Colombian pianist and composer Ricardo Gallo....

Colombian pianist and composer Ricardo Gallo started his undergraduate studies in composition and jazz piano at Universidad Javeriana in his native city of Bogotá. In 1999 Gallo transferred to the University of North Texas (UNT), where he majored in composition and participated as jazz pianist. During his time at UNT he began to research and incorporate Colombian folkloric music in his own compositions both acoustic and electronic.

Ricardo graduated from UNT Magna Cum Laude in 2002, and was honored Outstanding Composition Student the same year. At the beginning of the following year he went back to Colombia for six months to continue his assimilation of Colombian music while actively performing as pianist with various Colombian music and jazz groups.

He finished a Masters degree and is at the moment a PhD candidate in composition at Stony Brook University. He has been awarded a scholarship from the university and has been an assistant for the Computer Music Studio, has also been instructor of theory classes, as well as assistant of the Jazz Department under the direction of trombonist Ray Anderson.

He leads since 2004 his Bogotá-based quartet with which he has developed original compositions and a way of improvising that integrates an avant-garde and free language with rhythmic and melodic elements from Colombian traditions.

The Quartet is formed along with some of the best musicians from Bogotá, and Colombia: Jorge Sepúlveda on drums, Juan Manuel Toro on double bass, Juan David Castaño on percussion, and Ricardo Gallo on piano. With them Gallo has released two albums: “Los Cerros Testigos” (December, 2005), and “Urdimbres y Marañas” (December, 2007), both with great critical acclaim.

In New York he has performed his music with several groups including musicians such as: Ray Anderson, Mark Helias, Pheeroan akLaff, Dan Blake, Satoshi Takeishi, Jorge Roeder, Tom Blancarte, Sam Sadigursky, Franco Pinna, among others. He has performed with Ray Anderson’s groups and has performed in Europe and in NY with Peter Evan’s Quartet. His most recent release is a CD of his duo with guitarist Alejandro Flórez, titled “Meleyólamente”. His music appears in several compilations in Colombia, U.S. and Europe.