Santi Debriano

Santi Debriano
Born
Santi Wilson Debriano

(1955-06-27) 27 June 1955 (age 69)
EducationFranklin K. Lane High School,
Union College,
New England Conservatory of Music,
Wesleyan University
OccupationJazz bassist
Years active1981–

Santi Wilson Debriano (born 1955 in Panama) is a jazz bassist.

Early life and education

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Debriano was raised in Brooklyn, having moved there with his family at age four. His father is known as a song composer in Panama. Debriano started playing jazz instruments as a teenager in Franklin K. Lane High School. From 1972 to 1976 he studied composition and politics at Union College in New York, then attended the New England Conservatory of Music and Wesleyan University.[1]

Career

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He worked with Archie Shepp in the late 1970s and early 1980s, then moved to Paris and played with Sam Rivers for three years. He then returned to New York City. He currently lives in Staten Island.[2][3]

Debriano has led several of his own units, including small groups in the late 1980s and Circlechant, a world music-influenced ensemble which has had among its members Helio Alves, Will Calhoun, and Abraham Burton.[1] As a sideman and bandmember, he has worked with Larry Coryell, Sonny Fortune, Hank Jones, Don Pullen, Pharoah Sanders, Archie Shepp, Cecil Taylor, Chucho Valdes, and Randy Weston.[4]

He leads an ensemble called Flash of the Spirit.[5] Santi's latest release is titled "Ashanti".[6]

Debriano was also the music director for arts at Dwight Morrow High School in Englewood, New Jersey, and was given an award for jazz education by New York University in 2001.[1]

Discography

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As leader

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As sideman

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Roni Ben-Hur & Santi Debriano - Our Thing Featuring Duduka Da Fonseca". allaboutjazz.com. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  2. ^ "U.S. Jazz musician rebuilds after losing Staten Island home to Sandy". cbsnews.com. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  3. ^ "Bass instincts: Santi Debriano weaves his love affair with the instrument into beguiling sounds". nj.com. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  4. ^ Santi Debriano biography, Allmusic
  5. ^ "Santi Debriano: Flash Of The Spirit". allaboutjazz.com. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  6. ^ "Santi Debriano & Arkestra Bembe: Ashanti". allaboutjazz.com. Retrieved July 12, 2024.