Meet Kemuel Roig | Cuban/American Jazz Music Pianist and Composer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kemuel Roig and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kemuel, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?

I sincerely believe that discipline is a key factor for everything we do in life. In every area of our lives, we must pursue a lifestyle of discipline. When it comes to music it is no different. Sometimes I hear musicians saying things like “I never practice”, or “I will rather be spontaneous” Well, although, maybe this mindset works for some musicians, I noticed a long time ago that all the musicians I deeply admire involved in the classical music, jazz music, production, recording, composing… all of them have a disciplined daily routine. When they seat at the piano, they practice with a purpose and a goal.

I believe that discipline shows respect for what you do.

All instruments have their challenges, but in my case, as a pianist, I need to seat down on my piano daily for a few hours. Practicing is part of my job. The relationship with the piano must be cherished on a daily and constant basis. I spend my time working on different aspects which make me a musician: technical analysis and development, classical and jazz repertoire, composition, recordings, productions. All scheduled into my daily routine, and followed by a disciplined schedule.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I was born December 18th, 1988 in Cuba, in a city by the name of Camaguey. My musical studies were on classical drums and piano simultaneously. At the time, I did not see myself as a performer and thought it was more like a hobby for me, but my perspective about music as a career began changing a little at the age of 8 when I was invited to join a band of Christian Music, which we toured a lot in Cuba and came to the United States to perform in a few churches when I was 8 and 10.

At the age of 12, my family relocated to Miami, FL, and it wasn’t till I was around 15 years old that I noticed that music was going to be my path in life. Even though I had a desire to become a program developer and create computer programs as well, music kept gravitating towards my life. I noticed more and more musicians were calling me to perform, and that was an important factor and confirmation for my calling of being a musician.

Thanks to the advice of close family members, friends, and music teachers I decided to give it a try at the long-life career of being a musician, one that I could not be more proud of.

I remember back in High School my friends saying “I will be a dentist”, or, “I will be a massage therapist” and I always asked them the same question: “Why do you want to pursue this career?” and all of them always told me “Because of the money” I always respected their ideas about work, but there was one phrase that I learned an at a very early age that says “Do what you love and you will never have to work a day of your life” This phrase always kept in my mind, and I always replied to my friends “I will be a musician, and that’s what I will do”

Years have passed, and today I can say that I cannot be more proud of all that God has allowed me to do by His grace and achieve a career as a musician. I have been so blessed to tour the whole World and perform in some of the very most important stages, and jazz clubs including important venues such as the Hollywood Bowl (in CA), the Blue Note (all of them around the world) Ronnie’s Scotts Jazz Club (in London), the Umbria Jazz Festival in Italy, among many, many more venues that would be impossible for me to remember. God has allowed me to performed and record with musicians I deeply admire, and call them my “friends” such as Arturo Sandoval, Al Di Meola, Giovanni Hidalgo, Ed Calle, Chris Potter, Randy Brecker, Alain Perez, Julito Padron, Tony Succar, Malena Burke, Isaac Delgado, Ricardo Rodriguez, Rene Gonzales, Aymee Nuviola, among many, many others… Learn next to great musicians such as Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Mike Diliddo, Martin Bejerano, Shelly Berg, Mike Orta, Mike Gerber. I sincerely believe God has been good!

I was so blessed to achieve my Master’s Degree in Music from the prestigious “Frost School of Music at the University of Miami” a few years ago, and it was a very special time for me since I got to learn from two musical heroes I had spent hours listening on recordings, Martin Bejerano whom I had heard him many times on the recordings of the legendary drummer Roy Haynes; and the amazing Mr. Shelly Berg, whom I had also heard on several recordings, including some of Arturo Sandoval’s. So for me, it was a huge blessing to spend hours talking to them, learning from them, analyzing music with them. Also got to meet, play and record with other amazing musicians such as Brian Lynch, John Hart, and John Daversa. Amazing musicians!

Now years have passed, and after touring non-stop since the age of 20, when I began performing with Arturo Sandoval (8 years touring), and later on with Al Di Meola (2 years), now I am focused on my project where last year, during the pandemic of 2020 I was so blessed to release my latest album entitled “Genesis” which narrates in my musical compositions the story of my life coming from the island of Cuba, performing Afro-Cuban jazz and classical music, moving to the US, and learning the traditions of jazz, and gospel. A recording that honors all the musicians from whom I have learned, and sets a pathway to all the new projects coming up. On this recording, I had as featuring artists several musicians including Chris Potter, Ed Calle, Randy Brecker, Alain Perez among many others, and it is a recording I am very proud of.

At the moment I am working on a new live album which will be released in the following 2 months, and also composing the repertoire for my upcoming album which we are planning to record early 22.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

Miami is full of life! There are so many places to visit, and all of them are full of energy. Right now if you want to eat Italian food, Venezuelan, Argentinian, Cuban, Mexican, I mean, you name it, there is a restaurant for this in Miami, and I think this is amazing!

I have some favorite spots in Miami that I find myself going back to.

1. If I want to eat Italian the very best in my personal opinion is Fratellino in Coral Gables. I remember when they opened, and I still come back to this place regularly. The staff and owner are super friendly and the food is simply amazing! After visiting so many times Italy for the last 12 years, I find the food from Fratellino very authentic.
2. Another place me and my wife love is Hillstone in Coral Gables as well. I love their Salmon, and Prime New York Strip, and the Hawaiian Rib-Eye.

3.We just found a sushi place in Miami which is very authentic, like the sushis I have eaten throughout the years in Japan, and the restaurant is Kampai Japanese Restaurant. It is a very small place, but the food is amazing.

My wife and I like to visit the mall at Brickell City Center. It is full of life, amazing restaurants, and stores. I like how open the building is with fresh air. We also like their movie theater on the top floor and have enjoyed brunch at the East hotel. A nice one to try!

The beach is a must-go! I like the areas that are not so crowded.

We love Zack’s the Baker in Wynwood! This place is amazing! Their food is unbelievable and tastes really good!!

If you want to eat, listen to some jazz music during the day, and enjoy a nice time, Ball and Chain is a place to go. Even though it is still closed, their food is really good as well.

About coffee, I love coffee, and I like visiting Passion del Cielo. I like their variety of coffee.

Before the pandemic, we had a very nice jazz club, Le Chat Noir, but sadly is no longer around. They always had amazing music and a wine selection. Neme is another venue which has great food and always has a good band performing. Another venue that always has great music and also has an amazing selection of wines is Lagniappe.

And last, we just found our favorite croqueta place in the world haha, yes, croquetas, the name is “Dos Croquetas” a most visit you will not regret it.

I should be getting paid advertisement for this lol

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I sincerely believe that ALL I have achieved in my life is thanks to God’s Grace in my life. He is my closest friend, my guide, and the one that has helped me reach every level in my life. He is my dearest music teacher. Sometimes I wake up with musical ideas that I dreamed about the night before, and a seat at the piano, and all the ideas work perfectly. I sincerely believe I couldn’t play a single note of the piano without God’s grace in my life.

Website: www.kemuelroig.com

Instagram: @kemuelroig

Linkedin: @kemuelroig

Twitter: @kemuelroig

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kemuelroigofficial

Youtube: www.youtube.com/kemuelroigofficial

Image Credits
Malu Sore