Kemuel Roig - Solo Piano - Recording Release - Cuban Jazz Series
Kemuel Roig presents *Both Sides Now*, an intimate solo-piano concert celebrating the release of his recording. The Cuban-American pianist and composer reshapes familiar songs through improvisation, personal storytelling, and spontaneous interpretation rather than fixed arrangements. His program combines lyrical reflection, emotional depth, and rhythmic vitality, alongside original compositions and works by important Cuban composers.
Roig’s repertoire draws on music associated with Joni Mitchell, Paul McCartney, Armando Manzanero, Michel Legrand, Billie Holiday, Consuelo Velázquez, Agustín Lara, Jimmy Rowles, and others. He also performs music by Abelardo Valdés, Marcelino Guerra, and Gonzalo Roig. Grounded in classical training, Afro-Cuban heritage, and contemporary jazz, the performance explores the meeting points of melody, harmony, silence, and free improvisation.
A recipient of a DownBeat Student Music Award, Roig has appeared on Grammy Award-winning projects and has performed or recorded with Arturo Sandoval, Al Di Meola, Randy Brecker, Chris Potter, Ed Calle, and Brian Lynch. Chucho Valdés has called him “the Superman of the piano,” while Michel Camilo has praised his luminous touch and technical ability. In 2026, Roig released both *Both Sides Now*, focused on intimate reinterpretations, and *3Discovery*, a contemporary piano-trio project centered largely on his original music.
When: Monday, October 12, 2026
Showtime: 7:00 PM. The event page lists this performance at 7:00 PM; it does not provide a separate 9:30 PM listing.
Doors: 6:00 PM for the Monday evening performance.
Tickets: $25, plus a $7 fee
Venue: Blues Alley
Address: 1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20007
Performer: Kemuel Roig, solo piano
Program: Music from *Both Sides Now*, original compositions, and works by celebrated Cuban composers
Food and beverage minimum: $15 per person, not included in the ticket price
Seating: First come at the door.
Policies: Tickets are final sale, nonrefundable, and nontransferable. Photography and recording are prohibited during the performance, and guests are asked to keep conversation to a minimum.