In The Key Of Latin Jazz

WUCF's September artists for 'In the Key of Latin Jazz' are Edward Simon and Magos Herrera. Living on opposite sides of the country, they found a way to come together for a striking homage to female Latin American songwriters. " Femininas " is given a jazz treatment while still carrying the foundation of their respective beginnings.

WUCF's August artist for 'In the Key of Latin Jazz' is Ella and the Bossa Beat. An international father/daughter duo who brings a modern take on Brazilian, soulful Jazz and Pop music. Having spent a lot of time in  Magrus ' home country of Brazil, they now reside in Florida where you can see them perform all over. Their latest record " In the Moment " has captured us all and we are wanting more!

WUCF's July artist for 'In the Key of Latin Jazz' is Bobby Sanabria. This eight time Grammy nominated multi talented artist has reached high acclaim repeatedly with his art and his fight. He fought to reinstate the Latin Jazz category at the Grammys after it was absent at the 2012 awards -  and succeeded. He's worked with Mario Bauza, Mongo Santamaria, Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, and more in add...

WUCF's June artist for 'In the Key of Latin Jazz' is Lauren Henderson. Based in New York and Miami, she is a 36 year old vocalist with Caribbean and Panamanian roots who created her own record label at the start of her career. A station favorite, she gives us the inside scoop on life in New England, magic and mysticism. Recently she was recognized by the Recording Academy as one of the artists exp...

WUCF's May artist for 'In the Key of Latin Jazz' is Rachel Therrien. She is a JUNO nominated trumpet and flugelhorn player. A fixture in both the NYC and Montreal scenes, she has continued to hold her own and delight with her personal signature. Her newest record - 'Mi Hogar' - features over twenty musicians that came together for her sixth record but first Latin Jazz project.

WUCF's April artist for 'In the Key of Latin Jazz' is Justo Almario. Immersing himself in music at a young age - he dabbled in drums, piccolo and short clarinet before settling on sax and flute. After graduating from Berklee, Mongo Santamaria asked him to join his band. He has performed with Roy Ayers, Fela Kuti, The Commodores, Tito Puente, Linda Rondstadt and many more. Coming up on April 30 – h...

WUCF's March artist for 'In the Key of Latin Jazz' is Elio Villafranca. Hailing from San Luis, Pinar del Rio, Cuba – Elio was drawn to jazz and found a way to record every radio program he could. Coming from a country where it was illegal at the time, jazz opened up a whole new world for him. From leading his own bands, to working with Chick Corea- his contributions to modern jazz are impactful. L...

WUCF's February artists for 'In the Key of Latin Jazz' are Dafnis Prieto and Luciana Souza. Cuban American drummer and composer Dafnis had a vision for his next album and it involved going somewhere he hadn't ventured before...lyrics. Enter Luciana – who grew up in a Bossa Nova family and is well versed in transcending boundaries of musical styles. Together they brought us "Cantar" - a record comp...

WUCF's January artist for 'In the Key of Latin Jazz'is Alex Acuña. Named the best Latin percussionist five years in a rowfrom Modern Drummer Readers Poll, Acuña has had quite theillustrious career. Born into a musical family, his drive to immersehimself into different cultures led him to become a versatile andgracious player. From Elvis and Ella Fitzgerald to more contemporaryartists like Christin...

WUCF's December artist for 'In the Key of Latin Jazz' is Arturo Sandoval. Born in Cuba, where he was forbidden to play or listen to jazz, Arturo relished any moment he could get to be around music. Forming the band Irakere, he then went on to become a ten-time Grammy winner, form a closebond with the late Dizzy Gillespie and play with the best as he polished his virtuoso abilities on trumpet, flug...

WUCF's November artists for 'In the Key of Latin Jazz' are Roberto Menescal and Daniela Soledade. Two of Brazil's national treasures who are instrumental to the Bossa Nova movement. Two different generations come together to collaborate on Daniela's new record "Pretty World." We dive into what they admire most about each other and the evolution of Latin jazz – and beyond.

WUCF's October artist for 'In the Key of Latin Jazz' is Xiomara Torres. Hailing from the rhythmic lands of Colombia near the Pacific Coast – she drew inspiration at an early age from her surroundings. Not to mention her huge musical family and their folkoric style! Her most recent album pays homage to her mentor Digeo Obregón – best known as a marimba player and maker. We discuss the intentions be...

WUCF's September artist for 'In the Key of Latin Jazz' is Jane Bunnett . Finding jazz was a love story all on its own and from there her exposure to Afro-Cuban rhythms and Latin styles really turned a corner. Not seeing many women on the stages, she formed her own group called ' Maqueque ' – completely transforming the possibilities for future generations. Working on their fourth record together –...

WUCF's August artist for 'In the Key of Latin Jazz' is Nate Najar. Born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida, he found interest in blues, rock and then jazz. Citing Charlie Byrd and Wes Montgomery as huge influences – he went on to study under the great Frank Mullen. He really honed his classical guitar playing during this time and found such a zest for his approach. Most recently, his record "Ja...

WUCF's July artist for 'In the Key of Latin Jazz' is Juan Carlos Quintero. Born in Colombia, his music is heavily influenced by the rhythms of his home country. He picked the guitar because it was "cool" and it ended up being the entry to social life. In LA he set out to get a record deal – and by taking bold action because of not knowing – he was able to find success after just a year and a half....

WUCF's June artist for 'In the Key of Latin Jazz' is Nestor Torres. Born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, his father bought him his first drum set at age five. But eventually, he chose the flute despite his father's concerns. He moved to New York at eighteen to study classical and jazz. His unique melodic and danceable sound is shaped by his time studying the ' Charanga '. Over the past 40 years, his rec...

WUCF'S May artist for 'In the Key of Latin Jazz' is Diego Rivera. Raised in East Lansing, Michigan, and involved in the Detroit music scene – his Chicano heritage has heavily influenced his music. A trip to the Detroit Institute of Music inspired him to pick up the saxophone, and the challenge to play what he heard pushed him to keep going. Saying yes to the Jimmey Dorsey Orchestra catapulted a pr...

WUCF's April artist for 'In the Key of Latin Jazz' is Sergio Pereira. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in the heart of the Bossa Nova movement ultimately contributed to the artist he is today. Moving to New York City in the 80s, he dove into the world of jazz studying under Sal Salvador, ChuckWayne, Joe Carter, and more. Playing with the United Nations jazz band for 15 years was a pristine time of b...

WUCF'S March artist for 'In the Key of Latin Jazz' is Afro-Cuban jazz pianist Dayramir Gonzalez. Everywhere around him, music was there in the streets of Cuba. With the sounds of the African Yoruba tribe as well as the legacy of people like Chucho Valdes and Chano Pozo–he balanced developing his internal ear with his sacred craft. He's gone on to lead his own band-Dayramir & Habana enTRANCé-with J...

Heat things up with In the Key of Latin Jazz. Each month, hear from a guest who lives and breathes the heart of this music. Coming March 1, 2022.