Jazz orchestra. Hispanic Musician Association of Los Angeles Big Band: Repertory orchestra plays hip Afro-Cuban music. New to national audiences. Worth your attention. ~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide

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Many of the top Cuban jazz musicians have played in Irakere during the past several decades, including altoist Paquito D'Rivera and trumpeter Arturo Sandoval (before both individually defected). Pianist Chucho Valdes has been the orchestra's longtime leader, and its music ranges from Latin jazz and bop to Cuban folk melodies, with an emphasis on... [+] Read More

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Percussionist Mike Pacheco released a few albums on the Tampa label in the late '50s -- Bongo Session (1955), Bongo Skins (1957), Bongo Date (1957) -- showcasing his bongo skills. He also worked with a number of jazz artists from the time, most notably Stan Kenton and Perez Prado. Pacheco appeared on several Kenton recordings in the late '50s... [+] Read More

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In the 1960s, no one combined more or less equal elements of jazz, Latin music, soul, and funk as well as Henry "Pucho" Brown (b. November 1, 1938). A somewhat forgotten figure until recently, Pucho never achieved the wide recognition of some other Latin jazz performers exploring similar territory, such as Mongo Santamaria, Willie Bobo, and Cal... [+] Read More

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The Latin Jazz Quintet had an odd history. The short-lived group, which had quite a bit of turnover during its life, is today best-known for two sessions (one for New Jazz and a more obscure set for United Artists) in which it was joined by Eric Dolphy. Those two dates (particularly the New Jazz outing) found Dolphy largely ignoring the Latin... [+] Read More

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