Latin Jazz Piano · Composition · Arranging
Irving
Flores
Over four decades of redefining Latin Jazz, fiery piano solos, soulful arrangements, and a lifelong devotion to Afro-Cuban rhythm.
ARMANDO MI CONGA IS IN GRAMMY® CONSIDERATION • NEW SINGLE OUT NOW: GOLFO DE MÉXICO • STREAM ON ALL PLATFORMS • AFRO-CUBAN JAZZ
ARMANDO MI CONGA IS IN GRAMMY® CONSIDERATION • NEW SINGLE OUT NOW: GOLFO DE MÉXICO • STREAM ON ALL PLATFORMS • AFRO-CUBAN JAZZ
Live Dates
2026 Tour
Recently played: The Jazz Lounge, San Diego (July 25) and The Sound Room, Oakland (July 31).
August
- Fri21 Praga Cafe Tijuana, Mexico Event Info
- Sat29 The Jazz Lounge San Diego, CA Tickets Available
September
- Thu3 Del Mar Community Center Del Mar, CA Event Info
- Sat5 Rady Shell, with Gilbert Castellanos and The KSDS Big Band San Diego, CA Tickets Available
- Fri18 The Merc Temecula, CA Event Info
- Sat26 The Jazz Lounge San Diego, CA Tickets Available
October
- Thu1 Catalina Jazz Club, Los Angeles debut Los Angeles, CA Tickets Available
- Fri2 Century Room Tucson, AZ Tickets Available
- Sat3 Ravenscroft Hall Scottsdale, AZ Tickets Available
- Fri16 San Jose Jazz Breakroom, San Jose debut San Jose, CA Tickets Available
- Sat31 The Jazz Lounge San Diego, CA Tickets Available
November
- Sun1 Tio Leo's San Diego, CA
- Thu5 KSDS Jazz Concert San Diego, CA
- TBA CDMX Mini Tour Mexico City, Mexico
- Tue24 Rancho Bernardo Public Library San Diego, CA
- Sat28 The Jazz Lounge San Diego, CA Tickets Available
More November dates to be announced.
2025 · Armando Mi Conga
For Your
Grammy® Consideration
Recorded live in New York, Armando Mi Conga is a celebration of Afro-Cuban jazz featuring one of the genre's most decorated lineups.
- Best Latin Jazz Album
- Best Jazz Performance
- Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella
- Best Instrumental Composition
- Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical
Featuring Horacio “El Negro” Hernández (drums), Giovanni Hidalgo (congas), John Benítez (bass), Brian Lynch (trumpet), and Norbert Stachel (saxes, flutes, clarinet).
- Top 10 New Recordings 2025 · Cadence Magazine
- #6 Most Popular Song 2025 · All About Jazz
- Best of 2025 · The New York City Jazz Record
- Best Jazz Album 2026 · SD Music Awards
The Story
A Life Built
on Rhythm
Born in Veracruz and shaped by four decades on international stages, Irving Flores plays piano the way he always has, fearlessly, and completely in the pocket.
- 1966 Born in Veracruz, Mexico
- Age 10 Led an orchestra to a national win as a child prodigy
- 1990s Served as pianist and musical director for Armando Manzanero, Willie Colón, and Tania Libertad
- 1995 Sponsored by Yamaha for clinics across Mexico, and earned an Emmy for the music video “All Together”
- San Diego Arranger for “Tribute to Frank Sinatra” with the San Diego Symphony, and string arrangements for Luis Miguel
- Today Keyboardist for the Gilbert Castellanos New Latin Jazz Quintet, recognized as a National Treasure in his native Mexico
Read Full Bio“Performing with Irving is an experience unlike any other.”
Gilbert Castellanos
The Catalog
Discography
Armando Mi Conga
Afro-Cuban jazz recorded live in New York with an all-star sextet. 2025.
American Influence
Nine originals with the Danzón Jazz Trio, a bicultural journey in sound. 2013.
Recuerdos
Flores' international debut, a San Diego Music Awards nominee. 2010.
Brad Steinwehe Jazz Orchestra
Two original compositions, featuring trombonist Bill Watrous.
La Rumorosa
Original works inspired by both sides of the US Mexico border.
On a Clear Day
Sonic Colossus Jazz Orchestra, arranged by a five composer team.
Christmas With You
Orchestral arrangements and production for Dave Scott's holiday album.
Armando Mi Conga, live at the Tijuana Jazz Festival, October 2025
In the Press
As Seen
& Heard
“Flores comes at you like a freight train, both hands fully loaded.”
San Diego Troubadour, “Maestro of the Piano”
As Featured In
- San Diego Troubadour
- All About Jazz
- San Diego Reader
- Cadence Magazine
- The New York City Jazz Record
- SD Music Awards