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Colombian born woodwind player, Justo Almario, is a
musical bridge-builder. As a musician, composer and arranger, Justo has
combined elements of his native South American rhythms with American
Jazz to create an artistry distinctively his own. His audience in the
U.S. and abroad attests to the appeal of his native and spiritually
creative style. Justo draws upon the same love of music and spiritual
values that have always filled his playing and composing. Luis Tamargo
in Latin Beat Magazine lists Justo as “one of the top 10 Latin jazz
saxophonists of our time.” Justo is truly an international,
culture-spanning artist whose gift is derived from inspiration and
passion.
At age 16, Justo
participated in a South American/U.S. cultural exchange program that
offered him the opportunity to tour the U.S. with a Colombian folklorico
group. This led to his migration to Boston in 1969 to study at the
prestigious Berklee College of Music. While at Berkleee, a call from
Latin jazz great Mongo Santamaria, in need of a saxophone player for a
club date at Boston 's legendary Jazz Workshop, changed Justo's musical
future. Mongo was so impressed with the young Colombian's playing that
he invited him to join his band as music director.
Justo went on to travel
the globe with Mongo's group. While living in New York , he also worked
with jazz giant Charles Mingus. After moving to Los Angeles , Justo
joined the now legendary jazz-rock group Koinonia. He also began to work
with other great artists, recording and performing with the like of
Freddie Hubbard, Chaka Khan, Linda Rondstadt, Roy Ayers, George Duke,
Dave Grusin, Tito Puente, Machito, Master P, Queen Latifah, and Bebe
Winans. He has also contributed to numerous films and television
soundtracks including, Dirty Dancing, Trading Places, Mambo Kings,
The Birdcage, Speechless, and Dance with Me .
Several recordings
Justo has played on have been nominated for Grammy's. Andrae Crouch's,
"Mercy", and Cachao's, "Master Sessions Vol. 1" were both Grammy
winners. Justo also performed on Herb Alperts, "Passion Dance", Bobby
Shew's, "Salsa Caliente," Helen Baylor's, "The Live Experience", and
Placido Domingo's, "A Mi Alma Latina".
In 1996 Justo was the
recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Berklee College of
Music. In celebration of the schools 50th anniversary he was also listed
among the 50 top alumni in the history of Berklee College of Music! In
1998, Justo, in partnership with Berklee College of Music, pioneered a
Latin Jazz curriculum offered at the Berklee in Los Angeles Summer
Program. He is also a teaching staff member of the Henry Mancini
Institute.
Justo's solo albums
include Interlude, "Forever Friends", "Plumbline", "Family Time",
"Heritage", "Count Me In" and a duet project self-titled, "Justo
Amario & Abraham Laboriel". He is also very much a part of the
recordings of the Latin Jazz Band, "TOLU". The first Tolu CD,
Rumbero's Poetry" , was co-produced with Alex Acuna and Soul Song
with Brazilian pianist Marchos Ariel. Also, the second album by the
band,entitled, "Bongo The VanGogh" was released and features
compositions and arrangements by Justo. (Long time friend Alex Acuna
also collaborated with Justo on this recording!)
Here is Justo Almario's
latest solo recording project, "Love Thy Neighbor". Joining him on this
excellent CD is:
Donald Vega - Piano, Lorca Hart - Drums,
Francisco Torres - Trombone.
Justo shares, "I give
thanks with a grateful heart to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, for the
gift of family, friends, and music in my life and also for providing all
that was needed to record this CD"!
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Jubilation
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Five
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Mali
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Salt Song
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Salvation Army
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We Are One In The Spirit
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To purchase this CD visit
here!
To purchase the Tolu CD visit
here!
Visit Justo Almario's
Mypace Web Site
here!
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