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Alex Garcia

Formed at SIR studios in New York City in November 23rd, 1997 by Chilean-Cuban drummer and composer Alejandro “Alex” Garcia, AfroMantra has been renowned for combining rich harmonies with the powerful rhythms and flavors of North and Latin America. With a contemporary outlook, AfroMantra incorporates a wide variety of jazz elements into the work, creating a palate that highlights the group’s stirring inspirations and spiritual creativity. The group skillfully balances original compositions, drawing from the Cuban, American and South American traditions and influences.

AfroMantra has been playing extensively throughout New York City and the Northeast for the past five years, performing in several Jazz Festivals in the area and hitting such venues as El Taller Latinoamericano,The Izzy Bar, 17 Main, Studio 54, Arka Lounge, Nell's, Nuyoricans Poets Café, the Jazz Gallery, Willie's Steak House, among many others. They were also featured artists on Jazz at Noon, a popular New York City jazz television show, and performed at the Chenango Valley Music Festival with Grammy nominee and Master Cuban trombonist Juan Pablo Torres. The band also appears in critically-acclaimed book Caliente ”Una historia del Jazz Latino “ by critic and writer Luc Delannoy. AfroMantra receives extensively air-play throughout the United States & Canada.

This project serves as a testament to this young, yet progressive and innovative enclave of instrumentalist. AfroMantra enriches the human spirit with music that is dynamic and powerful, crafting beautiful solos and establishing a conversation whose versatility seems to have no limits. As acclaimed by respected jazz writer and critic, Peter Wartrous, AfroMantra really is one of the most important Latin-jazz bands to emerge in the NYC scene.

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Album Review

Alex Garcia's Afromantra: Espiritu Optimista

Read "Espiritu Optimista" reviewed by Chip Boaz


When a Latin jazz artist shapes their approach, they can let rhythms drive the sound, or they can incorporate the rhythms into a compositional focus.

Emphasizing the music's rhythmic aspect highlights dance styles and simplistic harmonic writing. Such musicians rearrange standards and complete their repertoire with commercial compositions. Musicians that integrate Latin rhythms write original pieces that explore vast harmonic territories and multiple song forms. They create stimulating improvisational platforms and give their musicians space to ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Espiritu Optimista

AfroMantra Records
2007

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