Latin Jazz Youth Ensemble of San Francisco at San Jose Jazz Winter Fest at San Pedro Square Market

Latin Jazz Youth Ensemble of San Francisco (LJYE), composed of talented young musicians aged 10-18, performs Latin jazz classics and original compositions at a level that has landed them gigs at San Jose Jazz Summer Fest, KCSM Jazz Festival, Yerba Buena Gardens, SF Museum of Modern Art and Yoshi’s. The ensemble’s mission is to preserve the traditions of Latin jazz and Afro-Cuban music by teaching it to youth and to create role models for aspiring student musicians.

Led by Music Director John Calloway, LJYE has shared the stage with such legends as Cuban bassist Cachao, piano virtuoso Chuchito Valdes, Latin jazz heavyweight Poncho Sanchez and and the Grammy® Award-winning Spanish Harlem Orchestra. The ensemble was chosen as one of the top youth bands at YouthQuake 2004 and won First Place (Youth Music) at Carnaval San Francisco in 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006....

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Latin Jazz Youth Ensemble of San Francisco (LJYE), composed of talented young musicians aged 10-18, performs Latin jazz classics and original compositions at a level that has landed them gigs at San Jose Jazz Summer Fest, KCSM Jazz Festival, Yerba Buena Gardens, SF Museum of Modern Art and Yoshi’s. The ensemble’s mission is to preserve the traditions of Latin jazz and Afro-Cuban music by teaching it to youth and to create role models for aspiring student musicians.

Led by Music Director John Calloway, LJYE has shared the stage with such legends as Cuban bassist Cachao, piano virtuoso Chuchito Valdes, Latin jazz heavyweight Poncho Sanchez and and the Grammy® Award-winning Spanish Harlem Orchestra. The ensemble was chosen as one of the top youth bands at YouthQuake 2004 and won First Place (Youth Music) at Carnaval San Francisco in 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Music Director John Calloway is a multi-instrumentalist, award-winning composer, educator and performer who has worked with many Latin and jazz greats, including Max Roach, Israel “Cachao” Lopez and Pete Escovedo. He holds an MA in music education and a Ph.D. in multi-cultural and international education.

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