Robby Ameen Quintet
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This artist does not have a bio yet.
New York-based jazz trombonist Conrad Herwig is considered one of the worlds complete jazz musicians, atop both the performing and jazz educational fields with an abundance of composer and arranger credits, as well. To date, he has released 20 recordings as a leader in addition to contributing to nearly 200 other recording sessions with some of the most notable artists in jazz. He has performed and recorded with Miles Davis, Joe Henderson, Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente, Frank Sinatra, Joe Lovano and Tom Harrell, among many others. Born November 1, 1959, in Lawton, Okla., Herwig is an inductee of that states Jazz Hall of Fame. He spent his formative musical years in Hawaii under the aura of jazz icon trombonist Trummy Young, graduating from Punahou High School. The gifted trombonist then went to the University of North Texas, performing as a member of the famed One OClock Jazz Lab Band. Later in his career he would complete his studies at Goddard College in Plainfield, Vt., where he received his Bachelors of Arts degree in Afro-Caribbean ethnomusicology. Herwigs formal studies came to a close with a Master of Arts degree in Jazz Studies from Queens College, a branch of City University of New York. Equally well-versed in the bebop, hard bop and modern jazz musical languages, Herwigs professional performance career commenced with big band stints with a number of iconic and legendary figures including Clark Terry, Cab Calloway, Buddy Rich, Toshiko Akiyoshi and Mel Lewis. Around that time he also performed and toured with Slide Hamptons World of Trombones. Later, Herwig would work for a number of years with the Frank Sinatra Orchestra. Other important early associations included a stay with bandleader Mario Bauzas seminal Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra, an association that would launch his mastery of the Latin and Latin Jazz genres. As his stock rose in the New York area, he developed associations with a virtual Whos Who of jazz. Herwig worked with a number of small, mid-sized and large ensembles while continuing to forge a name as a leader. Jazz elders he had already worked with included Red Garland, Dave Liebman and Max Roach; at the same time he attracted Perez and David Sanchez in his groups. Herwigs first release With Every Breath (Ken) arrived in 1987; during the course of the next 10 years he released four additional recordings for the same label. During the mid-1980s he began a long association with Palmieri, a musical journey that continues to this day. Herwig also performed regularly as a member of Paquito DRiveras Quintet and larger ensembles such as the Dizzy Gillespie inspired United Nation Orchestra. He also continues his now long-standing affiliation with the Mingus Big Band, where he has served as musical director and contributed as arranger, most notably on the 2008 GRAMMY-nominated Live at the Tokyo Blue Note (Sunnyside). One of Herwigs more important mid-career affiliations was with the late saxophonist Joe Henderson, who enjoyed a career surge in popularity at that time. During different stints with Henderson, which began in the early 1990s and lasted until close to the saxophonists 2001 passing, Herwig toured both globally with the saxophonist and spent time in the recording studio, contributing to projects such as Joe Henderson: Big Band (Verve; 1992), Porgy &Bess (Verve; 1999) and The Other Side of Joe Henderson (Universal; 2004), a posthumously released collection. Herwigs career took an important leap forward in 1996. He drew from his straight-ahead, modern, and Latin Jazz experiences and released The Latin Side of John Coltrane (Astor Place), what he would call a reimagining of Coltranes work with original arrangements created within a Latin Jazz context. At the time of its release the recording received across-the-board rave reviews. The CD showcased an array of artists from both the Latin and the straight-ahead jazz world including Dave Valentin, Ronnie Cuber, Brian Lynch and Eddie Palmieri. It would prove to be the first in an ongoing series of creative efforts that continue to this day; it would be the first of Herwigs three GRAMMY®-nominations in the Best Latin Jazz Recording category. Since then Herwig has issued Another Kind of Blue: Latin Side of Miles (Half Note; 2004; GRAMMY®-nominated), Qué Viva Coltrane (Criss Cross; 2005), Sketches of Spain Y Mas (Half Note; 2006), Latin Side of Wayne Shorter (Half Note; 2008; GRAMMY-nominated) and Latin Side of Herbie Hancock (2010). His Latin Side All-Star Band, a septet filled with some of the genres mostly highly respected players includes multi-instrumentalist Craig Handy, trumpeter Mike Rodriguez, pianist Bill OConnell, bassist Ruben Rodriguez, drummer Robby Ameen and conga player and percussionist Pedro Martinez. The group has headlined festivals both internationally (Tim Jazz Festival [Brazil], Red Sea Jazz Festival, Panama Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, San Javier Jazz Festival, Paris Jazz Festival, Puerto Rican Heineken Jazz Festival) and domestically (Chicago Jazz Festival, Detroit Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, San Francisco Jazz Festival, Beantown/Boston Jazz Festival, Newport Jazz Festival) as well as performed at major universities throughout the United States. Meanwhile, while continuing to delve deep into the music of the southern hemisphere, Herwig has remained equally active north of the border, continuing to perform with straight-ahead ensembles and issue such titles as Jones For Bones Tones (Criss Cross; 2007) and Obligation (Criss Cross; 2005) before that. In 2006 Herwig received the Paul Acket Award (formerly the Bird Award). The prize, presented at the North Sea Jazz Festival, is intended for an artist who, according to the international jury, deserves the attention of a broader audience. Herwig is also a recipient of performance and teaching grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. Conrad was elected to the Board of Advisors of the International Trombone Association for a second time in 2006. Since 2004 he has taught at Mason Gross School of the Arts in the prestigious jazz program at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J. He is currently Professor of Jazz Trombone, Jazz Improvisation and Jazz Composition and Arranging. He is also a visiting Professor of Jazz Studies at the Juilliard School, NYC. Educationally his reputation matches his technical prowess and musicality. Herwig continues to draw the attention of his academic colleagues, so much so that he receives ongoing requests to serve as an Artist-in-Residence as well as a Guest Artist/Soloist at college and university jazz festivals around the world. Armed with his compositions and arrangements for both small and large ensembles he is able to step in to virtually any situation and deliver engaging master classes and workshops. During the course of what is now more than 30-year career he has conducted master classes, seminars and workshops at major universities and conservatories around the world including the Sibelius Academy, Finland; Royal Irish Academy, Dublin; University of Koln, Germany; Eastman School of Music, Rochester, NY; University of Southern California and literally hundreds of others. One of the most in-demand jazz educators, Conrad Herwig performs exclusively on Michael Rath trombones.
This artist does not have a bio yet.
Puerto Rican Bassist Alex "Apolo" Ayala-Berríos embodies the spirit of the multi-lingual musician. His vast knowledge of both Latin Jazz and Jazz languages makes him one of the most in-demand Bassists and Arrangers in the world. A native from San Juan,Puerto Rico, he blends his Afro-Puerto Rican / Afro-Caribbean roots with Jazz idioms, which enables him to be fluid in Swing, Bebop, Blues, Bomba, Plena, Rumba, and other Latin-American expressions (Samba/Bossa, Tango, Afro-Peruvian, Afro- Colombian, Afro-Venezuelan). With a career spanning 25 years, his body of work includes performances, tours, and recordings with Latin music giants and world-renowned Jazz musicians. He has played with the likes of Eddie Palmieri, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Antonio Hart, Billy Harper, Jeremy Pelt, Wayne Escoffery, Amina Figarova, Pete Rodriguez, Roberto Rohena, Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Mambo Legends Orchestra, Tito Nieves, Tito Rojas, Orquesta Akokán, Puerto Rican Power, Luis “Perico” Ortíz, Giovanni Hidalgo, Papo Vázquez, Nestor Torres, Conrad Herwig, Mike Eckroth, Flavio Silva, Edsel Gomez, Paoli Mejías, Ralph Irrizary & Timbalaye, Jerry Gonzalez, William Cepeda, Mitch Frohman, and served as the Music Director for Los Pleneros de la 21 for 10 years. His resume includes recordings for Gilberto Santa Rosa, Paoli Mejias, William Cepeda, Los Pleneros de la 21, Humberto Ramirez, Flavio Silva, Michael Eckroth, Paul Carlon, Edsel Gomez, Dave Schumacher, Luis "Perico" Ortiz, Puerto Rican Power, Tito Rojas, Jerry Rivera, Tito Nieves, Tony Vega, José Lugo “Guasábara Big Band”, Our Latin Thing feat. Vicentico (Fabulosos Cadillacs) and Puerto Rican rapper extraordinaire Residente. Based in New York City since 2013, he started in music at age 11, and by the age of 15 y/o he was already playing professionally in the Puerto Rican music scene. He studied and graduated with honors from "Escuela Libre de música de Hato Rey”, which alumni includes renowned Jazz artists such as Miguel Zenon, David Sanchez, Edsel Gomez and Giovanni Hidalgo. Ayala earned his B.A. Degree in Jazz and Caribbean Music from Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music), where he studied with legendary bassist Eddie Gomez, and renowned Saxophonist David Sanchez, and a Master of Music Degree in Jazz studies from Rutgers University, where he was mentored by Conrad Herwig, Ralph Bowen, Orrin Evans, Kenny Davis, Abraham Burton and Anthony Branker. Currently, he leads four ensembles: “The Bámbula Project”, an Afro-Puerto Rican Jazz Quartet,The Afro-Puerto Rican Jazz Big Band, The "2nd Language" Quartet (a mainstream Jazz quartet) and The Ayala-Fournier Duo. He has released three albums as a leader, “ONWARDS” (2011 Self-released) “BÁMBULA” (TRRC 2022) and "Afro Puerto Rican Jazz (2025, PMC Records/Miel Music). As a sideman, Ayala works with the Antonio Hart Quartet, Dave Schumacher's "Cubeye", Paul Carlon Trio, Cesar Orozco's Kamerata Jazz, Jimmy Bosch Salsa Masters, Jeremy Bosch Orchestra, Sebastian Natal orchestra, and frequently collaborates with Orrin Evans, Zaccai Curtis, Conrad Herwig, Edsel Gomez, Jonathan Powell, Pete Rodriguez, Samuel Torres, Silvano Monasterios, Mitch Frohman, Mambo Legends Orchestra, Steven Oquendo Latin Jazz Orchestra, and countless others.
This artist does not have a bio yet.
New York-based jazz trombonist Conrad Herwig is considered one of the worlds complete jazz musicians, atop both the performing and jazz educational fields with an abundance of composer and arranger credits, as well. To date, he has released 20 recordings as a leader in addition to contributing to nearly 200 other recording sessions with some of the most notable artists in jazz. He has performed and recorded with Miles Davis, Joe Henderson, Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente, Frank Sinatra, Joe Lovano and Tom Harrell, among many others. Born November 1, 1959, in Lawton, Okla., Herwig is an inductee of that states Jazz Hall of Fame. He spent his formative musical years in Hawaii under the aura of jazz icon trombonist Trummy Young, graduating from Punahou High School. The gifted trombonist then went to the University of North Texas, performing as a member of the famed One OClock Jazz Lab Band. Later in his career he would complete his studies at Goddard College in Plainfield, Vt., where he received his Bachelors of Arts degree in Afro-Caribbean ethnomusicology. Herwigs formal studies came to a close with a Master of Arts degree in Jazz Studies from Queens College, a branch of City University of New York. Equally well-versed in the bebop, hard bop and modern jazz musical languages, Herwigs professional performance career commenced with big band stints with a number of iconic and legendary figures including Clark Terry, Cab Calloway, Buddy Rich, Toshiko Akiyoshi and Mel Lewis. Around that time he also performed and toured with Slide Hamptons World of Trombones. Later, Herwig would work for a number of years with the Frank Sinatra Orchestra. Other important early associations included a stay with bandleader Mario Bauzas seminal Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra, an association that would launch his mastery of the Latin and Latin Jazz genres. As his stock rose in the New York area, he developed associations with a virtual Whos Who of jazz. Herwig worked with a number of small, mid-sized and large ensembles while continuing to forge a name as a leader. Jazz elders he had already worked with included Red Garland, Dave Liebman and Max Roach; at the same time he attracted Perez and David Sanchez in his groups. Herwigs first release With Every Breath (Ken) arrived in 1987; during the course of the next 10 years he released four additional recordings for the same label. During the mid-1980s he began a long association with Palmieri, a musical journey that continues to this day. Herwig also performed regularly as a member of Paquito DRiveras Quintet and larger ensembles such as the Dizzy Gillespie inspired United Nation Orchestra. He also continues his now long-standing affiliation with the Mingus Big Band, where he has served as musical director and contributed as arranger, most notably on the 2008 GRAMMY-nominated Live at the Tokyo Blue Note (Sunnyside). One of Herwigs more important mid-career affiliations was with the late saxophonist Joe Henderson, who enjoyed a career surge in popularity at that time. During different stints with Henderson, which began in the early 1990s and lasted until close to the saxophonists 2001 passing, Herwig toured both globally with the saxophonist and spent time in the recording studio, contributing to projects such as Joe Henderson: Big Band (Verve; 1992), Porgy &Bess (Verve; 1999) and The Other Side of Joe Henderson (Universal; 2004), a posthumously released collection. Herwigs career took an important leap forward in 1996. He drew from his straight-ahead, modern, and Latin Jazz experiences and released The Latin Side of John Coltrane (Astor Place), what he would call a reimagining of Coltranes work with original arrangements created within a Latin Jazz context. At the time of its release the recording received across-the-board rave reviews. The CD showcased an array of artists from both the Latin and the straight-ahead jazz world including Dave Valentin, Ronnie Cuber, Brian Lynch and Eddie Palmieri. It would prove to be the first in an ongoing series of creative efforts that continue to this day; it would be the first of Herwigs three GRAMMY®-nominations in the Best Latin Jazz Recording category. Since then Herwig has issued Another Kind of Blue: Latin Side of Miles (Half Note; 2004; GRAMMY®-nominated), Qué Viva Coltrane (Criss Cross; 2005), Sketches of Spain Y Mas (Half Note; 2006), Latin Side of Wayne Shorter (Half Note; 2008; GRAMMY-nominated) and Latin Side of Herbie Hancock (2010). His Latin Side All-Star Band, a septet filled with some of the genres mostly highly respected players includes multi-instrumentalist Craig Handy, trumpeter Mike Rodriguez, pianist Bill OConnell, bassist Ruben Rodriguez, drummer Robby Ameen and conga player and percussionist Pedro Martinez. The group has headlined festivals both internationally (Tim Jazz Festival [Brazil], Red Sea Jazz Festival, Panama Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, San Javier Jazz Festival, Paris Jazz Festival, Puerto Rican Heineken Jazz Festival) and domestically (Chicago Jazz Festival, Detroit Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, San Francisco Jazz Festival, Beantown/Boston Jazz Festival, Newport Jazz Festival) as well as performed at major universities throughout the United States. Meanwhile, while continuing to delve deep into the music of the southern hemisphere, Herwig has remained equally active north of the border, continuing to perform with straight-ahead ensembles and issue such titles as Jones For Bones Tones (Criss Cross; 2007) and Obligation (Criss Cross; 2005) before that. In 2006 Herwig received the Paul Acket Award (formerly the Bird Award). The prize, presented at the North Sea Jazz Festival, is intended for an artist who, according to the international jury, deserves the attention of a broader audience. Herwig is also a recipient of performance and teaching grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. Conrad was elected to the Board of Advisors of the International Trombone Association for a second time in 2006. Since 2004 he has taught at Mason Gross School of the Arts in the prestigious jazz program at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J. He is currently Professor of Jazz Trombone, Jazz Improvisation and Jazz Composition and Arranging. He is also a visiting Professor of Jazz Studies at the Juilliard School, NYC. Educationally his reputation matches his technical prowess and musicality. Herwig continues to draw the attention of his academic colleagues, so much so that he receives ongoing requests to serve as an Artist-in-Residence as well as a Guest Artist/Soloist at college and university jazz festivals around the world. Armed with his compositions and arrangements for both small and large ensembles he is able to step in to virtually any situation and deliver engaging master classes and workshops. During the course of what is now more than 30-year career he has conducted master classes, seminars and workshops at major universities and conservatories around the world including the Sibelius Academy, Finland; Royal Irish Academy, Dublin; University of Koln, Germany; Eastman School of Music, Rochester, NY; University of Southern California and literally hundreds of others. One of the most in-demand jazz educators, Conrad Herwig performs exclusively on Michael Rath trombones.
This artist does not have a bio yet.
Puerto Rican Bassist Alex "Apolo" Ayala-Berríos embodies the spirit of the multi-lingual musician. His vast knowledge of both Latin Jazz and Jazz languages makes him one of the most in-demand Bassists and Arrangers in the world. A native from San Juan,Puerto Rico, he blends his Afro-Puerto Rican / Afro-Caribbean roots with Jazz idioms, which enables him to be fluid in Swing, Bebop, Blues, Bomba, Plena, Rumba, and other Latin-American expressions (Samba/Bossa, Tango, Afro-Peruvian, Afro- Colombian, Afro-Venezuelan). With a career spanning 25 years, his body of work includes performances, tours, and recordings with Latin music giants and world-renowned Jazz musicians. He has played with the likes of Eddie Palmieri, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Antonio Hart, Billy Harper, Jeremy Pelt, Wayne Escoffery, Amina Figarova, Pete Rodriguez, Roberto Rohena, Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Mambo Legends Orchestra, Tito Nieves, Tito Rojas, Orquesta Akokán, Puerto Rican Power, Luis “Perico” Ortíz, Giovanni Hidalgo, Papo Vázquez, Nestor Torres, Conrad Herwig, Mike Eckroth, Flavio Silva, Edsel Gomez, Paoli Mejías, Ralph Irrizary & Timbalaye, Jerry Gonzalez, William Cepeda, Mitch Frohman, and served as the Music Director for Los Pleneros de la 21 for 10 years. His resume includes recordings for Gilberto Santa Rosa, Paoli Mejias, William Cepeda, Los Pleneros de la 21, Humberto Ramirez, Flavio Silva, Michael Eckroth, Paul Carlon, Edsel Gomez, Dave Schumacher, Luis "Perico" Ortiz, Puerto Rican Power, Tito Rojas, Jerry Rivera, Tito Nieves, Tony Vega, José Lugo “Guasábara Big Band”, Our Latin Thing feat. Vicentico (Fabulosos Cadillacs) and Puerto Rican rapper extraordinaire Residente. Based in New York City since 2013, he started in music at age 11, and by the age of 15 y/o he was already playing professionally in the Puerto Rican music scene. He studied and graduated with honors from "Escuela Libre de música de Hato Rey”, which alumni includes renowned Jazz artists such as Miguel Zenon, David Sanchez, Edsel Gomez and Giovanni Hidalgo. Ayala earned his B.A. Degree in Jazz and Caribbean Music from Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music), where he studied with legendary bassist Eddie Gomez, and renowned Saxophonist David Sanchez, and a Master of Music Degree in Jazz studies from Rutgers University, where he was mentored by Conrad Herwig, Ralph Bowen, Orrin Evans, Kenny Davis, Abraham Burton and Anthony Branker. Currently, he leads four ensembles: “The Bámbula Project”, an Afro-Puerto Rican Jazz Quartet,The Afro-Puerto Rican Jazz Big Band, The "2nd Language" Quartet (a mainstream Jazz quartet) and The Ayala-Fournier Duo. He has released three albums as a leader, “ONWARDS” (2011 Self-released) “BÁMBULA” (TRRC 2022) and "Afro Puerto Rican Jazz (2025, PMC Records/Miel Music). As a sideman, Ayala works with the Antonio Hart Quartet, Dave Schumacher's "Cubeye", Paul Carlon Trio, Cesar Orozco's Kamerata Jazz, Jimmy Bosch Salsa Masters, Jeremy Bosch Orchestra, Sebastian Natal orchestra, and frequently collaborates with Orrin Evans, Zaccai Curtis, Conrad Herwig, Edsel Gomez, Jonathan Powell, Pete Rodriguez, Samuel Torres, Silvano Monasterios, Mitch Frohman, Mambo Legends Orchestra, Steven Oquendo Latin Jazz Orchestra, and countless others.
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