Accordionist and composer Victor Prieto is having a busy summer with concerts, tours and collaborations. He will perform with his Trio featuring Arturo O”Farrill on July 19th at 9:45 PM at Terraza Seven LiveMusic.
Victor Prieto is a native of Galicia, Spain, born in the town of Orense in 1975. At the age of nine Victor was encouraged by his mother to study the accordion-an instrument deeply ingrained in Galician folklore. While studying classical accordion at the Orense Conservatory Victor understood the immense musical potential of his instrument and branched out from the classical education by concurrently taking harmony, arrangement and improvisation classes at Estudio Escola de Musica (Santiago de Compostela, Spain). In 1998 Victor received a scholarship from Berklee College of Music where he majored in performance under the direction of Joanne Brackeen.
Today Victor Prieto is revolutionizing the way that the accordion is played by creating new sounds and techniques for this instrument. His music embraces Jazz, Tango, Classical and Celtic Roots enriched with new rhythms and colors. He is the creator of a new technique for the accordion called “chord approach on both hands”, which creates rich and elaborate harmonies.
In 2002 Victor moved to New York where he quickly established himself as a prolific and versatile accordionist on the music and Jazz scenes. As a leader Victor has performed at many prestigious venues and events such as Berklee Performance Center, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Blue Note NY, New Jersey Performance Art Center, Three Rivers Musical Festival, Williamsburg Jazz Festival, Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center.
Victor has performed and recorded with Yo-Yo Ma (Songs of Joy and Peace, Sony BMG Masterworks. “2010 Grammy Winning Album”), Arturo O’Farrill Latin Jazz Orchestra, Billy Hart, Jeff Ballard, Paquito D’Rivera, Matt Wilson, Donny McCaslin, Lionel Louke among others and is involved in projects such as The Maria Schneider Orchestra and Emilio Solla’s Jazz Tango conspiracy. He teaches Master Classes in Spain, Italy, Portugal, USA and has headed the jazz accordion studies at the Brooklyn Conservatory (2003 – 2004).
Victor is a recipient of more than twenty coveted awards, including the first prize at the Citta De Catelfidardo Jazz Competition in Italy, the Creative Performer award from the Spanish Association of Artists and Performers, and the first prize at CMZK’s Concourse of Composition in Argentina
Victor now lives in New York City dividing his time between performing, teaching and recording. He has recently introduced his third recording, “Chris Cheek and V. Prieto. Rollo-Coaster.”, Cheekus Music.
Victor is featuring a different artist at Terraa 7 every month…on August 16th with saxophonist Scott Robinson and on September 20th with Ryan Keberle on trombone.
The Victor Prieto Trio features Arturo O’Farrill (piano), Victor Prieto (accordion), Jorge Roeder (bass) and Vince Cherico (drums). Terrzaz 7 Live Music is located on 40-19 Gleane Street, Elmhurst, New York. For more info
(718) 803-9602
His future performances include:
July 3, with Sofia Tosello, voice
July 9, 9 PM, Zinc Bar, NYC, with Emilio Soila y La Inestable
July 12, Bard College with Frank London
July 19, 9:30 PM,Terraza 7 Live Music, Victor Prieto Trio plus Arturo O”Farrill
Aug. 5, 11 AM, City Winery, 155 Varick Street, NYC, Victor Prieto Trio
August 16, 9:30 PM, Terraza 7, Victor Prieto Trio
August 17, with Emilio Solla and Bien Sur,
August 23, Lake George Festival, Upper State, NY with Emilio Solla and the Tango Jazz Insiders
Victor has recorded several CD’s including “Chris Cheek and Victor Prieto, Rollo-Coaster”, “Chris Cheek and Victor Prieto DVD, Live at Penelope St.”, “Persistencia”. “Miles Espano”, “Songs of Joe and Peace, Yo-Yo Ma”- 2010 Grammy Winning Album.
For further information: victorprieto2001@yahoo.com
