Today we’d like to introduce you to Ignacio “Nachito” Herrera.
Nachito, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am Ignacio “ Nachito “ Herrera. I born in Cuba. Started my music career at the age of 7 in a music conservatory. During three different levels I study piano and all música clases until get my PhD 16 years later. My very first concert with Symphony Orchestra was at the age of 12 playing Rachmaninov second piano Concerto C minor with the National Symphony of Cuba. My first tours started at the age of 13 playing Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue. I have had the pleasure to perform in lots of different performing art centers around the world and jazz festivals like North Sea Jazz in Amsterdam Milan Jazz fest in Italy many others in Europe Asia and USA.
My fusion in between classical music and jazz have been taking me on the composition road making multiples records receiving different awards like Emy Grammy Best Latin Jazz Artist of Minnesota for more than three times. Some of the songs have been also use as part of movie’s soundtrack like The Force of Nature and recently Chef. At the same time I have been teaching for more than 20 years specifically at Mac Phail Center for Music.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Has been a successful career but difficult at the same time because to much time away from my family when I am touring. It is a big time consuming practicing more than 8 hours a day to get to the levels we set up the goal to.
Challenges: On March 28th 2020 I was diagnose with Covid-19 and admitted at the ICU room 4th floor of the U of M Hospital. Doctors gave the bad need to my wife giving me just 3 hours of life.
From there, Dr. Melisa Brunsvold Director of ECMO program in Minnesota together with a team of specialists from the hospital and also from different countries like India Greek and Cuba decided to connect me to that machine starting the big fight fir 14days in coma to bring me back to life. On Easter April 11th after my Daughter’s oldest son say …PAPI WAKE UP… I opened my eyes and start the long journey of recovery.
Initially, I wasn’t even able to play piano at all and not even be able to walk and eat by myself but after the first day of back to life miracles start to happen and I was able with the help of all heroes work on that hospital I started to walk eat and play a little. Just 5 days later after a wake up I was discharged from icu room on the 4th floor of U of M Hospital to my house.
Thanks to the all medical team working together I was able to back home and also thanks to the prayers of all sisters and brothers from Westminster Prebisterian Church and friends from all over the world. I am the first survivor out of ECMO in Minnesota and number 17 in the world.
One of the biggest challenge has been back to play and has been a almost 2 years of physical therapy and a strong faith. Thanks to God and all the prayers and Doctors and specially my wife Aurora and my family I have been able to perform recently playing my favorite piano concerto Rachmaninov second piano concerto at the Orchestra Hall In Minneapolis with the Wayzata Symphony conducting by Marlene Pauley and play other concerts around the Nation like at International Music Instrument Museum in Phoenix Arizona at Gilmore Jazz Festival sponsor by Steinway in Kalamazoo Michigan and back to what I call my musical hone the Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a professional pianist arranger and Orchestra Conductor In this time I am a Steinway Piano Artist.
I think what make me be probably different than other pianist is working on always prove music is just one and been able to play from classical to jazz and proving the connection in between and incorporating my creativity.
I feel proud of always take the music as a language to keep people united and part of many healing process in our lives
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I have been lucky on have a great family supporting all my career. I have been lucky and have the opportunity to play and share prestigious stages around the world with well known artist like Chick Corea Macoy Tiner Abraham Laboriel Alex Acuńa and many more.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: NachitoHerrera.com
- Facebook: Nachito Herrera
