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A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Miguel
Zenon studied saxophone at the famed Ecuela Libre de
Musica; an institution that boasts such distinguished alumnus as
tenor saxophonist, David Sanchez, percussionist, Richie Flores
and bassist John Benitez. Although Miguel listened to and explored the
music of Bird and other jazz greats while in high school, it
wasn’t until he began his studies at the Berklee School of
Music -- where he received a scholarship from the Puerto Rico
Heineken Jazz Festival -- that his formal jazz training began.
Zenon
excelled at Berklee and received the Berklee Best Scholarship
Award, the Frederic Cameron Weber Award and a grant from the
Corporation of Musical Arts while in attendance. He also became
active in the Boston area jazz scene where he gained professional
experience with the drummer Bob Moses’ Mozamba and the
Either/Orchestra. Upon his graduation in 1998, Miguel
received a scholarship to attend the prestigious Manhattan School
of Music in New York City where he received his Masters in
Saxophone Performance in 2001. Among the distinguished list of
musician/educators he has studied with are Angel Marrero, Leslie
Lopez, Rafael Martinez, Danilo Perez, Dick Oatts, Dave Liebman, George Garzone and Bill Pierce.
In
his very short, but rather illustrious career, the 25 year old
Zenon has performed and recorded with a quite a diverse array of
artists and groups. In addition to being a longstanding member of
the David Sanchez Sextet, he has worked with Danilo Perez, William
Cepeda’s Afrorican Jazz, Bob Moses’ Mozamba, The
Either/Orchestra, The Village Vanguard Orchestra, The Guillermo
Klein Big Band, John Benitez, The David Murray Big Band, The Jason Linder Big Band, Brian Lynch,
Greg Tardy, among others.
2002
marks the latest step in Zenon’s musical journey. He
released Looking Forward, his first CD as a leader, on
the Fresh Sound New Talent label. Here, Zenon creates a highly
original and, as the title suggests, "forward looking"
musical statement. A fusion, in the best sense of the word, of
jazz, latin, classical and folkloric influences. Joining him on
this recording are longtime associates Luis Perdomo, Antonio
Sanchez, Hans Glawischnig, Pernell Saturnino and special guests
David Sanchez, William Cepeda, Diego Urcola and Ben
Monder. Looking Forward not only reveals Zenon’s
remarkable talents as a performer and composer, but his
considerable talents as a producer as well.
DISCOGRAPHY
As a Leader:
Miguel Zenón, Looking Forward, Fresh Sound New Talent
(2002)
As a
Sideman:
Quite Sane, The Child of Trouble Times, Rykodisc
(2002)
Edu Tancredi y el Bandon 33, Ongoing Dreams, Fresh Sound
(2002)
Guillermo Kliein, Los Guachos 3, Sunnyside (2002)
Mika Pohjola, Landmark, Abovoize (2002)
Sebastian Weiss, Momentum, Fresh Sound New Talent (2001)
William Cepeda, Branching Out,Blue Jackel Entertainment
(2001)
Mango Blue, Immigrant Blues, Axent Music (2001)
David Sanchez, Travesia, Columbia (2000)
Greg Tardy, Abundance, Palmetto Jazz (2001)
Stephan Crump, Tuckahoe, Accurate (2001)
David Sanchez, Melaza, Columbia (2001)
Either/Orchestra, More Beautiful Than Death, Accurate
(2000)
Gilson Schachnik, Raw, Brownstone (2000)
Gabriel Rodriguez, Beginning, Pina Music (1999)
Edu Tancredi y el Bandon 33, Latin Spell, Brownstone
(1998)
Biography
courtesy of Mariah Wilkins
Artist Management.
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