Thereafter, Monasterios collaborated with percussionist Sammy Figueroa in "The Magician", released in 2007 and submitted for nomination to the 50th Annual Grammy Awards as Best Latin Jazz Album, in which Monasterios provided performances, orchestrations, production, and two compositions including the title track. Subsequently, the "Miami New Times" newspaper named Monasterios as Best Jazz Musician in their Best of Miami issue of June 11, 2009.