Michel Camilo is a native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He studied for 13 years at the National Conservatory, and at the age of 16 became a member of the National Symphony Orchestra of the Dominican Republic (NSODR). He moved to New York in 1979, where he studied at Mannes College and at The Juilliard School. A pianist with a brilliant technique and a composer who flavors his tunes with Caribbean rhythms and jazz harmonies, his composition Why Not! titled an album by Paquito D'Rivera , and the Manhattan Transfer won a Grammy Award (1983) with its vocal version of the piece. Mr. Camilo titled his own debut album Why Not! And followed it with Suntan/Michel Camilo In Trio. Since then his recordings on various labels have included Rendezvous, One More Once, Thru My Eyes, and Spain-Michel Camilo & Tomatito. As a composer, pianists Katia and Marielle Labèque and Dizzy Gillespie have recorded Mr. Camilo's Caribe. The Labèques premiered Rhapsody for Two Pianos and Orchestra, a commission by the Philharmonia Orchestra.
