Afro Cuban Jazz Project

Orlando Valle, known by the nickname Maraca, formed the Afro-Cuban Jazz Project after years of popularity in his native Havana as a respected jazz flute player. The group plays a curious blend of guaracha, bolero, and traditional jazz filtered through some of Cuba's most respected native players. The lineup has included singers Wilfredo Campa and Aramis Galindo, conga player Tata Guines, and tres (Cuban triple-string guitar) player Coto. Maraca's nine-piece band is one of the premiere Caribbean jazz combos of the late '90s. ~ Bradley Torreano