Jazz
Ricardo Narváez
Ricardo Narváez is a Colombian saxophonist and composer recognized for his unique fusion of Latin American folk music and contemporary jazz.
Born in Manizales, Colombia, Ricardo Narváez earned his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Saxophone from Javeriana University in Bogotá. In 2008, he won first place at the Pan-American Cannonball Jazz Saxophone Competition in Mexico City. A year later, he was awarded the prestigious DAAD scholarship to continue his studies at the Hochschule für Musik in Nuremberg, Germany, where he studied with Steffen Schorn, Klaus Graf, and Hubert Winter.
Ricardo has recorded and toured with a wide range of artists, including Guillermo Klein, Benjamim Taubkin, Dispositivo Jazz Colombia, Páramo Quinteto, Big Band Bogotá, Shakira, Andrés Cepeda, Fonseca, Monsieur Periné, Juan Pablo Vega, LosPetitFellas, and Kase.O Jazz Magnetism.
In 2012, he released his debut album Esperando and founded RN5, a group that explores the intersection of his musical roots with modern jazz. His follow-up album Almusik deepened that exploration. His latest release, Amuleto (2025), marks a return to his roots with a powerful new quintet sound that blends instrumental mastery with rhythmic and harmonic sophistication.
Ricardo currently leads the Jazz Department at Javeriana University, where he continues to influence the next generation of musicians.
Ricardo plays Henri SELMER Paris Alto and Tenor Mark VI saxophones.
Photo credit: Javier Segura
LISTEN
