Award-winning saxophonist & composer

Jonathan Suazo & Ricano

In Concert

Friday, October 3, 2025
7:00 pm
Aaron Davis Hall
129 Convent Avenue at West 135^th Street
All Tickets $25

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Jonathan Suazo is an award-winning saxophonist, composer, and cultural seeder who utilizes music to shine a light

on elements of his Puerto Rican and Dominican roots. Jonathan was named one of the top ten emerging Jazz artists of 2023 by the GRAMMYS and his debut album “Ricano” (Ropeadope Records) was listed as one of the best Jazz albums of 2023 by The New York Times.

​A Berklee Global Jazz Institute graduate (M.M), he’s received many honors including the 2024 Chamber Music America New Jazz Works Grant, The WBUR Makers Series Award for generating impact in the Boston’s community, The Winter 2023 South Arts Jazz Road Tours Grant, and the Berklee Urban Service Award for using the arts to bring awareness about the needs of the Puerto Rican people during hurricane Maria and supporting humanitarianism. Jonathan has also served as a grant reviewer for organizations like New Music USA and Mid Atlantic.
 
Catalina Maria Johnson of Downbeat Jazz Mag describes his music as “a soundscape propelled by lyrical sax playing” and Giovanni Rusonnello from the New York Times describes his music as “richly built, written from the heart and packed with complexity, always seeking the next level of altitude.” 

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Suazo’s resume includes collaborations / performances with Miguel Zenón, Terri Lyne Carrington, David Sánchez, Charlie Sepúlveda, Gonzalo Grau, Danilo Perez, Ricky Rodriguez, Ileana Cabra (iLÉ), Calma Carmona, Rakalam Bob Moses, Joe Lovano, Paoli Mejias, Humberto Ramirez, David Rivera, Tito Matos, Ricardo Pons, William Cepeda, Jon Secada, Pedro Capó, Obie Bermudez, Hans Glawischnig, Humberto Ramirez, Silverio Perez, Tony Escapa.

Featured Musicians:

Jonathan Suazo alto sax

Joel Mateo, drums

Tanicha López, voz

Karenly Michelle, voz

Ian Ashby, bass

Zaccai Curtis, piano

Victor Pablo, percussion

Marcos Lopez, percussion

Gabriel Vicens, guitar

Jeremy Bosch, voz

This concert is curated and hosted by Nelson Radhames Rodriguez.

The presentation of these new compositions (‘Kenny’s Garden’, ‘Calle Hija del Caribe’, ‘La Magia’, ‘Mi Música Bella’, and ‘Llamado’) is made possible with the support of Chamber Music America’s New Jazz Works program which is funded by the Doris Duke Foundation.

The program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

For more information please contact the Aaron Davis Hall Box Office at  adhboxoffice@ccny.cuny.edu  or by calling 212-650-6900.

As a community radio station broadcasting from the campus of the City College of New York, WHCR seeks to provide skills in communications and related disciplines to students here at the college and community members. WHCR seeks to empower it’s listeners by providing informative, educational and cultural programming that speaks to the diverse populations of Harlem, upper Manhattan; and some sections of the Bronx, Queens, and New Jersey.