About Carlos Averhoff Jr

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. During his continuous academic pursuits, Carlos received numerous scholarly awards from the afore mentioned institutions, among them The Charlie Parker Scholarship Award, the Woodwind Faculty Achievement Award, the North American Scholarship, and NEC's meritorious awards. He 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, John McNeil and Donny McCaslin. Soon upon the completion of his studies, Carlos took a faculty position at Berklee's City Music Program and the Concord Conservatory of Music, and began recording his debut album iRESI. Released in April 2015 at Boston's most acclaimed jazz venue, Sculllers Jazz Club, iRESI has been applauded by international critics and major jazz blogs. Acclamations include Four Stars from All About Jazz and descriptions such as "remarkable recording;" "striking music;" "bewitching;" and as portrayed by Latin Jazz Network, "one of the most visceral and heartfelt that Carlos may have made"[...]"this recording is still masterful and driven by such genius that it can only have come from worshiping at the altar of originality, creativity and the impulse to adorn even the most complex melodies."

The album was released under Greg Osby's boutique recording label Inner Circle Music, whose founder also takes part in it. Chip Boaz introduction to his interview on Latin Jazz Corner paints a translucent picture of the album: "The significant impact of Averhoff's musical background and the artistic decisions that drive his current performances are clearly audible in the richly conceived and passionately executed iRESI. As a composer, Averhoff creates unique contexts that show connections to Cuban culture and contemporary jazz without being overally obvious. His performance resonates with equal parts fire and smart intellect, showing a player that has done his homework, ready to explore new musical territories. Working in front of a band that includes respected artists like drummer Francisco Mela, pianist Aruan Ortiz, and guest saxophonist Greg Osby, -and bassist John Lockwood-, it's obvious that Averhoff strives for challenge and inspiration. In so many ways, iRESI is an impressive debut that previews a promising future."

Carlos has also collaborated in diverse aspects with Louis Hayes, Jimmy Cobb, Bob Moses; Cuban drummers Horacio El Negro Hernandez and Calixto Oviedo; pianists Jason Moran, Chucho Valdes, Roberto Fonseca and Alexis Boch; saxophonists Dave Liebman, Greg Osby, Bill Pierce, Paquito de Rivera; singers Isaac Delgado and Augusto Enriquez. In addition to Latin Grammy nominated recordings with Omara Portuondo and Buena Vista Social Club, Manuel Guajiro Mirabal, Roberto Fonseca and Temperamento, Pablo Milanes, Cuban Rumba group Los Papines, among others.

Website by Ben Azzara 2015