“It’s no surprise that the Dizzy Gillespie Afro-Cuban Experience has a repertoire broader than its name suggests. After all, the legendary trumpeter always viewed music from a global perspective… Gillespie’s multifaceted legacy should shine bright.”
– The Washington Post
The Afro Latin Experience, a 6-8 piece ensemble led by Dizzy Gillespie’s long-term bassist John Lee, showcase the unique rhythms and well-loved melodies (such as ‘Manteca’ and ‘Tin Tin Deo’) of Gillespie’s oeuvre of Cu-Bop which he developed with Chano Pozo in the 40s and 50s. Their repertoire also explores the broader world of Latin-American music- the tunes that Dizzy would have been playing today.
The musicians are drawn from the high-calibre pool of New York-based talent that frequent the Dizzy Gillespie bands, such as trumpeter Freddie Hendrix, saxophonist Sharel Cassity, Brazilian pianist / vocalist Abelita Mateus, drummer Tommy Campbell and percussionist Roger Squitero. They perform with energy, verve, and style, putting their own fresh stamp on a well-known genre. The group can perform as various sizes from sextet to octet.