Caribbean Jazz Project was a

Latin jazz Latin jazz is a genre of jazz with Latin American rhythms. The two main categories are Afro-Cuban jazz, rhythmically based on Cuban popular dance music, with a rhythm section employing ostinato patterns or a clave (rhythm), clave, and Afro-Brazil ...

band founded in 1993. The original group featured

Dave Samuels David Alan Samuels (October 9, 1948 – April 22, 2019) was an American vibraphone and marimba player who spent many years with the contemporary jazz group Spyro Gyra. His recordings and live performances during that period also reflect his pr ...

, Paquito D'Rivera, and Andy Narell. After their second album, D'Rivera and Narell left the group, although both returned as guest stars. Under Samuels' leadership, the group explored different genres of latin jazz with a changing membership and numerous guest artists. The band released nine albums under the Caribbean Jazz Project name and one as the featured backing band for jazz singer

Diane Schuur Diane Joan Schuur (born December 10, 1953), nicknamed "Deedles", is an American jazz singer and pianist. As of 2015, Schuur had released 23 albums, and had extended her jazz repertoire to include essences of Latin, gospel, pop and country music ...

. The final album with Samuels, ''Afro Bop Alliance'', featured the Maryland-based Afro Bop Alliance Big Band led by drummer Joe McCarthy and won the 2008

Latin Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album The Latin Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz/Jazz Album is an honor presented annually at the Latin Grammy Awards, a ceremony that recognizes excellence and creates a wider awareness of cultural diversity and contributions of Latin recording artis ...

. McCarthy's latin jazz big band continues to record under its own name, and Samuels retains the group's name.

Discography

* ''The Caribbean Jazz Project'' (Heads Up, 1995) * ''Island Stories'' with Paquito D'Rivera (Heads Up, 1997) * ''New Horizons'' (Concord Picante, 2000) * ''Paraiso'' with Dave Samuels, Dave Valentin, Steve Khan (Concord, 2001) * '' The Gathering'' (Concord Picante, 2002) * ''Birds of a Feather'' with Dave Samuels (Concord Picante, 2003) * ''Schuur Fire'', Diane Schuur with Caribbean Jazz Project (Concord Picante 2005) * ''Here and Now: Live in Concert'' (Concord 2005) * ''Mosaic'' with Dave Samuels (Concord Picante, 2006) * ''Afro Bop Alliance'' with Dave Samuels (Heads Up, 2008)

Members

''Sources:'' * Oscar Feldman - alto and soprano saxophone * Andy Axelrad – alto saxophone * John Benitez – bass *

Randy Brecker Randal Edward Brecker (born November 27, 1945) is an American trumpeter, flugelhornist, and composer. His versatility has made him a popular studio musician who has recorded with acts in jazz, rock, and R&B. Early life Brecker was born on N ...

– trumpet *

Café A coffeehouse, coffee shop, or café is an establishment that primarily serves coffee of various types, notably espresso, latte, and cappuccino. Some coffeehouses may serve cold drinks, such as iced coffee and iced tea, as well as other non-ca ...

– percussion *

Caridad Canelon Caridad () is a municipality in the Honduran department of Valle. It is located close to the Salvadoran border. Demographics At the time of the 2013 Honduras census, Caridad municipality had a population of 3,927. Of these, 99.95% were Mest ...

– backing vocals * Oscar Castro-Neves – guitar *

Luis Conte Luis Conte (born 16 November 1954) is a Cuban percussionist best-known for his performances in the bands of artists including James Taylor, Madonna, Pat Metheny Group, Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Phil Collins, Rod Stewart and Shakira. He bega ...

– congas, bongos, timbales, percussion * Nick Cooper – trumpet * Dan Drew – trombone * Dario Eskenazi – piano * Richie Flores – congas, bongos, shakere * Luis Hernandez – tenor saxophone *

Conrad Herwig Lee Conrad Herwig III (born 1959) is an American jazz trombonist from New York City. Biography Herwig began his career in Clark Terry's band in the early 1980s and has been a featured member in the Joe Henderson Sextet, Tom Harrell's Septet and ...

– trombone * Rob Holmes – baritone saxophone * Christian Howes – violin * Steve Khan – guitar * Boris Kozlov – bass *

Romero Lubambo Romero Lubambo (born 1955) is a Brazilian jazz guitarist. Career He was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He grew up with American jazz and classical music in the house because his uncle played guitar, lived next door, and visited frequently. Luba ...

– guitar * Alain Mallet – piano, organ * Joe McCarthy – drums * Jim McFalls – trombone * Mark Morgan – trombone * Max Murray – bass * Andy Narell – steel pans * Vince Norman – tenor saxophone * Ben Patterson – trombone *

Dafnis Prieto Dafnis Prieto (born July 31, 1974) is a Cuban-American drummer, composer, bandleader, and educator. Career In his home town of Santa Clara, Cuba, Prieto studied percussion and guitar. During his teens, he moved to Havana to study at the Nati ...

– timbales, drums * Luisito Quintero – timbales, percussion * Paquito D'Rivera – alto saxophone, clarinet * Ruben Rodriguez – bass * Poncho Sanchez – congas *

– marimba, vibraphone * Pernell Saturnino – congas, percussion * Oscar Stagnaro – bass * Tim Stanley – trumpet * Diego Urcola – trumpet, flugelhorn * Dave Valentin – flute * Ray Vega – flugelhorn, trumpet * Robert Vilera – timbales, percussion * Mark Walker – drums * Chris Walter – trumpet * Steve Williams – alto saxophone * Alon Yavnai – piano

References

Afro-Cuban jazz ensembles Latin jazz ensembles Latin Grammy Award winners Grammy Award winners American jazz ensembles {{US-band-stub