Midday Music Presents: Pianist Esteban Álvarez

Get ready to be captivated by the mesmerizing artistry of Steinway Artist Esteban Alvarez! As a virtuosic world-music pianist, Esteban skillfully weaves together Latin, jazz, classical, and experimental sounds into a rich, immersive tapestry that beautifully reflects his Costa Rican heritage and his refined musical training.

Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur of global sounds or simply curious about the lyrical, cross-cultural piano artistry, this intimate performance promises to enchant and uplift your senses.

Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to witness Alvarez’s heartfelt and adventurous music—in person, mid-day, and on us!

Admission: Free and open to the public (registration required).

Born and raised in Costa Rica, Steinway Artist Esteban Alvarez's music-making is described as a confluence of pop hits, classical standards, Latin music, and the alternative and experimental music of his youth.

Esteban began music lessons at the age of 10, and music became his passion ever since. His natural talent and his discipline opened the doors to the USA, where he pursued his bachelor's and master’s degrees in piano and jazz studies at Baylor University and the University of North Texas with full scholarships. With a very sophisticated academic music training, Esteban has become a popular and world-music pianist who has mastered the art of blending music styles in the piano; his first album Tico Groove (link) includes a mix of jazz and world music, featuring internationally renown drummer Ignacio Berroa (Dizzy Gillespie’s drummer) and bassist Lynn Seaton (Count’s Basie’s bass player). The album is a compilation of music from his home country, Costa Rica, and has been featured in numerous magazines and radio shows in Europe and North America.

His second album, “Piano Meets Mariachi”, is another example of this blend of styles. Featuring Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán, this album portrays the most beloved music from Mexico. The Mariachi is his orchestra while the piano “sings” the everlasting melodies that have given some of the music identity to Latin America.

Esteban has performed and recorded as a solo artist in multiple festivals in Israel, Hong Kong, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Cuba, the Czech Republic, Chile, Mexico, Costa Rica, Serbia, and Bolivia. His third solo album, called “Roots Of The World”, features artists such as Los Kjarkas (Bolivia), Divina Banda (Cuba), Luis Enrique Mejía (Nicaragua), Trío Los Panchos (México), and other artists from Costa Rica. 

Beyond the artistry he brings to the piano, Esteban has cultivated a community around his music and serves as an inspiration to young people who aspire not only to play the piano but also to discover how to share their music with others.