Composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist Edgar Abraham says he always has at least five albums in mind, and a few days before Christmas he released Aguinaldos, a beautiful musical production featuring the duo of a saxophone and piano, where he celebrates the tradition of the jíbaro to honor Puerto Rican folklore.

The project was recorded in two sessions, practically in one day, "as a holiday gift for Puerto Ricans around the world," said the artist.

His performance as a pianist was recorded in 'one take,' and it was not edited along with the saxophone, his main instrument. However, the four-song EP was not improvised because according to Abraham, "I have had this production in my mind for a long time."

"I wanted to make an album recording acoustic piano and saxophone, with a classic sound, without abandoning the cornerstone of Jazz and ‘rumba,’ in a Latin, Jíbaro, and purely Puerto Rican way. When I recorded the piano, I focused on the traditional harmonies that I learned from an early age from all my teachers, my father, my professors in the academy, the street, the coast, and all Puerto Rico. I recorded the saxophone imitating the voice of  ‘el Jíbaro,’" said the three-time Latin Grammy-winning artist.

The album, available on Abraham's platforms, (YouTube, Itunes, Spotify…) is the virtuoso's 23rd production. The production includes the pieces, "Aguinaldo Jíbaro," "Seis Cagüeño," "El Tamborilero" and "Seis Celinés."

"Being Puerto Rican is the greatest blessing this existence has given me. I dedicate this album to my people, to the humble who get up to work every day, to those who do not give up, to the Boricua brothers in the diaspora, who from where they are give it all, to help their families, and to all those who fight for a better Puerto Rico," he said.

According to Abraham, the production Aguinaldos, rhythmically includes percussion patterns and drums in the keys of the sax, "always including our syncopated rumba." The professor of classical saxophone at the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico explained that "the harmonics and particular effects of my classical technique are intertwined with the language of Jazz that creates a particular sound of how the Puerto Rican saxophone should be played in folklore music."

Abraham has worked as a composer, arranger, producer, and musician with celebrities such as Kany Garcia, Jorge Drexler, Vicente Garcia, Dave Valentin, Giovanni Hidalgo, Cheo Feliciano, Calle 13, and Residente, among many others.  He has played in major venues worldwide, including the famed Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club in London and Carnegie Hall in New York.  For free, fans can listen to this and other Edgar Abraham productions on all platforms.