Like a rich, flavorful New Orleans gumbo, Los Hombres Calientes packs a little bit of everything into a tasty, powerful recipe that warms the body and feeds the soul. Led by Irvin Mayfield, the renowned Crescent City trumpeter, and Bill Summers, a percussionist who quite simply embodies world-wide rhythm, Los Hombres Calientes is not only changing the way music sounds, but also how music is made. Taking a hands-on, organic approach in putting together their five albums, Volumes 1-5, Mayfield and Summers take their band on location and join forces with locals in order to create authentic sounds from the places where music began: locations such as Africa, Cuba, Trinidad, Jamaica, Haiti and, of course, their native New Orleans. Mayfield, has positioned himself as a force and advocate for the continuation of Jazz in the city that birthed it, as artistic director of the non-profit The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, he ensures that the sounds of New Orleans are spread around the country. With his club Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse he ensures that Jazz will remain on Bourbon Street in the heart of the French Quarter. His most recent project with NOJO, The People’s Health New Orleans Jazz Market stands as the only club in the city of New Orleans specifically designed for Jazz Market. Summers, who has worked with musical pioneers ranging from Quincy Jones to Herbie Hancock in his long, illustrious career, shares in Mayfield’s thirst to uncover the musical roots of New Orleans’ cultural tree of life. With a countless number of rhythms in his vast repertoire, Summers makes the heart of Los Hombres Calientes beat. And it is a beat that has seen and heard the sounds of the world. Late-night sessions at the Summers residence resulted in the 1998 formation of Los Hombres Calientes. And though decades apart in age, the younger Mayfield and elder Summers are no musical odd couple. Together with band mates, they form an irrefutable force in the field of Latin Jazz—one that has been recognized by critics and fans across the globe. Los Hombres Calientes Volume 5: Carnival (2005) was nominated for Billboard’s 2006 Latin Jazz Album of the Year. Los Hombres Calientes’ previous album, Volume 4: Vodou Dance (2003) was nominated for a Billboard Latin Music Award as well. Volume 3: New Congo Square, the group’s 2001 release, was a Billboard finalist and was nominated for a Grammy. In 1998 and 1999, Los Hombres Calientes’ eponymous debut album, and in 2000, Los Hombres Calientes: Volume 2, were the top selling albums at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Volumes 3 and 4 were also top sellers at the Festival. In 2000, Los Hombres Calientes’ debut CD was awarded Billboard’s Latin Music Award for Contemporary Latin Jazz Album of the Year.

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