New Mexico Jazz Festival: Spanish Harlem Orchestra

Kicking off the 20^th Anniversary of the New Mexico Jazz Festival 2026 (and also closing out the 35th Anniversary Music Under the Stars at the Albuquerque Museum on Friday, August 28), the ever-popular, three-time Grammy Award-winning Salsa and Latin Jazz band, Spanish Harlem Orchestra (SHO), who performed at the 2023 New Mexico Jazz Festival and at the 2025 Music Under the Stars series, returns for another exciting performance of authentic, New York style, hard core salsa.

Now celebrating 25 years of excellence, the SHO, led by Musical Director, Oscar Hernandez, who is considered one of the most gifted and prominent pianists/ arrangers on the contemporary Latin, Latin-jazz and salsa music scene, is dedicated to the sounds of the barrio, with their music characterized by the raw, organic and vintage sound defined by the genre. On a mission to keep the musical legacy of salsa dura (hard salsa) alive while expanding its audience to those who love great music, not just Latin music, SHO has released nine CDs, including their 2018 release, Anniversary, which won a Grammy for “Best Tropical Album,” and their 2022 release, Imágenes Latinas, which earned a Grammy nomination. Their latest release, Swing Forever (2024), which features six-time Grammy winner, Puerto Rican sonero, Gilberto Santa Rosa, solidifies Spanish Harlem Orchestra’s well-earned reputation as “the true sound of the barrio, and the leading light of the salsa reconstruction movement.” (Newsday). SHO’s thirteen world-class musicians and vocalists create an unparalleled musical experience in an unwavering respect for the music’s storied history. Most recently, SHO performed several concerts with the New York Philharmonic under the direction of its new Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamerl.

Joining SHO and the NY Phil for a couple of the performances was the legendary Ruben Blades. In addition to pianist and leader, Oscar Hernandez, the band features Gilberto Velazquez, Marco Bermudez & Carlos Cascante, vocals; Manuel Ruiz & Alex Norris, trumpets; Doug Beavers & Juanga Lakunza, trombones; Mitch Frohman, sax & flute; Luis Quintero, timbales; George Delgado, congas; Oreste Abrantes, bongos; and Gerardo Madera, bass.

The Spanish Harlem Orchestra will also perform at the Albuquerque Museum at 7:30 pm on Friday, August 28.