FrançaisAfro-Colombian Jazz Orchestra
2012 AZUL (Curura musique)
“An utterly unique and mind-blowing musical experience.” Montreal International Jazz Festival
“This is a tight, bright ensemble effort whose solo work is masterful with-out ever overpowering.” Michael Stone – fROOTS (United Kingdom)
“This combo hearkens back to an era when jazz bands played for dancers and listeners at the same time. You can file this one under jazz or world music, but just don’t miss it – it’s one of the best things I’ve heard all year.” Bill Lupoletti – Global A Go-Go WRIR 97.3FM Richmond, VA (USA)
“The wizard of López and his band make a miracle happen with original compositions like Blue Vallenato, where the nostalgic rural tradition marries the universal urban blues of a big band. Bravo!” Ralph Boncy – VOIR / ESPACE MUSIQUE
“The three to see at the Vancouver Jazz Fest: sure bet – Herbie Hancock, fan favorite – Roberto López, jazz fest gem – Alfredo Rodriguez” Vancouver Sun
“Roberto López took the stage, and took the reserved audience quickly to their feet.” Halifax Jazz Fest Blog
About the ACJO
Montreal-based Colombian-born composer and guitarist Roberto López leads us to a unique encounter between the wind ensembles of Colombia’s Caribbean coast and North-American Jazz bands. An enchanting journey, making us groove to the beats of porro and cumbia, as well as paseo, champeta, mapalé and chandé. Roberto puts his own twist of jazz on his most recent instrumental compositions, as well as on traditional pieces written by great Colombian composers (Lucho Bermúdez, José Barros, Pablo Florez).
- TOP 10 best Jazz albums of 2012 by Jim Dupuis (host of Jazz Notes on CFBX-FM Kamloops, BC)
- Best World Music album of 2012 by Le DEVOIR (Montreal, QC)
- Nominated for World Group of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards 2012
- Nominated for World Album of the Year at the ADISQ 2012 (Quebec Music Industry Awards)
- Nominated for Best World Music album at the GAMIQ 2012 (Quebec Indie Awards)