Jonathan Suazo
Saxophonist, Composer, Cultural Seeder, Educator
Biography
Named one of the top ten emerging Jazz artists of 2023 by the GRAMMYS, Jonathan is a rising saxophonist, composer, cultural seeder, and educator. His debut album Ricano' was listed at #6 in the best Jazz albums of 2023 by The New York Times.
A Berklee Global Jazz Institute graduate, he's received many honors including the 2024 Chamber Music America New Jazz Works Grant, The WBUR Makers Award for generating impact in the greater Boston's community, The Winter 2023 South Arts Jazz Road Tours Grant, the 2023 New Music USA Creator Fund Grant, and the Berklee Urban Service Award for using the arts to support humanitarianism.
In connection with his Ricano project, Jonathan has impacted more that 700 student by integrating educational residencies and workshops with his performance efforts as a touring artist.
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.”
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.
A Berklee Global Jazz Institute graduate, 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, the 2023 New Music USA Creator Fund Grant, A full tuition Scholarship to attend the Berklee Global Jazz Institute Masters Program, The Project Support Grant for Program Alumni by the Fundación Banco Popular for his Ricano album, and the Berklee Urban Service Award for using the arts to support humanitarianism.
In connection with his Ricano project, Jonathan has become an ally of several organizations like Puerto Rican Arts Alliance, Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center, Escuela Libre de Música San Juan, Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico, El Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña, Fundación Banco Popular, and Music Project to impact more that 600 student since 2023.
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.”
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.
A Berklee Global Jazz Institute graduate, he's received many honors including the 2024 Chamber Music America New Jazz Works Grant, The WBUR Makers Award for generating impact in the greater Boston's community, The Winter 2023 South Arts Jazz Road Tours Grant, the 2023 New Music USA Creator Fund Grant, and the Berklee Urban Service Award for using the arts to support humanitarianism.
In connection with his Ricano project, Jonathan has impacted more that 700 student by integrating educational residencies and workshops with his performance efforts as a touring artist.
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.”
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.
A Berklee Global Jazz Institute graduate, 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, the 2023 New Music USA Creator Fund Grant, A full tuition Scholarship to attend the Berklee Global Jazz Institute Masters Program, The Project Support Grant for Program Alumni by the Fundación Banco Popular for his Ricano album, and the Berklee Urban Service Award for using the arts to support humanitarianism.
In connection with his Ricano project, Jonathan has become an ally of several organizations like Puerto Rican Arts Alliance, Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center, Escuela Libre de Música San Juan, Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico, El Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña, Fundación Banco Popular, and Music Project to impact more that 600 student since 2023.
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.”
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.
Education
M.M - Berklee College of Music
B.M - Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico
B.M - Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico
Awards
Chamber Music America New Jazz Works Grant 2024
WBUR Makers October 2024
South Arts - Jazz Road Tours 2023 Grant - South Arts
Feb 2023
Jazz Road is a national initiative of South Arts, which is funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation with additional support from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Berklee College of Music
Full Tuition Scholarship to Berklee Global Jazz Institute Masters Program - Berklee College of Music
May 2016
The Berklee Global Jazz Institute (BGJI) is a performance program designed to foster creativity and musicianship through various musical disciplines, with pianist and composer Danilo Pérez as its founder and artistic director.
The BGJI provides a comprehensive contemporary music environment where students are given opportunities to explore their creativity to the highest level possible, advance the power of music as a tool for the betterment of society, and connect musical creative thinking with the natural environment.
New Music USA
New Music USA Creator Fund Recipient - New Music USA
May 2023
The Creator Fund offers grants to individual music creators working in any genre who need support to get to the next stage of their creative practice. The funded project for Jonathan Suazo is: RICANO
Berklee College of Music
Urban Service Award - Berklee College of Music
Nov 2018
The Berklee Urban Service Awards (BUSA) celebrate Berklee students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding community members who work for social change in the Greater Boston area and honors people who make a difference in Boston communities.
The Recording Academy (GRAMMYS)
10 Emerging Jazz Artist to know in 2023 - The Recording Academy
Apr 2023
Jonathan recognized as one of 10 Emerging Jazz Artist to know in 2023.
Full article here: https://www.grammy.com/news/10-emerging-jazz-artists-to-know-in-2023
U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic
Artistic Guest of Honor - U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic
Jul 2023
Guest of honor along with Nadia Washington for the anual Independence Day celebration at the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic. Event: Rhythm that unites us. July 13th 2023 in association with Fundacion Casa de Teatro
Fundación Banco Popular
Artist in Residence - Banco Popular
Jun 2023
Official Artist in Residence for the 2023 Aceleración Musical Summer Program hosted by Fundacion Banco Popular at the Universidad Inter Metro June 25-July 1 2023. Throughout this summer program 50+ local students are exposed to a vast number of musical experiences in the fields of Music Performance, Music Business, Music Production and more. This year the backbone of the program revolved around the music of my formal debut album RICANO, with comisiones arrangements for 6 full pieces by Elias Celpa and Tiffany Roman Louk for full brass and full string section to be performed at Sala Sinfónica Pablo Casals on September 3rd 2023.
Unsigned Only
Unsigned Only Music Competition : Honorable Mention - Unsigned Only
Jul 2023
Chosen from more that 6,000 entries as one of the 2023 Semi-Finalists and a final vote for honorable mention in the Jazz category with the original composition entitled "Seguimos Luchando"
Somos Grandes - España
Artist of The Month - Somos Grandes (September 2023) - Somos Grandes - España
Sep 2023
Plataforma cultural y revista digital. Creando puentes entre Iberoamérica, Latam y España.
Cultural platform and digital magazine. Creating bridges between Latin America, Latam and Spain.
Best Latin Artist Nominee - Boston Music Awards 2023 - Boston Music Awards
Sep 2023
Founded in 1987, The Boston Music Awards is an annual set of awards that showcases the exceptional musical talent in the Massachusetts area. It’s an homage to the past year, as well as an insight into the future direction of music in Boston.
WBUR Makers October 2024
South Arts - Jazz Road Tours 2023 Grant - South Arts
Feb 2023
Jazz Road is a national initiative of South Arts, which is funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation with additional support from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Berklee College of Music
Full Tuition Scholarship to Berklee Global Jazz Institute Masters Program - Berklee College of Music
May 2016
The Berklee Global Jazz Institute (BGJI) is a performance program designed to foster creativity and musicianship through various musical disciplines, with pianist and composer Danilo Pérez as its founder and artistic director.
The BGJI provides a comprehensive contemporary music environment where students are given opportunities to explore their creativity to the highest level possible, advance the power of music as a tool for the betterment of society, and connect musical creative thinking with the natural environment.
New Music USA
New Music USA Creator Fund Recipient - New Music USA
May 2023
The Creator Fund offers grants to individual music creators working in any genre who need support to get to the next stage of their creative practice. The funded project for Jonathan Suazo is: RICANO
Berklee College of Music
Urban Service Award - Berklee College of Music
Nov 2018
The Berklee Urban Service Awards (BUSA) celebrate Berklee students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding community members who work for social change in the Greater Boston area and honors people who make a difference in Boston communities.
The Recording Academy (GRAMMYS)
10 Emerging Jazz Artist to know in 2023 - The Recording Academy
Apr 2023
Jonathan recognized as one of 10 Emerging Jazz Artist to know in 2023.
Full article here: https://www.grammy.com/news/10-emerging-jazz-artists-to-know-in-2023
U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic
Artistic Guest of Honor - U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic
Jul 2023
Guest of honor along with Nadia Washington for the anual Independence Day celebration at the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic. Event: Rhythm that unites us. July 13th 2023 in association with Fundacion Casa de Teatro
Fundación Banco Popular
Artist in Residence - Banco Popular
Jun 2023
Official Artist in Residence for the 2023 Aceleración Musical Summer Program hosted by Fundacion Banco Popular at the Universidad Inter Metro June 25-July 1 2023. Throughout this summer program 50+ local students are exposed to a vast number of musical experiences in the fields of Music Performance, Music Business, Music Production and more. This year the backbone of the program revolved around the music of my formal debut album RICANO, with comisiones arrangements for 6 full pieces by Elias Celpa and Tiffany Roman Louk for full brass and full string section to be performed at Sala Sinfónica Pablo Casals on September 3rd 2023.
Unsigned Only
Unsigned Only Music Competition : Honorable Mention - Unsigned Only
Jul 2023
Chosen from more that 6,000 entries as one of the 2023 Semi-Finalists and a final vote for honorable mention in the Jazz category with the original composition entitled "Seguimos Luchando"
Somos Grandes - España
Artist of The Month - Somos Grandes (September 2023) - Somos Grandes - España
Sep 2023
Plataforma cultural y revista digital. Creando puentes entre Iberoamérica, Latam y España.
Cultural platform and digital magazine. Creating bridges between Latin America, Latam and Spain.
Best Latin Artist Nominee - Boston Music Awards 2023 - Boston Music Awards
Sep 2023
Founded in 1987, The Boston Music Awards is an annual set of awards that showcases the exceptional musical talent in the Massachusetts area. It’s an homage to the past year, as well as an insight into the future direction of music in Boston.
Professional Associations
Ropeadope Records
Ágora Cultural Architects
Boston's Latin Quarter
Lydia Liebman Promotions
Fundación Banco Popular
Blues To Green
MFA Boston
IBA Boston
Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center
Puerto Rican Arts Alliance
Berklee Global Jazz Institute
Ágora Cultural Architects
Boston's Latin Quarter
Lydia Liebman Promotions
Fundación Banco Popular
Blues To Green
MFA Boston
IBA Boston
Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center
Puerto Rican Arts Alliance
Berklee Global Jazz Institute
Contact
- suaz@suazmusic.com
- Phone
- 17876336144