Album Notes

***Winner: Best Latin Recording***
21st Annual Wammie Awards (Washington Area Music Awards)
Afro Bop Alliance is an Afro-Cuban Jazz Septet based in Annapolis Maryland, performing extensively throughout the Washington DC-Baltimore area and Mid-Atlantic region. ABA is led by drummer Joe McCarthy and features Felix Contreras-congas, Harry Appelman-piano, Max Murray-bass, Luis Hernandez-saxophone, Tim Stanley-trumpet, and Dan Drew-trombone. The band has been featured at the Duke Ellington Jazz festival, the Silver Spring Jazz Festival, The JFKennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Smithsonian’s Jazz Café, The Smithsonian’s Museum of American History-Jazz Appreciation Month, The WC Handy Jazz Festival-Florence Alabama, Club Satalla- NYC, Georgetown University Jazz Festival, and the Rams Head Tavern. ABA has recorded and or performed with Poncho Sanchez, Antonio Hart, Dave Samuels, Arturo O’ Farrill, Michael Phillip Mossman and Ray Vega. The band’s debut CD, Encarnacion, featuring Arturo O’ Farrill and Ray Vega, has received rave reviews and international acclaim. Afro Bop’s latest CD, Camino Nuevo, featuring Poncho Sanchez and Dave Samuels, is the band’s debut recording on Mambo Maniacs Records.

"I was blown away by Camino Nuevo! Afro Bop Alliance is playing great music." -Pete Escovedo, Latin Jazz Legend, Pete Escovedo Latin Jazz Orchestra.

Far from a rice and beans blowing date, Camino Nuevo is a real contender.
- Willard Jenkins, Open Sky Jazz; The Independent Ear, Sept. 06.

“Led by drummer Joe McCarthy, Afro Bop Alliance celebrates CuBop traditions with plenty of assurance, contrasting churning clave rhythms with bursts of vibrant colors.”-Mike Joyce, the Washington Post, March 2005.

“Afro Bop Alliance is a delightful Latin Jazz Combo from Washington DC that swings with accomplished musicianship and seasoned passion on its debut CD, Encarnacion.”-Jesse Varela, Latin Beat Magazine, April 2004.