Learn more
Javier Josué Pinto began his musical journey at the age of 9 within El Sistema, as a member of the Moisés Moleiro Children’s Orchestra (Zaraza, Venezuela), under the guidance of Luis García.
He studied the clarinet at the Simón Bolívar Conservatory of Music, the Latin American Clarinet Academy, and UNEARTE, working with distinguished masters such as Alfredo Martinez, Mark Friedman, Paulo Sergio Dos Santos (Brazil), Luis Rossi (Chile), and Ronald Van Spaendonck (Belgium).
As a saxophonist, he trained at the Universidad Experimental de las Artes with Rolando Briceño, Henk Van Twillert (Netherlands), Pierre Bertrand (France), Ken Randonski (USA), Samy Thiebault (France), and the legendary Dave Liebman (USA), who played a decisive role in shaping his path toward jazz.
He further refined his skills in harmony and arranging with Violeta Larez, Alberto Naranjo, Alex Rodriguez, and Belén Ojeda.
Today, Javier serves as artistic director and arranger of the Simón Bolívar Big Band Jazz while pursuing a career as a versatile saxophonist. A respected studio musician, he has collaborated with numerous international artists across genres such as salsa, merengue, jazz, and fusion.
Notable collaborations
➤ James Morrison (Australia)
➤ James Zollar (Count Basie Big Band)
➤ Stafford Hunter (Lionel Hampton & Duke Ellington Orchestras)
➤ Danny Mixon (Frank Foster Big Band)
➤ Nicolas Folmer (Paris Big Band Jazz)
➤ Luis Perdomo, Mimi Jones, Luisito Quintero, Dave Samuels (Caribbean Jazz Project)
➤ Roman Filiu (Irakere), Edward Simon (SF Jazz Collective)
➤ Alberto Naranjo (Trabuco Venezolano)
➤ Samy Thiebault, Sthephan Chausse, Henk Van Twillert, Bob Moes, Allen Vizutti
➤ Didier Lockwood and the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela
International career
Javier has performed on prestigious stages such as the Dizzy’s Coca-Cola Jazz Club at Lincoln Center (New York, 2011 & 2015) and has toured extensively:
➤ Colombia (2009)
➤ United States (2011, 2015)
➤ France (2015)
He has been invited to major festivals, including Ajazzgo, Jazz al Parque, Marmande, Jazz & Garonne, Barquisimeto International Jazz Festival, Santo Domingo Jazz Festival, EuroVenezolano, Duc des Lombards (Paris), Ashe Cultural Center (New Orleans), and Jazz & Creole (Dominican Republic), among others.
Educational activities
Deeply committed to jazz education, Javier develops outreach and teaching projects within El Sistema and throughout Venezuela, inspiring new generations of musicians to join major orchestras and broaden their artistic horizons.
