Pianist, composer, and sideman Javier Santiago is one of the most promising voices in the international music scene today. He is also an accomplished producer/beatmaker, arranger and educator. Further, Santiago has become a notable force in both the beat and hip-hop scenes as well as in jazz.
Santiago is an alumnus of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance at UCLA and The Brubeck Institute Fellowship Program. He was a finalist in the American Jazz Pianist competition in 2015. Additionally, he received the 2016 McKnight Fellowship for Musicians. Also, he was selected to participate in the 14th Annual Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program in 2011.
Santiago has performed with Herbie Hancock, Terrace Martin, Louis Cole, Alex Isley, Jonathan Kreisberg, Braxton Cook, and Kassa Overall. Also, Azar Lawrence, Kenneth Whalum, Aja Monet, John Raymond, Sheila Jordan, and Yosvany Terry. Additionally, he is based in Los Angeles.
Room3 is a jazz fusion wild card rooted in tradition yet driven by experimentation. Their sound is imaginative, playful and rhythmically sharp, mixing elements of bebop, contemporary jazz, prog rock, funk and more. Here, the collective currently operates out of Minneapolis, most commonly as a five-piece. The band features RAWTWHYLAH (aka Colin Mitchell) on drums, Beck Anderson on bass, Eli Awada on keyboards, Jovon Williams on tenor and soprano saxophone, and Evan Espinoza Robles on percussion. Also, each member is a student of their craft with a unique approach to their instrument. They share a willingness to push boundaries.
“Discovering the world of room3 is like watching a Miyazaki film for the first time.” – Natalia Toledo, The Current
Recommended for fans of Chick Corea, Weather Report, Snarky Puppy and Ezra Collective.
