Sergio Mendes, Eddie Palmieri, Pedro "Peruchin" Justiz, Kenny Barron
Sounds Like
New Songs!
Here are some new songs from Frank's soon to be released second CD. Due to the MySpace player limitation of 6 tracks, any new tracks will be posted here first...
Frank's debut CD, South Beach has been released! It is available for purchase at CD Baby (just click the Buy button below).
Frank Villafañe : South Beach
Frank Villafañe's debut CD featuring five instrumenal Latin Jazz compositions. His style encompasses a blending of Afro-Cuban and Brazilian rhythms, while haunting evocative melodies ride over the percussive mixture.
"This album is nothing less than great Latin Jazz" Henry Mora, The Henry Mora Orchestra (read his full review below)
Digital downloads are also available (or will be) at the following sites...
South Beach CD Reviews
Rebeca Mauleon, Musician/Composer/Educator...
"Frank’s passion for the wealth of Latin rhythms is clear;
his music takes the listener on a journey to
Cuba, Brazil and back,
and he does it all himself –
from the performing to the production.
A one-man band,
Frank Villafañe
shows it doesn’t necessarily take two (or more) to tango, or in this case, to mambo!"
Rafe Gomez, spinmeister at The Groove Boutique on smooth jazz radio station CD 101.9 (NYC)...
"If you're looking to be transported from your workaday grind into a lush, sensual domain where your mind and ears will be gently massaged, indulge yourself by experiencing the tasty
Latin-Jazz vibe of Frank Villafañe.
His gorgeous EP South Beach will instantly transport you to your favorite tropical vacation destination.
His production, playing, and sense of melody will impress you with each listen.
Frank's music will be the most inexpensive
- yet thoroughly satisfying -
vacation you've ever taken!"
Francesco Emmanuel, Associate Music Reviewer at...
(click to read the full review)
"South Beach is a 5-song instrumental masterpiece by Frank Villafañe. The songs are well crafted, superbly produced and if they don’t get you off your chair and dancing, well, something is wrong with you!
Seriously!
On this EP, Frank composed, arranged and played all the parts to every single song, he also recorded this lil gem in his home studio.
The feel from each song gives the impression that this is a live recording, straight off-the-floor, it’s that good! Each track has a great flow to it...
There are some albums you like immediately, and this was one that got me going right away. If you’ve never taken a trip to South Beach, Frank Villafañe’s latest will take you there...only problem is, you may not wanna leave."
Henry Mora, Latin Jazz artist and Director, The Henry Mora Orchestra...
“Fresh new sounds from pianist Frank Villafañe and his debut CD, South Beach, a musical excursion into life’s adventure.
A breezy beach landscape, that pleases the senses considerably by taking you through an exciting musical journey of original melodies punctuated by Caribbean rhythms.
The repertoire is bright and tasty instrumental piano compositions in a style reminiscent of Ahmad Jamal’s and Eddie Cano’s legendary styles, although his noted musical influences are Eddie Palmieri, Pedro ‘Peruchin’ Justiz and Sergio Mendes (of Brazil ’66). This brings to mind the excellently arranged and interpreted Brazilian rhythms on two of the tunes, as well as definitive Salsa rhythms in clave on other tunes, all very well done. Frank may have musical heroes, having been influenced by legendary pianists, but he’s also an excellent arranger, composer and soloist on keyboard. Also worth mentioning is an outstanding vibraphone solo on I Heard The Bells.
Sit back in your beach chair, absorb the balmy Miami sun and cool off with a frozen piña colada while Frank Villafañe’s South Beach CD plays you a set of inspired, expressive, delightful and refreshing musical ideas that spark the imagination.
This album is nothing less than great Latin Jazz.”
Frank's music is featured on two Sony BMG compilation CD's!
Antojos De Mi Tierra (Nostalgia De Mi Tierra) is featured on the
Hot Salsa! compilation CD.
Can't Find Love (Lost Love) is featured on
The 2nd Smooth Jazz Avenue compilation CD.
Can't Find Love, is also featured on
The title track, South Beach, was voted Track Of The Day at
South Beach was a featured Album Of The Week at
as selected by DJ El Chino, streaming the best Latin-Jazz and Salsa directly from Cali, Colombia
Songs from South Beach made the April & May Latin Jazz Top 50 at
Pietro's premier Latin-Jazz/Salsa web site streaming from Italy
Frank Villafañe is a Latin-Jazz pianist, composer and arranger. He plays piano "con clave" in the styles of Eddie Palmieri, Peruchin and Sergio Mendes. Born in Bremerhaven, Germany, son of Mike and Elfriede Villafañe, Frank grew up all over the United States and Europe, and experienced multi-culturalism first-hand. Musically, as in life, Frank's upbringing was fairly eclectic, being exposed to Latin, Jazz, Calypso, Folk, and the Classics early on. He began piano lessons in earnest at the tender age of 8. This interest in music was sustained throughout the moves over two continents during his formative years.
At twelve, Frank moved to Puerto Rico, and was quickly exposed to that infectious music known as "Salsa". But it was Frank's 7th grade music teacher which provided the impetus fueling his musical direction; he heard an original copy of Scott Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag" played by Scott Joplin himself, and was forever changed. Moving back to the States, at Whiteman AFB, Missouri, Frank quickly acquired and studied the musical form, Ragtime, and earned his first paying "gig" as a professional musician at the age of 14, when he performed many Ragtime favorites by Scott Joplin and other Ragtime greats, for the WAFB Officers Club at a Roaring 20's theme party. Meanwhile, Frank's father continued his influence by encouraging him to listen and emulate several great Latin pianists, notably Sergio Mendes (of Brasil 66 fame) and the Cuban legend Pedro Justiz "Peruchin".
In college, at Rutgers University, Frank began playing piano for a number of Jazz & Latin "conjunto" style bands and orchestras, while studying piano with no less than the great Kenny Barron. He was immersed in theory and keyboard harmony classes at Rutgers and studied at the feet of Walter Bishop Jr, Ted Dunbar, Frank Foster, and Larry Ridley.
Later, Frank formed Jazz Y Clave, an 8 piece conjunto. Performing his own arrangements of many Jazz standards, Jazz Y Clave soon became a staple at New Brunswick's number one hot-spot, Nova Terra. This continued for five years, during which time Jazz Y Clave performed at many venues throughout New York and New Jersey, including appearing at the prestigious Red Bank Riverfest Jazz Festival in 2001 (and again in 2005), and opening for no less than Eddie Palmieri at the Expo Theater at Fort Monmouth (and again at Red Bank in 2005).
In between performances, Frank composes all his music on his studio at home.
Frank is currently performing with Impacto (check the calendar below for dates & times, etc.).
Frank's music can be heard on...
featuring the best Latin-Jazz...streamed direct to you 24/7...on the web!
Hey Frank, you've taken leave..I seldom hear from you, hope all is going good..stopping by to say hello and to wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving..best wishes always. Omar
Frankie!!! What's good brudda? Thanks for hittin' me up. Things are great. I can't complain. I'm happy to see things are good on your end as well. Keep up the good work and I hope to see you soon. Give me a call man. I'll come check you out if I'm not giggin.
Greetings! Hope you are well.. Check out the NEW youtube percussion channel at; www.youtube.com/TimbaCriolla Dont forget to subscribe, we will be adding more videos shortly, hope you enjoy the videos.. All the best..
POBRE NEGRITO BEMBON! MATARON AL NEGRO BEMBON! HOY SE LLORA NOCHE Y DIA! POR QUE EL NEGRITO BEMBON TODO EL MUNDO LO QUERIA! Y LLEGO LA POLICIA! Y ARRESTARON AL MATON Y UNO DE LOS POLICIAS QUE TAMBIEN ERA BEMBON! LE TOCO LA MALA SUERTE DE HACER LA INVESTIGACION! Y SABES LA PREGUNTA QUE LE HISO AL MATON PORQUE LO MATO? DIGA USTED LA RAZON! Y SABES LA RESPUESTA QUE LE DIO EL MATON! YO LO MATE POR SER TAN BEMBON! EL GUARDIA ESCONDIO LA BEMBA Y LE DIJO! ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ QUE PASES TU FIN DE SEMANA RUMBIANDO, MAMBIANDO, BAILANDO, A TU MANERA, PERO QUE LLENO DE MUCHA ALEGRIA Y FELICIDAD. TE DESEA CON MUCHO CARIñO! ♥MIMI♥
