EACMUSIC | Esteban Alvarez Music | Piano

Esteban Alvarez Bio

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A confluence of pop hits, classical standards, Latin music, and the alternative and experimental music of his youth, along with his jazz training has made of Esteban a very unique artist. Born and raised in Costa Rica, Esteban is a renown pianist and the perfect music ambassador of the 21st century. His charming personality and passionate playing make him a piano music star..

Esteban began music lessons at the age of 10, and music became his passion ever since. His natural talent and his discipline opened the doors to the USA, where he pursued his bachelors and master’s degree in piano and jazz studies at Baylor University and University of North Texas with full scholarships. With a very sophisticated academic music training, Esteban has become a popular and world-music pianist who has mastered the art of blending music styles in the piano; his first album Tico Groove (link) includes a mix of jazz and world music, featuring internationally renown drummer Ignacio Berroa (Dizzy Gillespie’s drummer) and bassist Lynn Seaton (Count’s Basie’s bass player). The album is a compilation of music from his home country Costa Rica and has been featured in numerous magazines and radio shows in Europe and North America. His second album “Piano Meets Mariachi” is another example of this blend of styles. Featuring Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán this album portraits the most beloved music from Mexico. The Mariachi is his orchestra while the piano “sings” the everlasting melodies that have given some of the music identity to Latin America.

Alvarez became a Steinway Artist in 2013 (https://www.steinway.com/artists/esteban-alvarez-calvo), a recognition given to artist such as Vladimir Horowitz, Duke Ellington, Lang Lang, Billy Joel or Ahmad Jamal. Esteban has performed and recorded as a solo artist in multiple festivals in Israel, Hong Kong, Italy, Belgium, Holland, Cuba, Czech Republic, Chile, Mexico, Costa Rica, Serbia and Bolivia. Esteban has recently finished his third solo album called “Roots Of The World”, which features artists such as Los Kjarkas (Bolivia), Divina Banda (Cuba), Luis Enrique Mejía (Nicaragua), Trío Los Panchos (México), and other artists from Costa Rica.

Besides the magic Alvarez brings to the piano with his music and touch, what’s most remarkable about him is how his music career has flourished away and separated from the old and traditional music industry; his music fans know him and he knows them, as he is in permanent contact with them. Simply put, Esteban has created a culture around his music and art, and he is an inspiration for youngsters eager to learn how to play the piano, and how to build a fan base who loves it.

Esteban is currently the Executive Director of Chorus Austin (https://www.chorusaustin.org/execdir.html) and he is an active world music concert pianist. He has recently won the first prize in the Leopold Bellan International Music Competition, as well as first prize in the Rocky Mountain International Music Competition. Esteban lives both in the USA and Costa Rica, and travel constantly between the two countries.

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