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OSCAR STAGNARO, originally from Peru, studied at the Conservatory of Music in Lima, Peru. He worked extensively doing studio work and live performances with many international artists and local bands before moving to the United States in 1979.

Since then, Oscar has been an active performer and one of the most versatile bass players on the East Coast. His mastery of playing different music styles from jazz and fusion to Latin jazz, Brazilian jazz, and South American music has helped him travel the world performing with the very best Latin jazz artists.

Says Bass Player magazine, "Oscar's technical agility, advanced harmonic and melodic knowledge, and grounding in funk and R&B--as well as his dedication to Latin traditions--give him the ultimate flexibility when it comes time to lay down a groove."

 
 

Oscar has been an Associate Professor at the Berklee College of Music since 1988, where he teaches privates lessons, workshops, and ensembles. He's been largely responsible for the school's development of Latin Bass education, instituting several courses on Latin and world bass styles. Oscar has represented Berklee at the International Association of Jazz Educators conferences and has held clinics all over the world, including Peru, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Germany, and Spain. He also teaches Latin Jazz Ensembles and Jazz Improvisation in the Latin Jazz Idiom in the Jazz Studies Department at the New England Conservatory of Music.

Oscar is coauthor of the Latin Bass Book published by Sher Music, a complete work on how to play bass lines in the Afro Cuban, Brazilian, Caribbean, and South American music styles. He is currently working on a book called World Music Slap, which has been published by Berklee Press.

Oscar is a recipient of the Latin Grammy 2001 with Paquito D'Rivera for the recording, Live at the Blue Note and the Latin Grammy 2003 with Paquito D' Rivera and the New York Voices  for the recording "Brazilian Dreams" . He was also part of the Paquito D’Rivera Quintet for the film Calle 54.  
His first solo CD, Mariella's Dream (Songosaurus), features D'Rivera, Dave Samuels, Ed Simon, Alex Acuña, and Ramon Stagnaro was released in March 2003

Oscar has also performed with Dave Valentin, David Sanchez, Charlie Sepulveda,
Ray Barreto, Chucho Valdez, Michel Camilo, Tiger Okoshi, Bob Moses, Bob Mintzer,
Dave Freeman, Freddy Hubbard, Bobby Carcases, Giovanni Hidalgo, Lenny Andrade,
Steve Khun, Nestor Torres, Gerardo Nuñez, Rosa Passos, Dave Rudder, Tavares,
Rebecca Parrish, Mark Murphy, Tom Harrell, Andy Narrell, Danilo Perez, Claudio Roditi,
Dave Liebman, Don Braden, Caribbean Jazz Project, WDR Big Band, NDR Big Band,  The Boston Pops, The Washington National Symphony Orchestra, The Orquesta Simon Bolivar from Venezuela, The Costa Rica Symphony Orchestra  The Mexico Philarmonic Orchetra,
The Milwakee Symphony Orchestra, The Xalapa Symphony Orchestra, The Chicago Pops Orchestra, Zambo Cavero, Oscar Aviles, Carlos Hayre, Tania Libertad, Olga Milla, Bartola, Cecilia Barraza, Fabiola De La Cuba, Cecilia Bracamonte, Nilo Espinoza, Black Sugar,

Recordings with:

United Nation Orchestra, Live at MCG in Pittsburg (MCG)
United Nation Orchestra, A Night in Englewood (Messidor) with Slide Hampton
Paquito D’Rivera, Live at the Blue Note (Half Note)
Paquito D’Rivera, 100 Years of Latin Love Songs (Heads Up)
Dave Valentin, Musical Portraits (GRP)
Los Hijos del Sol (Sono Sur) feat. Eva Ayllon, Alex Acuña, Wayne Shorter and Ernie Watts
Charlie Sepulveda, Algo Nuestro (Antilles) with David Sanchez
Dan Moretti, Brasilia (Brownstone)
Dan Moretti, Saxual (Brownstone)
Aquiles Baez, Taratara
Wayne Naus, Heart and Fire
Patricia Saravia, Rhythm of the Saints (Songosaurus)
Oscar Feldman, The Angel (Songosaurus), feat. Gato Barbieri and Claudio Roditi
Richie Zellon, Cafe Con Leche (Songosaurus)
Richie Zellon, The Nazca Lines (Songosaurus) feat. George Garzone
Richie Zellon, Metal Caribe (Songosaurus) feat. Dave Liebman
The Caribbean Jazz Project, Island Stories (Heads Up)
The Caribbean Jazz Project, The CJP (Heads Up)
Victor Mendoza, If Only You Knew (RAM) with Danilo Perez
Juan Pablo Torres, Trombone Man (RMM-Sony)
Andy Narell, Fire in the Engine Room (Heads Up)
New York Voices "Brazilian Dreams"feat. Paquito D'Rivera, Claudio Roditi, and Paulo Braga
Patricia Vlieg "Tus Promesas"

Educational Recordings:
Jamey Aebersold # 75 Play along series / "The Music of Paquito de Rivera"
Jamey Aebersold Play along series / "The Music of Dave Samuels"
"Muy Caliente" Play along that features Rebeca Mauleon and Orestes Vilato

 

 

 

Oscar's bio at Berklee College of Music

Oscar's bio at New England Conservatory of Music