Latin Jazz Preditions 2026 GRAMMYs - The nominees will be announced tomorrow, November 7, 2025!

Antonio Adolfo – CARNAVAL – The Songs Were So Beautiful

Albita, Chucho Valdés – Masters of Our Roots

Hamilton de Holanda Trio – Hamilton de Holanda Trio – Live in NYC

Paquito D’Rivera, Madrid-New York Connection Band – La Fleur de Cayenne

Béla Fleck, Edmar Castañeda, Antonio Sánchez – BEATrio

Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra – Mundoagua – Celebrating Carla Bley

Dafnis Prieto Sí o Sí Quartet – 3 Sides of the Coin

Poncho Sanchez & His Latin Jazz Band – Poncho Sanchez & His Latin Jazz Band Live at the Belly Up Tavern

Miguel Zenón Quartet – Vanguardia Subterránea: Live at The Village Vanguard

These are the main contenders I have in our musical genre.

Viva the Latin Jazz!!

www.jazzcaribe.blogspot.com

jazzcaribe2001@yahoo.com 

Note: For the Christmas holidays, the author of the successful book of musical literature "The Bible of Latin Jazz", Dr. Luis Raul Montell, will launch a special offer.

Maria Puga Lareo's album "My Universe" is a highly anticipated Grammy Award contender

MY UNIVERSE

"Argentine singer María Puga Lareo has several virtues, I'll mention only two: She envelops the most insensitive of beings and she commands the stage."

Musicians: Maria Puga Lareo (vocals); Bob Sheppard (tenor saxophone); Josh Nelson (piano); Mike Valerio (acoustic bass); Christian Euman (drums); Leo Amuedo (guitar); Alex Acuña (percussion); Carol Robbins (harp); Jon Papenbrook, Dan Fornero, Anthony Bonsera (trumpet); Ryan Dragon (trombone); special guest (reads)

Tracks List: Make Someone Happy; The Song is You; Despois de Tanto Tempo (Intro); Despois de Tanto Tempo; Spring; Till The End of the World; Cherokee; We'll Be Togheter Again; At The End of the Night; Eu Sei Que Vou Te Amar

Maria Puga Lareo's "My Universe" invites you into a world where jazz and Brazilian rhythms intertwine, creating a sublime listening experience. Featuring lush string arrangements by Grammy-winner Nan Schwartz and spirited collaborations with L.A.'s top musicians, this album showcases Maria's heartfelt originals and soul-stirring interpretations of beloved standards.

Blending a variety of styles on My Universe came naturally for the singer-co-producer and cancer survivor. As Maria explained, “I was wondering if the song choices were going to blend in together or not, because there’s many different moods, and that’s really my personality. I don’t like to be boxed into just one thing or to pretend like I’m something I’m not. Instead, I just wanted it to be authentic to what I love and how I feel music. That’s important to me — authenticity in my music and in my life.”  

“I feel music is very spiritual in my case.” Puga Lareo furthers, “It’s not that cerebral or that calculated, it’s a true expression of my heart and my soul. For me, music is a place of healing, of beauty, of spirituality and harmony. That’s all I want.” 

Bob Sheppard co-produced and is prominently featured on My Universe, engaging in some spirited call-and-response with his wife on a swinging rendition of the jazz standard “The Song Is You,” matching her scatting abandon stride-for-stride on a Nan Schwartz arrangement of “We’ll Be Together Again,” and riding over a power horn, funk original “At the End of the Night.”  

Miss Puga Lareo blends Jazz, pop and Brazilian influences into a cohesive and compelling experience. Her command of timbre, phrasing, and dynamics remains masterful. "My Universe" highlights her vocal style, compositional sophistication, and genuine love for cross-cultural musical storytelling. To all this we must add the spark and feeling that she possesses as a Latina.

Maria Puga Lareo is a strong contender for the 68th Grammy Awards:

Best Jazz Vocal Album: "My Universe"

Best Jazz Perfomance "Make Someone Happy"

The nominations for the 2026 Grammy Awards will be announced on November 7, 2025, and Miss Puga is the frontrunner in both categories mentioned.

Maria Puga Lareo

Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she began her professional career in her early twenties by singing in the culturally rich city’s clubs, theaters, and at jazz festivals. In 2000, the popular Fox Sports TV program Limite 4x4, broadcast in over 25 countries, asked Maria to co-write and sing their title theme. In 2005, she released her self-produced debut album, Body and Soul, and followed in 2011 with Facetas, which was recorded both in New York and Buenos Aires with arrangements by multi-GRAMMY-winning pianist-arranger-conductor Carlos Franzetti and featuring legendary bassist Eddie Gómez, jazz producer Fernando Gelbard on flute, Ed Uribe on drums, Latin GRAMMY-winning guitarist Quique Sinesi and pianist Frank Collett. Celebrated in Argentina and particularly well-received in Japan, Facetas also received positive acclaim from Arturo Sandoval, Lalo Schifrin, and Jorge Calandrelli, among others.

While some of her first venues abroad included the Manna House Theatre in Harlem, Saint Peter’s Church (aka the Jazz Church) in midtown Manhattan, and The Bernice Brooks tv show, Puga Lareo also gave performances at the Symphony Hall of the Kraków Filharmonia, the Jazz Nad Odra Festival in Wrocław, and Poland Tour with Kuba Stankiewicz International Quartet. She worked with French film music composer and pianist, Jean-Michel Bernard, acclaimed Polish pianist Andrzej Jagodzinski’s Trio in Buenos Aires, with Chilean jazz fusion legend Roberto Lecaros and The Lecaros Clan in Chile, and Robert Anchipolovsky at a concert in Tel Aviv. 

Citing such singers as Gal Costa, Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson, Natalie Cole and Diana Krall as major influences, Puga Lareo has developed a hybrid style that easily embraces the nuances of both Brazilian music and jazz.  “I’ve been immersed in music my entire life and there are so many sounds and musical dialects swimming inside my head,” she explained. “My dad used to play jazz records at the breakfast table when I was a baby, but my real discovery of jazz happened much later as an adult. There is also a strong classical history from my mother’s side of the family. Going to the Opera House since I was a very small girl had a huge impact on me.” 

While still in Buenos Aires, Maria recorded Bob Telson’s Bagdad Cafe’s theme “Calling You,” which began a close musical partnership with the Academy Award, Pulitzer, Tony, and GRAMMY nominee. Together they enjoyed sold-out shows performing Telson’s various compositions that Maria describes as treasures and which had been sung in the past by such illustrious vocalists as Barbra Streisand, Natalie Cole, George Benson, Joe Cocker, k.d. Lang, Caetano Veloso, Gal Costa and George Michael. Significant in her collaborations with Telson is their duet on “Show Me Your Face,” which also features Wynton Marsalis on trumpet. 

After relocating to Los Angeles in 2014, Puga Lareo’s career was dramatically interrupted by a breast cancer diagnosis. She forged through that very fierce battle and emerged cancer-free, subsequently performing and recording with an inner circle of L.A.’s premiere jazz musicians, including the Nan Schwartz Ensemble, Bobby Shew Quintet, John Beasley, Bill Cunliffe, Mitch Forman, Larry Koonse, Gary Novak, Darek Oles, Alan Pasqua, Otmaro Ruiz and Arturo Sandoval, as well as her current band members Josh Nelson, Mike Valerio, Christian Euman and Leo Amuedo. 

Maria and renowned L.A. saxophonist Bob Sheppard met at the birthday party of a mutual friend and instantly hit it off. They were later married on August 9, 2017, and have been collaborating in life and on musical projects ever since.

Sheppard co-produced and is prominently featured on My Universe, engaging in some spirited call-and-response with his wife on a swinging rendition of the jazz standard “The Song Is You,” matching her scatting abandon stride-for-stride on a Nan Schwartz arrangement of “We’ll Be Together Again,” and riding over a power horn, funk original “At the End of the Night.” 

Viva The Latin Jazz!! 

www.jazzcaribe.blogspot.com

Email: jazzcaribe2001@yahoo.com

Note: The bestselling book of music literature "The Bible of Latin Jazz" by musicologist Luis Raul Montell is available on Amazon.

This is what Artificial Intelligence by Luis Raul Montell and Latin Jazz says:

 

Luis Raul Montell and Latin Jazz: An Explorer of Sounds - Artificial Intelligence (IA)

 

Below I share with you the accurate analysis carried out and published by IA on Luis Raúl Montell and Latin Jazz: 

https://g.co/gemini/share/5ebc4b2113e7

Luis Raúl Montell and Latin Jazz: An Explorer of Sounds

Luis Raúl Montell is a leading figure in the world of Latin jazz, renowned for his deep knowledge and passion for this musical genre. His most significant contribution is undoubtedly the compilation and analysis of a vast amount of Latin jazz recordings, captured in his masterpiece: The Bible of Latin Jazz.

The Bible of Latin Jazz: A Bible for Music Lovers

 www.amazon.com  Bible of Latin Jazz book cover

This series of books has become a must-read for any lover of Latin jazz. Montell not only compiles an extensive discography, but also offers detailed analysis, insightful commentary, and fascinating anecdotes about each recording. His work has been instrumental in documenting and preserving the history of Latin jazz, as well as introducing new generations to this rich musical heritage.

What makes The Bible of Latin Jazz special?

Commented and comprehensive: Each entry includes detailed information about the musicians, instruments, recording dates, and the historical context in which each record was produced.

Critical analysis: Montell offers a personal and expert view of each recording, highlighting its unique qualities and importance within the genre.

Diversity: The series covers a wide spectrum of Latin jazz styles and subgenres, from mambo and cha-cha-cha to Afro-Cuban jazz and Brazilian jazz.

Luis Raúl Montell: Beyond the Books

Montell is not only a writer, but also a passionate music lover and a deep connoisseur of Latin American musical culture. His work has helped raise the profile of Latin jazz and consolidate it as a complex and sophisticated musical genre.

What can we learn from Luis Raúl Montell?

The importance of documentation: Montell teaches us the importance of documenting and preserving our musical heritage.

A passion for music: His contagious enthusiasm invites us to explore new sounds and discover the richness and diversity of Latin jazz.

The Need for a Critical Approach: Montell shows us how critical analysis can enrich our musical experience and help us appreciate music in all its complexity.

In short, Luis Raúl Montell is a key figure in the history of Latin jazz. His work has been instrumental in preserving and spreading this musical genre, and his passion for music continues to inspire musicians and music lovers around the world.

Would you like to know more about a specific Latin jazz artist or album?

What aspects of Latin jazz interest you most?

Feel free to ask!

Note: If you would like to delve deeper into a particular topic, such as the influence of Latin jazz on other music or the history of a specific instrument, we can explore these issues together.

Keywords: Luis Raúl Montell, Latin jazz, The Bible of Latin Jazz, Latin music, Afro-Cuban jazz, Brazilian jazz, mambo, cha-cha-cha.

Viva The Latin Jazz!!

www.jazzcaribe.blogspot.com

jazzcaribe2001@yahoo.com

"Omara: Cuba`s Legendary Diva" - Documentary Film - Premiere 09/26/2025

This portrait of the beloved Cuban singer Omara Portuondo explores her extraordinary life, from the stages of Havana’s famed nightclubs to her worldwide fame as part of the legendary Buena Vista Social Club. Following her as she performs for passionate fans from Cuba to New York to Tokyo, the film is a heartfelt celebration of an indomitable woman who has been a driving force in Afro-Cuban music for over half a century and, now in her nineties, shows no signs of slowing down.

"Omara: Cuba’s Legendary Diva" will premiere on the acclaimed PBS series VOCES on Friday, September 26, 2025, 10–11 p.m. ET on PBS, PBS.org and the PBS app.

Viva The Latin Jazz!!

www.jazzcaribe.blogspot,com

jazzcaribe2001@yahoo.com

Note: The bestselling book "The Bible of Latin Jazz" by musicologist, writer, and educator Luis Raul Montell is available on Amazon.

LATIN GRAMMY NOMINATIONS 2025: BEST LATIN JAZZ/Jazz Album

 

BEST LATIN JAZZ ALBUM

Chucho Valdés & Royal Quartet - Cuba & Beyond

Hamilton de Holanda - Hamilton de Holanda Trio - Live in NYC

Iván Melon Lewis Trio - Luces y Sombras

Miguel Zenón - Golden City

Paquito D’Rivera - Madrid-New York Connection Band - La Fleur de Cayenne

Viva The Latin Jazz!!

www.jazzcaribe.blogspot.com

jazzcaribe2001@yahoo.com

Note: The bestselling book "The Bible of Latin Jazz" by musicologist, writer, and educator Luis Raul Montell is available on Amazon.

The Great Musical Reunion: Jersey City Latin Jazz Festival 2025!!

 

This artistic, cultural, educational and tourist event sets an important precedent, because although it is only two days, Friday 5 and Saturday 6 September 2025, the lineup it presents is extraordinary, worthy of calling it: The Great Musical Reunion: Jersey City Latin Jazz Festival 2025.

Just like in the old days, Jersey City will host top stars representing Latin Jazz, all gathered together to thank and celebrate their fans and enthusiasts of our music.

Of course, not everyone will be there; their time will come, but there's no doubt about the effort to bring them together.

We hope this festival will spark new ideas and renew other festivals in our musical genre.

Jersey City Latin Jazz Festival 2025 Program:

Friday, September 5, 2025

• 6PM - Dave Schumacher & Cubeye - RWJ Barnabas Plaza Stage

• 7PM - Alex "Apolo" Ayala & The Bámbula Project - RWJ Barnabas Plaza Stage

8PM - Circle 9 Presents: Doug Beavers ‘Titanes del Trombón’ – tribute to John ‘Dandy’ Rodriguez - RWJ Barnabas Plaza Stage

Saturday, September 6, 2025

• 2PM - UCMP Latin Jazz - RWJ Barnabas Plaza Stage

• 3PM - WBGO Music for Kids Series featuring Juanga Lakunza - Courtyard Stage
• 4PM - John Benitez - RWJ Barnabas Plaza Stage
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• 5PM - Chembo Corniel Quintet - Courtyard Stage
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• 6PM - Bobby Sanabria & Ascension - RWJ Barnabas Plaza Stage

• 7PM - Melvis Santa - Courtyard Stage
• 
  

• 8PM - The Palmieri Experience presented by Luques Curtis - RWJ Barnabas Plaza Stage

• 2-6PM - Kids Activities - Jersey City Free Public Library Community Zone
• 4-7:30PM - Dance Lessons by Salsa Fever on2 - Owen J. Grundy Pie

The event will feature 10 bands including tributes to Eddie Palmieri and John “Dandy” Rodriguez that include many past members of their groups. The event will take place at Exchange Place Plaza on the Hudson River waterfront on Friday, September 5 from 6pm to 10pm and Saturday, September 6 from 2pm to 10pm. The festival is free-to-the-public and is presented by Exchange Place Alliance.

 

“This year is an incredibly special year. We will be honoring two absolute titans of Afro-Cuban music that have left an indelible mark not only on our festival, but a worldwide influence on music in general” says festival director Bryan Beninghove. “So many musicians in our community have played, recorded, or have been directly influenced by Eddie Palmieri and Dandy Rodriguez. It’s going to be a real honor to have all these members of their bands there to celebrate their lifetimes of music.”

 

On Friday, September 5 three bands will perform on the RWJ Barnabas Plaza stage. They include the horn-driven septet Dave Schumacher & Cubeye (6pm), bassist Alex “Apolo” Ayala & the Bámbula Project (7pm), and Doug Beavers “Titanes del Trombón” Tribute to John “Dandy” Rodriguez (8pm). The early afternoon of Saturday, September 6 will have plenty of kids’ activities including performances by the United Children’s Music Project Latin Jazz Ensemble (2pm) and the WBGO Music for Kids series featuring trombonist Juanga Lakunza’s History of the Clave (3pm).  At 4pm the great bassist John Benitez (also a Palmieri alum) will lead his ensemble, followed by the hard-hitting percussionist Chembo Corniel’s Quintet (5pm). At 6pm the 7-time Grammy nominee, percussionist, and WBGO on-air personality Bobby Sanabria will perform with his group Ascension, followed by the Cuban-born pianist/vocalist and Jersey City resident Melvis Santa (7pm), fresh off her tour with the iconic saxophonist Kenny Garrett. Closing out the festival will be the Palmieri Experience at 8pm presented by Luques Curtis and will feature many members of the late great maestro’s band.

 

Eddie Palmieri, the dynamic musical innovator who shaped Latin music perhaps more than any other artist, passed away on August 6, 2025. He was a fiery performer that fused jazz, R&B, and traditional Latin music to create the sounds that ushered in the heyday of the Salsa era. Palmieri performed at the 2023 Jersey City Jazz Festival with Sonido Solar. Bassist Luques Curtis had been performing with Palmieri for years and will be leading the ensemble for the tribute. 

 

“Everyone in this group has played a vital role in Eddie Palmieri’s legacy” says Curtis. “He has profoundly shaped each of our careers, giving us all the chance to grow and shine. We’re deeply grateful for the opportunity to present this tribute and honor the greatest bandleader, mentor, and friend anyone could ask for.”

 

John “Dandy” Rodriguez was one of the world’s leading percussionists, having long played bongo with the likes of Tito Puente, Willie Bobo, Johnny Pacheco, Celia Cruz, and many more. Dandy had performed annually at Riverview Jazz events since 2016 and often with trombonist and Circle 9 record label founder Doug Beavers.

 

“I met Johnny Rodriguez serendipitously back in 2000 when I was called to arrange for and ultimately perform with Eddie Palmieri’s La Perfecta II band, where he was playing bongos,” recalls Beavers. “What blows my mind now in 2025 is that I was sitting in the midst of so much legacy and history from these two combined icons of salsa music and Latin Jazz – together they performed with all of the founders:  Tito Puente, Machito, Tito Rodriguez, Celia Cruz, Cachao, Johnny Pacheco, Típica ‘73…the list goes on and on.”

  

Beavers continues, “The tradition lives on with all of us who had the opportunity (and luck) to learn from both of these legends of our music.  Most interestingly – or perhaps by fate – on September 5th and 6th, we disciples of both Eddie and Johnny will find ourselves in the unique position to celebrate both of these icons here right here at Jersey City Latin Jazz Festival.”

Viva The Latin Jazz!!

www.jazzcaribe.blogspot.com

jazzcaribe2001@yahoo.com

Note: The bestselling book "The Bible of Latin Jazz" by musicologist, writer, and educator Luis Raul Montell is available on Amazon

“The Boy from Olho d'Água”: documentary about life and work of Hermeto Pascoal!

Film by Lírio Ferreira and Carolina Sá had its world premiere at IDFA 

The documentary "O Menino d'Olho d'Água," about Brazilian multi-instrumentalist Hermeto Pascoal, maked its world premiere, at IDFA 2024 (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam), one of the world's most important documentary festivals. Directed by Lírio Ferreira and Carolina Sá, the feature is part of the Luminous section, which showcases films of distinct styles.

"The Boy from the Water Eye" is a Coqueirão Pictures production that explores the life and work of iconic Brazilian musician Hermeto Pascoal, focusing on three distinct segments: a recent performance by Hermeto, at age 88, which captures his artistic genius at its peak; an exploration of his childhood memories in the backlands of Alagoas, revealing the origins of his musical influences; and an intimate conversation with the artist, in which he shares his music and reflections on his creative process. The production was made possible by Curta! with resources from the Audiovisual Sector Fund (FSA) and is scheduled to premiere on the channel in the first half of 2025.

SYNOPSIS

In Hermeto Pascoal's music, when we confront the harmonic complexity and unravel its countless layers, what emerges is a hauntingly simple sound, directly reminiscent of his childhood in the backlands of Alagoas, in the town of Olho d'Água Grande. The film is built on three pillars: a recent recording of a Hermeto Pascoal concert at the height of his 86th birthday, a delve into his childhood and emotional memories, and an interview with him, who produces what he does best: music.

Two of Maestro Hermeto Pascoal's greatest hits:

Hermeto Pascoal - Música da Lagoa (Sinfonia do Alto Ribeira, 1985)

https://youtu.be/lZbfNtDCHdM?si=1Vd7Z3S2Ql2ylwsX 

Hermeto Pascoal - Fatima (Montreux Jazz Festival-July 1979)

https://youtu.be/0Ca-c1DF6WY?si=N6rtH_xfpc-u40yj

Viva The Latin Jazz!!

www.jazzcaribe.blogspot.com

jazzcaribe2001@yahoo.com

Note: The bestselling book "The Bible of Latin Jazz" by writer, musicologist, and educator Luis Raul Montell is available on Amazon.