MUSICIANS

ZACHARY DIETZ (Associate Conductor)
Zachary Dietz is making his Broadway debut with In the Heights.  He was also involved with the Off-Broadway production last year as an assistant conductor/rehearsal pianist.  Zach is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music, where he also served as adjunct faculty for musical theatre. Many thanks to Alex and Lin.

RAUL AGRAZ (Lead Trumpet) I was born and raised in Venezuela. Classically trained, my musical career began to take shape at the early age of seven, with the internationally famous choir, "Ninos Cantores de Villa de Cura." With this choir, I traveled to many international choir congresses throughout the world, including performances in France, Spain, the United States, Belgium and Vienna among others. About this same time, I began to play the flute and to learn to read music. Soon after, I switched to the French Horn, but as a nine year old, I discovered my passion... the trumpet. In a very short time I was the principle trumpet player with the orchestra accompanying the choir. I attended the Jose Angel Lamas music school in Caracas, Venezuela to begin my formal classical education and at the age of 17 became the principle trumpet for the young Venezuela Symphony.  In 1996 I relocated to New York to study with Lorie Frink and Victor Paz (lead trumpet for Cats for 18 years) I have also studied with Bobby Shew. Throughout my career I have performed lead and solo trumpet in a variety of styles: jazz, rock, pop, latin, R&B, and classical. I have recorded on thousands of soundtracks, jingles, and record dates.

TREVOR NEUMANN (Trumpet)
Trevor Neumann is a Manhattan based trumpet player who is thrilled to be a part of In The Heights. He has recently performed  on Broadway with A Chorus Line, The Wedding Singer, and  La Cage Aux Folles, as well as for the artists Bette Midler and Borat Sagdiyev.

JOSEPH FIEDLER (Trombone)
Trombonist/composer Joe Fiedler is known to critics as "among the most impressive trombonists to emerge in the past couple of decades" (Harvey Pekar, Signal to Noise) and "an MVP in configurations that range from salsa bands to the jazz avant-garde" (Time Out New York). Based in New York since 1993, he has performed and recorded in a long and eclectic list of musical settings ranging from pop (Firewater, Wycleff Jean, Jennifer Lopez) to Afro-Caribbean (Celia Cruz, Ralph Irizarry, Eddie Palmieri) to jazz (Andrew Hill, Lee Konitz, Maria Schneider) to the avant-garde (Borah Bergman, Anthony Braxton, Cecil Taylor). In addition to work as a solo trombonist and leader of the groups the Joe Fiedler Trio and Big Sack, Fiedler is an active member of such ensembles as Fast and Bulbous, Chris Jonas' The Sun Spits Cherries, and the big bands of Satoko Fujii, Ed Palermo and Charles Tolliver among others. His diverse discography features more than 70 recordings, including three as a leader. The latest is his 2007 trio release, "The Crab" (Clean Feed), featuring bassist John Hebert and drummer Michael Sarin. "When you listen to the music on "The Crab," writes AllAboutJazz-New York'sEditorial Director Andrey Henkin in the liner notes, "you know you're hearing the work of a major innovator. And few players on any instrument write tunes with as much breadth and diversity, using mutes, multiphonics, bravado on burners, avant musings, subversive marches and poignant ballads." Critics called the band's first CD, "Plays The Music of Albert Mangelsdorff" (Clean Feed), "triumphant" (Jay Collins, One Final Note), "involving" (Nate Chinen, New York Times), "a memorable and brilliant tribute" (Scott Yanow, All Music Guide) and "a survey that is at once deep and uncompromising and still decidedly accessible throughout, traits emblematic of the dedicatory maestro himself" (Derek Taylor, Bagatellen).

RYAN KEBERLE (Trombone)
Since his arrival in New York City just eight years ago, jazz trombonist and composer Ryan Keberle has been a sought-after musician, playing in many different styles including all genres of jazz, avant-garde, Latin, classical, and rock.  When not performing in New York City's major venues, including Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center's Allen Room, Birdland, and the Bowery Ballroom, he is often touring the country and the world, having performed in Scandinavia, Italy, Ireland, Russia, China, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, and others.  Mr. Keberle graduated in 2001 from the Manhattan School of Music where he studied with critically acclaimed trombonist Steve Turre and composers Mike Abene and the late Manny Album.  Upon graduation he received the William H. Borden award for musical excellence in jazz, given to one member of each graduating class.  He went on to study with Wycliffe Gordon and David Berger as a part of the Juilliard School's groundbreaking Institute for Jazz Studies.  In May of 2003, he became a member of Jazz at Juilliard's first graduating class.  Recently, Mr. Keberle performed on NBC with the Saturday Night Live band, and was selected as one of ten finalists for the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Trombone Competition.  Aside from being a regular member of the Maria Schneider Orchestra and about 15 other ensembles based in New York City, Ryan has also performed or recorded with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Frank Wess, Jimmy Heath, Slide Hampton, Charles McPherson, the late Percy Heath, Teo Macero, Joe Lovano, Eric Reed, Ivan Lins, Jon Hendricks, Madeline Peyroux and Alicia Keys among others.  In April of 2007 Ryan's debut CD, "Ryan Keberle Double Quartet", was released to rave reviews from around the world.  The New York Times hailed it as an "auspicious debut", All About Jazz declared it to be "an outstanding debut from a hot, new voice on the jazz scene", and Inside Connection named it as "one of the year's best!".  When not performing on stage, Ryan can be found in the classroom at City University's Hunter College where he began his tenure as a visiting professor in 2004 or cooking in the kitchen of his Brooklyn apartment. Learn more about Ryan, listen to sound clips, and view pictures at his website: www.ryankeberle.com

DAVID RICHARDS (Woodwinds)
David Richards, a multi-instrumentalist and native New Yorker, has had a strong presence in the New York pop and musical theater scene since his return to the United States in 2004.  His thirteen-year tenure in Brazil was highlighted by hundreds of record dates, pop tours and a weekly TV show with Brazilian pop artist Fabio Junior.  Since his return David has performed in 12 Broadway and Off-Broadway musicals including, Movin' Out, Hairspray, The Wedding Singer and Grease.  David has performed with various pop artist including, Billy Joel, Michael Bolton, Alicia Keys, Dave Mason, Paul Simon and Usher.  Besides playing, David loves composing, arranging and producing music as well as teaching. www.davidrichards.org

KRISTY NORTER (Woodwinds)
Kristy Norter received a Master's degree in Saxophone Performance at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.  She received a Bachelor's degree in Jazz Studies from Indiana University where she was honored with the prestigious Performer's Certificate.  She is an active performer and clinician in the New York City area and has worked with musicians including: Nancy Wilson, Diane Schuur, Arturo Sandoval, David Baker, Diva, Bernadette Peters, John Pizzarelli, Bootsy Collins, Fred Wesley, the Four Tops, the Temptations, Frankie Avalon, Jack Jones, and the Cincinnati Jazz Orchestra.  She has subbed in pit orchestras on Broadway for shows including Chicago, Hairspray, and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. In the Heights will be her first credit in Playbill.  Her teaching experience includes a sabbatical replacement position as Applied Saxophone Instructor at the University of Louisville, a Graduate Assistantship in the University of Cincinnati Jazz Department, the New York Pops Salute to the Music Program, a private studio and numerous schools in the Cincinnati, Bloomington and New York City areas. Currently, Kristy is touring with the Big Apple Circus, freelancing with several jazz groups and is also an instructor at the Jamey Aebersold Summer Workshops.

ANDRES PATRICK FORERO (Drums/Percussion)
Multi Grammy nominated drummer Andres Patrick Forero is considered to be one of the best "Crossover" drummer/percussionists on the music scene. By the age of 4 Forero was already playing the guitar and piano. By the age of 12 Andres could play over 13 instruments. Andres has recorded and or toured with Paquito D'Rivera, Max Roach, Ron Carter, Clark Terry, Alejandro Sanz, Dizzy Gillespie, William Cepeda, Gregory Hines,Savion Glover, Bill Cosby, Fab Five Freddie, Marc Anthony, Celia Cruz, Tito Puente and many more. Forero has played at the White House five times and has played for President Bush, President Clinton, and for President Carter. Forero traveled to Kazakhstan and Kergestan as a "Peace Leader" through the United Nations and U.S. Government. He performed three sold out GalaConcerts for top dignitaries and socialites of Kazakhstan and Kergestan. Forero will compete a four part suite written for legendary drummer and mentor Max Roach in 2007. Premier TBA. Andres currently endorses Yamaha Drums, Evans Drum Heads, has a signature drum stick with Vic Firth, Sabian Cymbals, Reunion Blues bags and cases. Andres is currently working on his first solo album on which he willplay All the instruments for 2 of the 12 original compositions. In addition Forero is working on a new drum and percussion book that will be published in early 2008. Forero was recently honored by being added to legendary drummer Steve Gadd's web site http://drstevegadd.com/accolades.htm. Forero is working with Def Jam recording artist Karina Pasian and will be the Musical Director for her NEW band. Concerts will include performances with Jay Z, John Legend, and many more. Look out for four new albums that have just been released. For all details and information please visit www.patforero.com

IRIO O'FARRILL (Bass)
Irio O'Farrill has been performing and recording in the New York City area and internationally for many years. His Broadway credits include Cats, Grease, Footloose, Smokey Joe's Cafe, The Rocky Horror Show, Hairspray, Brooklyn The Musical, and The Wedding Singer. In 2006 he was part of the JCS All Star Band for Jesus Christ Superstar: Live In Concert in Hollywood, CA featuring Ted Neely, Yvonne Elliman, Ben Vereen, Clint Holmes and Jack Black. He earned a B.A. in music from New Jersey City University and furthered his studies at Manhattan School of Music and New York University. He has performed and toured with Juan Carlos Formell, Bobby Sanabria and Ascencion, the Chico O'Farrill Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra, Gary Morgan and Pan Americana, Dave Valentin, Ray Mantilla and Space Station, Daniel Ponce, Claudio Roditi, Steve Turre, Los Jovenes Del Barrio, The Dalton Gang, Larry Gatlin, BeBe Winans, Laurie Beechman, Sarah Brightman and many others. Irio is a faculty member of the Bass Collective at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, and Stevens Institute of Technology. He is a co-author of the recently released instructional book "Afro-Caribbean & Brazilian Rhythms for the Bass" (Carl Fischer, 2007). 

Irio endorses Sadowsky Basses, BSX Bass, Dean Markley Strings and Eden Electronics amplification.

MANNY MOREIRA (Guitars)