José Guzmán

https://latinjazznet.com/reviews/albums/the-afro-caribbean-jazz-collective-fiesta-at-caroga/

“…Although this is certainly a ‘collective’ in the sense of communal sharing of musical ideas, much of the direction certainly comes from Mr Guzmán by virtue of highly accomplished and communicative musicianship….”

https://wdcb.org/music-lounge/general/484

"…The Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective follows in the footsteps of phenomenal bands that graced the stages of festivals, concert halls and various Latin American restaurants throughout the city and suburbs…"

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https://latinjazznet.com/reviews/albums/the-afro-caribbean-jazz-collective-fiesta-at-caroga/

“…Although this is certainly a ‘collective’ in the sense of communal sharing of musical ideas, much of the direction certainly comes from Mr Guzmán by virtue of highly accomplished and communicative musicianship….”

https://wdcb.org/music-lounge/general/484

"…The Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective follows in the footsteps of phenomenal bands that graced the stages of festivals, concert halls and various Latin American restaurants throughout the city and suburbs…"

https://www.allaboutjazz.com/fiesta-at-caroga-afro-caribbean-jazz-collective-jgb-music

“…As for the music itself, it leans heavily on such African and Caribbean staples as the Cuban son, Puerto Rican bamba, salsa, descarga, cha-cha and bembe, among other rhythms, using jazz as its counterpoint. Fiesta at Caroga marks the A-CJC's recorded debut, and a very good one it is…”

https://www.chalkedupreviews.com/world/the-afro-caribbean-jazz-collective-fiesta-at-caroga-review/

“…In the broader tapestry of the Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective’s discography and the realms of jazz and Afro-Caribbean music, Fiesta at Caroga stands as a beacon of artistic integrity and innovation. The album vividly illustrates the ensemble’s unparalleled ability to fuse traditional rhythms with jazz’s improvisational spirit, creating a sound that is at once familiar and groundbreaking….”

https://5fingerreview.com/the-afro-caribbean-jazz-collective-fiesta-at-caroga-review/

"Fiesta at Caroga is a multicultural journey that pays homage to the roots of Afro-Caribbean music while embracing the contemporary flair of jazz and world music. The Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective has created music that makes you want to move and resonates with the soul. The ensemble’s talent and commitment to celebrating and evolving the Afro-Caribbean music tradition bring this album to life. Each track tells a story, a narrative that weaves through the history and future of two rich musical genres."

https://www.jazzweekly.com/2024/01/the-afro-caribbean-jazz-collective-fiesta-at-caroga-kari/

“….this album simmers with a wide variety of tasty flavors. With a three member  percussion team, there is a lot of percolating undercurrents throughout, with horns gliding over the simmering sounds on “ “El Cañaveral” and Devey powerhousing his way around “Descarga 2”. Stark is bold and bright on “Baile Bailekita” with the front line soft and seductive on the romantic “Carino”, simmering over on the aptly titled “El Volcano."

https://www.paris-move.com/reviews/afro-caribbean-jazz-collective/

“….with its complex writing and precise rhythms, revealing, for the listener who gets lost in their dreams, a blue sea and a lingering sun, a form of ethnicity maintained by the percussions and enchantment delivered by the brass instruments. The music also knows how to be mysterious, tender, or poetic. José Guzmán, a guitarist as impressive as he is discreet within the group, presents remarkably intelligent compositions that prove that Afro-Cuban music in its jazz form still has many secrets to reveal to us.”

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Primary Instrument

Guitar

Location

Chicago

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

I've led guitar workshops as well as given feedback to a variety of jazz ensembles, from combo to big bands.

Clinic/Workshop Information

• The social context of Afro-Caribbean songs that created a national identity in the diasporas. A look into bomba and plena music as songs of resistance and its place in national identity.
• The history of Latin jazz, tracing its lineage from the African diasporas in the Caribbean and its American counterpart.
• Arranging for Latin jazz ensembles

  Read more

Primary Instrument

Guitar

Location

Chicago

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

I've led guitar workshops as well as given feedback to a variety of jazz ensembles, from combo to big bands.

Clinic/Workshop Information

• The social context of Afro-Caribbean songs that created a national identity in the diasporas. A look into bomba and plena music as songs of resistance and its place in national identity.
• The history of Latin jazz, tracing its lineage from the African diasporas in the Caribbean and its American counterpart.
• Arranging for Latin jazz ensembles. A musical class dedicated to learning the inner workings of clave-based music.
• The history of Puerto Rican folklore music, an overview of the afro-diasporic and western genres developed in the island. I have previously presented at the Asian American Cultural Center at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Schwob School of Music in Athens University, and Algonquin Department of Education Summer Sessions.

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