Alum

Javier Vercher

Position
Associate Professor

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Career Highlights
  • Toured with multiple Grammy winner Alejandro Sanz on his Tren de los Momentos world tour (2007–2009)
  • Toured the United States and United Kingdom with Chip Taylor and Carrie Rodriguez on saxophone and percussion (2003–2007)
  • Discography (as a leader) includes Filantropía with Jorge Rossy (2016), Wish You Were Here (2008), Imaginary Realm with Ferenc Nemeth and David Kikoski (2011), Infinita with the Perico Sambeat Quartet, Edward Perez, and Eric McPherson (2008), Wheel of Time with Ferenc Nemeth and Lionel Loueke (2008), and Introducing the Javier Vercher Trio with special guests Robert Glasper and Bob Moses (2003)
Awards
  • Awarded the Tete Montoliu Prize as part of the Spanish Sociedad General de Autores y Editores (SGAE) biennial Tete Montoliu jazz event
  • Awarded the Sociedad de Artistas Intérpretes o Ejecutantes de España (AIE) full scholarship to study overseas (1997–2000)
  • Awarded a scholarship to study at Berklee College of Music (1997–2000)
Education
  • B.M., Berklee College of Music, performace
  • Teacher certificate, Conservatory Joaquin Rodrigo of Valencia, clarinet
In Their Own Words

“When I play music, the first thing I reach for is the sound, looking for a deeper and wider understanding of music. By having a strong concept of sound, the student starts to develop his/her own way of conveying emotions and experiences into music [as an] art form. That’s a great starting point.”

“Studying harmony and technique is also an important area of my teaching, as well as basic piano playing skills. This is important to establish fundamental aspects of sound and chord progressions for composition and improvisation.”

“It’s crucial to find out what each student is going for; everyone is different. Once that’s set, I develop different exercises within his/her musical realm. That could be writing a composition, establishing piano playing proficiency, or improvisation techniques for his/her main instrument.”

“The essential to me is to nurture the music devotion of the student so he/she can be in shape for the always demanding professional and artistic world.”