Alex Flavell and Giancarlo Anderson are both pursuing Masters of Music Performance degrees.
It’s awards season in the U.S., a time when performance artists of all genres are recognized for their contributions to the arts. Cal State Fullerton has a reason to celebrate this year as two current Titan graduate students in the School of Music are nominated for a 2021 Grammy Award. Nominee Giancarlo Anderson is pursuing his Masters of Music Performance in CSUF’s Jazz Studies & Commercial Music department. Outside of school, he is a percussionist for world-renowned Latin jazz musician Poncho Sanchez. As a member of Sanchez’s band, Anderson played on their album release, “Trane’s Delight,” which is up for Best Latin Jazz Album. Music has always been a part of Anderson’s life, dating back to his childhood days in the suburbs outside Panama City, Panama. “I was fortunate to be in a household that appreciated all kinds of music — classical, jazz, Latin, salsa, pop — you name it,” Anderson said. “It was a weekly routine on Sundays to play vinyls. That was the beginning — listening and appreciating the music.” Anderson was introduced to percussion instruments as a teen and began soaking up the music of musicians from Puerto Rico, Cuba and Columbia. Watching VHS tapes of Poncho Sanchez performing solidified his desire to pursue becoming a Latin jazz percussionist. After spending a few years playing local gigs, Anderson left Panama in 2003 and headed to New York City where he connected with the Latin jazz scene and began playing alongside a number of experienced musicians, some of whom he had listened to and studied as a child.
