Kiko Berenguer is one of the most brilliant and expressive saxophone players of his generation. The unique style he developed as the result of his origins and his wealth of musical experience makes his saxophone one of the most original and innovative voices in the music scene.
Born in Xàbia (Alicante), he made his first steps into the world of music at a local music group before starting his studies at the conservatory in Valencia, where he also completed his training to become a teacher. He continued his studies at the Lizeum in Barcelona and took lessons with some of the most famous teachers, among others Daniel Deffayet, Jean Marie Londeix (Paris), Ralph Moore, and Chris Cheek (N.Y.). His insatiable curiosity regarding everything related to music and people lead him to exploring his own roots as well as absorbing the music of other cultures such as Jazz and Flamenco. All of this combined into a very personal style that combines the rhythmic and emotional strength of these styles with the expressiveness of his performance he built over the years – something that is also reflected in “Aire”, his latest work.
He collaborated with internationally renowned musicians such as Richie Cole, Dennis Rowland, Madeline Bell, Pat Metheny, MP Mossman, Skip Hadden, Michel Camilo, Claudio Roditi, and Terell Stafford, with whom as a “leader” he recorded his first album “Papi toca el saxo” in the scope of his project “Kiko Berenguer Jazzmakers”.
He played concerts and tours on some of the most significant festivals in Spain, among others San Sebastián, Alicante, San Javier, Murcia, Valencia, Madrid, Getxo, Teneriffa and many more, as well as internationally in countries such as France, Switzerland, Germany, Portugal, Italy, and the US – here, the festivals in Montreux and Montreal are particularly noteworthy.
To complete his works and his music studies, he leads a big band and participates in international seminars where he teaches saxophone and big band lessons. Furthermore, he is the art director of the international festival “Xàbia Jazz”.
„Berenguer demonstrates his sensitive spirit with a phrasing that he implements with powerful sonority and embellishes with his rich diversity.”
– Vicente Ménsua, Cuadernos de Jazz