The Caribbean Jazz Project is a Latin and Afro-Cuban Jazz group that includes Paquito D’Rivera, Andy Narell and Dave Samuels. Their 2002 album, The Gathering, is perhaps their most well-known. Seven albums have been recorded by them, five for Concord Jazz, one for Inak Records, and one for Heads Up. Dave Samuels, a vibraphone and marimba specialist, has always been a fan of Latin music, having previously played for a significant period with Spyro Gyra’s contemporary jazz band. He left the group in 1993 to pursue his passion for Latin music. In 1995, Samuels and Paquito D’Rivera, a steel pan artist Andy Narell, formed the Caribbean Jazz Project. They performed a concert at New York’s Central Park. Their performance at Central Park received rave reviews. Soon, their first album, entitled Caribbean Jazz Project, was released by Heads Up International. Since its inception, the group has seen many personnel changes. After the release of Island Stories, Rivera and Narell quit the group, it seemed as though the Caribbean Jazz Project was dead. Samuels was able to revive the Caribbean Jazz Project with the additions of Steve Khan, guitarist, and Dave Valentin. CJP recorded three more albums and toured extensively. The Gathering, which received a Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album, was the third release. CJP’s third version continues on to the present. It includes Dario Eskenazi (trumpet and flugelhorn specialist), Oscar Stagnaro (bassist), drummer Mark Walker, and Roberto Quintero (percussionist). CJP was in this form when he toured with Diane Schuur, and collaborated to produce Schuur Fire’s 2005 album. Wikipedia
