Rafael A. Nazario - Pianist, Composer
Composer, Producer, Pianist and Teacher… Rafael Nazario’s music is as diverse as the many places he has called home. Raf composes in any number of styles, Jazz, Latin, Neo-Classical, Pop...
Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Costa Rica, New Jersey and back in P.R., Rafael's early influences were classical music and popular songwriters. Later on, it was the jazz greats.
Eventually Nazario made his home in Los Angeles, where among other things he worked as pianist, composer and producer for commercials and film. For six years he was also the resident pianist at the Tony Bill (The Sting, Taxi Driver) and Dudley Moore —owned ‘72 Market Street’ Restaurant in Venice, CA, supplying “sophisticated improvisational piano” (national magazine quote) in what was then one of Los Angeles high-voltage, show-biz clientele spots. The grand piano was the centerpiece and at any given time anyone could be in the dining room, i.e., Randy Newman, Oscar Peterson, Herbie Hancock, Lalo Schifrin, Joni Mitchell, Jimmy Webb, Yoko Ono, and the list goes on and on.
Rafael also helmed the music trio that played for the KCRW (NPR) program, “Live from 72” broadcast, as well as having been invited to play for several benefits for NPR (opening for Linda Rondstadt, Crosby & Nash and others). Along the way, Nazario supplied music for a variety of private functions and settings, often playing for high-profile members of the film and music community (and once, even spending an evening with Bob Dylan teaching him to play a Gershwin song.) (A partial list of performances can be obtained with one, easy click here.)
Rafael’s style of piano continued to evolve in the two years he lived in Tokyo’s Roppongi district, playing swing, stride and singing jazz standards. Whilst in Tokyo, Rafael continued to teach, learn and refine his music. Eventually, opportunity knocked once again with a prospect to relocate to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Rafael flourished in Mexico, where he wrote, arranged and produced Patria Añorada, a “nuevo Latino” gender-bender of various styles, recorded with some of Mexico’s finest studio musicians. He was a featured recitalist at the Camino Real Concert Series and also at the Puerto Vallarta Amphitheater. Over years of writing and performing, Nazario has developed and honed a personal style that combines both his American and Hispanic sensibilities. It is a distinct voice.
Currently based in Sydney, Australia, Nazario is focusing on composing, recording and teaching. His symphonic work in progress “Harbour City” was shortlisted for the Lowin Prize finalists (2009). His follow-up CDs, PianoForte 1 & 2, are genre-defying collection of piano and instrumental original music, reflecting a diverse variety of influences.
Patria Añorada, PianoForte 1 and 2 are available on iTunes, Amazon.com, CDBABY and Rhapsody, among other outlets.
Raf is a member of the Australian Screen Composers Guild and APRA/AMCOS.