For those unaware, The Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective was created by José Guzmán Borrero during his graduate studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

In 2020, Guzmán was awarded the Urbana Arts Grant for the opportunity to pen new compositions using several Afro-Cuban and Puerto Rican rhythms. The compositions were presented at the 2020 CU Jazz Fest.

The group is celebrating its fifth year performing in Central Illinois and looking to grow in 2023 with the release and touring support of our full album, Fiesta at Caroga in the Summer.

Their self-titled EP (2019) was has received airplay on radio stations around the country as well as in South America. Indeed, “Maria Cervantes” has been included in playlists such as the Solar Latin Club from Colombia and was a semi-finalist on the Unsigned Only Music Competition 2020.

Their brand new debut album is entitled Fiesta At Carogo and see both Brian Stark and Jose Guzman crafted 6 original pieces for the musical event.

1. Descarga 2
2. Xipirona Cha Cha
3. El Canaveral
4. El Vocan
5. Carino
6. Baile Bailekita

This splendidly alive, vibrantly-hued new album opens on the triumphantly-charged Descarga 2 and then leads us into the decadent Xipirona Cha Cha, the rhythmic El Canaveral, up next the melodically heartfelt El Vocan, the dutiful hipsway found within the smoothly charming Carino, the recording coming to a close on the invitingly impassioned Baile Bailekita.

www.acjcmusic.com