Colombian born woodwind player, Justo Almario, is a musical bridge-builder. As a musician, composer and arranger, Justo has combined elements of his native South American rhythms with American Jazz to create an artistry distinctively his own. His audience in the U.S. and abroad attests to the appeal of his native and spiritually creative style.
At age 16, Justo participated in a South American/U.S. cultural exchange program that offered him the opportunity to tour the U.S. with a Colombian folklorico group. This led to his migration to Boston in 1969 to study at the prestigious Berklee College of Music. While at Berkleee, a call from Latin jazz great Mongo Santamaria, in need of a saxophone player for a club date at Boston 's legendary Jazz Workshop, changed Justo's musical future. Mongo was so impressed with the young Colombian's playing that he invited him to join his band as music director.
Justo went on to travel the globe with Mongo's group. While living in New York , he also worked with jazz giant Charles Mingus. After moving to Los Angeles , Justo joined the now legendary jazz-rock group Koinonia. He also began to work with other great artists, recording and performing with the like of Freddie Hubbard, Chaka Khan, Linda Rondstadt, Roy Ayers, George Duke, Dave Grusin, Tito Puente, Machito, Master P, Queen Latifah, and Bebe Winans. He has contributed to numerous films and television soundtracks including, Dirty Dancing, Trading Places, Mambo Kings, The Birdcage, Speechless, and Dance with Me .
Justo's track record is outstanding in its breadth and scope. Recognized as Colombia 's most outstanding jazz musician of his generation, he has established himself as an artist of major importance. Few musicians have integrated the musical traditions of the Americas so successfully. Justo lists John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderly, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Bach, Bartok and Debussy among his prime musical influences.
Four of the recordings Justo performed on in 1994 were nominated for Grammy's. Andrae Crouch's Mercy and Cachao's Master Sessions Vol. 1 were Grammy winners. Justo also performed on Helen Baylor's The Live Experience and Placido Domingo's A Mi Alma Latina .
Justo solo albums include Interlude, Forever Friends, Plumbline, Family Time, Heritage, Count Me In and a duet project self-titled Justo Amario & Abraham Laboriel. His most recent productions include the Latin Jazz Band TOLU Rumbero's Poetry , co-produced with Alex Acuna and Soul Song, a duet project with Brazilian pianist Marchos Ariel. In these creations, Justo explores the unique rhythm, melody and pure joy of his Latin Jazz musical heritage.
In 1996 Justo was the recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Berklee College of Music. In celebration of the schools 50 th anniversary he was also listed among the 50 top alumni in the history of Berklee College of Music. He has performed as featured soloist with the American Jazz Philharmonic under the direction of Jack Elliot and as a leader and musical director of the Latin jazz ensemble TOLU. He is a teaching staff member of the Henry Mancini Institute. Additionally, in 1998, Justo in partnership with Berklee College of Music, pioneered a Latin Jazz curriculum offered at the Berklee in Los Angeles Summer Program.
Justo has recorded album projects with singer Andre Crouch Pay and Helen Baylor Love Brought Me Back both Grammy nominated, and trumpeters Herb Alpert Passion Dance and Bobby Shew Salsa Caliente, also the soundtrack of a newly released film by Andy Garcia " Just The Ticket ". Justo can also be heard and seen in the newly released film " Living Out Loud," starring Danny Devito, Holly Hunter and Queen Latifah.
In addition to his recording schedule he has performed in all the major Jazz Festivals in the United States , Latin America , the Caribbean , Asia , and Europe . In 1996, Justo became the Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Latin Jazz Festival that premiered to a sold out audience at the Greek Theatre in October of 1997 and again in 1998 at the Universal Amphitheatre.
In 2002, Justo took part in the Newport Jazz 2002 tour, the name synonymous with the best in Jazz. along with Cedar Walton, Terrance Blanchard and Joe Lovano Produced by legendary George Wein, Also, the second album by the band TOLU titled Bongo The VanGogh was released and features compositions and arrangements by Justo. And along with recording for diverse artist and touring successfully around the world, the Hollywood Arts Council and the city of Los Angeles honored Justo with a an award in appreciation for his contributions to Jazz.
As his career moves forward, Justo draws upon the same love of music and spiritual values that have always filled his playing and composing. Don Heckman, in a Los Angeles Times review stated, "Almario never mad a false move, he sails up into the rarefied atmosphere that was once the exclusive domain of John Coltrane" and Luis Tamargo in Latin Beat Magazine lists Justo as "one of the top 10 Latin jazz saxophonists of our time." Justo is truly an international, culture-spanning artist whose gift is derived from inspiration and passion.
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