Javier Santiago

Hailing from Minneapolis, MN, Javier Santiago is a pianist with a diverse set of influences - ranging from classical and jazz to hip-hop and world music. Inspired by his father, a drummer, and mother, a jazz vocalist, Santiago began studying piano at the age of 5. Upon graduating high school, he was selected by Dave Brubeck and a panel of judges to study music at the Brubeck Institute in Stockton, CA. In 2009 he attended the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, where he studied with jazz greats like Reggie Workman, George Cables, Billy Harper and Jane Ira Bloom. Outside of his college studies, Santiago was selected to participate in the 14th Annual Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program in 2011, and was a finalist in the 2015 American Jazz Pianist Competition. After releasing several beat tapes showcasing his music production skills, Santiago independently released his 5-song debut EP of all original compositions, Year of the Horse in 2015.

In 2016, Santiago became a recipient of the 2016 McKnight Fellowship for Musicians. He returned to the studio to record his debut LP of all original compositions entitled Phoenix with a sextet including his former east coast trio consisting of drummer Corey Fonville and bassist Zach Brown - as well as saxophonists Dayna Stephens and Ben Flocks and guitarist Nir Felder. It features guests such as trumpeter Nicholas Payton, John Raymond and vocalist J. Hoard.