Do you ever play any strictly Latin jazz gigs any more?
Occasionally, but these days I prefer playing many different styles in addition to Latin jazz. I really began to appreciate Latin jazz through my association with Bob Washut at the University of Northern Iowa. When I started playing gigs in Champaign Illinois in the mid 90s, I thought it would be fun to explore the Latin Jazz style, and the members of my group were open to it. It caught on because it was different and rare in Central Illinois. I thoroughly enjoy the rhythmic aspect of it as well as the depth of the genre, but I also enjoy many other aspects of many other styles too. So these days, I enjoy playing music that I like, period. It can be straight-ahead, contemporary, funky, fusion, Latin, or whatever. There are just too many good things to choose from to limit the possibilities.
