Raphael Silverman

Raphael Silverman is a jazz guitarist, composer, and teacher. He grew up in White Plains, NY and started playing the guitar at 13. Early on, he was greatly inspired by rock, folk, and country guitarists like Nels Cline, Bob Dylan, Rivers Cuomo, and Chet Atkins. He then quickly moved on to jazz, first falling in love with the music of Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, and Kurt Rosenwinkel.

In 2022, Raphael was awarded a Downbeat Student Award for Outstanding Soloist in the Undergraduate Category for his recording of “How Deep is The Ocean”.

Listen to that recording here: https://youtu.be/KLi9-2airqY

In 2021, Raphael traveled to Krakow, Poland to peform in the Jarek Smíetana International Jazz Guitar Competition. He recieved an award for “Best Interpretation of A Smíetana Composition,” for his performance of “Bubbles” at the Krakow Philharmonic.

Before attending Columbia University, Raphael studied at Jazz at Lincoln Center and privately with guitarists David Rosenthal, Jonathan Kreisberg, and Rodney Jones.

Raphael now attends Columbia University in the City of New York, where he is a junior. He attended his freshman year of college at University of Chicago, where he was fortunate to study with legendary guitarist Bobby Broom. He continues to study with Bobby and considers him a great mentor.

Raphael draws inspiration from musicians such as Bobby Broom, George Benson, Wes Montgomery, Grant Green, Sonny Rollins, Charlie Parker, Keith Jarrett, and Thelonious Monk.

Raphael has had the opportunity to work and learn from great musicians such as Philip Harper, Johnny O’Neal, Terrell Stafford, and many others. Raphael has performed at renowned venues such as Jazz at Lincoln Center, Cellar Dog (formerly Fat Cat), Jazz Forum, Smalls, Mezzrow, and others.