Want to get your Latin Dance on? Don't miss this rare performance of Trumpeter Jon Garcia 's C.L.A.V.E Latin Jazz Quintet!
Jon Garcia- Trumpet
Jon Garcia is a professional freelancing trumpet player, singer, composer, and clinician. Jon has toured around the world with the B.B. King’s All-Stars aboard the Holland America cruise ships and performed with salsa artists such as Tito Rojas, Tony Vega, Charlie Aponte, Domingo Quinones, Eddie Montalvo, among others. In 2017, he released his first Latin Jazz single recording titled, “Soaring Above the City Streets;” an homage to his birthplace of Brooklyn, NY. He holds two bachelor’s degrees in music education and performance from the University of Connecticut. Jon has served on the Connecticut Music Educators Association (CMEA) board of directors as the Equity and Advocacy chair. In addition to teaching and performing, Jon dedicates his time to leading workshops on Salsa Music as a Culturally Responsive Tool to teachers and families around the country.
Marcos Torres - Guitar & Vocalist - Bio to follow
David DeJesus- Tenor Saxophone
Alto Saxophonist David DeJesus has been on the New York City Jazz scene since the late ’90s and has established himself as a key player in numerous bands in various genres. In jazz, David has performed with the Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the Mingus Big Band, the Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Stars, and Jimmy Heath’s Big Band along with many others. In Latin jazz and salsa, David has shared the stage with Ruben Blades, Larry Harlow, Gilberto Santa Rosa, and Tito Rodriguez Jr. David is currently a member of the Grammy Award–winning Arturo O’Farrill Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, the Grammy-nominated Bobby Sanabria Big Band, and the legendary Ron Carter’s Great Big Band.
Kilo Marcos Torres - Percussion
Born into a musical family, Marcos was gifted a bongo at age 3 and never looked back. Graduating from Berklee college of music and turning into one of his generation's most respected percussionists, he’s performed with artists such as Marc Anthony, Rauw Alejandro, La India, Tito Nieves and Jerry Rivera.
Also a music producer, Marcos was nominated for a Latin Grammy in 2023 for his work with Jeremy Bosch and won a Grammy in 2014 with Pacific Mambo Orchestra.
Fernando Garcia- Congas
Fernando Garcia has performed with charting artists as well as local acts across the north east. He's played with Fania legends such as Adalberto Santiago and Tito Allen, as well currently charting artists like Jeremy Bosch and Luis Figueroa. In addition to his business career and playing, he gives percussion lessons and collects rare conga drums.
Tito Planas - Trombonist
Tito Planas is a trombonist, arranger, vocalist, and educator with a distinguished career in music and academics.
Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, he studied baritone horn, solfège, and arranging at the Escuela Libre de Música and performed with the Coro de Niños de Ponce. After moving to the U.S., he learned trombone at the University of Bridgeport and went on to perform with renowned artists such as Hermanos Moreno, Banda Brava, Frankie Ruiz Jr., Héctor Tricoche, and Raulin Rosendo. He now directs Orquesta Afinke, one of Connecticut’s top salsa bands.
For over 30 years, Tito has been a key figure in the St. Peter’s Church choir, arranging, teaching, and conducting. He also runs Planas Studios, contributing to 100+ productions across various genres. Beyond music, Tito is a dedicated educator and currently serves as Director of Mathematics for Bridgeport Public Schools. His passion for both music and education continues to inspire countless students and musicians.
Matt. Dwonszyk- Bass
Matt Dwonszyk is an accomplished bassist, composer, arranger and educator from Rocky Hill, CT. He graduated from the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz studying under his mentor and world-renowned bassist, Nat Reeves and then went on to receive his Masters degree from SUNY Purchase College. After living in New York City for 5 years, Dwonszyk returned back home to Connecticut during the 2020 pandemic. In 2023, Dwonszyk moved back to Astoria, NY and performs frequently throughout New England, splitting his time between performing and teaching. Throughout his career, Dwonszyk has performed and recorded with numerous contemporaries as well as legendary jazz artists including Steve Davis, Bennie Wallace, Harold Mabern, Larry Willis, George Cables, Dr. Eddie Henderson, Jazzmeia Horn, Joey Alexander among many others. He currently plays bass with Jonathan Barber and Vision Ahead, The Jon Davis Trio, Julieta Eugenio Trio and the Sarah Hanahan Quartet. In 2019, he toured through Canada with the Oleg Butman Trio and in 2022 with Jonathan Barber and Vision Ahead through the West Coast of the U.S. Dwonszyk’s last tour was in October of 2022 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He frequently performs at some of the top jazz clubs in New York City including Smalls Jazz Club, Mezzrow, Ornithology, Dizzy's Coca Cola Club, Smoke and The Blue Note. Since 2019, Dwonszyk has been a faculty member of Manchester Community College and Central Connecticut State College teaching jazz bass and jazz history. In the summer, he teaches at Bennie Wallace’s Back Country Jazz Program and Litchfield Jazz Camp.
In 2022, with the Julieta Eugenio Trio, Dwonszyk won the 2022 DC JazzPrix Competition at the Washington, DC Jazz Festival. Dwonszyk's debut recording, "Wonderful World", was released May of 2019 featuring world-class trombonist Steve Davis. His second album, "A Year and a Day", was released July 1st, 2022 featuring Dwonszyk’s band, the Dwonztet. In 2023, the Dwonztet played at the Hartford Baby Grand Jazz Series, The Northampton Jazz Strut, Smalls Jazz Club, The Side Door Jazz Club and the Poli Club. In 2024, the Dwonztet is scheduled to play the Hartford Jazz Festival and the Springfield Jazz and Roots Festival.
Damian Curtis- Piano
Coming from a family of world-class musicians, Damian Curtis began studying the piano at age four. He attended the Academy of Performing Arts, Artists Collectives and Guakia School for the Creative and Performing Arts. During high school was afforded a full scholarship to the University of Hartford (Hartt School of Music). He has had the opportunity to share the stage with many great musicians, such as Giovanni Hidalgo, Patato Valdes, Andy Gonzalez, David and Abraham, José Papo Rivera, Rubin Felix, Jackie Mclean, Nat Reeves, and Steve Davis, just to name a few.
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