Django Latino // Antonio Cuadros De Bejar & Latin Affairs

Django Latino

The trio around the two guitarists José Díaz de León and Sven Jungbeck and the Colombian bassist Juan Camilo Villa sets fresh impulses in contemporary gypsy jazz. Their playing is characterized not only by technical virtuosity and the energy of furious guitar solos, but above all by creativity, joy of playing and a pronounced sense of musical openness.

Starting out from the classic swing as coined by Django Reinhardt, the trio carefully opens up the style in new directions. Latin American rhythms such as bossa nova and bolero form just as much a basis as Cuban, Colombian, Afro-Peruvian and Mexican grooves. These influences blend organically into the music and lend the arrangements a fresh, contemporary timbre - authentic, lively and without stylistic breaks.

The repertoire ranges from newly interpreted gypsy jazz classics to their own compositions and pieces by Latin American music legends such as Chucho Valdés. The result is music that respects tradition and at the same time boldly thinks ahead - a fusion that moves, vitalizes and connects musical worlds.

A great CD that does what is urgently needed: to expand gypsy jazz and combine it with other forms. The energy and virtuosity are reminiscent of flamenco - a great concert, a great CD. - Kersten Knipp (Deutsche Welle / Deutschlandfunk)

José Díaz de León - Guitar
Bernd Marquart - Guitar
Christoph Dangelmaier - Bass

Antonio Cuadros De Bejar & Latin Affairs

Antonio Cuadros De Béjar's musical path began on the street. As a street musician in various European countries, he developed a direct, undisguised relationship with the audience early on - an experience that still shapes his music today. From this direct practice, his path first led him to jazz and later to an open, Latin American-influenced jazz language in which rhythm, improvisation and cultural identity come together organically.

In over 30 years of musical activity, Antonio Cuadros De Béjar has performed in numerous European countries. His artistic work is characterized by movement, encounters and continuous development. Composition plays a central role in this: his pieces arise from lived experience, travel, cultural exchange and intensive interaction with different musicians.

With his band Latin Affairs, he combines jazz with diverse Latin American influences to create a lively, open sound language. The music thrives on groove and melodic clarity, improvisational freedom and conscious listening within the ensemble. Instead of stylistic demarcation, the focus is on dialog - between tradition and the present, structure and spontaneity.

In addition to his work as a musician, Antonio Cuadros De Béjar is also the initiator and artistic director of the Latin Jazz Festival Stuttgart Mi Amor. This role is an expression of the same attitude that characterizes his music: to create spaces in which cultural diversity, artistic depth and social openness can be experienced.

Antonio Cuadros De Béjar & Latin Affairs stand for music that tells stories, connects and is created in the moment.

Andi Maile - Saxophone
Joe Gallardo - Trombone
Antonio Cuadros De Béjar - Guitar
Christoph Dangelmaier - Bass
Daniel Messina - Drums
Miguel Llobell - Percussion
String Quartet