Milena Casado

Called “a revelation” by The New York Times, trumpeter and composer Milena Casado is one of the most compelling new voices in contemporary jazz. Known for her fluid improvisation and deeply personal compositions, she effortlessly moves between acoustic music and electronic experimentation, blending tradition with innovation.

Recently recognized by the LA Times as a can’t-miss newcomer who’s keeping the spirit of jazz moving and listed as a contemporary jazz artist you should know by WBGO, Casado has already generated major buzz through her work with Terri Lyne Carrington, Vijay Iyer, Aaron Parks, Kris Davis, and other guiding forces in the music world, earning critical acclaim. She has been featured at many of the world’s top venues and festivals, including Carnegie Hall, The Village Vanguard, The Kennedy Center, North Sea Jazz Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival, and Monterey Jazz Festival, among others.

An increasingly notable bandleader in her own right, Casado leads her working quintet, with recent performances at North Sea Jazz Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival, NYC Winter Jazzfest, and other major venues. Backed by this group, Casado recently released her debut album, Reflection of Another Self, on Candid Records.

Reflection of Another Self is a stunning debut—sonically adventurous and deeply personal, a journey of self-discovery and resilience, overcoming personal traumas. It is a bold statement from a newcomer who has been honing her skill with luminaries and biding her time, constructing a debut album fit for someone destined to upend the jazz world.