Panamanian saxophonist, composer, and educator Samuel Batista mixes Panamanian folkloric and urban music with jazz. Graduating from Berklee College of Music in 2018 with a dual degree in Jazz Composition and Performance, Batista taught private lessons at The New England Conservatory for The Preparatory Jazz School and the Continuing Education Program. His debut album, Panama United, was produced by pianist Alain Mallet and premiered during the 19th edition of the Panama Jazz Festival along with his “Panamanian Sextet.” After graduating from the Berklee Global Jazz Institute master’s program, Batista has been living in Boston while working on his upcoming album Rising to Love.
Anabel Gil Diaz is a Cuban-Spanish multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, and educator passionate about fostering talent and creating memorable learning experiences. Diaz has directed and produced various musical projects, instilling the love of music and performance in people’s hearts. During her stay in the United States, she has earned two consecutive full-ride scholarships, one to attend Berklee College of Music, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Jazz and Film and Video Games Scoring; and her second to complete her Master’s studies at the Longy School of Music of Bard College. In 2023, Anabel Gil Diaz participated as session flautist of the album titled “New Jazz Standards Vol. 1” by Terri-Lyne Carrington, winner of a Grammy Award. She is currently Principal Flautist of the Du Bois Symphony Orchestra, Guest Flautist Soloist of the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic Orchestra and Landmarks Orchestra, Flautist of Imagine Orchestra for Jazz Urbane Company, and Session Flautist for the Harvard Composers Association and Berklee College’s SSP.
Jazz Urbane Cafe is a vibrant new venue, opening soon in Nubian Square, blending performing arts and local cuisine in celebration of Boston’s musical history—past, present, and future.
