Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective to bring cultural fusion and modern jazz to LCCC

CHEYENNE, Wyoming – Blending the pulse of Afro-Caribbean rhythms with the color and sophistication of modern jazz, The Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective will bring an energetic fusion of cultural tradition and contemporary artistry to Laramie County Community College.

The concert is set for 7 p.m. Nov. 3 in the Surbrugg/Prentice Auditorium on LCCC’s Cheyenne campus. Tickets are $20 for adults and free for students and children. Tickets are available at lccc.wy.edu/about/foundation/culturalseries.aspx.

A masterclass for students will take place during the day.

The evening will open with a performance by the LCCC Jazz Band, featuring pieces that showcase the range and versatility of student musicians. The set will include "Nasty Blues" by Mike Carubia, a classic blues tune; the world premiere of "Low Volume," a soul-style composition guest-directed by its composer, Logan Vanderlaan; "When I Think of Her" by Erik Applegate, a smooth ballad; and "Work Song" by jazz legend Cannonball Adderley.

The concert offers a rare opportunity for students to perform alongside a nationally recognized artist, said Dr. Frank Cook, LCCC music instructor and director of bands.

“Performing at our best and witnessing an incredible professional group perform their music at their best is one of the most fruitful experiences we can have as musicians,” Cook said. “Experiencing live music is invaluable – jazz allows for spontaneous, creative expression, making it such a unique art form.”

Formed during graduate studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, The Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective emulates the classic Cuban son ensemble while replacing piano with electric guitar, creating a distinctive sound rooted in heritage yet driven by innovation. Led by Puerto Rican guitarist José Guzmán, the group’s repertoire draws from the Puerto Rican and Cuban songbooks, expanding those traditions through modern jazz harmony and improvisation.

Audience members will be among the first to hear pieces from the Collective’s upcoming album, performed live before its national release later in November. Guzmán said he’s looking forward to taking listeners on a rhythmic journey through the Caribbean and its diaspora.

“It’s a lot of high-energy music,” said Guzmán. “There are a lot of different beats – we go around the island and the diaspora in New York.”

A native of Ponce, Puerto Rico, Guzmán’s path to artistry wasn’t conventional. Mostly self-taught before pursuing formal education, he said the long road toward mastering his craft gave him both perspective and purpose.

“I wasn’t lucky enough to start with lessons or anything like that,” he said. “I was mostly self-taught because I saw music as a way to engage with something that was my own. I’ve worked in restaurants and other jobs, but nothing was as satisfying as music. There was something in me that kept coming back to it.”

Guzmán said performing in college environments like LCCC carries personal meaning because it allows him to share a style of music that often gets overlooked in formal jazz education.

“It’s a topic that’s not talked about much,” he said. “There’s so much to cover in the curriculum that Latin jazz often gets only a small mention. That’s where artists like me can step in and say, ‘Hey, this is part of what you need – this is what this music means.’ I hope that when we play, students carry it with them.”

That mission stems in part from his own formative experiences. As a young musician, Guzmán attended a conference in New York City where he saw legendary performers up close – encounters that he said “turned a super switch” in him and helped define his path as an artist.

On his first visit to Wyoming, Guzmán said he’s eager to experience both the landscape and the people. He’s also looking forward to connecting with students, perhaps inspiring them in the same ways that shaped his own development as a musician.

The Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective’s appearance is part of LCCC’s Cultural and Community Enrichment Series, which brings artists, musicians, authors, historians and other experts from around the world to share their work with the campus and community. These annual events are made possible through donor support managed by the LCCC Foundation, ensuring that cultural and educational experiences remain free and accessible to the public.