VANA GIERIG is an internationally acclaimed pianist, composer, and arranger whose refined musical language seamlessly blends jazz, classical traditions, and global influences. Praised by Eddie Gomez as “an exceptional pianist of the new generation,” Vana has collaborated with an extraordinary range of artists, including Regina Carter, Paquito D’Rivera, Rachelle Ferrell, and Ute Lemper, for whom he has served as musical director for many years. His work as a composer includes film and television scores (City Arts, HBO’s Sex and the City), and in 2022 he collaborated with Academy Award–winning director Barry Levinson. In 2021, Vana founded the CHEZ VANA concert series in New York, which has rapidly become a cultural landmark celebrated for its artistic depth and intimate excellence. During the 2024/25 season, he led his ensemble on a major international tour, performing to sold-out audiences at renowned venues such as Birdland (New York), Blue Note (São Paulo), and Jazzfest Bonn.

PAQUITO D’RIVERA A defining chapter of Vana Gierig’s artistic journey is his long-standing and highly acclaimed collaboration with legendary clarinetist and saxophonist Paquito D’Rivera, an iconic figure in jazz and Latin music and recipient of more than 14 Grammy Awards. Between 2009 and 2015, Vana and Paquito shared an especially prolific period of creative partnership, marked by international touring and the recording of Vana’s album Making Memories (ENJA Records) – a project that stands as a testament to their deep musical rapport. During these years, Paquito frequently performed Vana’s original compositions in concerts across Brazil, Mexico, Germany, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Luxembourg, Italy, and beyond, forging a musical dialogue rooted in virtuosity, mutual respect, and a shared vision of music as a bridge between cultures. This summer marks a reunion for Vana’s group and Paquito, rekindling the powerful artistic bond that defined their celebrated collaborations of the past. The program centers on original award winning compositions by Vana Gierig, complemented by selected works by Paquito D’Rivera and Jaques Morelenbaum. The repertoire moves seamlessly between jazz, Brazilian music, classical influences, and Latin traditions, offering audiences both lyrical intimacy and exhilarating virtuosity. Joining Vana and Paquito are two other guest artists:

JAQUES MORELENBAUM, the internationally renowned Brazilian cellist and a central voice in Brazilian music, celebrated for his collaborations with Caetano Veloso, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and Ryuichi Sakamoto. In October, Vana & Jaques performed together at the Blue Note clubs in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, as well as at the season finale of CHEZ VANA in New York, creating moments of exceptional musical intensity.

VINICIUS BARROS, one of Brazil’s most sought-after percussionists and a long-time member of the Jazz Sinfônica Orchestra of São Paulo. A former guest professor at The Hartt School (USA), Barros has appeared on all of Vana’s recordings and has been a vital presence in many of his international performances.

The VANA GIERIG TRIO is composed of GIUSEPPE BASSI, the acclaimed Italian double bassist, known worldwide for his innovative projects, and MARCELLO PELLITTERI, an in-demand drummer for major international artists and a respected professor at Berklee College of Music in Boston.