//On Héctor
Bio / - 2024
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Héctor L. Falu Guzmán is a promising drummer, composer, and aspiring cultural worker hailing from the island of Puerto Rico, studying in Boston, MA. Recently into his twenties’, Héctor is a passionate young jazz artist dedicated both to learning from the history of the world, sharing his own stories, exploring innovative ideas and revisiting wisdom from older times in tandem.
Notable performances as a sideman include: Three Days of Jazz at Vic’s Las Vegas with Tom Scott & Joe Lano, Jacques Schwarz-Bart's "Harlem Suite" at L'OFF Festival de Jazz de Montréal, and Gregory Tardy Quartet at Smalls Jazz Club. Héctor’s first release as bandleader, “Understanding Each Other”, came out on March 22nd 2023. Héctor’s first large-scale project, the “Gratitude Suite: A-Side”, is currently being worked on for future release next Fall 2026. |
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Photography done by Tauragė Jazz 2022 (Valdas Latoža)
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Born and raised in Puerto Rico, he has been surrounded by Afro-Latin-Caribbean sonorities all his life. Meanwhile, his father would introduce him to Gospel groups like Commissioned, Fred Hammond and The Winans. Later on, as a teenager, he’d be introduced to the giants of Hard Bop, Clifford Brown and Max Roach, who would become one of the foundations for his fascination in Jazz.
Inspired by all the aforementioned music flowing through his mind, Héctor’s artistry relates to consolidating his Puerto Rican culture with his love for Jazz and Gospel; his character acting as the needle that stitches it all together. Currently in his senior year at Berklee College of music, he has been mentored by drum masters Billy Kilson, Francisco Mela and Mark Walker; learning composition and artistry from great artists and teachers like: Jacques Schwarz-Bart, Daniel Ian Smith, and Brian Landrus, and Alain Mallet. |
Photography done by Glorianna Picini
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//Other Notable Performances
In the Key of Now (Ned Rosenblatt's VJE feat. Donna McElroy) / 2024
MIT Wind Ensemble Concert – Jubilees / 2024
featuring Eric Ostling, Elizabeth Klein, Sara Simpson G, and Kathryn Salfelder
featuring Eric Ostling, Elizabeth Klein, Sara Simpson G, and Kathryn Salfelder
RMI presents Jazz Up Close: Gregory Tardy / 2023
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52éme Festival Culturel De Fort-de-France: Jacques Schwarz-Bart / 2023
WCIN 's Emerging Artists Present "Hey Rim Jeon" / 2023
Žeromskas //Banno//Falu Trio Tour / 2022
Tauragė Jazz, Šiauliai Jazz, Elektrėnai Jazz, Jazz Cellar 11 IBA Boston Presents: Julio César Sanabria “4 Décadas de Tradición”/ 2021
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