The song tradition of Brazil is fused with American cool jazz by sultry vocalist Ana Caram. With her light, sensual vocals set to lush arrangements, Caram has brought a new sensibility to the bossa nova. Having established herself as a promising newcomer, Caram was encouraged by Antonio Carlos Jobim to go to New York in the late '80s. The move... [+] Read More

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This Bronx native sang with Ricardo Morrero & the Group and the Dance Theater of Harlem chorus before her 1978 debut. With her strong, distinctive alto, she has carved a niche as an outstanding interpreter of soul ballads. Between 1978 and 1984, Bofill had consistent success on the R&B charts, with six albums making the Top 40 (five of which... [+] Read More

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The honey-toned chanteuse on the surprise Brazilian crossover hit "The Girl From Ipanema," Astrud Gilberto parlayed her previously unscheduled appearance (and professional singing debut) on the song into a lengthy career that resulted in nearly a dozen albums for Verve and a successful performing career that lasted into the '90s. Though her... [+] Read More

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A rising star on the Latin-jazz circuit. His current release features prominent Latin players like Arturo Ortiz, Ruben Rodriquez, and Adam Cruz, as well as young-lion tenor saxophonist Ralph Moore, and is spiced by excellent originals. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide

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Latin percussionist whose presence and magnetism is inspirational of its own accord. Primarily a conga player who leads contemporary Latin-jazz dance oriented bands. A premier, in-demand sideman. ~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide

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Dori Caymmi is an internationally celebrated composer and singer, having an expressive production recorded by many important artists worldwide, along with a prominent career as an arranger and producer, having also written music for soundtracks.

The son of composer Dorival Caymmi and former singer Stella Maris (Adelaide Tostes... [+] Read More

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Multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter Gilberto Gil joined his first group, the Desafinados, in the mid-'50s and by the beginning of the 1960s was earning a living as a jingle composer. Although known mostly as a guitarist, he also holds his own with drums, trumpet, and accordion.

He began playing the accordion when he was eight,... [+] Read More

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One of the most important figures to emerge from Afro-Cuban jazz in the '90s, Gonzalo Rubalcaba is an extraordinarily versatile pianist able to blend disparate strands of Cuban and American jazz tradition into a fresh, modern whole. Born into a musical family in Havana on May 27, 1963, Rubalcaba began studying classical piano at age eight,... [+] Read More

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Closely associated at times with Wynton and Branford Marsalis, Kenny Kirkland surprisingly only led one CD of his own prior to his premature death. He started playing piano at age six and later studied at the Manhattan School of Music. Among his early jobs were playing with Michal Urbaniak (on electric keyboards) during 1977, Miroslav Vitous... [+] Read More

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Jazz flutist Nestor Torres was born and raised in Puerto Rico, where he was inspired by people like Cal Tjader, Dave Brubeck, and Tito Puente. He began studying flute at age 12. Torres' father, a talented musician, bought him a drum set when he was five. His playing incorporates a smorgasbord of Latin jazz, pop, straight-ahead jazz, and... [+] Read More

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