ABSTRACT
Pianist Michel Camilo, born April 4, 1954, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, grew up within a musical family. Making a career choice between music and medicine, with the support of his mentor, the conductor of the National Symphony, Camilo chose music when he was selected as the youngest member to join the Dominican Republic National Symphony. Moving to New York City in 1979, he began feverishly studying classical piano and composition along with jazz arranging while attending jam sessions wherever possible. Within his interview Camilo describes his experiences hearing Bill Evans live as well as befriending Oscar Peterson. Joining the group French Toast and landing a steady gig in New York City allowed him to write and perform his own music each week and to network and meet a wide variety of musicians that would open up greater career possibilities.
