I was honored to be assigned the creation of the art for SETENTA-a new Music CD by the Cal State Afro Latin Ensemble. The award-winning ensemble is under the direction of Dr. Paul De Castro, founder and director of the University’s master of music degree option in Afro Latin Music. Students learn the art of arranging, orchestration, and idiomatic writing for instruments such as congas, timbales, bongos, and maracas. They study practical, theoretical, historical, and philosophical topics, with a strong emphasis on discourse with professional musicians in Los Angeles. The Cal State LA Afro Latin Ensemble provides graduate and undergraduate students the opportunity to study and perform music from the various traditions within Afro Latin music.

The Cal State LA Afro Latin Ensemble is dedicated to the performance of salsa, timba, Afro-Cuban, and Afro-Caribbean music. The repertoire ranges from classic danzones and early conjunto classics to contemporary salsa and timba charts. 
Setenta is a collaboration between gifted students, distinguished faculty, and amazing guest artists. This recording features premier songs from the Cal State LA Afro Latin Ensemble’s repertoire, and provides a musical perspective of the rich and complex Afro Caribbean culture. These pieces emphasize the various Afro Cuban styles—from revered classics to modern timba—and showcase the talent of our student musicians.

FEATURING: José Arellano, Luis Bonilla, Iris Sandra Cepeda, Leider Chapotín, Gonzalo Chomat, Alex Henderson, Edgar Hernández, Lily Hernández, Juan Karlos, Rachel López, Rigoberto López, Calixto Oviedo, Josiel Pérez, Greg Samuel and Tony Shogren.

Available for purchase on Amazon, CD Baby, and iTunes. On streaming services now.