Though Cuban jazz pianist and composer David Virelles incorporates the influences of American piano masters, he approaches jazz through the exploration of popular and folkloric rituals embedded in Cuban music. A New York City emigre, he has worked alongside Jane Bunnett, Steve Coleman, Henry Threadgill, and Chris Potter. In 2014 his lauded Mbókò appeared from ECM, followed by 2016's Antenna EP. 2017's Gnosis employed a quartet, the Nosotros Ensemble, a string trio, and a vocal chorus. He returned to Cuba to record Igbó Alákọrin: (The Singer's Grove), Vols. 1 & 2 for Pi Recordings. It focused on the work of composers from Santiago de Cuba, his hometown, and employed local musicians. After winning the Herb Alpert Award for the Arts in 2021, he returned in 2022 with Nuna -- also on Pi -- a book of his solo piano compositions.