Fran Vielma Quartet Concert

The Fran Vielma Quartet features Luis Hernandez (saxes), Savino Palumbo (piano), and Steve Arnold (acoustic bass).

About Fran Vielma: “a percussion colourist of great distinction…leans heavily on his aptitude for, and particular genius for counterpoint and most of important of all–his understanding of instrumental timbre…” – Raul Da Gama, Latin Jazz Network 2018.

Hailing from Venezuelan Andes, Fran Vielma is a critically acclaimed and award-winning multi-percussionist, composer, and educator. His continuous research on Pan-American rhythms and beyond is integrated with his attraction to concert music and the freedom of jazz.

Vielma recently premiered his suite Common Grounds at SFJAZZ, commissioned by the prestigious Chamber Music America – New Jazz Works, and has been a DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Fellow since 2019.

His first album, Inesperado, was part of a catalog for the label Cacao Music along with renowned artists such as Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, Jose Quintana “Changuito,” and Negroni’s trio, among others.

He has been touring the continent with his star-studded Venezuelan Jazz Collective since 2019; Tendencias, his latest release, includes Vielma’s original works and arrangements and was included in the Best of 2018lists by Downbeat, Latin Jazz Network, & NYC Jazz Record.

His versatility as performer of different genres has involved him inconcerts, recordings, tours, and festivals around the world with artists such as John Medeski, George Garzone, Paul Winter, Bob Moses, SimonPhillips, Antonio Sanchez, Alex Norris, Sean Jones, Randy Brecker, Troy Roberts, Gary Thomas, Marshall Gilkes, Cesar Orozco, NEC JazzAmbassadors, US Army Blues Band, Josanne Francis, and Luis Enriqueto name a few.

Vielma serves as faculty of the world-class Jazz Department at Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University and has been adjunct faculty at the Music Department of Salem State University, MA, as well as artist-in-residence at Shenandoah Conservatory–National Jazz Workshop, Baltimore School of Arts, West Virginia University, Conservatorio deMúsica de Puerto Rico, Florida University, and Maryland Classic Youth Orchestra, among others. Fran Vielma endorses Meinl Percussion, Vater Drumsticks, Istanbul Mehmet Cymbals, and Africatedra Venezuelan Percussion.

This is a family-friendly event, with discounted tickets for children ages 6-12, and free for kids 5 and under!