Jose Vaentino Ruiz & Alfredo Rivero

He began formal flute studies at age 8 with Dr. Kim McCormick, University of South Florida flute professor.  Classical flute instruction received under her guidance established the grounds for his musical training and continues to be essential for his musical development.

By the summer of 2000 José began to explore Latin flute and improvisation in the music room his Dad had prepared in the garage. He spent many hours listening to some of the Latin flute masters, like Nestor Torres and David Valentine. Dad was a big influence in developing the ear and taste for Latin jazz.  He would often help him by playing the bass while José attempted to improvise.  He began to understand what the famous jazz musician Miles Davis meant:  "Don't play what's there, play what's not there."

José enjoys jazz, classical, R&B, and contemporary music.  As he clearly explains: "It was Mr. Robert Griffin who planted the seed of jazz in me".  Mr. Griffin, jazz band director at Blake High School, not only instilled the ardor for jazz in José, he also directed him into doubling in the tenor saxophone.  Furthermore, he introduced him to the music of the great jazz flute maestro, Mr. Hubert Laws.  While attending a flute workshop at the University of Central Florida, José Valentino met Hubert Laws and still treasures his flute case with Mr. Laws' autograph and personal message.  Mr. Laws described José's playing as one of passion and fire.