The Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective

Description

The Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective 's (A.C.J.C.) upbeat music embraces traditional grooves from Puerto Rican and Cuban cultures, and expands their sonic palette by incorporating modern jazz language. The band's self-titled EP from 2019 has received airplay on radio stations around the country as well as in South America. Their new album, Fiesta at Caroga, is a live album of 6 original compositions by Jose Guzman and Brian Stark performed at the Caroga Lake Music Festival with a release date of Summer 2023. In anticipation of this new release, the band will be touring cities including Madison, WI at the North Street Cabaret, back to back shows in Chicago, IL, Evangeline's Bistro in St. Louis and Merriman's Playhouse among other commitments.

Work Sample

https://acjcmusic.com/press-kit

The submitted work sample is access to our E.P.K. which features our newest live album, Fiesta at Caroga, set for release in August. It was recorded at the Caroga Lake Music Festival 2020, engineered by Geoff Saunders and co-produced with the Caroga Arts Collective. Fiesta at Caroga (runtime 45 minutes) liner notes. Each track tells a story that pays homage to salsa musical forms such as Descarga 2, Xipirona Cha-Cha, and the highly energetic tune El Volcan. El Cañaveral explores the mysterious atmosphere of the coastal sugar cane fields by using a bembe groove, sparse percussion in the introduction, slow melodic development, and improvisation. The Caroga Arts String Orchestra joins the group for the last two tracks of the album. Cariño is a slow bolero that speaks about trying to find joy after sorrow and the album closes with Baile Bailekita, a high energetic tribute to Champaign West African Dance teacher Bailekita. You can also find press clippings, photos, videos, previous albums of the band and up to date show listings.

The work sample that I submitted represents five years of rehearsals, live performances, studio recordings, and marketing skills that have made it possible for me to share my art - my sonic memories, with the audience.

History

The Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective was created by Jose Guzman during his graduate studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2017. The band performed regularly in several music venues around Central Illinois and has established itself as a top Latin jazz act in the area. In 2020, Guzman was awarded the Urbana Arts Grant for the opportunity to pen new compositions using several Afro-Cuban and Puerto Rican rhythms. The compositions were presented at the 2020 CU Jazz Fest and at the Caroga Lake Music Festival in 2022. The group is celebrating its fifth year performing in Central Illinois and looking to grow in 2023 with the release and touring support of our full album, Fiesta at Caroga in the Summer. Their self-titled EP (2019) has received airplay on radio stations around the country as well as in South America. "Maria Cervantes" has been included in playlists such as the Solar Latin Club from Colombia and was a semi-finalist on the Unsigned Only Music Competition 2020.

Artistic Vision

This group melds modern jazz harmonies found in artists like Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers with the poly rhythmic energy of the cultures of Puerto Rico and Cuba. My authentic stamp on this Latin jazz ensemble is the use of my guitar and compositional skills to engage with the listener in a new way. My compositions tend to be a reflection of my memories of listening to salsa music while I was growing up in Puerto Rico, placed on a musical canvas.

Programs for Specific Audience(s) Expertise

We offer masterclasses for students and music lovers. The group's mission is to share music from the African diaspora in Puerto Rico and Cuba through performances and education. Among lecture topics is the history of Latin jazz, history of Puerto Rican folklore, evolution of salsa bands, and writing for Latin band ensembles (small and big).

Traditional Folk/Ethnic Artform Statement

Although not traditional, my group uses an instrumentation similar to salsa and son montunos groups. These groups are important in the development of culture and identity in the Caribbean as an example of synchronicity between West African percussion with Western harmonies.