Diego Urcola

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, three‑time Grammy nominee Diego Urcola has been a member of the Paquito D'Rivera Quintet since 1991 as well as working regularly with the Caribbean Jazz Project since 2004. Additionally, the oft‑in‑demand trumpeter performs regularly with the legendary saxophonist Jimmy Heath and the Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All‑Star Big Band. Urcola's musical studies began at the age of 9, in the Music Department of the Colegio Ward where his father Ruben served as director. He continued his studies and in 1988 he received the title of Profesor Nacional de Música from the Conservatorio Nacional de Musica. Subsequently, having received a scholarship to study abroad, the trumpeter and flugelhorn player moved to Boston where he attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music. In 1990 he received his diploma with an emphasis in Jazz Performance. Less than a year later, he made the jump to New York where he established himself as one of the truly gifted and versatile young artists. He has never looked back. Urcola, when he's not busy working with others, often leads his own ensembles. His first record as a leader, Libertango (Fresh Sound), was issued in 1999. In 2003 he released Soundances (Sunnyside), which received critical acclaim culminating in nominations for the 2004 Latin Grammys and the 2005 Grammy Awards. The trumpeter's newest record Viva (Cam Jazz), released in 2006 and nominated for the 2007 Grammys, marks a key moment in his now full-blown career. The recording features a core band that would make anyone jealous. Edward Simon, leads a rhythm section that includes bassist Avishai Cohen and drummer Antonio Sanchez. Pernell Saturnino adds percussion. Meanwhile, D'Rivera is heard on some cuts as is Dave Samuels and Jimmy Heath. The final piece of the puzzle is master trombonist Conrad Herwig. On Viva, it has been noted that there exists a sensibility of experimentation that is vibrant throughout. Meanwhile, Urcola has said that one of his goals is to integrate his homeland's voice into the jazz idiom. "I like to bring the tango flavor from my country into the mix," he said, adding, "But, foremost I'm a jazz musician." Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.