Edward Simon Trio 
The Edward Simon Trio, led by acclaimed Venezuelan-born pianist and composer Edward Simon, is one of the most dynamic and expressive ensembles in contemporary jazz today. Featuring the masterful rhythm section of Reuben Rogers on bass and Adam Cruz on drums, the trio is a vehicle for both collective improvisation and lyrical interpretation, reflecting Simon’s far-reaching musical vision rooted in jazz, classical, and Latin American traditions.
Together, these three musicians bring decades of shared experience to their collaboration. Their interplay is marked by deep listening, rhythmic sophistication, and a profound sense of purpose —qualities that allow the trio to explore wide-ranging material while maintaining an intimate and cohesive sound. Each member brings his own distinctive voice to the ensemble: Simon's expressive pianism and imaginative arrangements, Rogers’s soulful and melodic bass lines, and Cruz’s richly textured and propulsive drumming. Their unity as an ensemble reflects a deep musical rapport cultivated over years of touring and recording together.
A highlight of their recent work has been an ambitious and resonant project that brought together the trio with renowned vocalist Magos Herrera and master percussionist Luis Quintero to explore the songs of Latin American women composers. Over the course of several months, the ensemble collaboratively selected, developed, and produced a program of eight pieces by women songwriters from across Latin America—representing a spectrum of countries including Brazil, Cuba, Argentina, Chile, and Peru. The repertoire included both well-known and underrecognized voices, reflecting a commitment to both cultural celebration and musical discovery.
Edward Simon arranged each of these pieces with the trio’s unique strengths in mind, weaving together jazz harmony, Latin rhythm, and chamber-like dynamics. The resulting program, which premiered at Cha Chi Ming Recital Hall at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music’s Bowes Center, was a powerful and heartfelt tribute to the legacy of women in Latin American song. With Magos Herrera’s evocative vocals and Luis Quintero’s vibrant percussion adding depth and color to the trio’s core sound, the performance offered a rich and nuanced reinterpretation of this repertoire.
Also featured in this concert was the world premiere of Latino Soy, a three-part suite commissioned by Chamber Music America as part of its New Jazz Works program. Composed by Edward Simon specifically for this ensemble, Latino Soy reflects his ongoing exploration of Latin American identity through music. One of the pieces from the suite, Naked Sky, was cowritten with Magos Herrera and exemplifies their seamless integration of lyricism, poetry, and improvisational interplay.
The trio's most recent recording, Venezuela: Latin American Songbook Vol. 2, released on ArtistShare, represents a landmark achievement in this ongoing artistic journey. Featuring music by Venezuelan songwriters, the album follows in the footsteps of Simon's earlier Latin American Songbook project and deepens its vision with a focused celebration of the musical treasures of his native Venezuela. With contributions from guest artist Jackeline Rago on cuatro and maracas, the recording reimagines classic Venezuelan songs through a modern jazz lens, showcasing the trio's ability to honor tradition while pushing stylistic boundaries. It stands as both a personal homecoming and a gift to the broader jazz world.Whether in the recording studio, on stage, or in educational settings, the Edward Simon Trio brings an ethos of openness, respect, and curiosity to everything they do. Their work stands as a testament to the transformative power of collaboration and to the beauty found at the intersection of cultures, genres, and generations.
Whether in the recording studio, on stage, or in educational settings, the Edward Simon Trio brings an ethos of openness, respect, and curiosity to everything they do. Their work stands as a testament to the transformative power of collaboration and to the beauty found at the intersection of cultures, genres, and generations. |
Edward Simon Trio
One of the strongest pianists of his generation. - DownBeat
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