06/09/2026
🎺2026 ARTIST HIGHLIGHT - Alexis Baro Y La Big Band! 🎺
Led by acclaimed Cuban-Canadian trumpeter, composer, and arranger Alexis Baró, Alexis
Baro Y La Big Band is a powerful 19-piece ensemble redefining the sound of the Cuban Big
Band tradition for modern audiences. Blending the rhythmic depth of Afro-Cuban music
with contemporary jazz sophistication, the orchestra delivers an explosive and emotionally
charged musical experience rooted in heritage, virtuosity, and innovation.
Their critically acclaimed debut recording Afrokando has earned international attention for
its bold arrangements, dynamic musicianship, and celebration of Afro-Caribbean identity.
The album received a 2026 JUNO Award nomination for Jazz Album of the Year (Group),
firmly establishing the ensemble as one of Canada’s most exciting large jazz projects.
In 2026, Alexis Baró was also honoured with the prestigious Muriel Sherrin Award from the
Toronto Arts Foundation, recognizing his outstanding contribution to Toronto’s performing
arts landscape and his impact as a cultural ambassador, educator, and internationally
respected artist.
Backed by some of Canada’s finest jazz and Latin musicians, Alexis Baro Y La Big Band
pays tribute to the golden era of Cuban orchestras from the 1940s and 1950s while pushing
the music forward with fresh compositions, modern orchestration, and fearless
improvisation. From thunderous horn sections to intricate percussion and soaring trumpet
solos, the ensemble bridges Havana’s rich musical legacy with the energy of today’s global
jazz scene.
Alexis Baró’s distinguished career includes performances and recordings with legendary
artists such as Herbie Hancock, Paquito D'Rivera, Michael Bublé, and Andrea Bocelli.
Since arriving in Toronto from Havana in 2001, he has become one of the country’s leading
voices in Afro-Cuban jazz, known for combining technical brilliance with deep cultural
storytelling.
