NM Jazz Latino Orchestra featuring Frankie Vazquez

This unique, all-star performance, made possible by the NM Jazz Festival, will feature internationally renowned musician Frankie Vazquez, along with César Bauvallet, Doug Lawrence, Jackie Zamora, Mariano Morales, Paul Gonzalez, and Ricky Carrido. The NMJLO showcases the extraordinary musical talents of artists who are now New Mexico residents, while introducing international guest musicians. Concert goers will experience traditional and modern rhythms from Latin America and enjoy a harmonious and exciting blend of ancestral and contemporary repertoire.

Frankie Vazquez:

Efrain “Frankie” Vazquez, born in Salinas, Puerto Rico, began performing with his own band at his father’s restaurant at the age of 16, as a conga player and then as a lead singer. A year later, he had played in three orchestras around Puerto Rico, and subsequently was invited to New York to perform on his first recording with Fuego 77. Currently, he has over 20 album collaborations to his credit, and has performed in Austria, India, Turkey, Panama, Spain, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Sicily, Mexico, Canada, Ecuador, Santo Domingo, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Martinique, Guadeloupe, the Virgin Islands, Belgium, Holland, England, Switzerland, China, and Japan.

Doug Lawrence:

"A commanding tenor saxophonist, Mr. Lawrence plays in stretched, extended phrases that suggest the manner of John Coltrane adapted to a lighter, softer tone. It is a style that gives Mr. Lawrence's playing an interesting mixture of power and grace."  - NEW YORK TIMES

Born in Louisiana and raised in New Mexico, tenor saxophonist Doug Lawrence spent over 25 years making a name for himself in New York City performing and recording with iconic artists Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Wilson, Buck Clayton, Dizzy Gillespie, Wild Bill Davis, Benny Goodman, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and many others. For the last 20+ years Doug has been the featured tenor saxophone soloist with the 18-time Grammy winning Count Basie Orchestra.Doug continues to perform and record with many of todays leading artists including Tony Bennett, Andra Day, Ledisi, Lady Gaga, Patti Austin, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jamie Cullum and more, as well as keeping a busy schedule touring the world performing and recording as a featured solo artist and leader of his own bands.