Latin jazz combo founded in mid-‘80s by bassist Josh Schwartzman. Members have hailed from Baltimore, D.C. and New York including Schwartzman (bass), with Andy Gonzalez (bass, percussion, producer), Tim Murphy (piano), Craig Considine (trombone, percussion ex-OHO, Off the Wall, and member of Mambo Combo), Alex Norris (trumpet, fluegelhorn), Paul Hannah (sax, flute), Jim Hannah (timbales, percussion, vocals), Sam Turner (congas, bongos, percussion), Orlando Cotto (congas, percussion), Rudy Morales (congas, bongos, percussion, vocals). Additional contributing players have included Bill Warfield (trumpet, arranger ex-Stan Kenton Orchestra, Falstaff, Both Worlds…), Francisco Rigores (vocals), Nelson Rodriguez (vocals), Tom Williams (trumpet), Ben Frock (trumpet –Phil Cunneff Trio…), Al Mojica Jr. (vocals, percussion), Gary Sosias (vocals, percussion), David Kane (piano), George Colligan (piano, trumpet, timbales), Steve Bloom (congas, percussion –Mambo Combo), Leon Gruenbaum (piano), Marc Weigel (trumpet, fluegelhorn), and Willie Vasquez (bongos, congas, percussion, vocals)… Most members were involved with composing and arranging of original material. The group was critically acclaimed by Downbeat, Jazz Times, L.A. Times, Washington Post, and Latin Beat who described their sound as ‘the finest dancing and listening music possible.’ Voted Best Salsa Swing Band in 1989 in Baltimore magazine reader’s poll.
The group performed nationally and locally including Ottawa Jazz Festival, Lake George NY Jazz Fest, San Jose CA Jazz Fest, 13th Floor Belvedere Hotel, Bay Café, Baltimore Museum of Art…
1988(LP) Songs from Gandwanaland
1995(CD) Palmetto 2015 Desde la Capital
1997(CD) Palmetto 2027 Mamacita
1999(CD) Palmetto 2047 Espiritista
2001(CD) Palmetto 2072 Radio Mundo
