Milena Casado

Milena Casado, hailed as “a revelation” by The New York Times, is emerging as one of the most compelling new voices in contemporary jazz. A trumpeter and composer known for fluid improvisation and personal, exploratory writing, she moves effortlessly between acoustic tradition and electronic innovation. Recognized by the LA Times as a can’t-miss newcomer and highlighted by WBGO as a contemporary jazz artist to know, she has already built an impressive résumé through collaborations with Terri Lyne Carrington, Vijay Iyer, Aaron Parks, Kris Davis, and other leading figures. Her performances have taken her to many of the world’s premier stages and festivals, including Carnegie Hall, The Village Vanguard, The Kennedy Center, North Sea Jazz Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival, and Monterey Jazz Festival.

As a bandleader, Casado has become increasingly prominent, guiding her working quintet in appearances at major festivals such as North Sea Jazz, Montreal Jazz, and NYC Winter Jazzfest. With this ensemble, she recently released her debut album, Reflection of Another Self, on Candid Records. The album is a bold, sonically adventurous statement—both introspective and resilient—charting a journey through personal struggle and self-realization. It marks the arrival of an artist who has quietly honed her craft among luminaries and is now poised to make a transformative impact on the jazz world.

For fans of: Andrii Pokaz, Bob Holz, Kandace Springs, Ben Jones, Yazz Ahmed, Riley Mulherkar, Camila George, Sun-Mi Hong, Teis Semey and Kneebody