Juan Diego Villalobos
Venezuelan Vibes
A vibraphone visionary blending Afro-Venezuelan roots with modern jazz in fresh, soulful compositions from Maracaibo to New York.
About
Born in Maracaibo, Venezuela, Juan Diego Villalobos grew up immersed in Afro-Venezuelan and classical music before moving to Caracas to study at the Simón Bolívar Conservatory and join El Sistema. Later, from 2018-2022, he earned a full scholarship at Manhattan School of Music studying jazz vibraphone under Stefon Harris and Joe Locke. A Latin Grammy winner, his album “Perspectiva” (2017) reimagines jazz through Venezuelan rhythms.
Music Style
His music merges jazz harmony and improvisation with Afro-Venezuelan rhythmic structures and traditional chants, featuring vibraphone and percussion at the heart of his sound.
Background
- Hometown
- Maracaibo, Venezuela
- Education
- Manhattan School of Music
- Instruments
- vibraphone, percussion, piano
- Active
- 2010s-present
Similar Artists
If you like Stefon Harris, Andy Narell — you’ll love this artist
Notable Collaborations
Upcoming Events
Juan Diego Villalobos's next NYC show is Wednesday, August 5 at Smalls.