Adonis González
“Gitanerias”
Playing Tuesday from 12 to 4 P.M. at "Monk at 94: Countdown to 100" at the World Financial Center Winter Garden (220 Vesey St.)
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The Cuban-born pianist Adonis González is well-traveled. He has played the keys alongside the National Philharmonic of Venezuela, the Vienna Residence Orchestra in Austria, the Junge Süddeutsche Philharmonie Esslingen in Germany and Sinfonica del Tolima in Colombia, among others. González also holds degrees from the Superior Institute of Art of Havana (undergraduate), the University of Southern Mississippi (Masters) and Rutgers University (PhD).

Now, the classical virtuoso calls New York City home. He's played here with the New York City Opera Orchestra and recorded with clarinetist and saxophonist Paquito D’ Rivera on the album JaZZ-ClaZZ.

On Tuesday, González performs at the Arts World Financial Center's celebration of Thelonius Monk with composer and pianist Jed Distler and Axel Tosca (another Cuban jazz player who has worked with The Roots and Parliament/Funkadelic). The concert is being held on what would have been Monk's 94th birthday.

Check out González et al playing Monk from 12 to 4 P.M. at the Winter Garden on Tuesday, or download the pianist's "Gitanerias" from the album Adios A Cuba here, which was nominated this year for a Latin Grammy in the "Best Classical Album" category. The album features works by González, Rachmaninoff, Chopin, Lecuona, Cervantes and Bach.

In the video below, you can also check out González talking about saying goodbye to his homeland in the Rey Rodriguez film "Adios A Cuba."