Berklee and Yamaha Present Concert at Valencia Campus

Berklee College of Music in Valencia and Yamaha Music Europe GmbH Ibérica presented the Berklee–Yamaha concert at Berklee’s new campus in Valencia, Spain, on September 7. The concert brought together acclaimed musicians who are either Berklee alumni or are endorsed by Yamaha.

To celebrate the occasion, Yamaha Music Europe GmbH Ibérica donated a Yamaha Disklavier Grand Piano to add to the equipment available in Berklee in Valencia’s hi-tech recording studio.

The event featured special guests, including world-renowned Mexican bass guitarist and Berklee alumnus Abraham (Abe) Laboriel Sr., who has made over 4,000 recordings with such artists as Sting and Bruce Springsteen; and 28-year-old Berklee alumnus Lucas Vidal, a Hollywood film score composer and pianist from Madrid whose recent work includes The Raven and The Cold Light of Day.

The Berklee-Yahama concert also featured performances by Berklee in Valencia faculty including Mexican vibraphonist and composer Victor Mendoza, program director for the master’s in contemporary studio performance, considered by critics around the world to be one of today’s finest Latin jazz artists; Berklee alumnus and virtuoso piano instructor and composer Polo Orti; and gifted vocalist and voice instructor Sole Giménez. Yamaha-endorsed musicians including drummers Xavi Reija, José Mena, and Yoel Páez, and guitarist Jorge Salan also appeared at the concert.