MARIO ALBERTO SILVA

Trumpeter, composer and educator from San Francisco's Mission District. Listen to Pan American Sonata

About

Mario Alberto Silva was born and raised in San Francisco's Mission District to parents from Diriamba, Nicaragua. He grew up between two worlds: a Nicaraguan family rooted in mythology and spiritual tradition, and a neighborhood alive with Aztec dance, Afro Cuban Santería and everything in between. All of it lives in his sound.

“I come from a strong Nicaraguan family, rooted in complex mythology and spiritual traditions,” Silva says. “I also grew up in the Mission, which offered me a range of powerful influences, and it all shines through in my music.”

For more than 20 years, Silva has toured, recorded and produced around the world, from WOMAD, Sziget and the Montreal Jazz Festival to Central Park SummerStage, Outside Lands and Stern Grove. He played trumpet on Morgan Heritage's Strictly Roots, the Grammy winning Best Reggae Album, and on the soundtrack of Boots Riley's film Sorry to Bother You with The Coup. He has served as musical director for Cuban pianist Chuchito Valdés, and has performed and recorded with Rupa and the April Fishes, Nicaragua's Grammy nominated La Cuneta Son Machín, the Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra, Bang Data, La Misa Negra, and Jesús Díaz and the Bay Area Afro Cuban All Stars. Today he is a first call trumpeter across the Bay Area, including with the Lucky Devils Band.

“Silva’s trumpet technique echoes the sound of seasoned singer who delivers emotional power through nuance and tone. As a bugler announces the new day, Mario proposes a new era of genres that are rooted in mythology as a path to the sound of the future.” Greg Landau, producer of the album, said.

Silva holds a Master of Arts in Jazz Trumpet Performance from CSU East Bay, where he earned the Ann and Gordon Getty Scholarship for Leadership and Performance, and a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance from San Francisco State University. He directs the Big Band and jazz combos and teaches applied trumpet at Las Positas College, and coaches brass at Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts and Heritage High School. Through Mario Silva Trumpet Students, he works with developing players, working professionals and other trumpet teachers using his IMAGE approach. His students have earned full scholarships to Berklee College of Music and first chair seats in California's state honor ensembles.