He grew up in the rich music culture of Cuba, but pianist David Virelles began to focus on improvisation once he discovered his grandfather’s jazz collection. Virelles traveled to Canada when he was eighteen and it was there that he developed his talent on the piano. He was the first ever winner of the Oscar Peterson Award – presented by Peterson himself. Today, Virelles is one of the most talked about pianists on the New York jazz scene. His album Continuum topped The New York Times’ list of Top 10 Albums of 2012. Virelles’ latest album Mbòkó has already received good reviews. It is the pianist’s quest for his Cuban spiritual roots in which he draws on Afro-Cuban folklore, religion, poetry and magic. Virelles’ melodic playing is supported by two double basses and traditional percussion.
