Marcus+

He is the only Argentinian among the stars of this year’s festival. A keyboard maestro trained by the great Antonio de Raco.

Federico Gonzales Peña

To play with Marcus Miller is an honour and an amazing experience. His guests are usually very special musicians. Federico’s adventure with music started when he was only 4 years old, right after he moved to Buenos Aires from his native Montevideo, Urugway. At that time percussion instruments absorbed him fully, but soon enough he switched to piano. The change took place in the house of his grandmother, who was herself a fulfilled pianist and organist. After three years he became a pupil of the renowned Argentinian pianist Antonio de Raco, who also taught Martha Argerich and Claudio Arrau. Federico’s professional career started when he was fifteen – he played different styles with great ease, which was quickly noticed by the session musicians such as Gustavo Donez (Sweater), El Soca, Daniel Colombres, El Mono Fontana, Juan del Barrio and Jota Morelli. He moved to Washington D.C. when he was 17. After a year-long stay at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Federico returned to Washington and played the local style of funk music called Go-Go. After some time he met Me'Shell NdegéOcello with whom he collaborated for the next 20 years, recording a number of Grammy nominated albums. Nowadays he is part of the SMV band where he plays piano and other keyboard instruments. In his free time he composes and produces for his own trio called GAIA.
myspace.com/federicogonzalezpena

Black Sea Jazz Festival 2008, Photo: gode.ge