"Equilibrio" is Peña’s latest work, representing a musical journey that seeks the perfect balance between tradition and innovation. The music blends the rhythmic heartbeat of Puerto Rico’s Afro-Caribbean heritage with the harmonic richness, improvisational depth, and energy of modern jazz.

"We live in a world where cultures are constantly meeting. With 'Equilibrio,' I want to celebrate that diversity while honoring our roots, seeking a balance between the modern and the traditional,” explains Peña.

The trio's sound, a constant conversation between the three musicians, draws inspiration from the lyricism of Chick Corea with Avishai Cohen and Jeff Ballard, while carrying the rhythmic fire of Chucho Valdés and the driving montunos of Eddie Palmieri. The compositions are rooted in rhythms like bomba, plena, guaracha, and son, mixed with the harmonic sophistication of post-bop, waltz, and modal jazz.

The album is a reflection of Puerto Rican identity in the modern world, continuing the legacy of historical jazz figures such as Eddie Gomez, Eddie Palmieri, and Miguel Zenón.

The official celebration concert for the release of "Equilibrio" will take place on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance in Chicago, IL.

The Equilibrio Trio

The "Equilibrio" project features Richard Peña (Guitar and Direction) alongside two internationally renowned musicians:

• Ricky Rodríguez: Bass (from New York). One of the most sought-after musicians in Latin jazz, known for his work with the David Sánchez Quartet, Branford Marsalis, Miguel Zenón Quartet, and more. He brings world-class virtuosity and a deep groove.

• William García: Drums. Winner of the Berklee High School Jazz Competition and trained in Puerto Rican percussion traditions, he has worked with cuatrista Fabiola Méndez and the JM Jazz World Orchestra.

About Richard

Richard Peña is a Puerto Rican guitarist, composer, and educator with a solid international career. He is a recipient of multiple grants from the Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña and the National Endowment for the Arts. His work has been recognized with awards from the Independent Music Awards (IMA's) and the Top 20 Albums Award by the Fundación Nacional para la Cultura Popular. He has recorded five albums and has shared the stage globally with Latin Grammy winners like Horacio “El Negro” Hernández and Dafnis Prieto. As an educator, he develops jazz guitar content on his digital platforms for an audience of over 260,000 followers and over 2,500 students on Patreon.

Press Contact:
Richard Peña Cell: 787-371-1931
Email: info@richardpenamusic.com

Booking Contact:
Zeida García - Agora Bookings
Email: Bookings@culturalagora.com