Josean Jacobo – Afro-Dominican Jazz

Josean Jacobo is one of the most important musicians in the Dominican Republic. The Berklee College of Music graduate has been called the “Ambassador of Afro-Dominican Jazz.” Jacobo is a pianist, producer and singer-songwriter of original Latin music born and raised in Santo Domingo. His music takes us on a sonorous journey through the identity of the Dominican people and their culture featuring Merengue, Pambiche, Palos, Gaga, Sarandunga, Machacó with jazz, Neo Soul and electronic dance blends. Josean’s albums with drummer Otoniel Nicolas include Cimarrón, Herencia Criollo, and Tengo un Lío showcasing works inspired by the fusion of Afro-Dominican styles.

His album “Cimarrón” (2019) was in the top 100 albums listed in US weekly jazz charts, remained in the top 50 albums for ABC Jazz in Australia for months, was included in the prestigious BBC “Most Requested Jazz Records”, and selected as one of the best albums of 2019 by Jazziz magazine. Josean has performed at international jazz festivals including Barranquijazz Festival, Panama Jazz Festival curated by Danilo Perez, Guadlope Festival and the Dominican Republic Jazz Festival. He lives between the Dominican Republic and Canada, and tours regularly in North and South America.

On his debut visit to Australia with Dominican drummer Otoniel Nicolás, Josean is collaborating with James Greening (trombone), Gai Bryant (saxophones), Giorgio Rojas (percussion) and Harry Birch (double bass) from ARIA-nominated Peruvian/Brazilian group ALLY. Together they aim to create trailblazing original music that straddles both Latin, jazz and dance soundscapes.