Harold López-Nussa Quartet
It is said that the streets of Havana are filled with music at any time of day. The soul of Cuba flows onto the streets from houses, restaurants and bars. This is the setting in which pianist Harold López-Nussa grew up. Alongside the ongoing exposure to many local genres in his fatherland, López-Nussa also gained various insights through his family, which lived and breathed music. Under the influence of his mother, a piano teacher, López-Nussa developed his love for the instrument while his uncle, Ernán López-Nussa, another well-known jazz pianist, taught him all about jazz. His talent was clear to see and in no time the Cuban was making breakthroughs on the national but also international stage.
So, what struck a chord? The unique combination in López-Nussa’s music in which both jazz and Cuban pop come together. This delivers an exciting result, departing from free piano play by López-Nussa and, throughout his career, sumptuously filled with pulsating rhythms drawn from reggaeton, swinging mambo and Songo influences, to name but a few. Along with bassist Luques Curtis and his brother Ruy Adrián López-Nussa on drums, he will release 'Timba a la Americana’ in May. On this project, he worked with harmonica player Grégoire Maret who, as well as receiving a Grammy Award, has worked with legends such as Herbie Hancock, Prince and Pat Metheny. The quartet will present new music at Gent Jazz. Warm up your dancing legs!
Line-up:
Harold López-Nussa - keys
Grégoire Maret - mouth harmonica
Luques Curtis - bass
Ruy López-Nussa - drums