Sergio Pamies

Early years

Born in Granada in 1983. He is the nephew of Spanish writer Sergi Pamies. Sergio Pamies started studying piano at a young age. He started playing jazz because of his father, a self-taught guitarist and jazz aficionado.

Pamies moved to Barcelona, where he graduated with a BM in Jazz Piano (Conservatori Liceu, Barcelona) in 2007. During his time in Barcelona he co-led the group Yakaré. Pamies toured Colombia in 2006 presenting Yakaré’s debut album at Jazz al Parque (Bogotá), Festival de Piano de la UIS (Bucaramanga), and Auditorio EAFIT (Medellín). In 2007 Pamies participated as a piano soloist at Joan Albert Amargós’ concerto premiere Transformacions at the Gran Teatre del Liceu (Barcelona).

Education

After earning his BM at the Conservatori Liceu, Pamies moved to Texas (USA), where he graduated with a master's degree in jazz piano (2011) and a DMA in jazz studies (2016) at the University of North Texas College of Music. During his time at UNT, Pamies was a member of the 7-time Grammy nominated One O’Clock Lab Band, accompanying guest artists such as Bobby McFerrin, Arturo Sandoval, Marvin Stamm, Chuck Findley, Doc Severinsen, and Wycliffe Gordon, among others. He is the soloist in the track “Neil” from Lab 2015, a Rich DeRosa’s composition which garnered a 2016 Grammy Nomination for “Best Instrumental Composition.”Pamies directed the contemporary ensemble “The Zebras,” producing the recording The Flamenco Jazz Project, which was awarded multiple Down Beat Magazine Student Awards. Pamies was selected for the workshop “Latin Jazz Traditions,” performing with Paquito D’Rivera at Carnegie Hall (2015, New York). His composition for Big Band "Dudú" was selected for the concert program.

His dissertation prepared for the degree of Doctor of Musical Arts, The Controversial Identity of Flamenco Jazz: A New Historical and Analytical Approach, is available online at the University of North Texas Library Website.

Solo career

His debut album, Entre Amigos, was released in 2008 (PSM), with a band that combined jazz musicians with flamenco musicians from Granada, such as Sergio Gómez “El Colorao.”Pamies performed at the XXI Jazz en la Costa International Festival. This album was also presented at the Ibérica Festival (2009), a Flamenco International Festival that organized a 4-days tour in Prague, Brno, Boskovice (Czech Republic), and Bratislava (Slovakia). Pamies performed at Los Veranos del Corral in a concert featuring his mentor, pianist Diego Amador (2009).

His next recording, Borrachito (Bebyne Records), was released in 2011, and it features Christian Scott, Diego Amador, Antonio Serrano, Rubem Dantas, and Pepe Luis Carmona “Habichuela.”Pamies participated in the festivals XVI Jazz Na Starówce (Warsaw, Poland, 2010),Colores Flamencos (Olomouc and Sumperk, Czech Republic, 2011),Munijazz Festival (Munilla, Spain, 2011), XXI Jazz en el Lago (Atarfe, Spain, 2012),XXVII Festival Internacional de Música y Danza Ciudad de Úbeda (Úbeda, Spain, 2015), among others.

Pamies’ last album, What Brought You Here? was published on May 2017 by Bebyne Records. It features Quamon Fowler, Ashleigh Smith, Lara Bello, and Samuel Torres.

Teaching career

Pamies served as a full-time Teaching Fellow at the University of North Texas (Denton, Texas) for seven years. Pamies is currently an adjunct faculty at Mountain View College (Dallas, Texas), and is one of the instructors at the GDYO Jazz Institute.

Style and influences

Critics have acknowledged Pamies’ talent for composition, the lyrical qualities of his playing, and his unique vision for combining flamenco and jazz elements. Pamies has cited Bill Evans, Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, Paco de Lucía, Camarón de la Isla, and the “Habichuela” family (Pepe “Habichuela,” Ketama, Josemi Carmona) among his strongest influences.

As a leader

What Brought You Here? (Bebyne Records 2017)

Borrachito (Bebyne Records 2011)

Entre Amigos (PSM 2008)

As a sideman

Julián Heredia 1 de Cal y 9 de Arena (2017) featuring Josemi Carmona, Jorge Pardo, Carles Benavent, Niño Josele, Enrique Morente Jr. Participation: Pianist, composer, arranger

Rich DeRosa Perseverance: The Music of Rich DeRosa at North Texas (North Texas Jazz, 2017) Participation: Pianist

Ashleigh Smith Sunkissed (Concord Records, 2016) Participation: Arranger, pianist

Verso Suelto Verso Suelto (Youkali Music, 2016) Participation: Producer, arranger, pianist

Sergio Gómez “El Colorao” Como Mi Sangre (Fods Records, 2016) Participation: Arranger, pianist

Cancer Blows The Musical Event: Thirty Trumpet Legends (Ryan Anthony Foundation, 2015). Featuring Arturo Sandoval, Marvin Stamm, Doc Sverinsen, and Wycliffe Gordon Participation: Pianist

Mónica Gastelumendi Jugar a la Vida (2015) Participation: Arranger, pianist

One O’Clock Lab Band Lab 2015 (North Texas Jazz, 2015) Participation: Pianist

Nazia Chaundry “NAZ” Time After (2014) Participation: Pianist

Mihwa Kim “Roja” My Shining Hour (MirrorBall Records, 2013) Participation: Producer, arranger, pianist

The Two O’Clock Lab Band Kind of Two (North Texas Jazz, 2013) Participation: Pianist

UNT Latin Jazz Late Night Mambo (North Texas Jazz, 2013) Participation: Composer, arranger, pianist

Wana Hong First Impression (2013) Participation: Pianist

The Zebras The Flamenco Jazz Project (North Texas Jazz, 2011) Participation: Producer, director, arranger

UNT Latin Jazz Dancing Small (North Texas Jazz, 2010) Participation: Composer, arranger, pianist

Yakaré Group Yakaré (PSM 2006)

Participation: Co-leader, pianist, composer, arranger