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“The Distance of my Land, wrapped in a forest full of natural riches. A place where a melody is hidden, full of hope and joy.”
— Juan Ruiz (Distances, Poem extract)
Juan Ruiz Music
Juan combines his Latin roots, jazz and classical training in his original compositions and performances as well. He approaches music with a spirit of curiosity, and his compositions as well as his solos are nourished by his childhood experiences, his home country, and the optimism he perceives among Colombians.
Composer, Saxophonist and Clarinetist Juan Ruiz began his musical studies when he was 11, studying Latin American percussion in his hometown of Caldas Antioquia, Colombia. At age 14, he began clarinet studies at the University of Antioquia's preparatory music school. He left Colombia in 2006 with a scholarship to study English and Music at Atlantic Union College, MA. After one year he transferred to the Longy School of Music of Bard College in Cambridge, MA, where he was awarded a full scholarship to study a BM in clarinet performance and composition and later a Master Degree on Modern American Music. In 2015, Juan studied at Berklee College of Music with Dr. Shannon Leclaire and George Garzone.
Recently, Juan Ruiz had the opportunity to play with the 14th Grammy Winner Paquito D'Rivera at the BarranquiJazz and MedeJazz Festivals in Colombia, the Regatta Bar and Northampton Jazz Festival in MA.
On April 2018 Juan first Album “Desde Lejos” was released at The Regatta Bar with great acceptance, repeating his performance in May 2019.
"Today Latin Americans are embarked on a journey that separates us from our loved ones and those who have watched us grow up.
During this adventure we are always “Desde Lejos” (from afar) because we miss the people we remember, especially our families. Our passion as artists leads us to express the joy of achieving our dreams, yet we are still homesick for the things and people we remember.
Latin American music is filled with the history and journey of our ancestors, as they searched for a better future. The African, Indigenous, and European mix has created a style of music that is predominantly full of glee and the joy of living.
What better way to express this joy than through music itself? The enchantment of dance and the way it brings us together is at the heart of jazz and of “Desde Lejos.”