VI MALAGA INTERNATIONAL
PIANO FESTIVAL
JULY 18TH TO 26TH
2025
JAZZ
Introduction to Jazz for Classical Pianists
Professor - Gabriel Ruiz Bernal
This year, as a novelty, active students enrolled in the festival will have the opportunity to participate in a Jazz course taught by Professor Gabriel Ruiz Bernal.
The course is offered as an additional and optional module to the festival registration.
The course will be conducted in the format of individual classes.
The level is open to beginners, students with some experience, and those who can already improvise.
Students should have the necessary ability to read intermediate-level sheet music and understand basic elements of music theory.
The cost of this module would be 200 euros, to be paid along with the festival registration fee, and must be completed before May 15.
If there are not enough enrolled students, the organization may cancel the jazz module; in that case, the amount paid for this module will be subtracted from the registration fee.
Welcome to "Introduction to Jazz for Classical Pianists," a course designed with classical pianists in mind.
Unlike classical music, where the score is meticulously written out, jazz often presents a suggestive
framework, placing the interpreter inside the musical narrative.
In this course, we guide classical pianists through the art of reading and interpreting jazz charts,
translating chord symbols into harmonies, and learning improvisation techniques to apply to actual songs
from the standard jazz repertoire. By comparing classical and jazz learning systems, we discuss how to
practice jazz. We will use music analysis and applied theory, progressing from fundamental concepts to
intricate harmonizations.
Individual lessons ensure that each student receives material suited to their level of comprehension. Each
student receives a web page from which to access the learning material.
Whether you're new to improvisation or seeking to explore new dimensions of artistic interpretation, join
us on this musical journey where classical meets jazz.
email - festivalpianomalaga@gmail.com
WhatsApp - +34 622683476
Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal is a Spanish pianist and composer, an instructor of classical and jazz piano
at the Levine School of Music in Washington, D.C. He has developed a diverse musical career
encompassing teaching, concerts, composition, and collaborative projects.
As the first prize winner of the XXI International Piano Composition Competition "Fidelio" in
Madrid, his musical activities extend beyond the realm of classical music. Gabriel works as a
composer, producer, teacher, classical and jazz repertoire pianist, and organist at one of the
cathedrals in Washington, DC. His repertoire and recordings span classical composers, his own
compositions, and jazz piano arrangements. His catalog of works includes solo piano pieces,
song collections for voice and piano, choral works, symphonic-choral compositions, and
orchestral pieces premiered in both Spain and the United States. His jazz piano arrangements
and harmonizations are published by Hal Leonard and distributed internationally. In addition to
composing, he is an arranger and orchestrator for stage and film music. One of his projects has
received a New York Emmy nomination in the documentary category.
Gabriel expresses gratitude to his teachers, from his childhood piano teacher Carmen Arana to
Alfredo Gil, the professor who shaped his technique and musical style. He studied at the
Conservatorio Superior de Málaga, Levine School of Music, Shenandoah University, New York
University, Yale University, and the University of Seville. He holds a Bachelor's degree in music
performance, a Master's degree in musical performance, and a Ph.D. from the University of
Seville.
Outside of music, Gabriel enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking and biking. In warmer
seasons, he engages in sailing, canoeing, and sea kayaking. His web page is
www.gabrielruizbernal.com.