On November 11th, 2023, The Leo Quintero Trio took us on a musical journey during their presentation at Kalos Music And Art School in Aventura. This trio of Jazz players, renowned for their exceptional musicality, left an indelible mark on the audience with their passion and extraordinary talent.
Leo Quintero Trio: Pioneers of Jazz Mastery
Led by the brilliant guitarist Leo Quintero – who’s played with everyone from Chick Corea to Miles Davis-, the Leo Quintero Trio has earned acclaim for their mastery of jazz, captivating audiences with flawless performances. Quintero’s impeccable guitar skills, harmonizing with the talents of bassist Hernan Matute and drummer German Quintero, weave a tapestry of melodies that transports listeners to a realm of musical bliss.
An Unforgettable Evening: November 11th Concert
As anticipation filled the air at Kalos Music And Art School, the Leo Quintero Trio took the stage, immediately captivating the audience with their opening number, Waltz for Debby by Bill Evans.
The performance continued with:
- Insensatez (How Insensitive) – Antonio Carlos Jobim
- Take 5 – Dave Brubeck
- Lenny – Leo Quintero
- Caribbean Tango – Leo Quintero
- High Heels – Leo Quintero
- Vals Venezolano No. 2 – Antonio Lauro
- Blue Miles – Chick Corea
- Nothing Serious – Leo Quintero
Quintero’s melodic improvisations earned thunderous applause, displaying his technical prowess and musicality. The bassist Hernan Matute and drummer German Quintero, equally impressive in their solos, contributed to the dynamic rhythm of the trio throughout the performance.
The Band
Leonardo Quintero is a guitarist composer that’s originally from Caracas, Venezuela. He started to take piano lessons and guitar while he was a student at
the “Conservatorio Jose Angel Lamas”. A few years later got got involved in doing studio work as a guitarist. Started a band with his brother which became very popular and well known. In 1979 his passion for music led him to move to Boston to study at the Berklee College of Music. At Berklee was awarded With the “Laurindo Almeida” And “Barney Kessel” Awards for his contributions as student performer.
From 1991 to 1995 Quintero took a Faculty position at Berklee as a guitar and ensemble teacher. Currently residing in the multicultural city of Miami, Florida, he is considered one of the top studio guitarists in Miami. Leo has been involved in many jazz projects and recordings such as the Jam Miami concert with Arturo Sandoval in which featured Chick Corea and many more jazz and Latin jazz musicians.
He has performed in Europe with Bob Moses at the Pori Jazz Festival in Finland, in Lyon France opening up for Miles Davis, and also other jazz festivals and concerts in other cities and countries such as Germany, Austria, Italy, Sweden, and France. In Venezuela performed 2 years in a row at the Orinoco Jazz Festival
in Ciudad Bolivar.
Also studio guitarist, performer and producer in pop and latin music, has worked for Ricky Martin, Shakira, Lauryn Hill, Jennifer Lopez, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Engelbert Humperdinck, Frank Quintero, Paul Gillman , Fernando and Juan Carlos and many more. His songs have been performed by various artists. The song “Nothing serious” written by Leo was recorded by trumpeter Roy Hargrove in his 2006 CD. Roy’s CD is also called “Nothing serious”. His most recent Cd Ofrendas is a collection of classical guitar pieces, and some originals, arranged for a jazz group with an ethnic South American flavor . It’s released on Fono jazz Universal since 2005.
Hernan Matute
A Venezuelan American musician. He started at a very young age in his native country playing folk, pop and classical music. He was member of Carabobo Symphony Orchestra between 1993-2001. He moved to Miami Florida where he became part of the Miami Symphony Orchestra, Miami City Ballet Orchestra and Symphony of the America where he is currently member. He recently joined the Golf Coast Symphony in Fort Myers. He has played as soloist in America, Latin America and Europe. He has a Bachelor and a master’s degree in double bass performance from Florida International University. As educator he has been teaching for more than 15 years to young and adult professional musicians and students. He currently moved to Labelle with his wife Marina and his son Isaias. His daughter Sophia is attending Florida International University in Miami doing the vocal jazz and music business program.
Germán Quintero is a Venezuelan drummer based in the United States. He has been a producer, composer, and arranger for numerous artists in the music scene. Currently, you can see him on Univision as the drummer and arranger for one of the most famous shows on the Latin network, “Enamorandonos USA.”
The Venue: Kalos Music And Art School
Kalos Music And Art School provided an ideal setting for this magical jazz concert. The intimate atmosphere allowed the audience to fully immerse themselves in the music, fostering a connection and shared appreciation for the art form. The venue’s commitment to artistic excellence was evident in its acoustics and attention to detail, ensuring an optimal listening experience.
A Night of Musical Brilliance
The Leo Quintero Trio’s jazz concert at Kalos Music And Art School on November 11th was a truly remarkable experience. From the first note to the last, the trio’s musical brilliance and undeniable chemistry, including the contributions of bassist Hernan Matute and drummer German Quintero, held the audience captive, transporting them to a world of jazz-infused magic. This performance served as a testament to the enduring power of live music and the exceptional talent of Leo Quintero, Hernan Matute, German Quintero, and their fellow musicians.
As the night concluded, attendees left Kalos Music And Art School with a renewed appreciation for jazz and a lingering sense of awe. The Leo Quintero Trio’s performance, featuring the remarkable talents of Hernan Matute and German Quintero, will be cherished as an unforgettable experience, reminding us of the transformative power of music.
