Biography
Jorge Alfano draws from the rich musical heritage of the Andes to shape his introspective and contemplative works. Born in Argentina and now based in New Jersey, this multi-instrumentalist also practices as a clinical hypnotist and ordained metaphysical minister, devoting his efforts to what he terms “the evolution of human consciousness through music, sound and meditation.” Jazz Times magazine characterized his output as “a cohesive statement about music universality with no excess hubris or crossover aftertaste,” while Song Out! noted that his “melodies are haunting and the sound of his flute is pure and sweet.” He trained in music with Lopez Buchardo at Argentina’s National Conservatory and pursued composition studies at New York’s Mannes School of Music. Further explorations took him into Indian traditions alongside G.S. Sachdev and Aashish Khan, as well as Japanese Zen practices with Nyogetsu Seldin. He also completed programs in sound healing and polarity therapy at the Polarity School and in music therapy in Buenos Aires. Since 1977 he has contributed to numerous studio sessions, collaborating with figures such as Astor Piazzolla and Mercedes Sosa while lending his skills to projects for the Discovery Channel and National Geographic. Several Argentine films and stage productions have incorporated his original pieces. In a production capacity he has guided releases on Lyrichord, Earth Sea, Interworld, The Relaxation Company, Ellipsis Arts, BMG, and Microfon. His own recordings have remained largely anchored in Andean sources, as heard on the 1997 album Inti: Mystical Music of the Andes, which assembled invocations drawn from the pre-Columbian Kechuas’ Inti religion. At times he has expanded outward, evident on the same-year release One Heart, where his flutes, wind instruments, acoustic bass guitar, and charango join percussionist Randy Crafton and sitar player Amit Chatterjee in a wide-ranging survey of meditative traditions. Alfano arrived in the United States in 1997 to appear with Astor Piazzolla in a pair of Broadway productions and has since made his home in Jersey City, New Jersey. He teaches at the Sound Colloquim, Open Center, Theosophical Society, and Sivanda Organization, and he established the Sacred Sounds Institute. Beyond his solo work he has appeared or recorded with Bridges, the Amit Chatterjee Trio, O. Faruk Tekbilek Ensemble, John Wire’s Musaic, and his own ensemble Aconcagua.
Albums
