Ansel Mauricio

Born in New York City and shaped by the rhythms of two worlds, Ansel Mauricio is a young talent on the rise in the world of Contemporary Jazz. At just 15 years old — turning 16 on April 15 — he is already a student at the Conservatorio Nacional de Música of the Dominican Republic, where his artistry is developing at a pace that turns heads and silences rooms.

Ansel's musical identity is a fearless conversation between tradition and modernity. He cites Holger Marjamaa for his sonic expression, his maestro Gustavo "Gus" Rodríguez for his melodic improvisation and mastery of emotional continuity, and Gonzalo Rubalcaba for teaching him the power of space — in melody, in improvisation, in silence. From Kenny Drew Jr. he learned how to make the listener feel what the performer intends, while Duke Ellington showed him that harmonic sophistication is only a tool, never the goal. Rounding out his palette are Justin-Lee Schultz and Jesús Molina, whose modern sound continues to push his musical boundaries.

At 14, Ansel took the stage at Hard Rock Cafe Santo Domingo as part of Mujeres en Amargue, a bolero-jazz concert that showcased his ability to hold an audience with nuance and warmth far beyond his years. He is also the pianist at his church, where his faith grounds his music — performing 3 to 4 times a week in a commitment that has sharpened his instincts, his ear, and his sense of purpose.

In 2026, Ansel participated in the Berklee Santo Domingo Master Classes, where he auditioned for — and won — a scholarship to attend Berklee's prestigious Summer Program in Boston. The recognition is a powerful statement about the international caliber of his playing, and a milestone that few artists his age can claim.

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