Loading details…
Artist
William Cepeda
12+ albums
trombonejazzpuerto ricolatin90s
about
Known as a cultural icon of Puerto Rico, Grammy-nominated artist and composer William Cepeda (williamcepeda.com) revolutionized the field of Latin music in 1992 with his introduction of Afro-Rican Jazz, an innovative blend of world music, progressive jazz and traditional Afro-Puerto Rican roots and folk music and dance. His ensemble has toured internationally performing in jazz festivals such as the Montreux, NorthSea and Tabarka, as well as in performing arts venues and clubs all over the world. Born and raised in Loiza, the heart of “little Africa” in Puerto Rico, William Cepeda’s artistic excellence as a composer and artistic visionary, his authenticity and advocacy for rigorous research and comprehensive documentation of Puerto Rican music, dance and culture have earned him multiple awards, grants and recognition from the Institute of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture, Meet The Composer, the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Music Fund at Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, American Composers Orchestra, American Composers Forum and the Association of Hispanic Arts. A protégé of Dizzie Gillespie, William Cepeda was a member of his United Nation Orchestra, and Cepeda’s musical influences include artists such as Miriam Makeba and Lester Bowie. Always fresh and exciting, Afro-Rican Jazz never ceases to surprise and delight with William Cepeda’s unusual combinations, mixing new and different literary & musical artforms with traditional small jazz ensemble instrume
