Esteban Herrera is a Mexican-born, Calgary-based pianist, composer, arranger, producer, and educator whose work bridges contemporary jazz, Latin American musical traditions, and original composition. With more than 30 years of professional experience, Herrera has developed a distinctive musical language characterized by rhythmic complexity, harmonic exploration, improvisational freedom, and emotional depth.

A 2022 JUNO Award nominee and two-time YYC Music Award winner, Herrera has established himself as an active voice in Canada's contemporary jazz scene. His album The Prophet received a JUNO nomination for Jazz Album of the Year: Group in 2022. His album Colibrí de papel earned a YYC Music Award in 2023, followed by Winter Fire, which won Jazz Recording of the Year at the 2026 YYC Music Awards.

Herrera's artistic development has been shaped by his experiences living in Mexico, Spain, Germany, and Canada. These international influences inform a musical approach that moves beyond stylistic boundaries, combining elements of Mexican and Latin American music with contemporary jazz, sophisticated arrangements, and a deeply personal approach to improvisation.

As a composer and bandleader, Herrera has developed an extensive discography encompassing solo piano, jazz trios, quintets, and Latin American ensembles. His recordings include Estrella (2013), Origen (2014), Fantasma (2015), Transparente (2017), Sueños (2018), Hogar (2018), Mil veces más (2019), The Prophet (2021), Piano Solo Vol. 1 (2022), Romero & Herrera Vol. 1 (2022), Colibrí de papel (2022), Spacetime (2023), and Winter Fire (2026).

Released in January 2026, Winter Fire features Herrera alongside trumpeter André Wickenheiser, saxophonist Mark DeJong, bassist Jeff Gammon, and drummer Jon May. The album presents a collection of original compositions exploring the expressive possibilities of contemporary jazz through intricate ensemble writing, improvisation, and musical dialogue.

Herrera's current projects also include Axolotl, featuring his jazz trio, and Voz Morena, a Latin American quartet exploring the rhythmic and melodic richness of Latin musical traditions through original compositions and contemporary arrangements. These projects reflect his ongoing commitment to creating new music and expanding his artistic vocabulary.

His performance career includes appearances at jazz festivals and concert venues across Canada. In 2024, he toured the country, performing at festivals in Montreal, Victoria, Saskatoon, and Winnipeg. His work encompasses several musical formats, including the Esteban Herrera Trio, Esteban Herrera Quintet, and Calgary Latin Orchestra, demonstrating his versatility as a performer, composer, arranger, and ensemble leader.

Beyond his recording and performing activities, Herrera is an experienced music educator with more than two decades of teaching experience. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Jazz Performance from Mexico's National Institute of Fine Arts, a Bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences from Tecnológico de Monterrey, and a technical diploma in piano from the Conservatorio de Música del Estado de México.

In 2026, Herrera joined the faculty of the Mount Royal University Conservatory in Calgary. His educational work encompasses piano performance, jazz improvisation, harmony, composition, arranging, and ensemble development. He has also worked as a clinician with educational institutions, including the Calgary Catholic School District.

Herrera is a voting member of both the Recording Academy and the Latin Recording Academy, participating in the organizations responsible for the GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY Awards. His professional activities also include involvement with the Calgary Musicians Association.

In addition to music, Herrera maintains an interest in visual art and graphic design, creating artwork and visual concepts for his recording projects. This multidisciplinary approach reflects his broader understanding of artistic expression and the relationship between music, imagery, and human experience.

Through his compositions, recordings, performances, and educational activities, Esteban Herrera continues to explore music as a means of communication, discovery, and emotional expression. His work reflects a commitment to artistic independence, cultural dialogue, and the continuous evolution of contemporary jazz.