Pianist, vocalist, teacher and composer.

 

He began his musical studies at the age of 7 in Cuba and at the same time played keyboards in the band of his mother Mireya Escalante, a Cuban singer.

 

In 1998 he moved with his parents to Canada, where he continued his pre-university studies and won a scholarship to receive classical training at the Royal Conservatory of Music. Then she performs her first solo concert accompanied by the Conterpoint Community Orchestra, conducted by Terry Kowlaczuc.

 

Already in Toronto, the family decides to create a project to bring together young artists from different cultures: New Cuban Generation (NCG). The NCG concerts included music, live painting, rap, dance, as well as other artistic manifestations.

 

He continues his musical education and graduates from the Classical Program at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music, culminating in a Master’s Degree in Ethnomusicology and Performance at York University.

 

Del Monte Escalante has collaborated with the Cuban Percussion School, Latin St. Music, Q-ban Mixology, New Cuban Generation, Echo Choir of Toronto, Axis Music, the Big Band Leonardo Timor, among other groups and projects.

 

He has also worked with Mireya Escalante, Carlos Baute, Angel Arce, El Mola, Willie Panama, Malena Burke, Quinteto Yoyi Soler, Conjunto Progreso, Alfredo de la Fe, Luis Bofill, Alexis Valdés Band, EBS (El Buen Samaritano) Band, Riverside Miami Orchestra, Parachute Club, David Gray, Amaury Gutiérrez and Alex Puentes.

 

She has been the winner of several awards and recognitions for her compositions, among them granted by the Ontario Arts Council, Canada Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, Somos Latin-American Achievement Awards, ASCAP (Society of Authors).

 

Glenda del Monte Escalante has been invited by Paquito De Rivera and Carnegie Hall to participate in a concert and clinics at Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall in New York, as well as Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Coca Cola Club.

 

In 2006 Glenda was the special guest pianist for the Tropicana Cabaret Big Band on their tour to Canada, sponsored by Corey Ross’s STARVOX Entertainment.

 

Del Monte Escalante is a cultural ambassador for the Transdiaspora Network Organization, which promotes wellness and health and HIV prevention.

 

In 2012 his music is selected to be part of the CD New Generation, a compilation of the Beaches Jazz Festival in Toronto.

 

Del Montes Escaliente has taught at the Cuban School of Percussion, founded by his family, and at the Yamaha Music School. He also composed the soundtrack for the short film Pavane directed by Paul Quarrington, invited by producer Dave Gray.

 

Discography

Recital de Música Clásica Cubana, 2009
CD Q-ban Mixology, 2010.