Pianist Arturo O’Farrill is part of a legendary Latin jazz dynasty. His father was the pioneering Cuban composer/arranger and bandleader Chico O’Farrill and his son is the rising trumpet star Adam O’Farrill. As the driving force behind the Grammy Award-winning Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, Arturo has played an essential role in expanding the orchestral possibilities for Latin jazz. His talent-laden 18-piece ensemble combines stellar arrangements of music by Tito Puente, Frank “Machito” Grillo, and Chico O’Farrill, as well as newly commissioned works from Latin music’s leading composers and arrangers. Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra is: Arturo O’Farrill (piano), Gregg August (bass), Seneca Black (trumpet), Larry Bustamante (baritone sax), Vince Cherico (drums), Frank Cohen (trombone), Bryan Davis (trumpet), David De Jesus (alto sax), Tokunori Kajiwara (trombone), Chad Lefkowitz-Brown (tenor sax), Carlos Maldonado (percussion), Rafi Malkiel (trombone), Earl McIntyre (bass trombone), Ivan Renta (tenor sax), Tony Rosa (percussion), Robert Porcelli (alto sax), Vitaly Golovnev (trumpet), Jim Seeley (trumpet).

Sharing the bill is the Bay Area’s VNote Ensemble, a group founded by Caracas-born Jackie Rago, a brilliant percussionist and maestra of the four-string cuatro. Over the past decade the group has honed a singular sound blending folkloric Venezuelan music and modern jazz. VNote Ensemble is: Jackeline Rago (Cuatro, Bandola, Percussion, Vocals), Donna Viscuso (Flute, Alto Saxophone), Dan Feiszli (Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass), Michaelle Goerlitz (Percussion).