Daniel Ayala

Native of Asunción, Paraguay. He started playing piano at the age of 5 with his mother and then with José Luis Miranda. He studied Classical Piano Performance at Pittsburg State University (Pittsburg, KS) and Master of Jazz Studies at Western Illinois University (Macomb, IL). At Pittstate, he won several awards such as first place at the Concerto and Aria Competition and KMTA, among others. He has played with the South East Kansas Symphony Orchestra and OSCA (Orquesta Sinfónica de la Ciudad de Asunción). He has also played with artists such as Aaron Kipola, Don Norton, Andy Martin, Mark Tonelli, Jim Buennig, Dan Miller and Alan Baylock, among others.

In 2021, he recorded his first album entitled “Sugestión”, in which he acts as performer, composer and producer, along with prominent musicians from the paraguayan music scene.

His style is heavily influenced by bebop and post-bop, inspired by the styles of Kenny Barron, Chick Corea, Cedar Walton, Keith Jarrett, McCoy Tyner and others.

He also enjoys playing progressive rock, influenced by the music of Keith Emerson, Rick Wakeman and Jordan Rudess.

He teaches Popular Piano, ensemble and harmony at the National University of Asunción and Bellas Artes Institute.