“a percussion colourist of great distinction… leans heavily on his aptitude for, and particular genius for counterpoint and most of important of all – his understanding of instrumental timbre…” –Raul Da Gama, Latin Jazz Network 2018.
Hailing from Venezuelan Andes, Fran Vielma is a critically acclaimed and award-winning multi-percussionist, composer, and educator. His continuous research on the rhythms of America, and beyond, is integrated with his attraction to concert music and the freedom of jazz.
Vielma was recently awarded the prestigious Chamber Music America – New Jazz Works Commission and has been DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Fellow, and Jazz Road Tours Grantee by South Arts. His album Inesperado, was part of a catalog for the label Cacao Music along with renown artists such as Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, Jose Quintana “Changuito,” and Negroni’s trio among others. He has toured around the continent with his start-stud Venezuelan Jazz Collective; Tendencias, his latest release, includes Vielma’s original works and arrangements and was included in the Best of 2018 lists by Downbeat, Latin Jazz Network, & NYC Jazz Record.
His versatility as a performer of different genres has involved him in concerts, recordings, tours, and festivals around the world with artist such as John Medeski, George Garzone, Paul Winter, Bob Moses, Simon Phillips, Antonio Sanchez, Cesar Orozco, Army Blues Band, and Luis Enrique to name a few.
Fran was recently appointed by Peabody Jazz Department of the Johns Hopkins University and has been World Music faculty at Salem State University, MA, artist resident at Florida University, Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico, Baltimore School of Arts, and Maryland Classic Youth Orchestra among others. Additionally, directs the Hidden Treasure Music Workshop.
Fran Vielma endorses Meinl Percussion, Vater Drums Sticks, Istanbul Mehmet Cymbals and Africatedra Venezuelan Percussion.
Optional Releases: Fran Vielma & Venezuelan Jazz Collective. “Tendencias,” Papelón Records, 2018, Ensamble Nuevas Almas. “Inesperado,” Cacao Music, 2009, Nuevas Almas with Movida Acustica Urbana. “MAU en Vivo,” independent, 2009.
As a sidemen: Cesar Orozco, “Rooted Forward,” Independent, 2020, Fernando Alvarez & Joropo Jam “Típico Ma Non Troppo,” independent, 2018, German Marcano, “Aquí y Allá,” independent, 2018, Cesar Orozco, “No Limits for Tumbao,” ALFI Records, 2015 - Jihee Yoon, “Inflorescence,” Yeolin Music, 2012 - Rafael “Pollo” Brito, “Boleros en vivo,” ANES records, 2012 - German Marcano. “Rochela,” independent, 2011 - Oscar Fanega, “Bass & Percussion,” independent, 2009 - Hugo Fuguet, “Nueve dias,” independent, 2009.