MAUREEN CHOI QUARTET is much more than jazz and latin music. Their captivating live performance consists of original compositions and arrangements of traditional Spanish and Latin American pieces. Maureen is actually one of the few violinists in the world who is able to blend the virtuosity of classical music with improvisation and driving Latin rhythms. The group was born in the fall of 2012 when Maureen arrived in Spain. A virtuoso on the violin, professor at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, she became passionately committed to the rich traditions and sounds of music in Spain.
Ida y Vuelta, the latest album of the quartet, is the result of this journey featuring some of the most prominent Spanish musicians of today like Javier Colina on double bass and Pepe Rivero on piano.
The quartet has played at many important festivals after winning 1st place in the 2013 International Jazz Competition of Talavera, including JazzMadrid 2013 and 2014, 2014 Festival de Jazz de Talavera, 2014 Festival “Ellas Crean”, 2014 Continental Latin Jazz CLAZZ, 2015 Jazz en la Calle Pamplona, and 2015 Festival de Jazz de Toledo. They appear regularly at the most relevant jazz clubs in Madrid, such as Café Central, Bogui Jazz and Café Populart.The diverse backgrounds of the rhythm section are paramount to the highly original and fresh sound of Maureen Choi Quartet.
Daniel García Diego (Spain) is a flamenco jazz pianist and an award-winning musical director. Mario Carrillo (Spain), double-bassist graduated from Berklee College of Music who brings fresh perspectives on traditional music with his arrangements for the quartet. Michael Olivera (Cuba), one of the most sought after drummers in Spain, rounds up the quartet blending modern jazz and Afro-cuban drumming.
The group is currently on tour presenting their latest album, Ida y Vuelta, through Europe, Asia and North America and their next projects include collaborating with the dancers of the National Ballet of Spain