Jonathan Suazo is an award-winning saxophonist / composer / cultural advocate and educator who also leads his own project entitled RICANO, a unique afro Caribbean Jazz concept that blends the sounds of Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic. Jonathan was named one of the top ten emerging jazz artists of 2023 by the GRAMMYS and his debut album “Ricano” (Ropeadope Records) was listed at #6 in the best Jazz albums of 2023 by The New York Times.

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A Berklee Global Jazz Institute graduate, he’s received many honors including the South Arts Jazz Road Tours Grant, the New Music USA Creator Fund Grant, A full tuition Scholarship to attend the Berklee Global Jazz Institute Masters Program, The Project Support Grant for Program Alumnis by the Fundacion Banco Popular for his Ricano album and the Berklee Urban Service Award for using the arts to support humanitarianism. 

In connection with his Ricano project, Jonathan has become an ally of several organizations like Puerto Rican Arts Alliance, Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center, Escuela Libre de Música San Juan, Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico, El Institute de Cultura, Fundación Banco Popular, IBA and Boston Music Project to impact more that 600 student since 2023.
 
Catalina Maria Johnson of Downbeat Jazz Mag describes his music as “a soundscape propelled by lyrical sax playing” and Giovanni Rusonnello from the New York Times describes his music as “richly built, written from the heart and packed with complexity, always seeking the next level of altitude.” 

Suazo’s resume includes collaborations / performances with Miguel Zenón, Terri Lyne Carrington, David Sánchez, Charlie Sepúlveda, Gonzalo Grau, Alex Alvear, Ricky Rodriguez, Ileana Cabra (iLÉ), Calma Carmona, Rakalam Bob Moses, Joe Lovano, Paoli Mejias, Humberto Ramirez, David Rivera, Tito Matos, Ricardo Pons, William Cepeda, Jon Secada, Pedro Capó, Obie Bermudez, Hans Glawischnig, Humberto Ramirez, Silverio Perez, Tony Escapa; and he’s led his and at the Santo Domingo Jazz Festival, Martinique Jazz Fest, Sala Sinfónica Pablo Casals, Teatro Francisco Arriví (Puerto Rico), Puerto Rico Heineken Jazz Fest (Anfiteatro Tito Puente), Springfield Jazz Fest, Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center, Elephant Room Austin TX, SXSW 2023, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, The MFA Boston, and many more.

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Booking: Eddie Ortiz - accesslatin@gmail.com 

Press contact: Lydia Liebman 

Learn more about Jonathan via Linked in

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Jonathan is also co-leader of the free improv/experimental group, the No Base Trio.

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Words from members of the arts community:

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“Jonathan Suazo is undoubtedly one of the most important Puerto Rican musicians of his generation. His ability as a performer and improviser is matched by his creativity and conceptualism, and he continues to seek new challenges as an artist as well as new experiences for his audience.

Highly recommended".

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- Miguel Zenón 

Renown Saxophonist / Composer / Educator

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“Jonathan Suazo is one of the most talented and versatile young artists I've had the blessing to hear and teach in recent years. In my opinion, he has one of the most important qualities an artist could have; great rhythmic flow, feeling and a strong desire to face a new situation. This makes me feel excited about a new generation of musicians”.

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-David Sánchez 

Renown Grammy Award Winning Saxophonist / Composer / Educator

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“To us, Jonathan's work and character has aligned with our commitment to amplifying the creative autonomy and movement building necessary to the future of arts, music and culture, especially in a city like Boston. he is a
natural collaborator always seeking to create or reimagine new music projects, as well as build new relationships with musicians and other creators desiring to make bigger impact through their work”.

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-Catherine Morris 

Founder + Executive Director of BAMS FEST INC