out now

standing by the crossroads

Growing up in Cuba, I saw how different religions are intertwined with the cultural fabric of the country. In many of these different religions represented in Cuba, people see the crossroads as a place of great significance. It was the spiritual concept of the crossroads that touched me the most and inspired me to create my second record in a musical trilogy that honors my ancestry and my life as a Jazz artist.

Welcome to my new project, Standing by the Crossroads.

Elio Villafranca Standing by the Crossroads

March 30, 2023

By Howard Mandel

Cuban-born, U.S.-based pianist Elio Villafranca’s 10th album is a deep dive into his past as reflected by his current life. A two-disc set featuring a dozen original compositions and complex arrangements for a septet amended by percussionists, singers including Cécile McLorin Salvant and, briefly, acoustic guitar, Standing By The Vrossroads is ambitious.

2021 Guggenheim Fellowships Announced

April 8, 2021

184 artists, writers, scholars and scientists awarded Fellowships

NEW YORK: Today, the Board of Trustees of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation approved the awarding for Guggenheim Fellowships to a diverse group of 184 artists, writers, scholars, and scientists. These exceptional candidates were chosen through a rigorous peer-review process from almost 3,000 applicants.

Cinque Nominated for Grammy

Dec 7, 2018

Elio Villafranca’s newest album Cinque was nominated for a Grammy today in the category Best Latin Jazz Album

For vocal or instrumental albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded material. The intent of this category is to recognize recordings that represent the blending of jazz with Latin, Iberian-American, Brazilian, and Argentinian tango music.