Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra

about

There exists a large and unique repertoire within the big band genre that requires musicians who are knowledgeable about Latin rhythms, clave, and African-based percussion instruments, as well as modern jazz and swing. The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra (ALJO) was founded in 2002 by artistic director Arturo O'Farrill to perform compositions of masters such as Machito, Tito Puente, Chico O'Farrill, Astor Piazzola, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Hermeto Pascoal, and others, and to keep this culturally rich tradition alive by continuing to commission new works. From 2002 to 2007, the ALJO was a resident orchestra of Jazz at Lincoln Center and performed an extensive concert schedule both at Lincoln Center and through national and international tours. During its residency there, the ALJO performed at the opening of The Frederick P. Rose Hall, the opening ceremonies of the 2005 U.S. Open, and the inaugural week for Shanghai Concert Hall; led a weeklong educational residency in Yokohoma, Japan; and recorded a GRAMMY-nominated CD (Una Noche Inolvidable, 2005, Palmetto Records). In 2007, the ALJO left Lincoln Center to pursue the twin goals of developing new audiences for big band Latin jazz and of creating a robust educational program for young performers. With the support of a group of prominent leaders from the worlds of jazz and Latin culture, O'Farrill launched the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance (ALJA) in early 2007 to serve as a non-profit organization that can advance both the performance and ed

top songs

albums

similar artists