Omar Sosa - JOG

Seven-time GRAMMY-nominated Cuban composer and jazz pianist Omar Sosa has assembled a trio with award-winning German trumpet player, Joo Kraus, and folkloric, Venezuelan percussionist Gustavo Ovalles.

The Trio debuted at Kunstflecken Festival north of Hamburg in 2014 and performed the following day for a live radio broadcast at Radio Bremen, resulting in the 'JOG' CD.

Joo Kraus has been part of Omar's Afri-Lectric Experience, the sextet that recorded Omar's celebrated Miles Davis 'Kind of Blue' tribute CD in 2012 entitled EGGUN. This recording received a GRAMMY nomination for Best Latin Jazz. Joo received a 2012 ECHO award in Germany for Best Trumpet Player.

Gustavo Ovalles plays an array of traditional Venezuelan percussion instruments, including quitiplas, culo 'e puya, and maracas. Gustavo is featured on Omar's 2003 CD, 'Ayaguna', which was recorded live at Motion Blue in Yokohama.

Omar's Trio with Joo and Gustavo exemplify Omar's philosophy of jazz as freedom. Its music is improvisation-based, with each player bringing expression of his musical roots to the collective experience. Omar and Joo both use various samplers and electronic effects during performances, and Kraus contributes occasional rap vocals in German and English.

Personnel: Omar Sosa (piano), Joo Kraus (trumpet), Gustavo Ovalles (percussion)