Jose Rizo’s “Jazz on the Latin Side All Stars” is a 15-piece all-star ensemble made up of legendary figures, world-class studio musicians, great jazz artists, and popular bandleaders.  This tight ensemble was formed in 2000, a few months after a large, historical  jam session at B. B. Kings on the Universal City Walk, celebrating 10 years of "Jazz on the Latin Side" on KJazz radio.

Bandleader/jazz radio announcer Jose Rizo named the band after his latin jazz radio program “Jazz on the Latin Side” on KKJZ 88.1 FM (KJazz) in Long Beach, California.  This versatile big band feels as comfortable playing progressive latin jazz as it does playing tremendous salsa dura.

All star ensemble members and rotating members include Justo Almario (tenor sax), Marvin “Smitty” Smith (drums), Danilo Lozano (flute / musical director), Joey De Leon (congas), Jame Zavaleta (lead vocals), Francisco Torres (trombone / prime arranger), Rene Camacho (bass), Bijon Watson (trumpet), Gilbert Castellanos (trumpet), Sal Cracciolo (trumpet), Kamasi Washington (alto sax), Scott Martin (baritone sax), Eric Jorgensen (trombone), Alfredo Ortiz (bongo / vocals), Andy Martin (trombone), Jimmy Branly (timbales), Andy Langham (piano).

“The Last Bullfighter”, their first recording as an ensemble, reached #10 on the national jazz charts (Jazz Week). This CD included popular originals like “The Last Bullfighter”, “Sun God”, “Cozumel”, “Justo’s Trane Ride”, “Mr. Drop”, “Ironman James”,  and  “Chupacabras”, as well as recording exciting versions of Dizzy’s “Bebop”, Lee Morgan’s “Caramba”, Machito’s “Yo Soy la Rumba” and “Saoco”.

The “Jazz on the Latin Side All Stars” have recently performed at “The Playboy Jazz Festival” at the Hollywood Bowl, Central Avenue Jazz Festival, Jazz at Drew, Yoshi’s in Oakland, John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, The Jazz Bakery, Catalina Jazz Club, Steamer’s Jazz Club, The Brownsville Latin Jazz Festival (Texas), The Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival (Idaho), Latin Grammy After Party, and Santa Monica Pier Concerts.

The latest CD, “Tambolero”, remained for weeks on the national top-50 jazz charts (Jazz Week),  reaching #11.  “Tambolero” includes a new set of originals like “Granizo”, “Amanecer”, “Danilo en la Flauta”, “Senor Olmos” (dedicated to actor Edward James Olmos), and the rumba “Buscando al Curandero” (featuring Francisco Aguabella). “Tambolero” also includes exciting versions of Wayne Shorter’s “Yes or No”, Charlie Parker’s “Ah Leu Cha”, Poncho Sanchez’s “Baila Mi Gente” (with Poncho Sanchez), and little-recorded salsa classics like “El Eco del Tambo” and “Mama Vieja”.  Many consider the “Tambolero” CD as the best-to-date from this powerful all star Latin jazz big band.  Both CD’s recorded under Saungu Records.  www.saungu.com