MANOLO NAVARRO graduated with honors in Jazz Composition and Arranging from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. He began as a pianist and arranger on recordings with artists of the caliber of Cano Estremera, Andy Montañez, the Mulenze Orchestra, Cheo Feliciano, Ismael Miranda, Tony Vega, Domingo Quiñones, Puerto Rican Power and Tito Nieves among others. Navarro has performed with these and other orchestras in Latin America, the United States, and Europe. In addition, he has performed with local and international artists the various Latin rhythms.
In Puerto Rico, Navarro has participated in shows with Marco Antonio Muñiz, Chucho Avellanet, Lucesita Benítez, Ruth Fernández, Yolandita Monge, Cheo Feliciano, and Pedrito Guzmán and Jíbaro Jazz among others. As an arranger, he has excelled in productions with Elliot Feijoo, Ana Bayana, Tito De Gracia, Combo Records, Pedrito Guzmán, and Jíbaro Jazz Musical Productions. He has also been the leader and director of various musical ensembles that have offered his music in the most prestigious hotels on the Island.
With a firm purpose and commitment to collaborate in the development and growth of music in Puerto Rico, Navarro has worked as a teacher in various settings. He has been a piano and choir teacher for children and young people at the School of Fine Arts in both the municipalities of Guaynabo and Carolina. For more than 20 years, he has educated and developed musical and choral talent through the direction of the Choir of the University Methodist Church in Rio Piedras.
He also collaborated as a producer, arranger, conductor, and pianist in church productions such as “Tenemos Esperanza” and “A Tus Atrios.” In addition, he has collaborated with and supported various institutions that promote choral music in Puerto Rico, including the Puerto Rican Society of Choir Directors.
In the genre of jazz and Latin jazz, he has participated as a pianist, composer, and arranger in recordings with several well-known Latin Jazz musicians, such as Bernie Williams, Tito de Gracia & Naoka Jam, Charlie Sepúlveda, Elliot Feijoo, Humberto Ramírez, Edwin Clemente, Cachete Maldonado, Pablo “El Indio” Rosario and Chembo Corniel.
He currently works as a pianist, arranger, composer, and piano teacher for the Jazz and Caribbean Music Program of the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING
- My Favorite Standards (2022)
- Almas Lucidas – Jazz Latino (2015)
