Winner of the Grand Prix de Jazz General Motors 2006 at the Montreal Jazz Festival (David Virelles Quintet) and Galaxie Rising Star 2010 at the Halifax Jazz Festival (Rich Brown & Rinsethealgorithm), Grammy Nominated and Juno Award Wining artist (Hilario Duran Latin Jazz Big Band),
Alto saxophonist Luis Gonzalez Deniz was born in Camaguey, Cuba on April 21st, 1983.
Following his arrival in Toronto in 2004, Luis has performed or recorded with numerous Toronto-based and international musicians. He has played saxophone for Mark Turner, Tony Allen (Fela Kuti’s Drummer), Hilario Duran, Luis Mario Ochoa, Paquito D’Rivera, Horacio “”El Negro”” Hernández, Reg Schwager, Dafnis Prieto, Francisco Mela, Barry Romberg, Darren Sigesmund, Cubanismo, Rich Brown (Rinsethealgorithm and Rich Brown & The Abeng), Mark Kelso & the jazz Exiles, NOJO, Kirk MacDonald Jazz Orchestra, Roberto Occhipinti, Canadian Idol jazz Orchestra, The Art of Jazz Orchestra, Jane Bunnett, Canada’s Global Orchestra Kune . He has also shared the stage with international figures such as Barry Harris, Howard Johnson, Ray Vega, Steve Turre, Randy Brecker, Donald Harrison, Ingrid Jensen, Mark Feldman, Gary Versace and Hermeto Pascoal.
A career highlight for Luis is as an educator. He is presently faculty member of the prestigious Humber College as a private saxophone teacher and small and large ensemble instructor.