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If you’re looking for some new, fresh and exciting sounds, this big band album led by trombonist William Cepeda is going to knock your socks off. He leads a team that boasts fives saxes, four each of trombones and trumpets, and then there’s the avalanche of a rhythm section with bass, drums, cuatro guitar, piano and two percussionists.

Some of the most accomplished musicians are rarely aware of their contributions to the continuum of the art that often sustains them. This – more often than not – may happen long after they have passed. In the classical realm one only need think of Johann Sebastian Bach, who had to wait for Felix Mendelssohn to point to his importance and draw attention to his genius and contrapuntal inventions. The art of jazz is no less guilty of ignoring its geniuses.

Afro Ascension celebrates the tremendous global impact of Black artists from Canada and abroad. The evening will be headlined by Grammy-winning Somali-Canadian rapper K’naan, and will also feature Haitian-Canadian musician Vox Sambou, Puerto Rican trombonist William Cepeda, Cuban hip-hop/dancehall queen La Dame Blanche, and Ghanian singer-songwriter Rocky Dawuni, all coming together for the highly anticipated third edition of the International Concert Against Racism. 

Known as a cultural icon of Puerto Rico and a four-time Grammy nominee and composer, William Cepeda was born and raised in Loiza, the heart of Puerto Rico’s “Little Africa.” His artistic excellence, authenticity, and advocacy for research and comprehensive documentation of Puerto Rican music, dance and culture have earned him multiple awards, grants, and recognition.

Cepeda will create the 20-pc Big Band Jazz Orchestra of Puerto Rico to integrate Puerto Rican folkloric genres into the contemporary jazz big band format.  Partnering with the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, Old San Juan Heritage Foundation, Municipality of Loiza and the Ponce Art Museum, performances and recordings will take place throughout multiple locations.