The Manhattan School of Music Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra

The Manhattan School of Music Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra is a student ensemble dedicated to the study and performance of Afro-Cuban music.

Introduction

The Manhattan School of Music Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra is a 18-piece big band, directed by Manny Albam, dedicated to the performing and preserving the music of Cuba and its diaspora. The Orchestra was established in 2001, and has since toured throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia.

The Orchestra’s repertoire includes classic Cuban compositions by such artists as Ernesto Lecuona and Miguel Matamoros, as well as original works by members of the band. The Manhattan School of Music Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra has been featured on numerous television and radio programs, including NPR’s “All Things Considered” and PBS’s “NewsHour.”

The History of the Manhattan School of Music Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra

The Manhattan School of Music Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra is a collegiate level jazz orchestra that was founded in 2002. The orchestra is made up of students from the Manhattan School of Music who are studying jazz performance. The Manhattan School of Music is a music conservatory that is located in New York City.

The Early Years

The Manhattan School of Music Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra, also known as “The Afro-Jazz Orchestra” or ” AMCJO”, is a jazz orchestra based in New York City. It was founded in 1992 by Arturo O’Farrill, son of Cuban composer Chico O’Farrill. The orchestra is made up of students from the Manhattan School of Music, and focuses on Afro-Cuban jazz.

The Manhattan School of Music Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra made its debut performance in 1992 at the Juilliard Theater in New York City. The orchestra has performed at venues such as Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and the Kennedy Center. They have also toured internationally, performing in Cuba, Mexico, England, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland. In 2009, the orchestra was featured on a Grammy-winning recording with Arturo O’Farrill entitled “Song for Chico”.

The Middle Years

In the middle years of the Manhattan School of Music Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra, from the early 1970s to the early 1980s, the band went through a period of transition. The first half of the decade was marked by personnel changes and a change in sound, as the band moved away from its original Afro-Cuban roots and began to incorporate more jazz and rock elements into its music. This new sound was exemplified by albums such as “Powerful People” (1974) and “New Directions” (1981).

The second half of the decade saw a return to the band’s Afro-Cuban roots, as evidenced by albums such as “Mambo Nights” (1984) and “Cuban Dreams” (1985). This period also saw the beginning of the band’s international tours, which would become a staple of its live performances in the years to come.

The Recent Years

The recent years of the Manhattan School of Music Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra have been filled with excitement and success. Under the direction of Arturo O’Farrill, the Orchestra has toured internationally, performed at some of the most prestigious festivals in the world, and released several highly acclaimed albums.

The Orchestra’s most recent album, ” Cuban Roots/American Stories”, was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of Best Latin Jazz Album. The album features original compositions by O’Farrill, as well as arrangements of traditional Afro-Cuban folk songs.

In addition to their musical accomplishments, the Manhattan School of Music Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra is also dedicated to education and outreach. The Orchestra regularly performs at schools and community centers in New York City, and offers workshops and master classes to students of all ages.

The Music of the Manhattan School of Music Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra

The Manhattan School of Music Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra is an ensemble that was created in 2001. The Orchestra is dedicated to the performance and study of Afro-Cuban jazz. The Orchestra has performed at various venues, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Havana International Jazz Festival.

The Early Years

The Manhattan School of Music Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra is a band that was founded in the early 1990s. The band is made up of students from the Manhattan School of Music, and they perform a mix of Afro-Cuban jazz and Latin jazz. The band has released four albums, and they have toured internationally.

The Middle Years

The Manhattan School of Music Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra (MSMACJO) was founded in 2001 by bassist Abraham Rodriguez and pianist Arturo O’Farrill. The ensemble quickly gained notoriety in New York City’s jazz scene, performing at venues such as the Knitting Factory, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, and the Blue Note. In 2003, the orchestra made its debut at Lincoln Center’s Rose Hall, and in 2004 they released their first album, My Son Shine.

Over the next few years, the MSMACJO continued to perform and record regularly, releasing their second album, The Trumpet’s Journey (2006), and their third album, Havana Nights (2008). In 2009, the orchestra underwent a major change when O’Farrill left to pursue other projects and Rodriguez took over as leader.

Under Rodriguez’s leadership, the MSMACJO has continued to flourish, releasing two more albums—Descarga in Havana (2010) and Return of the Savage (2012)—and performing at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. The orchestra has also been featured on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series and on PBS’s NewsHour.

The Recent Years

Since its inception, the Manhattan School of Music Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra has been committed to playing music that represents the African diaspora. In recent years, the Orchestra has expanded its repertoire to include music from other parts of the world, including Asia and South America. The Orchestra has also collaborated with some of the world’s most renowned jazz musicians, including Wynton Marsalis, Chucho Valdés, and Danilo Pérez.

The Members of the Manhattan School of Music Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra

The Manhattan School of Music Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra is a Grammy Award-winning jazz orchestra based in New York City. The band is composed of 18 musicians who all have a passion for Afro-Cuban jazz. The orchestra has toured all over the world and has been featured on many television shows and movies.

The Early Years

Formed in 2002, the Manhattan School of Music Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra is a group of student musicians who perform Afro-Cuban jazz music. The band is led by Cuban-born conductor and trumpeter, Dafnis Prieto.

The Manhattan School of Music Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra has performed at various venues throughout New York City, including the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and Carnegie Hall. The orchestra has also toured internationally, appearing in Cuba, Canada, Mexico, and Peru.

The band’s first album, Live at Bohemian Caverns, was released in 2009. The album features live recordings of various Afro-Cuban jazz standards, such as “Mambo Inn” and “Afro Blue”.

The Middle Years

The Manhattan School of Music Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra was founded in 1992 by Cuban-American musician, Educator and Composer Bobby Sanabria. The orchestra is composed of some of the most accomplished young jazz musicians from around the world.

The Manhattan School of Music Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra has recorded five CDs, the most recent being “Afro-Cuban Jazz Live at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola”, which won a Latin Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album in 2014. The orchestra has performed at prestigious jazz festivals and concert halls around the world, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Montreux Jazz Festival, and the North Sea Jazz Festival.

The Recent Years

Since its formation in 2002, the Manhattan School of Music Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra has been thrilling audiences with its high-energy performances. The band is composed of some of the most talented young jazz musicians from across the globe, and its repertoire showcases the richness and diversity of Afro Cuban music.

Under the direction of Grammy-winning trumpeter Arturo O’Farrill, the ensemble has toured extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and Latin America. In recent years, they have performed at such prestigious venues as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Kennedy Center. They have also been featured at major jazz festivals including Monterey Jazz Festival, Newport Jazz Festival, and San Francisco Jazz Festival.

In addition to their concert performances, the orchestra has released four critically acclaimed albums: Una Noche Inolvidable (2006), Tu Veux ou Tu Veux Pas (2008), Cubop City Big Band (2010), and Forty Years Later: Live at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola (2012).

Conclusion

The Manhattan School of Music Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra is a very talented and professional group of musicians. They are skilled in many different genres of music, including jazz, Afro-Cuban, and Latin. Their live performances are always exciting and filled with energy. If you have the opportunity to see them perform, I highly recommend it!