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Take Five with Jose Negroni

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About Jose Negroni
Born and raised on the southern coast of Puerto Rico, is where Jose Negroni leader and founder of NEGRONI's TRIO commenced his humble beginnings. Pianist, composer and arranger of outstanding magical creativity, Jose Negroni talentedly combines his original classical style with tantalizing fusions of jazz and Latin rhythms. His group, NEGRONI's TRIO, equally conveys his musical personality to the captivating hearts of so many audiences.

Beginning his career as a music teacher, Negroni fulfilled his early musical years educating young promising talents in the world of music and later developing and strengthening his musical chops as musical director for many Latin pop artists. Today, years later, teaching and mentoring still continues to be part of his daily life as he continues to find the space to devote time between concert tours in order to give back to the music education community.

Together with his son and protégé Nomar Negroni, an incredibly talented drummer with precise vigor, a flair for showmanship, and graduate of the Berklee College of Music, and Josh Allen, graduate from the University of Miami's Frost School of Music, a supremely talented bassist providing the drive for the melodies and groove, the NEGRONI's TRIO has been able to mesmerize audiences with their unique brand of jazz that fuses classical and Latin rhythms.

NEGRONI's TRIO continues to perform all throughout the globe on stages that have included many U.S. and international Jazz festivals as well as numerous key Jazz venues throughout the United States, Japan, Spain, Italy, South America, the Caribbean, Latin America and including of course New York's world famous Blue Note Jazz Club.

Instrument(s):
Piano and Keyboards

Teachers and/or influences?
Teachers: Alicia Morales (Classical piano—in Puerto Rico) and Papo Lucca (Classical to Jazz—in Puerto Rico)

I knew I wanted to be a musician when...
I was in the fourth grade playing the sousaphone for my school band. It was there that I discovered how much fun it was to play in a band.

Your sound and approach to music.
My sound: My sound is a result of my musical education, a blend of classical, jazz and Latin American musical styles and harmonies. My approach: I take music very serious without allowing it to not be fun and spontaneous. We must always have fun playing...

Your teaching approach
My approach to teaching is very Eurpoean / old world in technique and style. From the very first day I make sure that my students fully understand what they hear and what they are actually playing. I also assure that my students have a solid foundation in theory and grow to fully understand what is written and placed in front of them.

Your dream band
My dream band: Is the group/trio I have. I have the distinct honor and privilege of having my son playing with me and being my drummer of choice, and the amazing Josh Allen playing bass who history will prove one day to be one of the greatest jazz bass players, period.

Road story: Your best or worst experience
Worst experience: Was a show I played early in my career backing up a pop singer on "Live" TV. The song was a medley and each segment of the medley seemed to be going by so fast that I got lost in the song and improvised half of the medley/song. I thought for sure I'd never get called back by the musical director. Fortunately, my phone kept ringing the next day...

Favorite venue
Difficult to pinpoint to one, the truth is we've always been treated well everywhere we go and we always mange to accommodate to our audience and surroundings.

Your favorite recording in your discography and why?
My favorite recording in my discography: New Era. Why? Because I did and played what I wanted to do with this album and followed my inspiration. It was how I had always dreamed of doing an album.

Did you know...
I am a really good ping-pong player... LOL

The first jazz album I bought was:
Chick Corea's Return to Forever (1972)

Music you are listening to now:
Sergei Rachmaninoff
George Duke
Jacob Collier
Snarky Puppy

Desert Island picks:
Chick Corea (solo albums)
Rachmaninoff, Concerto No3
Astor Piazzolla (anything)

How would you describe the state of jazz today?
Always evolving.

What are some of the essential requirements to keep jazz alive and growing?
Musical freedom and education.

What is in the near future?
Continue working...

What is your greatest fear when you perform?
I never allow myself to be in a position of fear or where I would have to confront my fears; especially when I am going to perform.

What song would you like played at your funeral?
"Los Duendes" (from our album, Piano/Bass/Drums)

What is your favorite song to whistle or sing in the shower?
"Sweet Georgie Fame"

If I weren't a jazz musician, I would be a:
Conductor of a symphony orchestra.

If I could have dinner with anyone from history, who would it be and why?
Chick Corea....he is a true musical hero.

If I were reborn, what would I come back as?
Always a musician.

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