Following in a long line of Cuban-born pianists, Virelles has quickly become an elite New York jazz pianist. But his personal vision is full of mystery — a back-to-the-future refraction of Afro-Cuban ritual through multiple generations of musicians, poetry and even abstract painting.

Outside the Village Vanguard.

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Román Diaz, before the performance.

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Virelles and Ben Street, backstage.

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Pianist and composer Muhal Richard Abrams (left) and his daughter Richarda Abrams came to visit. In the background is drummer Andrew Cyrille.

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David Virelles.

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David Virelles.

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Andrew Cyrille.

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Ben Street.

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Román Filiú.

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Ogduardo "Román" Díaz Anaya.

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David Virelles.

John Rogers for NPR / johnrogersnyc.com

David Virelles moved to New York in 2009 — and, following in a long line of Cuban-born pianists before him, quickly found himself in several bands led by elite jazz musicians. But Virelles also moved to study composition with iconoclast Henry Threadgill, and what he's come up with as a bandleader extends beyond music. His album Continuum, released in 2012, features musicians of multiple generations; it also weaves in computer-generated textures, poetry (in Spanish as well as Afro-Cuban religious languages) and the abstract paintings of Alberto Lescay. It's a back-to-the-future recording, a work of mystery.

Having played the Village Vanguard as a sideman for Mark Turner and Chris Potter, Virelles makes his debut as a leader at the hallowed venue with the Continuum band. WBGO and NPR Music featured David Virelles in a live online video webcast and radio broadcast.

Set List

All compositions by David Virelles.

• "One"
• "El Brujo and the Pyramid'
• "The Executioner"
• "Mokongo"
• "Threefold"
• "Biankomeko"
• "To Know"

Personnel

• David Virelles, piano
• Román Filiú, saxophone
• Ben Street, bass
• Andrew Cyrille, drums
• Ogduardo "Román" Díaz, spoken word/percussion

Credits

Host and Producer: Josh Jackson; Audio Engineer: David Tallacksen; Production Assistant: Michael Downes. Recorded Jan. 30, 2013 at The Village Vanguard in New York, N.Y.

Copyright 2013 WBGO-FM. To see more, visit http://www.wbgo.org.

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