THE LATIN GIANTS OF JAZZ (LATIN JAZZ BAND)

Jose Madera - Music Director Born in New York City to Jose "Pin" Madera, who was the first arranger for the Machito Orchestra. Jose started playing timbales with machito as a teenager and went on to become Tito Puente’s Conguero for 30 years. He was the musical director for the Tito Puente Orchestra for the last ten years and was also a staff arranger at the legendary fania records since the 1970’s.

Stew Jackson - CEO Stew Jackson is a professional musician and has appeared with a vast majority of the top stars of the music industry. He is currently the director and CEO of the world famous Woody Herman Orchestra and The Latin Giants of Jazz.

Mitch Frohman - Road Manager Grew up in the Bronx. For over 25 years he was the sax and flute soloist with the Tito Puente Orchestra and Latin/Jazz Ensemble. He has played and recorded with all of the top artists in this music such as mongo santamaria, celia cruz, eddie Palmieri and the Spanish Harlem Orchestra. He is the saxophone soloist on the theme song of HBO’s mega hit “Sex and the City”

Johnny Rodriguez , JR. - Executive Director His father was the respected Latin musician, Johnny Rodriguez. He started as a teenager with Tito Rodriguez. Johnny earned a spot playing bongos in the Tito Puente Band for 27 years. That was the beginning of a life long association with the man acknowledged as the king of Latin music.

Mario Rivera He has been recognized as a Jazz Musician by some of the most prominent performers of his time. Titans such as Thelonious Monk, Dexter Gordon, sonny Stitt and George coleman have distinguished him. The late Dizzy Gillespie presented him with one of his trademark trumpets. Mario has learned to play twenty different instruments and remains very active in both the jazz and Latin jazz circuits. For 40 years he has been associateed with Tito Puente, Tito Rodriguez and Machito.

Oscar Hernandez Has long been considered one of the most gifted and prominent pianist/arrangers on the contemporary Latin, Latin-Jazz and Salsa music scene. Oscar is the Pianist on HBO’s hit “Sex and the City” theme song. He was the musical director of the Ruben Blades Orchestra and currently leads the Spanish Harlem Orchestra

Lewis Kahn Based in New York City, he has been working as a trombonist and violinist since the late sixties. After studying at the Eastman and Juilliard Schools of Music, he went on to perform worldwide in a wide variety of musical styles. Lewis was a member of Tito Puentes' last working ensemble for 7 years and was an original member of the Fania All-Stars.

Bobby Porcelli Worked with many Latin bands such as Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria and the Duke Pearson Big Band to name a few. He also recorded with Machito, George Benson and Eddie Palmieri. Bobby also has two records under his name in Italy. Bobby was a steady member of Tito Rodriguez, Machito and of course Tito Puente Orchestras.

Ray de la Paz One of the greatest Latino vocalists who has worked with Ray Barretto, Louie Ramirez and many others. He beautifully recreates the sounds of Tito Rodriguez, Machito and Santos Colon. Enrique Fernandez Formerly worked with Mario Bauza, Chico O’Farrill, Machito and the Tito Puente Orchestra.

Gerarado Madera Played with Machito and the Tito Puente Orchestra

Raul Agraz Previously played with Eddie Palmieri, Mark Anthony and the Tito Puente Orchestra

Pete Nater Formerly played with Larry Harlow and the Tito Puente Orchestra

George Delgado Has worked with Eddie palmieri and the Tito Puente Orchestra.

Dan Reagan Previously played with Mark Anthony, Chico O’Farrill and the Tito Puente Orchestra

Noah Bless Played with Ray Pacheco, Larry Harlow and the Tito Puente Orchestra

Pete Miranda Formerly worked with Chico O’Farill, Machito and the Tito Puente Orchestra

Reynaldo Jorge A Fania All-Star who has played with Eddie Palmieri, Ray Barretto and the Tito Puente Orchestra for 7 years.

John Walsh Has played on the Latin scene for years and the Tito Puente Orchestra for 7 years

Richie Viruet (right) Great Trumpet player who has worked with Larry Harlow

VIDEOS

THE LATIN GIANTS OF JAZZ - REHEARSAL TUNE1

THE LATIN GIANTS OF JAZZ - REHEARSAL TUNE2

THE LATIN GIANTS OF JAZZ - REHEARSAL TUNE3

more videos

THE LATIN GIANTS OF JAZZ - TRIP TO MAMBOLAND (2007)

Raul Agraz Trumpet
John Walsh Trumpet
Pete Nater Trumpet
Richie Viruet Trumpet
Sam Burtis Trombone
Reynaldo Jorge Trombone
Joe Fieldler Trombone
Noah Bless Trombone
Bobby Porcelli Sax
Todd Bashore Sax
Mitch Frohman, Mario Rivera Sax
Peter Brainin, Pete Miranda Sax
George Delgado Congas
Sonny Bravo Piano
Gerardo Madera Bass
John Rodriguez Jr. Bongo y percussion
Jose Madera Timbales, musical director and conductor
Frankie Vazquez Vocals
Cita Rodriguez, Willie Ruiz, Willie Martinez, Willie Torres Replaces Willie Martinez On Tracks 1, 9 & 12
Randy Brecker Performs on "Alex Mambo"
THE LATIN GIANTS OF JAZZ - TRIP TO MAMBOLAND (2007)