Sammy Figueroa & HIs Latin Jazz Ensemble
Jazz Road Creative Residencies Grant Recipient
Recipient Information
Location
Miami Beach, Florida
Year of Award
2021
Grant or Fellowship
Jazz Road Creative Residencies Grant
Grant Amount
$40,000
About the Project
Will record an album of his late father's most beloved songs (singer Charlie Figueroa) with arrangements by guests, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, John DaVersa, and Martin Bejerano. A performance at the Faena Jazz Series and workshops in Miami-Dade public schools in alliance with Young Musicians Unite!.
Residency Location
Miami, FL
About the Artist
It’s not often that a great sideman becomes a noted artist and leader, especially in the middle stages of his life, but that’s exactly what Sammy Figueroa has done. Legendary percussionist Sammy Figueroa is a multiple Grammy nominee, world-class musician, educator, and radio personality. After twenty years as a New York-based sideman, recording and touring with artists such as Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, David Bowie, Mariah Carey, Chaka Khan, Quincy Jones, the Brecker Brothers, Michel Camillo, Dave Valentin, Tania Maria and countless others he moved to South Florida where he discovered a community of brilliant virtuosos from Cuba, Venezuela, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina and Puerto Rico and a treasure trove of brilliant students and faculty at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music and Florida International University.
Putting together a band of the best players in town, Sammy founded the Latin Jazz Explosion. After five albums, two Grammy nominations and tours throughout the United States and Europe Sammy never looked back. Sometimes referred to as “the Latin Yellowjackets”, the Explosion’s music is considered to be one of the most sophisticated examples of Latin jazz, combining the excitement of Latin rhythms with the beauty and precision of a Pat Metheny or Brad Meldauer.
Apart from his work with the Latin Jazz Explosion Sammy has also created several other configurations including Sammy Figueroa & His Latin Jazz Ensemble and Sally’s Tomato, a tribute to the music of Cal Tjader. He’s also continued to record and play with other artists. Recent projects include album recordings with the young organ/piano prodigy Matthew Whitaker and Joey De Francesco’s Grammy-nominated album ”In The Key of The Universe”.
In late 2019 Sammy was honored with a Jazz Roads Touring Grant which enabled him and the Latin Jazz Explosion to tour the midwestern United States.
In 2020 Sammy recorded “Cuarentena” with trumpeter/composer/arranger John DaVersa, Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Grammy winning Cuban drummer Dafnis Prieto. He is also featured on Jarrod Lawson’s new neo-soul album “Be The Change”, released late 2020.
Sammy is also a strong supporter of children and transformation of children's lives through music. He has worked closely with Miami-based Arts 4 Learning and is planning an initiative with Young Musicians Unite!