Frank Villafañe - Arranger/Composer/Performer

Frank Villafañe plays Latin-Jazz piano "con clave" in the styles of Eddie Palmieri, Pedro "Peruchin" Justiz and Sergio Mendes. Performer, arranger and composer, Frank has played piano since age 8. His many influences include the afore-mentioned, as well as Kenny Barron, with whom he studied in the '70's.

Frank has performed with many Latin-Jazz and Salsa conjuntos, including Jazz Y Clave (his own group), the Rutgers University Salsa Band, and Swing Sabroso. Frank has opened twice (2000 & 2005) for Eddie Palmieri, and appeared twice (2001 & 2005) at the prestigious Red Bank RiverFest Jazz Festival, and has recorded a number of projects.

On stage and in the studio, Frank finds time in between gigs to compose and arrange on his MIDI studio at home. Recently, one of his compositions, South Beach, was featured Track Of The Day at MusicTech Magazine (http://www.musictechmag.co.uk).