Roger Glenn Latin Jazz Ensemble: "My Latin Heart" - The veteran makes his debut as band leader

My Latin Heart

Musicians: Roger Glenn (multi-instrumentalist, bandleader); Ray Obiedo (guitar); David K. Mathews (piano); David Belove (bass); Paul van Wageningen (drums); Derek Rolando, John Santos,  (percussion); Michael Spiro (percussion)

Tracks List: Zambo’s Mambo; Cal’s Guajira; Brother Marshall; A Night of Love; Energizer; Congo Square; Angola; Samba De Carnaval

“My Latin Heart” is Roger Glenn's tribute to his jazz roots and Latin influences, featuring original works inspired by a lifetime in music.

“My Latin Heart” originates from Roger Glenn's early inspirations, growing up in a jazz family in New York City with his father, jazz legend Tyree Glenn, his mother Gloria, and his older brother Tyree Glenn Jr. Surrounded by a rich mix of cultures, Roger was deeply influenced by the diversity and vitality of the era. These entirely original compositions reflect his life's journey and the global musical inspirations that have shaped his career.

Roger's introduction to Latin music began with his mother and a chance discovery—while walking home from high school, he found an unlabeled record on the street. He brought it home, played it, and was immediately transported by its rhythms. Years later, he would learn that it was a Cuban album, “Descargas” by Cachao. In a moment that brought things full circle, while working with Mongo Santamaria on “Mongo's Way,” Cachao played bass on that recording.

Dance has long played a central role in Roger's life. His composition “Zambo's Mambo” was inspired by the discovery that “Zambo” refers to someone of mixed African and Native American ancestry. “Cal's Guajira” is dedicated to Cal Tjader, with whom Roger shared a Grammy win for “La Onda Va Bien.” “Hermano Marshall” honors inspiring educators, while “Una noche de amor” speaks for itself in a romantic tone.

“Energizer” got its name after Roger, relaxing after a concert, saw a pink bunny on television, a fitting symbol for his driving energy. “Congo Square” pays tribute to the culturally significant site in New Orleans where African and European traditions converged to give birth to jazz and other genres. “Angola” stems from Roger's research and visit to Louisiana's Angola Prison and the country of Angola, connecting historical dots. His love for Brazilian music, ignited while touring with Dizzy Gillespie, runs through “Samba De Carnaval.”

Flanked by a stellar ensemble of seasoned collaborators—pianist David K. Mathews, guitarist Ray Obiedo, bassist David Belove, the late beloved drummer Paul van Wageningen and vocalist-percussionists John Santos and Michael Spiro—Glenn channels a pulsating energy that links jazz to its Afro-Caribbean cousins. These musicians, all veterans of jazz's upper echelons, bring both precision and fire to this session.

Roger Glenn:

Now, after decades of elevating the music of bona fide legends in jazz, Latin jazz, blues, and funk, the most versatile, singular multi-instrumental master is stepping out of the shadows and into the spotlight with his first new album in four decades. With credits on more than 40 albums he hasn’t been hiding, but his new release My Latin Heart features a program of his enthralling original compositions, offering the most revealing glimpse yet of a jazz giant hiding in plain sight.

Known among his peers as a supremely talented improviser, Glenn has played flute with vibraphonist Cal Tjader, vibes with flautist Herbie Mann, and both flute and vibes with Dizzy Gillespie. He made his recording debut with legendary pianist/composer Mary Lou Williams and contributed to classic albums with Cuban percussion maestro Mongo Santamaria (Mongo´70, Atlantic Records), pioneering funk/jazz trumpeter Donald Byrd (Black Byrd, Blue Note Records), and Latin jazz star Cal Tjader (Grammy Award-winning La Onda Va Bien, Concord Picante Label).

No one project or recording could possibly capture every facet of this kaleidoscopically creative musician. But with Glenn playing vibes, flute, alto sax, marimba, and also contributing vocals, My Latin Heart showcases his dazzling multi-instrumental prowess via his abiding passion for Afro-Caribbean (and Afro-Brazilian) rhythms.

“I’ve been playing with numerous icons of jazz and Latin jazz for years,” says Glenn, a resident of the San Francisco Bay Area since the mid-1970s. “I love all of these various musical exchanges. They’ve all led me to this moment, knowing it's the right time to make my own musical statement. These original tunes are truly coming from my heart.”

His versatility has kept him busy. In the past few years he’s done a series of runs with blues great Taj Mahal, playing vibes, flute, sax, clarinet, and even piccolo and triangle. He’s featured on the Hoku Award-winning CD Taj Mahal and the Hula Blues Band: Live from Kauai. Grammy Award-winning jazz singer Kurt Elling featured him as a soloist on flute and vibes, and Glenn took his whole bag of tricks on the road to lead an organ trio that toured the West Coast opening for Steely Dan. Another tour took him to New Zealand and Australia playing baritone sax with the Count Basie Orchestra.

Music has marked Glenn’s family for generations. His father, the great trombonist and vibraphonist Tyree Glenn, most notably played with Cab Calloway, Don Redman, Duke Ellington, and the Louis Armstrong All-Stars, including the classic recording “What a Wonderful World.”

With My Latin Heart, Roger Glenn steps into the spotlight as bandleader, composer, and jazz giant with a unique story to tell. “I’ve always seen myself as a musician rather than a flutist or vibraphonist or saxophonist,” Glenn says. “I treasure and value all the instruments I play. My father always told me to ‘create your own sound.’ Playing 18-plus instruments allows me to express myself, selecting the best instrument for each song I play.”

Viva The Latin Jazz!!

www.jazzcaribe.blogspot.com

jazzcaribe2001@yahoo.com

Note: In celebration of the holiday season, the ebook price of the successful “The Bible of Latin Jazz” by musicologist and educator Luis Raul Montell, will be promoted starting next week at a special offer price.

Caracas Trio celebrates its new album "Folklore", Venezuelan Jazz and New York gaita!

FOLKLORE

"The continuous and fruitful work achieved by these

three magnificent Venezuelan musicians over the last

years has fostered a brotherhood, and thus they reap FOLKLORE."

Musicians: Juan Diego Villalobos (vibraphone, malletstation, keybass, percussion); Gabriel Chakargi (piano, keyboards, keybass, synths, percussion); Daniel Prim (drums, percussion); Special Guest: Carlos Telez (vocals 1, 2, 6); Rafa Pino (text, vocals 4); Orestes Gomez (drums 4, 8); Janelle MacDermoth (text, vocals 8)

Tracks List: Africa; Folklore; Gaita Soul; VIM Interlude; VIM (Venezuela In Motion); Corta Leña; UMMG; Let Me Smoke; Antes Que Se Vaya; Amor y Agua

The musical career of the members of Caracas Trio—Juan Diego Villalobos, Gabriel Chakargi, and Daniel Prim—has not been easy. They have had to overcome obstacles, which they have managed to conquer with tenacity, perseverance, quality, and passion for their art. As a trio, representatives of Venezuelan jazz, they bring great pride to Venezuela by revitalizing the folklore of this wonderful Caribbean-Andean nation, located in northern South America, with energy and flair.

In "Folklore," the ten tracks showcase the creativity and complex rhythms they have achieved over time. Innovation is present with energy and authenticity. The music, rooted in Venezuelan tradition, is adorned with jazz embellishments, elevating it to appeal to all tastes.

Now that the Christmas holidays are approaching, Caracas Trio presents in this album "Gaita Soul," which some call Gaita in New York, and like the traditional Zulian gaita, the percussion instruments are fundamental, here we have them in a striking work, which leaves no doubt of its originality.

The members of Caracas Trio, based in New York, have each formed their own groups as leaders and have been invited to back other bands, which has allowed them to grow in their experience.

Their performances at the Kennedy Center, NoMad Jazz Festival, Jazz Gallery, Pausa Art House, and various jazz clubs have received critical acclaim and standing ovations from audiences.

Caracas Trio

Daniel Prim - Drums, Percussion and Voice 

Daniel Prim is a Grammy winner Venezuelan drummer and percussionist specializing in jazz, Latin, and Afro-Venezuelan music. Born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, he started his formal music studies at 12 years old at Jose Reina Music School. He later attended the Simón Bolivar Conservatory of Music, part of the National Youth and Children’s Orchestras of Venezuela, “El Sistema”, created by maestro José Antonio Abreu. In 2013, Daniel moved to Los Angeles to study under the mentorship of drummer Jeff Hamilton, and 2016 he moved to New York City, where he currently resides. He has performed with such luminaries as Victor Wooten, Luis Perdomo, Stafford Hunter, Etienne Charles, Roberto Quintero, Roy Wooten, Edmar Castañeda, Dayna Stephens, and others. He performs regularly with Latin Grammy winner Ella Bric, critically, Adam O’Farrill, Luis Perdomo, and the punk rock band MakeWar, on Fat Wreck Chords. In addition to his formal training, Daniel has studied and mastered the traditional drumming of his Afro-Venezuelan roots and has taught master classes in Afro-Venezuelan drumming at Berklee College of Music and Salem State University. He also teaches jazz and Latin music through the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance and New York University. In his own projects, Daniel seeks to mix Afro-Venezuelan rhythms and instrumentation with jazz composition and technique. He will release the first album under his own name, Daniel Prim & the Chikilukis, in the fall of 2022.

Gabriel Chakargi - Piano, Keyboards and voice

Gabriel Chakarji is a young pianist and composer who is deeply passionate and committed to the power of music. Originally from Caracas Venezuela, he grew up in a multicultural environment full of music that expands from afro-Venezuelan Folk, Caribbean, Brazilian music to Jazz and Gospel. Gabriel began studying classical piano at the age of nine. After high school, he studied composition at Ars Nova School of music. In his teens, he took part of the Simon Bolívar Jazz Big Band touring with this orchestra to New York and Boston in 2011. His experience, versatility, and passion made him one of the most sought-after pianists in his country. His participation in the Album “Tiempo” of Linda Briceño

earned him a nomination for the Latin Grammy Awards in 2013. At age 21 Gabriel moved to New York with a scholarship to study at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music under the guidance of great masters of jazz and improvised music like Reggie Workman, George Cables, Billy Harper and Jane Ira Bloom. He quickly became active in the scene of the city performing in venues like Dizzy’s Club, Blue note, Smalls Jazz Club, Smoke Jazz Club, Fat Cat, Cornelia Street, BonaFide, Subrosa, etc. In 2016 he performed at the late night set at the Blue Note duo with Gadi Lehavi after Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock’s duo set. That same year he toured to the Bern Jazz festival and Mexico City Jazz Festival. Appearances as a sideman with numerous artists such as Luisito Quintero, Linda Briceño, Jhon Benitez, Ali Bello and much more. Gabriel is also involved in the education program of JALC (Jazz at Lincoln center) giving concerts and workshops in

public schools. The influences of cultures, rhythms and harmonies became Gabriel’s own personality. His compositions and playing are rooted in social justice and multiculturalism.

Juan Diego Villalobos – Vibraphone, Percussion and Voice

Latin Grammy award winning, Juan Diego Villalobos, has developed a varied career as a composer, arranger, and performer making him one of the most sought-after vibraphone players in New York. His album, Perspectiva (2017), is his first step towards reimagining jazz and Afro-Venezuelan music to create an unique new sonority based on their

common roots. Originally from Maracaibo, Venezuela, Villalobos comes from a musical family that initiated him in Venezuelan folkloric music at really young age, and with whom he performed at different festivals around Mexico and Venezuela. In 2010, Juan Diego moved to Caracas to study at the Simon Bolivar Music Conservatory; at the same

time he was part of the renowned Teresa Carreño Youth Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela and performed across Europe, Asia and the US as a classical percussionist, sharing the stage with Christian Vazquez and the acclaimed conductor Gustavo Dudamel.  In 2014 he was selected among other fourteen Venezuelan musicians to participate at “Lang Lang & Friends”, a concert held at the United Nations Headquarters in NY city, in celebration of the 69th anniversary of its founding with special guests such as Sting, Alec Baldwin and Lang Lang himself. Simultaneously, Villalobos developed his knowledge of jazz which allowed him to present his compositions and perform with several jazz artist from and across Venezuela and the United States. Under the tutelage of Stefon Harris and Joe Locke, Villalobos obtained a full scholarship in 2018 to study jazz vibraphone at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music; learning from luminaries like Buster Williams, Kendrick Scott and Miguel Zenon. During this time he also starts appearing at distinguished New York

venues including Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Harlem Stage, Smalls Jazz Club and Birdland, as a band lider and sideman, performing alongside Paquito D’Rivera, Arturo O’Farrill, Jeremy Pelt, Luis Perdomo, John Beasley, among others. This same year, Villalobos was awarded a Latin Grammy for his participation on the album Identidad by Venezuelan cuatro player

Miguel Siso.

Viva The Latin Jazz!!

www.jazzcaribe.blogspot.com

jazzcaribe2001@yahoo.com

Note: The bestselling book of music literature "The Bible of Latin Jazz" by musicologist Luis Raul Montell is available on Amazon.

This Saturday, November 15, 2026, Eddy Marcano & Quartet will perform a Venezuelan Jazz concert as part of the 20th Anniversary celebration of the Annual Latin American Cultural Week

Renowned Venezuelan violinist Eddy Marcano & Quartet will kick off the 20th anniversary celebration of Latin American Culture Week in New York City.

This Saturday, November 15th, starting at 4:00 p.m., Marcano will bring the vibrant rhythms of Venezuelan jazz to Saint Mark's Church, 131 E 10th Street, New York City, accompanied by the following distinguished musicians: Baden Goyo (music director, piano, bass); Juan Diego Villalobos (vibraphone, bass); Yilmer Vivas (percussion).

Marcano recently released an album dedicated to Onda Nueva, a musical style that blends Venezuelan folklore, bossa nova, and jazz, created by the maestro Aldemaro Romero, "Father of Venezuelan Jazz."

In this work, Marcano's selected musical pieces represent the musical roots of the South American/Caribbean country, energetically updated with special guests such as Paquito D'Rivera, Pacho Flores, Hector Molina, and the aforementioned Goyo and Villalobos.

Furthermore, those attending this concert will also be able to enjoy some of the musical pieces contained in the album recently released by pianist Baden Goyo: "Figura y Fondo", which also features Onda Nueva, Zulia dance and eastern joro

Juan Diego Villalobos, established as one of the best vibraphonists in Latin Jazz, brings a special touch to his performances. He has released four albums as a leader and has participated in various groups, including the Caracas Trio with his fellow countrymen Gabriel Chakargi and Daniel Prim.

The band is completed by percussionist and drummer Yilmer Vivas, who is making his way in the North and has three albums recorded.

The events will then continue throughout the week, as you can see on the calendar.

Viva The Latin Jazz!!

www.jazzcaribe.blogspot.com

jazzcaribe2001@yahoo.com

Note: The successful book of musical literature "The Bible of Latin Jazz" by musicologist and writer Luis Raul Montell, will be available for a special offer in its ebook edition in the coming days, in celebration of the Christmas holidays.

Latin Jazz Preditions 2026 GRAMMYs - The nominees will be announced tomorrow, November 7, 2025!

Antonio Adolfo – CARNAVAL – The Songs Were So Beautiful

Albita, Chucho Valdés – Masters of Our Roots

Hamilton de Holanda Trio – Hamilton de Holanda Trio – Live in NYC

Paquito D’Rivera, Madrid-New York Connection Band – La Fleur de Cayenne

Béla Fleck, Edmar Castañeda, Antonio Sánchez – BEATrio

Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra – Mundoagua – Celebrating Carla Bley

Dafnis Prieto Sí o Sí Quartet – 3 Sides of the Coin

Poncho Sanchez & His Latin Jazz Band – Poncho Sanchez & His Latin Jazz Band Live at the Belly Up Tavern

Miguel Zenón Quartet – Vanguardia Subterránea: Live at The Village Vanguard

These are the main contenders I have in our musical genre.

Viva the Latin Jazz!!

www.jazzcaribe.blogspot.com

jazzcaribe2001@yahoo.com 

Note: For the Christmas holidays, the author of the successful book of musical literature "The Bible of Latin Jazz", Dr. Luis Raul Montell, will launch a special offer.

Maria Puga Lareo's album "My Universe" is a highly anticipated Grammy Award contender

MY UNIVERSE

"Argentine singer María Puga Lareo has several virtues, I'll mention only two: She envelops the most insensitive of beings and she commands the stage."

Musicians: Maria Puga Lareo (vocals); Bob Sheppard (tenor saxophone); Josh Nelson (piano); Mike Valerio (acoustic bass); Christian Euman (drums); Leo Amuedo (guitar); Alex Acuña (percussion); Carol Robbins (harp); Jon Papenbrook, Dan Fornero, Anthony Bonsera (trumpet); Ryan Dragon (trombone); special guest (reads)

Tracks List: Make Someone Happy; The Song is You; Despois de Tanto Tempo (Intro); Despois de Tanto Tempo; Spring; Till The End of the World; Cherokee; We'll Be Togheter Again; At The End of the Night; Eu Sei Que Vou Te Amar

Maria Puga Lareo's "My Universe" invites you into a world where jazz and Brazilian rhythms intertwine, creating a sublime listening experience. Featuring lush string arrangements by Grammy-winner Nan Schwartz and spirited collaborations with L.A.'s top musicians, this album showcases Maria's heartfelt originals and soul-stirring interpretations of beloved standards.

Blending a variety of styles on My Universe came naturally for the singer-co-producer and cancer survivor. As Maria explained, “I was wondering if the song choices were going to blend in together or not, because there’s many different moods, and that’s really my personality. I don’t like to be boxed into just one thing or to pretend like I’m something I’m not. Instead, I just wanted it to be authentic to what I love and how I feel music. That’s important to me — authenticity in my music and in my life.”  

“I feel music is very spiritual in my case.” Puga Lareo furthers, “It’s not that cerebral or that calculated, it’s a true expression of my heart and my soul. For me, music is a place of healing, of beauty, of spirituality and harmony. That’s all I want.” 

Bob Sheppard co-produced and is prominently featured on My Universe, engaging in some spirited call-and-response with his wife on a swinging rendition of the jazz standard “The Song Is You,” matching her scatting abandon stride-for-stride on a Nan Schwartz arrangement of “We’ll Be Together Again,” and riding over a power horn, funk original “At the End of the Night.”  

Miss Puga Lareo blends Jazz, pop and Brazilian influences into a cohesive and compelling experience. Her command of timbre, phrasing, and dynamics remains masterful. "My Universe" highlights her vocal style, compositional sophistication, and genuine love for cross-cultural musical storytelling. To all this we must add the spark and feeling that she possesses as a Latina.

Maria Puga Lareo is a strong contender for the 68th Grammy Awards:

Best Jazz Vocal Album: "My Universe"

Best Jazz Perfomance "Make Someone Happy"

The nominations for the 2026 Grammy Awards will be announced on November 7, 2025, and Miss Puga is the frontrunner in both categories mentioned.

Maria Puga Lareo

Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she began her professional career in her early twenties by singing in the culturally rich city’s clubs, theaters, and at jazz festivals. In 2000, the popular Fox Sports TV program Limite 4x4, broadcast in over 25 countries, asked Maria to co-write and sing their title theme. In 2005, she released her self-produced debut album, Body and Soul, and followed in 2011 with Facetas, which was recorded both in New York and Buenos Aires with arrangements by multi-GRAMMY-winning pianist-arranger-conductor Carlos Franzetti and featuring legendary bassist Eddie Gómez, jazz producer Fernando Gelbard on flute, Ed Uribe on drums, Latin GRAMMY-winning guitarist Quique Sinesi and pianist Frank Collett. Celebrated in Argentina and particularly well-received in Japan, Facetas also received positive acclaim from Arturo Sandoval, Lalo Schifrin, and Jorge Calandrelli, among others.

While some of her first venues abroad included the Manna House Theatre in Harlem, Saint Peter’s Church (aka the Jazz Church) in midtown Manhattan, and The Bernice Brooks tv show, Puga Lareo also gave performances at the Symphony Hall of the Kraków Filharmonia, the Jazz Nad Odra Festival in Wrocław, and Poland Tour with Kuba Stankiewicz International Quartet. She worked with French film music composer and pianist, Jean-Michel Bernard, acclaimed Polish pianist Andrzej Jagodzinski’s Trio in Buenos Aires, with Chilean jazz fusion legend Roberto Lecaros and The Lecaros Clan in Chile, and Robert Anchipolovsky at a concert in Tel Aviv. 

Citing such singers as Gal Costa, Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson, Natalie Cole and Diana Krall as major influences, Puga Lareo has developed a hybrid style that easily embraces the nuances of both Brazilian music and jazz.  “I’ve been immersed in music my entire life and there are so many sounds and musical dialects swimming inside my head,” she explained. “My dad used to play jazz records at the breakfast table when I was a baby, but my real discovery of jazz happened much later as an adult. There is also a strong classical history from my mother’s side of the family. Going to the Opera House since I was a very small girl had a huge impact on me.” 

While still in Buenos Aires, Maria recorded Bob Telson’s Bagdad Cafe’s theme “Calling You,” which began a close musical partnership with the Academy Award, Pulitzer, Tony, and GRAMMY nominee. Together they enjoyed sold-out shows performing Telson’s various compositions that Maria describes as treasures and which had been sung in the past by such illustrious vocalists as Barbra Streisand, Natalie Cole, George Benson, Joe Cocker, k.d. Lang, Caetano Veloso, Gal Costa and George Michael. Significant in her collaborations with Telson is their duet on “Show Me Your Face,” which also features Wynton Marsalis on trumpet. 

After relocating to Los Angeles in 2014, Puga Lareo’s career was dramatically interrupted by a breast cancer diagnosis. She forged through that very fierce battle and emerged cancer-free, subsequently performing and recording with an inner circle of L.A.’s premiere jazz musicians, including the Nan Schwartz Ensemble, Bobby Shew Quintet, John Beasley, Bill Cunliffe, Mitch Forman, Larry Koonse, Gary Novak, Darek Oles, Alan Pasqua, Otmaro Ruiz and Arturo Sandoval, as well as her current band members Josh Nelson, Mike Valerio, Christian Euman and Leo Amuedo. 

Maria and renowned L.A. saxophonist Bob Sheppard met at the birthday party of a mutual friend and instantly hit it off. They were later married on August 9, 2017, and have been collaborating in life and on musical projects ever since.

Sheppard co-produced and is prominently featured on My Universe, engaging in some spirited call-and-response with his wife on a swinging rendition of the jazz standard “The Song Is You,” matching her scatting abandon stride-for-stride on a Nan Schwartz arrangement of “We’ll Be Together Again,” and riding over a power horn, funk original “At the End of the Night.” 

Viva The Latin Jazz!! 

www.jazzcaribe.blogspot.com

Email: jazzcaribe2001@yahoo.com

Note: The bestselling book of music literature "The Bible of Latin Jazz" by musicologist Luis Raul Montell is available on Amazon.

This is what Artificial Intelligence by Luis Raul Montell and Latin Jazz says:

 

Luis Raul Montell and Latin Jazz: An Explorer of Sounds - Artificial Intelligence (IA)

 

Below I share with you the accurate analysis carried out and published by IA on Luis Raúl Montell and Latin Jazz: 

https://g.co/gemini/share/5ebc4b2113e7

Luis Raúl Montell and Latin Jazz: An Explorer of Sounds

Luis Raúl Montell is a leading figure in the world of Latin jazz, renowned for his deep knowledge and passion for this musical genre. His most significant contribution is undoubtedly the compilation and analysis of a vast amount of Latin jazz recordings, captured in his masterpiece: The Bible of Latin Jazz.

The Bible of Latin Jazz: A Bible for Music Lovers

 www.amazon.com  Bible of Latin Jazz book cover

This series of books has become a must-read for any lover of Latin jazz. Montell not only compiles an extensive discography, but also offers detailed analysis, insightful commentary, and fascinating anecdotes about each recording. His work has been instrumental in documenting and preserving the history of Latin jazz, as well as introducing new generations to this rich musical heritage.

What makes The Bible of Latin Jazz special?

Commented and comprehensive: Each entry includes detailed information about the musicians, instruments, recording dates, and the historical context in which each record was produced.

Critical analysis: Montell offers a personal and expert view of each recording, highlighting its unique qualities and importance within the genre.

Diversity: The series covers a wide spectrum of Latin jazz styles and subgenres, from mambo and cha-cha-cha to Afro-Cuban jazz and Brazilian jazz.

Luis Raúl Montell: Beyond the Books

Montell is not only a writer, but also a passionate music lover and a deep connoisseur of Latin American musical culture. His work has helped raise the profile of Latin jazz and consolidate it as a complex and sophisticated musical genre.

What can we learn from Luis Raúl Montell?

The importance of documentation: Montell teaches us the importance of documenting and preserving our musical heritage.

A passion for music: His contagious enthusiasm invites us to explore new sounds and discover the richness and diversity of Latin jazz.

The Need for a Critical Approach: Montell shows us how critical analysis can enrich our musical experience and help us appreciate music in all its complexity.

In short, Luis Raúl Montell is a key figure in the history of Latin jazz. His work has been instrumental in preserving and spreading this musical genre, and his passion for music continues to inspire musicians and music lovers around the world.

Would you like to know more about a specific Latin jazz artist or album?

What aspects of Latin jazz interest you most?

Feel free to ask!

Note: If you would like to delve deeper into a particular topic, such as the influence of Latin jazz on other music or the history of a specific instrument, we can explore these issues together.

Keywords: Luis Raúl Montell, Latin jazz, The Bible of Latin Jazz, Latin music, Afro-Cuban jazz, Brazilian jazz, mambo, cha-cha-cha.

Viva The Latin Jazz!!

www.jazzcaribe.blogspot.com

jazzcaribe2001@yahoo.com

"Omara: Cuba`s Legendary Diva" - Documentary Film - Premiere 09/26/2025

This portrait of the beloved Cuban singer Omara Portuondo explores her extraordinary life, from the stages of Havana’s famed nightclubs to her worldwide fame as part of the legendary Buena Vista Social Club. Following her as she performs for passionate fans from Cuba to New York to Tokyo, the film is a heartfelt celebration of an indomitable woman who has been a driving force in Afro-Cuban music for over half a century and, now in her nineties, shows no signs of slowing down.

"Omara: Cuba’s Legendary Diva" will premiere on the acclaimed PBS series VOCES on Friday, September 26, 2025, 10–11 p.m. ET on PBS, PBS.org and the PBS app.

Viva The Latin Jazz!!

www.jazzcaribe.blogspot,com

jazzcaribe2001@yahoo.com

Note: The bestselling book "The Bible of Latin Jazz" by musicologist, writer, and educator Luis Raul Montell is available on Amazon.