Edward Simon

Biography

Edward Simon, born on July 27, 1969, in Punta Cardón, Venezuela, began his musical journey early, moving to the United States at age ten to study at the Performing Arts School in Philadelphia. He later attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia for classical piano and the Manhattan School of Music for jazz piano, arriving in New York City in 1988. His career took off with his debut album as a leader, Beauty Within (1994, AudioQuest), featuring the Edward Simon Trio with Horacio Hernández and Anthony Jackson; that same year, he placed as a finalist in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition.[1][2][3][5]

Simon's style fuses jazz improvisation with Venezuelan folk music, evident in ensembles like Ensemble Venezuela (founded 2003), Sexteto Venezuela, Afinidad Quartet (with Scott Colley and Brian Blade), and Simon, Simon, & Simon with his brothers. He has recorded 11-16 albums as leader, including New York Times Top Ten jazz records Edward Simon (1995) and Simplicitas (2005), DownBeat's 'Best CD of 2007' Unicity, and commissioned suites like Venezuelan Suite (2005, Chamber Music America), Sorrows and Triumphs (2010), and House of Numbers (2010). A core member of SFJAZZ Collective since 2009, he has performed globally at venues like Jazz at Lincoln Center and Berliner Philharmonie, and contributed to over 50 recordings, including Paquito D'Rivera's Grammy-winning Funk Tango (2007).[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Simon's legacy includes Guggenheim (2010) and MacDowell (2011) Fellowships, multiple Chamber Music America grants, and teaching roles at New School for Jazz, Western Michigan University, and others. Recognized as 'one of the strongest pianists of his generation' by DownBeat and a 'complete creative artist' by JazzTimes, he mentors via residencies, judging competitions, and private lessons, blending composition, improvisation, and global influences.[1][3][4][6]

Fun Facts

• At age 10, Simon played in a dance band in Venezuela, where the thrill of connecting with dancers on the dance floor inspired his lifelong passion for music.[10]
• He has lived in nearly every corner of the U.S., Palma de Mallorca, Spain, and is now based in the San Francisco Bay Area.[3]
• Simon was a finalist (third place) in the 1994 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition, the same year as his debut album.[1][5]
• He leads a family band called Simon, Simon, & Simon with his brothers, blending personal and musical ties.[1]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Sophia Rosof - Classical piano instructor (Private instruction) [1980s-1990s]
• Madeline Bruser - Piano and the Art of Practicing instructor (Private instruction) [Post-Manhattan School of Music]
• Mary Spire - Feldenkrais Method instructor (Private instruction) [Ongoing]
• Clare Maxwell - Alexander Technique instructor (Private instruction) [Ongoing]

Key Collaborators

• Horacio Hernández - Trio drummer (Beauty Within (1994)) [1994]
• Anthony Jackson - Trio bassist (Beauty Within (1994)) [1994]
• Scott Colley - Afinidad Quartet bassist (Sorrows and Triumphs (2010)) [2000s-2010s]
• Brian Blade - Afinidad Quartet drummer (Sorrows and Triumphs (2010)) [2000s-2010s]
• David Binney - Co-leader of Afinidad (Afinidad projects with Gretchen Parlato, Adam Rogers, Rogerio Boccato) [2000s-present]
• Paquito D'Rivera - Guest on Grammy-winning album (Funk Tango (2007)) [2007]
• SFJAZZ Collective members - Core member since 2009 (Multiple commissions and performances) [2009-present]
• His brothers - Family band (Simon, Simon, & Simon group) [2000s-present]

Artists Influenced

• Next generation jazz students - Mentor and educator at institutions like New School, Western Michigan University (Residencies and private teaching) [1990s-present]
• Simón Bolivar Big Band - Resident artist (Residency in Caracas) [Recent (pre-2026)]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia