Afro Bop Alliance, a Latin Jazz band from Annapolis, Maryland, performs in the Baltimore-Washington DC region and Mid-Atlantic region. The talented musicians are made up of four rhythms and three horns. They perform at various events, including cultural and ethnic festivals. This ensemble was formed out of the desire to explore all the musical possibilities that Latin or Latin jazz can offer. The ensemble approaches this music with a western voice. They use the instrumentation of a jazz band, but they also play compositions in AfroCuban and Brazilian styles. Afro Bop aims to combine all these “Latin” cultures and styles with their jazz experience to create an original sound. Afro Bop Alliance won a Grammy at the 9th Annual Latin Grammy Awards for their 2008 CD, Caribbean Jazz Project-Afro Bop Alliance with Dave Samuels. A nomination was made for Best Latin Jazz Album by the group at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards. Afro Bop Alliance received the Washington Area Music Association’s Best Latin Recording Award for Camino Nuevo. bio by www.kennedy-center.org/
