Rafael A. Nazario - Pianist, Composer
Composer, Producer, Pianist and Teacher… Raf Nazario’s music is as diverse as the many places he has called home. Raf composes in any number of styles, Jazz, Latin, Neo-Classical, Pop... Raf's early influences were classical music and popular songwriters. Later on, it was the jazz greats. Nazario has developed and honed a personal style that combines both his American and Hispanic sensibilities. It is a distinct voice.
Rafael was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Costa Rica, New Jersey and back in P.R. After University in Oregon and Austria, and playing in bands across the U.S., Nazario eventually made his home in Los Angeles, where he worked as pianist, composer and producer for commercials and film, as well as an actor .
For six years Raf was the resident pianist at the Tony Bill (The Sting, Taxi Driver) and Dudley Moore —owned ‘72 Market Street’ Restaurant in Venice, CA, supplying “sophisticated improvisational piano” (national magazine quote) in what was then one of Los Angeles high-voltage, show-biz clientele spots. The grand piano was the centerpiece and at any given time anyone could be in the dining room, i.e., Randy Newman, Oscar Peterson, Herbie Hancock, Lalo Schifrin, Joni Mitchell, Jimmy Webb, Yoko Ono, and the list goes on and on.
Rafael also helmed the music trio that played for the KCRW (NPR) program, “Live from 72” broadcast, as well as playing for several benefits for NPR (opening for Linda Rondstadt, Crosby & Nash and others). Along the way, Nazario supplied music for a variety of private functions and settings, often playing for high-profile members of the film and music community - and once, even spending an evening with Bob Dylan teaching him to play a Gershwin song. (A partial list of performances can be obtained with one, easy click here.)
Rafael continued to evolve in the two years he lived in Tokyo’s Minato-Ku district, playing swing, stride and singing jazz standards in jazz clubs in Roppongi. Whilst in Tokyo, Eventually, opportunity knocked once again with a prospect to relocate to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
In Mexico, Raf wrote, arranged and produced Patria Añorada, a “nuevo Latino” gender-bender of various Latin styles, which was recorded with some of Mexico’s finest studio musicians. He was also a featured recitalist at the Camino Real Concert Series and also at the Puerto Vallarta Amphitheater.
Currently based in Sydney, Australia, Nazario is focusing on composing, recording and teaching. His symphonic work in progress “Harbour City” was shortlisted for the Lowin Prize finalists (2009). His follow-up CDs, PianoForte 1 & 2, are genre-defying collection of piano and instrumental original music, reflecting a diverse variety of influences.
Patria Añorada, PianoForte 1 and 2 are available on iTunes, Amazon.com, CDBABY and Rhapsody, among other outlets.
Raf is a member of MCA, AGSC (Australian Guild Screen Composers) and APRA/AMCOS, as well as NARAS (National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences) and LARAS (Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences)