The Sound of Jazz Dominicano

"The Sound of Jazz Dominicano" traces the unique fusion of Dominican rhythms with the language of jazz, blending folkloric roots and improvisation in a refreshingly organic way. This playlist brings together a wide spectrum of artists—from pioneers to contemporary innovators—exploring how traditional merengue, bachata, and palo connect with bebop, funk, and Latin jazz. Tracks like “Amor Arrayano” by Yasser Tejeda and Vicente García and “Moriviví” by Isaac Hernández showcase the use of Afro-Dominican rhythms in modern arrangements, while groups like Retro Jazz reinterpret Dominican classics with a jazz twist.

Across the playlist, there’s a balance of instrumental depth and vocal storytelling. Jazz stalwarts like Josean Jacobo & Tumbao and Mario Rivera sit alongside genre-crossing collaborations, such as Gioel Martín and Carolina Camacho’s “Palo's Moon.” The inclusion of projects like The Dominican Jazz Project and Sistema Temperado shows how Dominican jazz extends beyond borders while maintaining its cultural identity. From laid-back interpretations to rhythm-soaked fusions, this mix reflects the full palette of jazz made in, for, and inspired by the Dominican Republic.