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Mambo Kings/Richard DeLaney

Formed in 1995 by Richard DeLaney, Mambo Kings are enjoying great success as Rochester, New York's foremost Latin jazz ensemble, and have rapidly earned a national reputation for their explosive blend of Afro Cuban rhythms and jazz improvisation.

About Me

Rochester's own MAMBO KINGS, together since 1995, are enjoying great success as Upstate New York's foremost Latin jazz ensemble, and have rapidly earned a national reputation for their explosive blend of Afro Cuban rhythms and jazz improvisation. Since their orchestral debut in 1997 with the Rochester Philharmonic and Conductor Jeff Tyzik, Mambo Kings have appeared at the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival and in Pops concerts with orchestras in Baltimore, Vancouver, Detroit, Dallas, Naples (FL) and Portland (OR), among many others, performing original compositions and arrangements by pianist Richard DeLaney. After a triumphant 2019 performance for an audience of 16,000 at the Grant Park Music Fest, the band weathered the 2020-2021 season with online performances with the Austin, Buffalo, and West Michigan Orchestras and a live performance with the Virginia Symphony to wrap up the year. The 2022 season started with performances with the Phoenix and Oregon Symphonies and included shows with orchestras in Spokane, North Carolina, Dayton and Detroit. The 2023 season included performances with the Augusta, Edmonton (AB) and Iowa Symphony orchestras. The 2024-25 season includes concerts with the Springfield (MA), Erie (PA), Harrisburg orchestras and Charlotte Symphonies. Mambo Kings released their third self-produced recording, Nostalgia, in July of 2008. Nostalgia, along with their previous releases—Live! (2005) and Marinera (2003) —continues to receive radio airplay throughout North America and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit the band's website at www.mambokingdom.com

My Jazz Story