Latin Jazz Network

Ray Obiedo Latin Jazz Group at The Sound Room in Oakland CA
A Concert Review by Brooks Geiken / https://latinjazznet.com/frij

On the 22nd of May, Ray Obiedo and his superb Latin Jazz Group brought warmth, groove and collective virtuosity to a sold-out evening at The Sound Room in Oakland. Joined by Murray Low, Jeff Cressman, Dan Feiszli, Michael Spiro, Jonathan Bendich and Phil Hawkins, the guitarist led a vibrant program that moved effortlessly through Afro-Cuban rhythm, Brazilian samba, Latin jazz and unmistakable East Bay funk. Highlights included the energetic opener “Criss Cross,” the rolling 6/8 pulse of “True Or False,” Milton Nascimento’s “Veracruz,” and Obiedo’s “Cubo Azul,” where the group shifted into a deep funk-inflected groove. The evening concluded with Sonny Rollins’ “Saint Thomas,” which became an unexpectedly moving tribute just days before the saxophone master’s passing. Obiedo’s thoughtful guitar work and the group’s infectious chemistry made this a memorable night of music in Oakland.

Read full review at https://latinjazznet.com/frij
Photo of Ray Obiedo Latin Jazz Group by Brooks Geiken.

Featured Album Review / Jonathan Suazo – Ricano Vol. 2: Fruto de mi Corazón (Miel Music) / https://latinjazznet.com/j1xy

With Ricano Vol. 2: Fruto de mi Corazón, saxophonist and composer Jonathan Suazo delivers one of the most compelling and emotionally resonant Latin jazz recordings of 2026. Released on Miguel Zenón’s Miel Music label, the album continues the journey begun on Suazo’s acclaimed debut Ricano, further exploring the cultural connections between his Puerto Rican and Dominican roots. While the first volume examined questions of identity and belonging, this second chapter is more intimate in scope, reflecting on family, faith, gratitude, and the transformative experience of fatherhood.

Read our full review at https://latinjazznet.com/j1xy

with Jonathan Suazo

Jonathan Suazo – Ricano Vol. 2: Fruto de mi Corazón - Latin Jazz Network Review of Jonathan Suazo's Ricano Vol. 2: Fruto de mi Corazón — an intimate Latin jazz recording of family, faith & Afro-Caribbean roots.

A Fiery Night at La Peña: Revisiting Bobby Matos Heritage Ensemble’s Historic Live Recording / https://latinjazznet.com/aayf

Some live albums capture a concert. Live – La Peña captures a whole cultural moment. Recorded in 2007 at Berkeley’s legendary La Peña Cultural Center and released years later as a memorial tribute, this powerful set from the Bobby Matos Heritage Ensemble is a vibrant fusion of Latin jazz, Afro-Caribbean rhythm, improvisation, spoken word, and community spirit.

In this review, I explore how Bobby Matos leads with both authority and heart, turning rhythm into storytelling and performance into shared celebration. From standout selections like “Song for Jud,” “La Patria Del Son,” “Cubop Bailable,” “Free South Africa,” and “Listen Here,” to the ensemble’s remarkable chemistry, this album stands as a thrilling reminder of Matos’s artistic legacy.

More than a live recording, this is a document of heritage in motion—rooted in tradition, alive with spontaneity, and shaped by the energy of La Peña’s deeply engaged audience. If you care about Latin jazz, live performance, and music as cultural memory, this is a review—and an album—worth your time.

Read full review at https://latinjazznet.com/aayf

Bobby Matos Heritage Ensemble "Live" at La Peña - Latin Jazz Network A passionate review of Bobby Matos Heritage Ensemble’s Live at La Peña, a powerful Latin jazz tribute recorded in Berkeley, California.