Logo for the South Beach Jazz Festival 10-Year Anniversary. The words “South Beach Jazz Festival” appear in bold, gold gradient letters. To the left is a gold saxophone decorated with multicolored abstract confetti. Above the text, "10 Year Anniversary" is written with "10" in white, "Year" in teal, and "Anniversary" in purple. The background is black.
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Spanish Harlem Orchestra

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A promotional color photograph of a large, thirteen-member Latin jazz or salsa orchestra posing formally inside a historic theater. All members are adult men dressed in matching black suits and light-colored ties. They are smiling and looking directly at the camera, conveying a feeling of professionalism and energy. Several members hold their instruments, including trumpets and a small hand drum. The band is positioned on the main floor, and the background shows the empty, tiered seating of the concert hall and the set-up stage equipment in the distance.

Spanish Harlem Orchestra
with special guest Etienne Charles

Spanish Harlem Orchestra Biography:

Spanish Harlem Orchestra, the three-time GRAMMY® winning Salsa and Latin Jazz band, sets the gold standard for excellence in authentic, New York style, hard core salsa.

Whether in a concert hall or at an outdoor jazz festival, there is no easing you in as they come at you full force, from start to finish. Their energy on stage and their rich sound and musical precision leave audiences mesmerized until the last note is played. With an unwavering respect for the music’s storied history, the ensemble’s thirteen world-class musicians and vocalists come together to create an unparalleled musical experience.

Now celebrating their 20th year, SHO is dedicated to the sounds of the barrio (Spanish Harlem NYC). Their music is characterized by the raw, organic and vintage sound defined by the genre. They are on a mission to keep the musical legacy of salsa dura (hard salsa) alive and expand its audience to those who love great music, not just Latin music. Grounded in the past, while focused on the future, they strive to keep the music relevant, creating a unique and fresh approach.

“As leader and producer, my mission and vision is to represent the great history and legacy of this music that I’ve been blessed to be a part of my entire life,” reflects Hernández. “Our passion and commitment to this music is never ending.” With this unyielding motivation, SHO’s GRAMMY® nominated 2022 release Imágenes Latinas finds the band exploring new dimensions but never deviates from its core belief. “As with all the new SHO recordings, the concept and sound is the same but the playing of new songs, arrangements, and performances always aim to create a new magic for the listeners,” Hernández adds.

With eight albums and six GRAMMY® nominations, this powerhouse orchestra is aware that it is crucial to continually push themselves and raise the bar. Their sixth album entitled Anniversary won the 2019 GRAMMY® Award for Best Tropical Album.

With a new holiday album out in 2025, the three-time, GRAMMY® winning Spanish Harlem Orchestra is one of the finest music ensembles around. They have performed at many of the great performing arts centers, festivals, and venues around the world. Salsa Navidad is a show dedicated to classic Latino/Spanish music as well as select American Christmas classics done in a Latin/Salsa style. Part of the show features the Puerto Rican Christmas style known as “Aguinaldo,” which reflects the spirit and cultural essence of the Caribbean. Most of the band members are Latino and were raised in New York City so they are equally familiar with the American Holiday tradition. The program also features the ensemble’s non-holiday, original music for which they have become so well known for.

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