Santi Debriano
Bassist and composer Santi Debriano has been playing the instrument since he was a teenager. Born in Panama, he has lived in New York City for many years, serving as the leader of his own groups and as a sideman for others. In the city’s community of jazz musicians, he is like an oak tree, with roots that stretch into many different idioms and styles practised by some of the most accomplished musicians in the indisputable jazz capital of the universe. Santi has performed at many of the world’s most renowned jazz festivals and concert halls, often presenting his own compositions with his groups. His Arkestra Bembe, a 9 piece group has released their most recent recording, Ashanti, on Jojo Records.
https://www.jojorecords.com/vinyls-store2/vinyl-santi-debriano-arkestra-bembe
He created "Castle Magic", a trio of double bassists in which he is composer, soloist and director. With the Garth Fagan Dance Company and Don Pullen Trio, he participated in the realization of the dance piece Sacred Common Ground. He participated in the production of two documentary films on jazz with French filmmaker Marc Huraux, Check the Changes and Bird Now. He performs with Archie Shepp in the Canadian film Imagine the Sound. He has realised concerts and albums with Archie Shepp, Kirk Lightsey, Chico Freeman, Arthur Blythe, David Murray, Attila Zoller, Oliver Lake, Baikida Caroll, Sam Rivers, Hank Jones, Elvin Jones, Pharaoh Sanders, Randy Weston, and many others renowned jazz musicians.
His two instruction books of Jazz Bass Studies are for sale on Amazon. He is often invited to hold seminars in prestigious musical institutions and Universities, among which are the: Wesleyan University, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, The New School for Jazz, New York University, University of Panama. He has recorded for Truth and Revolution Records, Highnote Records, Savant, Freelance, and Motema. Several of his concerts have been broadcast by WBGO, WNYC and National Public Radio. He participates as a jury member in the Young Arts National jazz competition Santi also performs frequently on guitar, with his organ group that features vocalist Nina Shankar. He counts as his primary influences: Duke Ellington, Ornette Coleman, Charles Mingus, Johnny Dyani, Israel Cachao Lopez, Miroslav Vitous, Archie Shepp, Scott LaFaro, Dave Holland, Eddie Gomez, Stanley Clarke, Buster Williams, Daniele Roccato, Paul Chambers, Jimmy Garrison. Santi Debriano teaches privately from his home on Staten Island, NY.