About

Holman Álvarez is a Colombian pianist and composer known for visiting some musical territories—including Colombian and Latin American traditions, jazz, classical, contemporary music, and free improvisation. Born in Barranquilla and raised in Cali, his work reflects a deep curiosity for exploring connections across genres and disciplines.

He studied piano and composition at Universidad del Valle, earned a master’s in composition from Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, and pursued jazz piano at the Conservatorio Manuel de Falla in Buenos Aires.

From 2011 to 2022, Holman was active in Bogotá’s experimental music scene, recording five albums as a leader and performing regularly at Matik-Matik. He also taught at several universities, including Javeriana, Los Andes, and the Universidad Nacional.

As a sideman, he has performed with artists such as Lucía Pulido, Guillermo Klein and Rachel Therrien among others. His compositions range from string quartets to jazz ensembles and chamber works, many commissioned by institutions like Proyecto Modular from the Medellín Philharmonic and Bogotá’s Jazz al Parque Festival.

Holman also composes for film and was nominated for a Macondo Award in 2018. Recent projects include the 2023 release LIMINAL and Hidden Objects, released in November 2024 on Sunnyside Records, featuring NYC-based musicians Adam O’Farrill, Drew Gress, and Satoshi Takeishi.

Now based in Queens, New York, Holman is actively involved in the city’s music scene, performing salsa, Latin jazz, jazz, Afrobeat, free improvisation, and his own original music.