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Artist
Chicago Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble
5+ albums
afrobeatjazz
about
CALJE (Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble) is regarded as the new and innovative force on the Latin Jazz scene. With a global sound and ensemble, this band represents Afro-Cuban Jazz, as well as music from all of Latin America. They incorporate traditional Cuban rhythms such as son, guaguanco, and clave negra with modern Jazz harmony. Through this fusion concept, they have explored writing new music based on Argentinian Tango, Dominican Merengue, Puerto Rican Bomba y Plena, Spanish Flamenco and Jamaican Reggae. CALJE delivers captivating performances and high energy in the form of dance grooves. The music is primarily written by co-leaders trumpeter Victor Garcia and pianist Darwin Noguera. This group performs as small as a duo, to a 15 piece orchestra. CALJE has performed and recorded with artists such as Grammy winners Howard Levy from the Bela Fleck Group and Brian Lynch from the Eddie Palmieri group, master percussionist Paoli Mejias and legendary trombonist Steve Turre. They have also given performances and clinics across the midwest and in three cities in the country of Nicaragua. Their debut album “Blueprints” was critically acclaimed, receiving 3 1/2 stars from Downbeat Magazine, as well as other media outlets across the US and abroad. CALJE made it’s debut by kicking off the “Jazz en Clave” Latin Jazz Festival at the famed Hothouse, alongside international artists such as multi-Grammy winning artist Eddie Palmieri & Dafnis Prieto’s Quintet. Musicians in this band have
