About

JAZZONEANDO is a Latin jazz trio presenting original contemporary arrangements of Cuban son, Brazilian bossa nova, and American jazz standards and swing music, plus original compositions from a mature Latin jazz point of view. While the stage may be occupied by only three musicians, each plays a variety of instruments and all three sing vocal parts, producing a full, rich sound that is difficult to achieve with less than a full orchestra.

Individually and as an ensemble, the JAZZONEANDO members play gigs and concerts with luminaries Doc Severinsen (trumpet), Gabriel Hernández (piano – Afro-Cuban All Stars), Gil Gutiérrez (guitar – Doc Severinsen, world tours), Luis Gasca (trumpet – Santana, Janis Joplin), Alfred Thompson (saxophone – Irakere, Habana Ensemble), Doug Robinson (piano, composer), Richie Cole (saxophone – Buddy Rich, Lionel Hampton, Doc Severinsen), Luques Curtis (bass – Eddie Palmieri, Francisco Mela) Johnny Favourite (award-winning jazz singer, Sony recording artist), Julia Vari (international jazz singer and pianist) and others.

The ensemble was formed in 2010 and the trio has performed together since 2008.

Bios

Alberto “Yamil” Vázquez piano, director, arranger

Born into a musical family in the province of Villa Clara, Cuba, home of pianist Rubén González (Buena Vista Social Club), Yamil studied piano from a young age. After graduating from Centro de Superación Profesional y Artística in Villa Clara with a major in piano performance, he joined the elite band Somos Jóvenes (later known as Guillermo y Su Salsón Latino), touring Cuba and performing at Havana’s famous Tropicana Club, and traveling to the Canary Islands for Carnavál, where he composed and arranged music and shared the stage with famed trumpeter, vocalist and composer Wilfrido Vargas, who brought merengue to the world, and Spain’s Orquesta Maracaibo. Yamil came to Mexico in 1996 to pursue his love of Latin Jazz and to further develop his repertoire as a composer and arranger. He is the pianist for the salsa band Cubania and is director, arranger and pianist for the trio JAZZONEANDO, organized in 2010. In 2016 he toured the Midwestern United States JAZZONEANDO, appearing at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival, and in 2020 he toured with The Stars of Buena Vista Social Club.

Aarón Romo, bass, vocals

Aarón was born in Mexico City, where he taught himself acoustic and electric guitar, and later studied flamenco guitar and bass, earning a scholarship to the Bass Collective in Brooklyn, NY, and becoming fluent in English. He played in a succession of rock bands in Mexico, landing coveted “house band” contracts and event gigs. He fell in love with jazz music in New York and continued to develop his repertoire in Latin jazz and son cubano. In 1997 he moved to San Miguel de Allende and quickly gained a reputation for skill and versatility on bass, guitar, percussion and vocals across styles from rock, blues and funk to Latin jazz, son cubano and salsa. In addition to composing and arranging music, Aarón performs with internationally renowned musicians Gabriel Hernández, Gil Gutiérrez, Doug Robinson, Ken Bichel, Richie Cole, Bobby Kaplan, Rick Schlosser, Ken Basman, Luques Curtis and more. He has played at the Blue Room at Kansas City’s American Jazz Museum and has been invited to perform with Twin Cities Latin Jazz Orchestra, Café Accordion Orchestra, and Salsabrosa in Minnesota. In 2016 Aarón toured the Midwestern United States with JAZZONEANDO, appearing at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival and teaching master classes in bass performance and Latin rhythms. Currently in addition to JAZZONEANDO he performs with the trio Latin Sound and leads the music department at Colegio Atabal primary and secondary schools in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico.

Dairon Vázquez, percussion, vocals

Dairon Vázquez was born into a family of musicians in Villa Clara, Cuba. From the age of 7 until he turned 15, he studied piano at the Eva Olga Alonso music school, and at age 12 took up percussion as well. He continued his study of percussion at La Escuela Profesional de Arte Samuel Feijo, where he performed with his mentors and peers. In 2015, he visited Mexico, where he performed at the famed Bar Havana. Later that year, he returned to Cuba to continue his studies, and graduated at the age of 19 with a professional musicianship degree in percussion. Currently at home in Querétaro, Mexico, Dairon shares the stage with his father, pianist Alberto “Yamil” Vázquez, as well as Latin music luminaries such as Gabriel Hernandez and Alfred Thompson. In March 2020, Dairon toured with The Stars of Buena Vista Social Club.

Word

The guys are all the best players in town and quite a ways beyond that!

Doug Robinson composer, pianist, bandleader

I would count JAZZONEANDO among the fine musicians with whom I have shared the stage—a list that includes Brice Winston, Bob Sheppard, Francisco Mela, Dave Pike, Richie Cole, Peter Bernstein, Eric Alexander, and Enrique Nery.

Ken Basman jazz/blues guitarist

Music

JAZZONEANDO music samples:
“Caminando” – original composition and arrangement by JAZZONEANDO director Alberto “Yamil” Vázquez
“La Mujer de Antonio” – Miguel Matamoros, arr. Alberto “Yamil” Vázquez
“Drume Negrita” – Eliceo Grenet, arr. Alberto “Yamil” Vázquez
“La Engañadora” – Enrique Jorrín, arr. Alberto “Yamil” Vázquez
“Sabroso” – Compay Segundo, arr. Alberto “Yamil” Vázquez
“Black Orpheus” – Luis Bonfa, arr. Alberto “Yamil” Vázquez
“Todos los Niños del Mundo” sample – public domain, arr. Alberto “Yamil” Vázquez

For complete downloadable broadcast-quality tracks, please send your request with credentials to Anne Nicolai, annenicolai@earthlink.net (media only).

Videos

News

Private: Tour & Clinics

Latin Rhythms Mini-Clinics banner

* MEET OUR SPONSORS! *

Tuesday, June 21 – Bloominton, MN, USA
Time TBA – National Make Music Day
Groth Music Company
8056 Nicollet Ave S, 800-969-477
FREE

Jazz Festival 2016 posterWednesday, June 22 – Minneapolis, MN, USA
8 p.m. (21 +)
Katia Cardenas Album Release + JAZZONEANDO CD Release
ICEHOUSE MPLS
2528 Nicollet Avenue South, Minneapolis
(612) 276-6523
$10 advance / $12 at the door

Friday, June 24 – St. Paul, MN, USA
5 p.m. – Mears Park 6th Street Stage, St. Paul
Twin Cities Jazz Festival
FREE

Monday, June 27 – Minneapolis, MN, USA
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Latin Rhythms Mini-Clinics
Jazz Central Studios, 407 Central Ave. S, Minneapolis
$10 general admission / $5 with student ID

714867-250

Monday, June 27 – Minneapolis, MN, USA
8 p.m. concert, 10 p.m. jam session
JAZZONEANDO: Featured Artist Concert
Jazz Central Studios
407 Central Ave. SE, Minneapolis
$10 general admission / $5 with student ID

twin-cities-latin-jazz-orchestra-updatedTuesday, June 28 – Minneapolis, MN, USA
8 p.m. concert
Twin Cities Latin Jazz Orchestra with JAZZONEANDO
Jazz Central Studios
407 Central Ave. SE, Minneapolis, MN, USA
$10 general admission / $5 with student ID

* MEET OUR SPONSORS! *