The Latin Jazz All Stars are a phenomenal ensemble that features the current masters of Afro Cuban, Salsa, Brazilian, and Latin Jazz. Steve Turre, Pete Escovedo, Nestor Torres, Sammy Figueroa, Elio Villafranca, Yunior Terry, Diego Lopez, Guido Gonzales & Jorge Castro take the stage as one unit to make you dance!
Figueroa is a master of the percussions, equally comfortable playing jazz, R&B rock, pop, bebop, Latin, Brazilian and New Age. As a sideman, he has toured and recorded with a vast and diverse list of artists. As a leader Figueroa has recorded four albums; two of which were Grammy Award nominated for Best Latin Jazz Album.
Many will recognize Turre from his playing with the Saturday Night Live Band. He is the leading jazz trombonist of the time and innovator of playing the seashell as an instrument. Rahsaan Roland Kirk introduced him to the seashell and Turre later found out that playing the seashell as an instrument was part of his ancestral heritage.
Escovedo, an equally famous percussionist, formed the Latin Jazz Sextet with his brothers and helped pioneer the genre. He has toured and recorded with Carlos Santana, formed the band Azteca and continued to perform with luminaries of jazz, pop and R&B..
Flautist Torres sites influences of flute giants from worlds as diverse as classical music, rock, Cuban Charanga style as well as jazz pioneers such as Herbie Mann. He has 14 recordings as a soloist; four Latin Grammy nominations, one Grammy nomination and one Latin Grammy Award.
Elio Villafranca was classically trained in percussion and composition at the Instituto Superior de Arte in Havana, Cuba. He arrived in the U.S. in late 1995, and has been involved in the jazz and Latin jazz scenes on both the East and West Coasts.
Jorge Castro studied saxophone and flute at the famed “Escuela Libre de Música.” World renown jazz saxophonist, David Sánchez heard Castro and became is mentor & teacher. Since that meeting Castro has become one of the most sought after saxophonist in music.
Yunior Terry is a bassist’s bassist! He was born in Camaguey, Cuba. After studying with Charlie Haden, he moved to New York City where he became one of the premier bassist for Latin, Afro Cuban & World music.
Diego Lopez began playing Drums at age 11. By age 15, he was working professionally. In 2000, he established himself on New York’s music scene.
Guido Gonzales began studying the trumpet at age 12, and has since been actively involved in the study, performance, and teaching of the trumpet.
