Afro‐Cuban Jazz Project

The Afro-Cuban Jazz Project is a premier collective led by flute virtuoso and arranger Orlando 'Maraca' Valle. Emerging from the legendary Irakere school of musicianship, Valle formed this project to explore the 'descarga' (jam session) tradition through a contemporary lens.

The project is characterized by its 'Otro Vision' (Another Vision) philosophy, which seeks to modernize Cuban musical heritage without losing its rhythmic soul. Musically, the group is defined by Valle's hyper-technical flute playing, which utilizes overblowing and percussive tonguing, supported by a powerhouse rhythm section and sharp, aggressive brass arrangements. Their work in the late 1990s was pivotal in maintaining the international profile of Cuban jazz following the Buena Vista Social Club phenomenon, offering a more complex, jazz-forward alternative to the traditionalist revival. Critically, they are lauded for their ability to balance technical mastery with the raw, celebratory energy of Havana's street music.