Pianist and composer Javier Santiago is one of the promising voices in the international music scene today. He has played with some of the top musicians in the jazz scene such as Herbie Hancock, Terrace Martin, Louis Cole, Alex Isley, Jonathan Kreisberg, Azar Lawrence, Theo Croker, Kenneth Whalum, Aja Monet, John Raymond, Sheila Jordan and Yosvany Terry. Santiago’s debut album, Phoenix (2018) on Ropeadope Records was named the “#1 Jazz Album of the Year” by Vinyl Me, Please. Javier has become a notable force in both the beat and hip-hop scenes as well as the jazz world. In addition to being a pianist and sideman, Santiago is also an accomplished educator, arranger and producer/beatmaker. He was an alumnus of The Herbie Hancock Institute (UCLA), The Brubeck Institute Fellowship Program and The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in NYC. He was a finalist in the 2015 American Jazz Pianist competition, and a recipient of the 2016 McKnight Fellowship for Musicians. He was also selected to participate in the 14th Annual Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program in 2011. Javier is based in Los Angeles, CA.

photo by Keshia Eugene