and composer, Bacon teaches at SUNY Fredonia, the University at Buffalo, and Villa Maria College, and has been recognized with honors from JazzBuffalo, the New York Foundation for the Arts, and NYSCA.