James Zito, the guitarist and Juilliard student who lands in Ecuador this week to perform two ‘jazz’ concerts

“Have you seen how Miami is called Little Cuba? My hometown, Kissimmee, in Florida, is called Little Puerto Rico,” he tells Zoom guitarist and jazz player James Zito III, who arrives from New York this week to offer a concert in Guayaquil and another in Quito together with guest group Joan Sánchez Trio.

In addition to sharing his original compositions with the public, James is also looking forward to immersing himself in Ecuadorian culture and the Spanish language, which he has been learning independently for several years., Motivated by the curiosity generated by growing up with Spanish speakers.

“I grew up around Caribbean, Puerto Rican and Dominican people, and most of my friends speak some Spanish, so that’s where my desire to learn the language comes from.”, it now continues student of the prestigious Juilliard. “I am very excited to arrive in Ecuador And I can also make delicious dishes, such as pico de gallo and beans!”.

His two weeks in Ecuador, says James, will even inspire him to make new music.. “It will be an unforgettable experience,” he says. In Guayaquil, James will play at Zona Escena (Panama Street) on Friday, April 28 (admission is $25); And in Quito, will take the stage at the Variedades theater on Thursday 27 April (admission is $15).

“It will be a few days that will enrich me, because the more I immerse myself in the culture and the language, the deeper I will learn, and i will also be practicing my spanish a bit as i am still struggling with my confidence to speak it so i am excited about this opportunity”.

James is joined by Joan Sánchez (pianist and producer of the New York Jazz Sessions), Giovanni Bermúdez (double bass) and Carlos Bravo (drums). Reservations in Guayaquil at the phone number 099-393-7273.

What are your expectations from the concerts?

Just bringing my music to the people of Guayaquil and Quito is a great opportunity, because it’s not often that New York jazzmen or musicians give recitals like this in that country. AND I think it’s great that Joan builds a bond by letting different artists share their personal vision of music and the music jazz. I’d be happy to bring you some of the jazz From New York.

What have you prepared for the repertoire?

Something interesting about this visit to Ecuador is that we get a very nice opportunity to share new musical moments with the Joan Sánchez Trío After all this time. And it’s great because we are going to touch on several of them standards by jazzand I’ll also be performing my original compositions, my own work, and we’ll be able to share and explore that content with the public..

How would you describe your compositions?

I have different ways of expressing myself through my compositions: some are very energetic, exciting and unpredictable; and then others are softer. I have a lot of influence from Brazilian music and its performers and great composers. I dated a girl I wrote the song for island girl while we were dating and I still keep it in my repertoire because it’s an honest reflection of how I felt at the time. But there’s a certain duality to the way I write because it can be something very intense and provocative as opposed to something more relaxing. Energetic is a great adjective because I also like to play really fast.