Born in Havana, Cuba in 1980, pianist/composer and bandleader Manuel Valera is a forward-minded jazz musician with a knack for combining myriad Latin styles with contemporary jazz and post-bop. Starting out as a saxophonist, Valera switched full-time to piano after moving to the U.S. where he performed with John Patitucci, Paquito D'Rivera, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Chris Potter, Mark Turner and many others. «The Seasons» (2017) is Valera’s twelfth recording as a leader and the second recording with this trio. The first trio recording was the critically acclaimed «Live at Firehouse 12» which was released in 2015 also on MAVO Records. After working together as a trio for almost four years the connection of the trio can be felt throughout the new release. The musical interplay that has developed between these musicians is extraordinary.