Los Hombres Calientes
Grammy-nominated and Billboard-Award winning ensemble Los Hombres Calientes is renowned for its high-energy performances on stages throughout the world. From the music of New Orleans to the Caribbean Islands, with jaunts to Brazil, Cuba and Africa, Los Hombres Calientes captures the rich multicultural heritage of New Orleans jazz, while setting new standards of musicianship through constant explorations of technique and style. New Orleans trumpet virtuoso Irvin Mayfield and legendary percussionist Bill Summers co-lead the jazz septet, bringing a high level of sophistication and contagious energy to the stage.
Hailed by Newsweek as, "One of the smartest, most fun bands anywhere," Los Hombres Calientes has electrified many of the nation's most prestigious performing arts centers, including recent performances at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, Kennedy Center, Kimmel Center, Hollywood Bowl, Ravinia Festival and Philadelphia's Independence Hall. Los Hombres Calientes' celebratory performances have also inspired audiences at almost all of the leading US jazz festivals.
Irvin Mayfield and Bill Summers travel the globe, delving into underground music scenes to seek inspiration for recording projects. They call their resulting CD releases "Volumes", as they are the culmination of their explorations and immersions in the cultural traditions behind New Orleans jazz music. The most recent release, Volume 5: "Carnival", captures the vibrant revelry of carnival in an expertly crafted fusion of Jazz, Funk, Latin and African musical elements. With the help of special guests including George Porter Jr., Kermit Ruffins, the Rebirth Brass Band and Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, "Carnival" enthralls listeners with the music of the Caribbean, South Africa and the back streets of New Orleans.
Prior to "Carnival," Los Hombres Calientes released several highly acclaimed albums, which drew on Mr. Mayfield and Mr. Summers' explorations of the ties between African rhythms and Latin and Carribbean influences in jazz music. The 2003 release of "Volume 4: Voudou Dance", was recorded in Trinidad, Haiti, Cuba and New Orleans, and was nominated for a Billboard Latin Music Award. Grammy Award nominated "Volume Three: New Congo Square" was recorded in Cuba, Jamaica, Brazil the Dominican Republic and New Orleans. They're recording debut, "Los Hombres Calientes: Volume One" was rewarded with the 2000 Billboard Latin Music Award for Contemporary Latin Jazz Album of the Year.
Born and raised in New Orleans, Irvin Mayfield has established himself as a prominent figure in the legacy of great jazz trumpeters, following artists such as Louis Armstrong and Wynton Marsalis. In addition to co-leading Los Hombres Calientes, Mr. Mayfield founded the Institute of Jazz Culture at Dillard University. He also leads the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, a non-profit institution that offers jazz performances and education outreach during a lengthy home season in New Orleans and on tour throughout the US. In September 2003, Mr. Mayfield was named Cultural Ambassador for the City of New Orleans, which acknowledged his embodiment of the great New Orleans jazz legacy and established him as an international jazz and cultural spokesperson.
Bill Summers is a legendary percussionist whose virtuosity ranges from traditional African instruments to pop bottles. As a result of decades of study and travel, Mr. Summers has mastered literally hundreds of African and Cuban percussion rhythms, which color his many recordings and performances. Mr. Summers has collaborated with many influential artists including Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder and the Roots, and is an original member of Herbie Hancock's legendary ensemble, the Headhunters. His constant quest to explore and understand the history behind African, Latin and South American music led him to establish the Summers Multi-Ethnic Institute of Art, which leads students on trips to Cuba to study Afro-Cuban music. A highly acclaimed musician and cultural visionary, Mr. Summers is one of the most influential jazz musicians of our time.
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