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Gilbert Castellanos

Gilbert Castellanos, renowned musician, composer, curator, educator and arranger based in San Diego, is one of the hottest jazz trumpeters in the United States today.

Adept in straight-ahead, as well as Latin and Afro Cuban jazz, Castellanos has become a leading figure of the vibrant, diverse and flourishing jazz scene in America’s Finest City. An established scene-maker on the West Coast, Castellanos is the Artistic Curator of both of the San Diego Symphony's highly successful jazz series - Jazz at The Jacobs and Bayside Summer Nights - which have featured some of today's brightest stars including ‪Gregory Porter‬, Chick Corea, ‪Chucho Valdes‬, ‪Dianne Reeves‬, ‪Cecile McLorin Salvant‬, John Faddis and more.

Castellanos’ talents are also renowned in the dance community. He has been creating commissioned original music for the San Diego Ballet since 2014; the acclaimed Latin jazz infused suites - “Azuca” and “Dia de Los Muertos” - come to life movement after movement through the extraordinary choreography of SDB Artistic Director Javier Velasco. In 2017, he was officially named Resident Composer for the thriving ballet company.

In 2017, he began a new collaboration with the San Diego Museum of Art - Portraits In Jazz - a concert series that introduces the American art form to the museum’s global members and supporters. He has consistently been voted Best Jazz Artist in San Diego CityBeat’s annual Reader’s Poll (2018, 2017, 2016). At the 2013 San Diego Music Awards (SDMA), Castellanos become the first jazz artist to be awarded Artist of the Year across all genres; he is six-time SDMA Best Jazz Artist. Both of his recordings, “Underground” and “Federal Jazz Project” (in collaboration with the San Diego Repertory Theater for a musical by the same name) were recognized by SDMA as Album of the Year.

The award-winning Young Lions Jazz Conservatory (YLJC) launched in Summer 2017, was founded by Castellanos who serves as Artistic Director and is the faculty’s primary educator; mentoring the next generation of jazz is one of his greatest passions. In 2014, he launched the precursor to the YLJC, The Young Lions Series at Panama 66 at The San Diego Museum of Art, to highlight up-and-coming middle and high school jazz musicians; over 250 have been featured to date. His popular Wednesday Jazz Jam at Panama 66 is the longest running jam in the city - two decades and counting.

Castellanos has worked with world-renowned artists ‪Dizzy Gillespie‬, ‪Wynton Marsalis‬, Charlie Hayden, ‪Horace Silver‬, Oscar Hernandez, ‪Poncho Sanchez‬, ‪Diana Krall‬, ‪Willie Nelson‬, ‪Michael Buble‬, and ‪Natalie Cole‬, to name a few. He has toured nationally and internationally as a current member of the renowned ‪Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra‬.

Gilbert Castellanos: Espérame en el Cielo

Read "Espérame en el Cielo" reviewed by Ken Laster

by Ken Laster
January 29, 2023

San Diego's Gilbert Castellanos has been an important and consequential force on the West Coast jazz scene for years. He has appeared on dozens of recordings and often shares the stage with Charles McPherson, Willie Jones III, Gerald Clayton and the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. As an educator, Castellanos is the founder and artistic director of the Young Lions Jazz Conservatory, teaching the legacy of jazz to middle and high school students. The long anticipated release of Espérame en el Cielo ...

In Pictures

Live Art At The Wednesday Night Jazz Jam At Panama 66

by Brian Meyer
October 27, 2022

A collection of artwork painted live at the Wednesday Night Jazz Jam at Panama 66 in San Diego from May 2022 to September 2022. This jam is led by Gilbert Castellanos, happening every Wednesday from 7-10:30 at the San Diego Museum of Art, inside their restaurant Panama 66. The first hour is led by students from the Young Lions Jazz Conservatory, the house band takes over at 8pm featuring Christopher Hollyday, Tyler Kreutel, Rob Thorsen, and Jason Shattil. ...

Album Review

Christopher Hollyday: Dialogue

Read "Dialogue" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi

by Angelo Leonardi
July 7, 2021

Il ritorno discografico di Christopher Hollyday—a un quarto di secolo dall'ultimo disco—è proprio una sorpresa. Chi segue il jazz dei primi anni novanta ricorderà il formidabile debutto del sax contralto non ancora ventenne in un disco da leader per l'RCA/Novus, accompagnato da Wallace Roney, Cedar Walton, David Williams e Billy Higgins. Un talento naturale dalla tecnica smagliante e lo stile alla Jackie McLean, che nei successivi tre dischi per l'etichetta l'imposero tra i promettenti young lions della sua generazione. Nel ...

Album Review

Jackie Ryan: Listen Here

Read "Listen Here" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey

by C. Michael Bailey
February 25, 2013

There exists an intersection point in a vocal recording where four elements coalesce in excellence to produce a superb recording: the vocal, instrumental, material and sonic. Singer Jackie Ryan's Listen Here exists on this very point. AAJ critic Dan Bilawsky addressed the first two elements in his thoughtful review of Listen Here, calling Ryan, “a force of nature" and her instrumental support, “ damn good," observations easily echoed here and not improved upon. The latter pair of elements deserve a ...

Album Review

Jackie Ryan with John Clayton & Friends: Listen Here

Read "Listen Here" reviewed by Nicholas F. Mondello

by Nicholas F. Mondello
January 25, 2013

With Listen Here, vocalist Jackie Ryan offers a diverse and delectable array of Great American Songbook and jazz classics, well-known but not regularly-recorded older hits, and superb original selections. Supported by Grammy Award-winning bassist John Clayton and most able friends (including Clayton's son, pianist Gerald, a three-time Grammy nominee), the overall effort soars. It's a tour de force of talent and taste.Ryan's voice is full, highly resonant and eminently inviting. It is also one of subtle shadings. Her ...

Album Review

Jackie Ryan: Listen Here

Read "Listen Here" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
January 3, 2013

Jackie Ryan isn't simply a singer; she's a force of nature. Her voice possesses a weighty power, yet soars with grace and ease. Her ability to transmute into different characters and forms, as dictated by the song, lyrics and style, makes her one in a million and she's managed to parlay that unique gift into project after successful project with some of the best in the business backing her up. This date is no exception. Ryan recruited ...

Award / Grant

San Diego's High School Ensemble Wins Coveted Jazz Award

Source: All About Jazz
May 8, 2023

San Diego's Young Lions Jazz Conservatory (YLJC) is proud to announce that New Soil Ensemble has won the prestigious Downbeat Student Music Awards for High School Honors Ensemble Outstanding Performance. The DownBeat awards are considered among the most coveted student honors in the music industry. This is the 46th annual Student Music Awards which were launched in 1976. Ensembles from YLJC have received this honor for four consecutive years. Entries are adjudicated solely on the basis of ability ...
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104

Education

Great Basin Jazz Camp Signs Gilbert Castellanos as CO-Artist in Residence for Jazz Camp 2008

Source: All About Jazz
November 23, 2007

The Great Basin Jazz Camp has announced the signing of famed trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos as Co-Artist in Residence for the 2008 Camp, being held from July 14th through July 18th, 2008. The other Co-Artist is returning guitarist Bruce Forman.

In addition, the 2008 Jazz Camp will relocate to the campus of Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho, just east of Boise, Idaho. The University will also serve as Co-Sponsor of the 2nd Annual Great Basin Jazz Camp.

Gilbert Castellanos is ...
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138

Recording

Seedling Records Releases Gilbert Castellanos' debut CD "Underground"

Source: All About Jazz
August 17, 2006

"UNDERGROUND" THE NEW CD FROM TRUMPETER GILBERT CASTELLANOS TO BE RELEASED ON SEEDLING RECORDS ON JUNE 27, 2006

Tour dates set for June, July and August

Los Angeles, CA: Seedling Records today announced the release of Underground, the new CD from trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos. As a bandleader and as a member of three top jazz ensembles (The Diana Krall Big Band, The Los Angeles based Anthony Wilson None and Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra,) Castellanos has become a major force on the ...
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“[Castellanos] plays with élan, evincing a more individual, ever-large sound offering hard swinging, often ear-grabbing solos…[proving] that music with deep roots in jazz’s glorious ’50s and ’60s can sound completely contemporary today.” Los Angeles Times

"I love playing music with people who light up the bandstand. That's what drew me to Gilbert. I knew we needed his voice in the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra family. I embrace every opportunity with him in sharing this music together." Jeff Hamilton, American jazz drummer and co- Director of the Clayton- Hamilton Jazz Orchestra

“Gilbert Castellanos was a true gem to have on my new CD ”The Art of Latin Jazz.” In my opinion, he is one of the top trumpet players on the scene today. His playing was brilliant, and he added just the spark that took the music to another level.” Oscar Hernandez, Grammy Award-winning pianist, composer and band leader of the Spanish Harlem Orchestra. (2017)

“He’s just good for the city, because he involves himself. He’s always looking for ways to expose jazz to a larger audience, and in particular, the youth. That’s admirable because everyone doesn’t have a gift for doing that, or even wanting to. He wants to get involved. He’s smart and dynamic, and on top of all that, he’s a wonderful player.” Bebop legend Charles McPherson (2017)

“I will never forget the first time that I saw Gilbert at the 1994 Monterey Jazz Festival, where he was playing with the landmark West Coast young lions group, Black/Note. I could not have been more thrilled when Gilbert moved to San Diego a few months later and I had my first chance to work with him. It seems like from the very beginning he was a catalyst for bringing together and growing the San Diego jazz community. I began to see so many more young people at Athenaeum jazz concerts, people who were on fire about the music because of Gilbert’s weekly jam sessions. I don’t think we can overestimate the influence he has had on several generations of listeners and players in this community. And now he is carrying on this mission year-round with the Young Lions Jazz Conservatory. As an artist, Gilbert clearly belongs among the top trumpeters who are keeping the tradition alive and vital. Gilbert certainly deserves to be recognized on the national stage and we are so fortunate to have him as a leader in our own jazz community.” Daniel Atkinson, Jazz Program Coordinator-San Diego Athenaeum Music & Arts Library; Founder-UCSD Jazz Camp (2017)

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