Rutgers IJS Presents Juanga Lakunza Trombonist Composer, and Innovator

Juanga Lakunza is an internationally seasoned trombonist, composer, and educator whose sound bridges the rhythmic fire of Latin jazz with the harmonic sophistication of the contemporary jazz tradition. Born in Pamplona, Spain in 1982, Lakunza’s musical foundation began in a deeply artistic family and expanded through rigorous classical and jazz training across Europe and the United States.

A graduate of Musikene in the Basque Country (BM in Jazz Studies) and Codarts Conservatory in Rotterdam (MM in Jazz Studies), Lakunza studied under master musicians including Bart van Lier, Ilja Reijngoud, Perico Sambeat, Toni Belenguer, Elliot Mason, Steve Davis, and Marshall Gilkes. His global performance career has taken him to major festivals such as the North Sea Jazz Festival, Donostia Heineken Jazzaldia, Penang Island Jazz Festival, London‑Ontario Sunfest, and Havana Jazz Plaza.

Since relocating to New York City in 2016, Lakunza has become one of the most in‑demand trombonists on the scene, performing with elite ensembles including the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, Mambo Legends Orchestra, Samuel Torres Big Band, John Benitez Quintet, Luisito Quintero & 3rd Element, Band of Bones, and the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, where he is a current member. He has shared the stage with luminaries such as Wynton Marsalis, Paquito D’Rivera, Bobby Shew, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Garry Dial, and Allan Harris.

Whether leading his own projects or elevating the sound of world‑class ensembles, Juanga Lakunza brings a unique blend of technical mastery, cultural fluency, and soulful expression—making him a standout voice in today’s global jazz landscape.

Presented by the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University, this performance is part of their ongoing commitment to celebrating jazz heritage and supporting emerging voices in the genre.

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Host or Publisher The Institute of Jazz Studies Rutgers-Newark