Costa Rican Jazz Drummer Luis Muñoz Shines at Century Room on ‘Glimmering Path’ Tour

Tucson welcomes acclaimed Costa Rican musician Luis Muñoz this weekend as he takes the stage at the Century Room for two performances, showcasing his latest album, “Glimmering Path.” The shows will happen on Friday, October 18, and Saturday, October 19, with sets at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Raised in a musically inclined family in Costa Rica, Muñoz’s early influences included the sounds of the Beatles, which inspired his desire to become a drummer. However, a transformative moment came when a friend introduced him to a collection of jazz vinyl records. “I got immersed in jazz,” he recalled. “I’m lucky I found what I wanted to do from a young age.”

Muñoz’s musical journey led him to the University of Costa Rica, and later to the University of California Santa Barbara, where he earned a degree in music composition. The experience was both challenging and rewarding. “It was bitter because I was literally hungry,” he reflected, “but it was sweet because the door opened.”

Over the years, Muñoz has recorded ten albums in the United States, earning accolades from NPR and the National Jazz Journalists Association, along with a TEDx talk in 2024. “The freedom of jazz,” he explains, “the capacity to create and express freely” has been central to his artistry.

In his transition to Tucson in 2022, Muñoz found inspiration in the Sonoran Desert’s unique landscape, which has infused his work with new depth. His performances this weekend will feature the entirety of “Glimmering Path,” enriched by a talented backing band, including Randy Tico on bass and Lois Mahalia, a British Guayana singer.

Muñoz describes his music as a response to the world’s negativity, aiming to convey hope through the theme of light. “Glimmering Path” draws inspiration from diverse musical influences, such as Björk and Jeff Beck. Tickets for the Century Room performances are priced at $20, and Muñoz is also scheduled to perform at The Nash in Phoenix on November 15.