In the 2002-2003 season, Jazz at Lincoln Center inaugurated a new ensemble, the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra (ALJO). Led by pianist Arturo O’Farrill – son of the pioneering composer and bandleader Chico O’Farrill – the ALJO is comprised of 18 prominent soloists from the Latin jazz scene. This large ensemble plays classics of the Afro-Latin jazz tradition, commissions new works and leads educational events.
With the founding of this new ensemble, Jazz at Lincoln Center helps to continue the long tradition of artistic collaboration between jazz and Latin musicians. O’Farrill, who learned a great deal from his father and also played and recorded in the Latin-infused bands of Dizzy Gillespie, connects the goals of the ALJO with that of his predecessors, stating “The idea behind the ALJO is to perform the very best of the compositions in the canon of the Afro-Latin genre. This genre will die if we do not support a new generation of composers, arrangers and instrumentalists, and there is no other orchestra in the world that has this kind of mission. A large part of our mandate is to provide an instrument for this new generation of composers, arrangers and instrumentalists to further progress this craft.”
Wynton Marsalis, Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center, who approached O’Farrill about creating the ALJO, expressed the viewpoint that the ALJO will help continue the innovations of musicians like Bauza and Machito, stating: “The ALJO is going to fill a great void on the New York cultural scene by playing the classics of the Afro-Latin Jazz tradition, commissioning new works and playing dances. This band is firmly connected to the essence of Latin jazz. They have great soloists and first-class ensemble playing.”
In September of 2005 , the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra was composed of 18 soloists who played classics of the Afro-Latin tradition. The members are: Arturo O’Farrill, Music Director and piano; Michael Philip Mossman, trumpet; John Walsh, trumpet; Jim Seeley, trumpet; Mike Rodriguez, trumpet; Luis Bonilla, trombone; Gary Valente, trombone; Reynaldo Jorge, trombone; Earl McIntyre, bass trombone; Erica vonKleist, alto saxophone; Bobby Porcelli, alto saxophone; Mario Rivera, tenor saxophone; Ivan Renta, tenor saxophone; Pablo Calogero, baritone saxophone; Ruben Rodriguez, bass; Vince Cherico, drums; Jimmy Delgado, percussion; and Tony Rosa, percussion.
Discography:
Una Noche Inolvidable (Palmetto, 2005)
Song for Chico (Zoho Music, 2008)
40 Acres and a Burro (Zoho Music, 2011)
Final Night at Birdland (Zoho Music, 2013)
The Offense of the Drum (Motema Music, 2014)
Cuba: The Conversation Continues (Motema Music, 2015)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
