Pablo Ablanedo
Pablo Ablanedo | |
|---|---|
| Born | Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Occupation(s) | Jazz pianist, composer, educator |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Known for | Leader of the Pablo Ablanedo Octet; integrating Argentine folk traditions with jazz |
Pablo Ablanedo is a jazz pianist, composer, and educator originally from Argentina, currently residing in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His musical approach integrates elements of Argentine folk traditions with modern classical influences, all within a jazz framework.
As the leader of the Pablo Ablanedo Octet, he has produced three well-received albums under the Fresh Sound label, along with a 2013 release through Creative Nation Music. Notably, his compositions were specially commissioned by Paquito D'Rivera for performance by the Norddeutscher Rundfunk Big Band. In addition to his performance career, Ablanedo is an author and instructor, having published Suite of Mirrors: A Collection of Mirror Pieces for the Beginning Pianist in 2015.
Biography
Ablanedo was born in Buenos Aires and relocated to the United States in 1993 to attend Berklee College of Music. There, he studied under Herb Pomeroy and was honored with the John Dankworth Award for Jazz Composition. In 2000, he earned an honorable mention in the Jazz Composers Alliance Julius Hemphill Awards. The Pablo Ablanedo Octet was established in 1999, formed by Ablanedo alongside fellow Berklee alumni.
The Octet’s first album, From Down There (2001), released on Fresh Sound New Talent, garnered favorable critiques from publications such as Down Beat and the Boston Herald. Following this debut were Alegría (2003) and participation in Fresh Sound’s compilation The Sound of New York Jazz Underground (2004). Furthermore, Ablanedo’s work was commissioned by Paquito D'Rivera for the Norddeutscher Rundfunk Big Band’s repertoire.
In 2013, the Octet’s third album titled Recontradoble was issued via Creative Nation Music. This release received acclaim for its "technical excellence and shifty arrangements" from All About Jazz and was recognized as one of Latin Jazz Net's top Latin Jazz Albums that year.
Discography
- From Down There (Fresh Sound, 2001)
- Alegria (Fresh Sound, 2003)
- The Sound of New York Jazz Underground (Fresh Sound, 2004)
- Recontradoble (Creative Nation, 2013)