Havana Night: Celebrating Afro-Cuban Jazz

Come spend a night in Havana with Jazz & Heritage: Celebrating Afro-Cuban Latin Jazz, presented by Goldfarb Financial.

Get ready for an evening full of energy, rhythm, and soul as some of today’s most talented musicians bring the spirit of Havana straight to the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center.

Led by the expressive Cuban-born percussionist, composer, and bandleader, Alexey Marti, with Jose Colon holding down the groove on bass, Julian Addison driving the beat on drums, Oscar Rossignoli lighting up the piano, David Navarro on trumpet, and Scoot Johnson on saxophone. Together, they’ll create a sound that’s alive with passion, improvisation, and the fire of Afro-Cuban jazz.

It’s going to be a night of music, culture, and community you won’t want to miss. We’d love for you to be there and share in the celebration with us!

Join us for an unforgettable performance featuring talented musicians who bring the fiery sounds of Cuba to life, blending traditional Afro-Cuban rhythms with jazz improvisation and energy.

The concert will be livestreamed: jazzandheritage.org/live

About Alexey Marti:

At the zealous age of 16 years old, the expressive Cuban-born percussionist, composer, and bandleader, Alexey Marti, began formal percussion studies under the passionate guidance of Maestro Oscar Valdes, percussionist and singer for the famous Cuban group, Irakere. The mentorship blossomed into a deep-rooted professional relationship, allotting Marti a tenured position as percussionist for Valdes’ renowned Afro-Cuban ensemble, Dia.kara.

In 2008, Marti took a tremendous leap of faith, moving to and residing in the musical and historical city of New Orleans, Louisiana, to propel the advancement of his musical aspirations and trajectory. Marti’s multi-faceted expertise on percussion and piano garnered him the opportunity to join the University of New Orleans Jazz Program, where he is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in music with a concentration in percussion & piano. During this time, Marti founded one of NOLA’s in-demand Latin-funk-fusion quintets, Alexey Marti and Urban Minds, garnering him the slot of opening act for the world-famous Chucho Valdes in concert in 2012.

On three occasions, Marti was nominated for the New Orleans Big Easy Music Award in both Latin and World music categories from 2014-2018, winning best performer in the category in 2018. Marti’s audience-participatory performances and celebratory spirit have captured the hearts of music lovers in New Orleans and, in turn, have maintained Marti’s ensemble as a featured regular at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival since 2009.

Some of the notable artists for which Marti has recorded for and/or performed with include the following: The Headhunters, Platinum (2011), Delfeayo Marsallis (2016), Orlando Maraca Valle, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, Jim Walker, Hubert Laws, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Bill Summers, Davell Crawford, and Jason Marsallis, to name a few.

Photo courtesy of New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation.

About the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation:

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, the nonprofit that owns the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell, uses the proceeds from Jazz Fest and other raised funds for year-round programs in education, economic development, and cultural enrichment. These programs support the Foundation's mission to promote, preserve, perpetuate, and encourage the music, culture, and heritage of communities in Louisiana.

For more on what we do, please visit us online at jazzandheritage.org

Host or Publisher New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation