Roger Glenn Latin Jazz Ensemble

Roger Glenn is ingredient X. The secret sauce.  The cat behind the cat. Now, after decades of elevating the music of bona fide legends in jazz, Latin jazz, blues, and funk, the most versatile, singular multi-instrumental master is stepping out of the shadows and into the spotlight with his first new album in four decades. His new release “My Latin Heart” will feature a program of his enthralling original compositions, offering the most revealing glimpse yet of a jazz giant hiding in plain sight.

Known among his peers as a supremely talented improviser, Glenn has played flute with vibraphonist Cal Tjader, vibes with flautist Herbie Mann, and both flute and vibes with Dizzy Gillespie. He made his recording debut with legendary pianist/composer Mary Lou Williams and contributed to classic albums with Cuban percussion maestro Mongo Santamaria (“Mongo’70” Atlantic Records), pioneering funk/jazz trumpeter Donald Byrd (“Black Byrd” Blue Note Records), Latin jazz star Cal Tjader (Grammy Award-winning “La Onda Va Bien” on Concord Picante Label), and Taj Mahal and The Hula Blues Band “Live from Kauai” winning a Na Hoku Hanohano Award.

Music has marked Glenn’s family for generations. His father, the great trombonist and vibraphonist Tyree Glenn, most notably played with Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, and the Louis Armstrong All-Stars, including the classic recording “What a Wonderful World” and is present in the historic 1958 photo “A Great Day in Harlem.”

No one project or recording could possibly capture every facet of this kaleidoscopically creative musician. Glenn’s dazzling multi-instrumental prowess via his abiding passion for Afro-Caribbean (and Afro-Brazilian) rhythms will be showcased along with his stellar rhythm section.

Roger Glenn – vibraphone, flute, sax

Marcos Silva – piano

Robb Fisher – bass

Michaelle Goerlitz – percussion

Josh Jones – drums