

PIANIST, COMPOSER,
ARRANGER, WRITER
official website -
myspace page

Frank Villafañe is a
Latin-Jazz pianist, composer and arranger. He plays piano "con clave" in the
styles of Eddie Palmieri, Peruchin and Sergio Mendes. Born in Bremerhaven,
Germany, son of Mike and Elfriede Villafañe, Frank grew up all over the
United States and Europe, and experienced multi-culturalism first-hand.
Musically, as in life, Frank's upbringing was fairly eclectic, being exposed
to Latin, Jazz, Calypso, Folk, and the Classics early on. He began piano
lessons in earnest at the tender age of 8. This interest in music was
sustained throughout the moves over two continents during his formative
years.
At twelve, Frank moved to Puerto Rico, and was quickly exposed to that
infectious music known as "Salsa". But it was Frank's 7th grade music
teacher which provided the impetus fueling his musical direction; he heard
an original copy of Scott Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag" played by Scott Joplin
himself, and was forever changed. Moving back to the States, at Whiteman AFB,
Missouri, Frank quickly acquired and studied the musical form, Ragtime, and
earned his first paying "gig" as a professional musician at the age of 14,
when he performed many Ragtime favorites by Scott Joplin and other Ragtime
greats, for the WAFB Officers Club at a Roaring 20's theme party. Meanwhile,
Frank's father continued his influence by encouraging him to listen and
emulate several great Latin pianists, notably Sergio Mendes (of Brasil 66
fame) and the Cuban legend Pedro Justiz "Peruchin".
In college, at Rutgers University, Frank began playing piano for a number of
Jazz & Latin "conjunto" style bands and orchestras, while studying piano
with no less than the great Kenny Barron. He was immersed in theory and
keyboard harmony classes at Rutgers and studied at the feet of Walter Bishop
Jr, Ted Dunbar, Frank Foster, and Larry Ridley.
Later, Frank formed Jazz Y Clave, an 8 piece conjunto. Performing his own
arrangements of many Jazz standards, Jazz Y Clave soon became a staple at
New Brunswick's number one hot-spot, Nova Terra. This continued for five
years, during which time Jazz Y Clave performed at many venues throughout
New York and New Jersey, including appearing at the prestigious Red Bank
Riverfest Jazz Festival in 2001 (and again in 2005), and opening for no less
than Eddie Palmieri at the Expo Theater at Fort Monmouth (and again at Red
Bank in 2005).
In between performances, Frank composes all his music on his studio at home.

Frank's Review

FRANK VILLAFANE - SOUTH BEACH (2006)
Frank Villafañe's debut CD
featuring five instrumenal Latin Jazz compositions. His style encompasses a
blending of Afro-Cuban and Brazilian rhythms, while haunting evocative
melodies ride over the percussive mixture



review by Paul J. Youngman
review by Henry Mora
review by Francesco Emmanuel
review by Rafe Gomez
review by Rebeca Mauleon
more tracks can be heard on Vinilemania's Radio Channels
About "South Beach"
"South Beach is an instrumental
Latin Jazz excursion consisting of five compositions; however, South Beach is
not your typical Latin Jazz release. Each piece is an eclectic mix of Afro-Cuban
and Brazilian percussion, overlaid with poignant harmonic melodies furnished by
acoustic/electric piano and vibraphone, while an acoustic bass pulsates
hypnotically. Mostly hot, sometimes cool, but always engaging, South Beach is as
diverse and exciting as the famous beach for which it was named."
Another Latin Jazz CD from yet another Latin Jazz artist? OK...what makes this
one different?
For starters, all the songs were composed by one person...arranged and performed
by the same person...and produced by the very same person! In other words, this
Latin Jazz CD is as unique as the artist who composed, arranged, performed and
produced it.
Frank Villafañe is the person in question, and he represents a new breed of
Latin Jazz artist - one who believes good quality music, in particular Latin
Jazz, can be produced independently. His debut CD, South Beach, is a testament
to that belief. One listen, and you'll be a believer as well.
Born of Puerto Rican and German parents in Bremerhaven, Germany, Frank's
upbringing was as multi-cultural as bratwurst and rice and beans. Playing piano
from age 8, Frank grew up studying the classics and listening to all kinds of
music, from Belafonte to Zappa. His father's career was the Air Force, so Frank
traveled extensively during the first half of his life.
His music is just as eclectic as his upbringing, with a strong melodic basis
planted firmly in classical theory, yet permeated with new world rhythm and
harmony; Afro-Cuban and Brazilian percussion punctuating and embellishing each
musical statement in a synergistic blend that is greater than the sum of its
parts. And no wonder, since his strongest influences are Sergio Mendes, Eddie
Palmieri, Pedro "Peruchin" Justiz and Kenny Barron (his last piano teacher).
Frank has played extensively with numerous Latin Jazz and Salsa conjuntos for
the last 30 years, and has shared the stage with no less than the great Eddie
Palmieri (one of his aforementioned influences), as well as other Latin Jazz
luminaries such as Jose Alberto "El Canario", Richie Flores, Mario Rivera, Louis
Romero, Chris Washburne, and many others. Frank is a veteran sideman who has
recently embarked on a solo career with this debut release.



