William Cepeda

[cs_content][cs_element_section _id=”1″ ][cs_element_row _id=”2″ ][cs_element_column _id=”3″ ][cs_element_image _id=”4″ ][cs_element_image _id=”5″ ][/cs_element_column][/cs_element_row][cs_element_row _id=”6″ ][cs_element_column _id=”7″ ][cs_element_text _id=”8″ ][/cs_element_column][/cs_element_row][cs_element_row _id=”9″ ][cs_element_column _id=”10″ ][cs_element_video _id=”11″ ][/cs_element_column][/cs_element_row][cs_element_row _id=”12″ ][cs_element_column _id=”13″ ][cs_element_global_block _id=”14″ ][/cs_element_column][/cs_element_row][/cs_element_section][/cs_content][cs_content_seo]Grammy-nominated artist and composer William Cepeda revolutionized the field of Latin music in 1992 with his introduction of Afro-Rican Jazz, an innovative blend of traditional Afro-Puerto Rican roots with progressive jazz and world music.
His ensemble has toured internationally performing in jazz festivals such as the Montreux, NorthSea and Tabarka, as well as in performing arts venues and clubs all over the world. Also is surely to leave audiences in awe is Cepeda’s stash of seashells, which produce a haunting, howling sound. The shells were used by the Taino Indians to communicate.
For over two decades, trombonist-composer William Cepeda has been unearthing Puerto Rico’s musical roots — while at the same time fusing it with international sounds. As a musician he have toured with include: Dizzy Gillespie, Lester Bowie and his Brass Fantasy, David Murray, Bobby Watson, Miriam Makeba and Slide Hampton & The Jazz Masters.
Equally well-known in the Latin music scene, with legendary figures such as Oscar De Leon, Paquito D’Rivera, Eddie Palmieri, Celia Cruz, Mark Anthony and Tito Puente. When he was not touring, he keeps creating in the recording studio. As a recording artist, he appeared on over 100 recordings as well as countless jingles and movie soundtracks.
Recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from the Berklee College of Music in 2013 as well as having had the 2013 Puerto Rico Heineken Jazz Festival dedicated. Professor and Artistic Composer in the University of Puerto Rico for the last six years. Also he was invited to serve both as a composer and artist in residence at a number of distinguished institutions including Berklee College of Music, University of Guadalupe, Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, the Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico (Conservatory of Music of  Puerto Rico) and the Middlesex School in Concord, Massachusetts among others. Cepeda teach classes and direct ensembles performing a wide repertoire of compositions and different instrumentations that include trombone, Jazz improvisation, Caribbean percussion, conch shells, World music, also jazz fusion techniques, composing and arranging, and a personal specialty of mine, Puerto Rican, Caribbean traditional music combined with World music and jazz.
Cepeda’s artist owned and operated record label, Casabe Records, has released a series of critically acclaimed recordings under his name since its inception in 2003, including: Los Hermanos Ayala, Isabel Abizu, Feliz Alduen, Los Ruiseñores, Angel Luis Torruellas, International Quintet, Afrorican Jazz Live in Montreaux, Esencia,…. Cepeda has also arranged and produced for this albums. Cepeda has released albums as a leader on Blue Jackel, Branching out, My Root and Beyond and Afro Boricua. Cepeda actually dedicates the majority of his time performing, composing and producing; also with his own musical projects.[/cs_content_seo]