Fran Vielma's Pan American Jazz Orchestra

“a percussion colourist of great distinction...leans heavily on his aptitude for, and particular genius for counterpoint and most of important of all–his understanding of instrumental timbre...” — Raul Da Gama, Latin Jazz Network 2018

Fran Vielma’s Pan American Jazz Orchestra Celebrates International Jazz Day with Special Guests this April 30th!

Fran Vielma’s Pan American Jazz Orchestra premiered in 2021 to showcase contemporary jazz through the musics of Pan-America—a historic blend that began in the 19th century in New Orleans, shaped profoundly by the Afro-Caribbean diaspora and greatly influenced by the Haitian Revolution. Artists such as Justo Aspiazú, Chano Pozo, Mario Bauzá, Machito, Chico O’Farrill, Dizzy Gillespie—as well as Lucho Bermúdez in Colombia, Aldemaro Romero in Venezuela, and Astor Piazzolla in Argentina—have been an inspiration to the multi-award-winning composer and percussionist Fran Vielma. The ensemble has performed extensively throughout the Washington/Baltimore metropolitan area, including at Jazz in the Parks DC, the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, the Sonic Lifeline Baltimore Jazz Series, the Hispanic Jazz Series, Jazz In the Parks DC, as well as at legendary venues like Blues Alley Jazz Club, Keystone Korner Baltimore, and the Takoma Station.

Hailing from Venezuelan Andes, Fran Vielma is a critically acclaimed and award-winning multi-percussionist, composer, and educator. His continuous research on Pan-American rhythms and beyond is integrated with his attraction to concert music and the freedom of jazz. His versatility as performer of different genres has involved him in concerts, recordings, tours, and festivals around the world with artists such as John Medeski, George Garzone, Paul Winter, Bob Moses, Simon Phillips, Antonio Sanchez, Alex Norris, Sean Jones, Randy Brecker, Troy Roberts, Gary Thomas, Marshall Gilkes, Cesar Orozco, NEC Jazz Ambassadors, US Army Blues Band, Josanne Francis, and Luis Enrique to name a few.