latin jazz

When the film West Side Story was released in 1961, New York's reviled Puerto Rican community gained some visibility and, over time, both in Spanish Harlem and the Bronx, neighborhoods plagued by poverty, drugs and crime, Hispanic identity was reborn and strengthened, thanks to a syncretic and intentionally popular music that eventually conquered the entire city.

In Miami, 18-year-old pianist Vera, a foster child aging out of the system, struggles to pursue her passion for Latin Jazz amidst poverty and exploitation. After landing a freelance job painting a music studio, she impresses Hector, the studio owner and music producer, who offers her a chance to compose. However, Hector exploits her talent, stealing her composition for his own gain. Faced with betrayal and self-doubt, Vera almost gives up her dream. But with determination and the support of friends, she finds her voice and takes one final step toward a future in Latin Jazz, proving that anything is possible with resilience and self-belief.

A joyful tale filled with music. The rise of radio. The jazz big bands. The legendary clubs and ballrooms. The soundtracks of the great musical films and TV shows. Sex and romance, gangsters, luxury cars and palm trees. From Barcelona to New York, with a stop in Cuba. The birth of Las Vegas. The sound of the maracas. Chihuahuas everywhere. The incredible life story of Xavier Cugat (1900-90).

The picture brings interviews with the participants of the 1st São Paulo Jazz Festival that occurred in Anhembi Conventions Palace in September 1978 and reunited musicians, composers and singers from all around the world.

When Ruben, a young Chicano musician, is caught between his mother’s expectations and his own hopes, he is forced to make a decision that will change his life forever. Based on true events, “Con Esperanza” follows Ruben on his journey of pursuing his dreams, balancing both the traditional and financial expectations of his Mother.

Denver’s iconic and Grammy Award-winning musicians reveal the secrets of their success and longevity in the music business while warning the young lions to whom they pass the torch to stay relevant in a marketplace both treacherous and brutal. The majestic Rocky Mountains tower over a bustling metropolis filled with steamy and romantic nightclubs where jazz flourishes on stage. JazzTown features never seen before live concert footage on historic stages that have now crumbled due to economic stresses of the Covid Pandemic. ~ Dianne Reeves, 5-time Grammy Award winner for Best Jazz Vocalist ~ US Senator John Hickenlooper (former jazz club owner) ~ Ron Miles (Colorado Music Hall of Fame, Joshua Redman, Bill Frisell, Ginger Baker) ~ Charlie Hunter (Snarky Puppy, Christian McBride, Stanton Moore) ~ Art Lande (Mark Isham, Gary Peacock) ~ Ayo Awosika (Session Singer on Soundtracks to: Wakanda Forever, Nope, Dune, The Lion King ... tours with Miley Cyrus,) and many more.

Musical documentary on Latin jazz.

Madrid, Spain, June 30th, 2016. Rafael and José Luis jam a crazy one-day trip in search of the city's jazz scene, meeting the musicians, the club owners, the audience, the true believers who tell the story from the beginning, back in the 1950s, until the last breath of this memorable day.

Music documentary about Billo Frómeta by director Rafael Marziano Tinoco from Venezuela.

A live performance from legendary percussionists Steve Gadd and Giovanni Hidalgo at the 1997 Modern Drummer Festival Weekend.

In celebration of Concord Records’ 30th Anniversary, Grammy® Award-winner Poncho Sanchez took to the stage of the legendary Montreux Jazz Festival, taking the audience by storm with a typhoon of his signature Latin rhythms. Absolutely riveting in performance, the bearded giant of Latin jazz is as much fun to watch as he is to hear. All of the electrifying energy and excitement that is Poncho Sanchez live is vividly captured in this exhilarating DVD. Track List: 1. One Mint Julep 2. El Shing-a-ling 3. Guaripumpe 4. I Showed Them 5. Conmigo 6. Out Of Sight 7. Watermelon Man