Editorial Note — Soraya Alcalá
Arturo O’Farrill and The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra begin their spring residency at City Winery New York, reaffirming the vitality of Afro‑Latin jazz in contemporary culture. The program highlights O’Farrill’s artistic integrity and the orchestra’s role in preserving and expanding the genre’s legacy.
This residency connects tradition and innovation, offering audiences a direct experience of rhythm, intellect, and emotion — the essence of Latin jazz at its highest level.
© Soraya Alcalá · Original Editorial Note
A season of Afro‑Latin jazz excellence led by Grammy‑winner Arturo O’Farrill and his orchestra
NEW YORK, NY — April 14, 2026 — This spring, City Winery New York expands its live music programming with the launch of a new weekly residency featuring Grammy Award-winning pianist, composer, and bandleader Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra (ALJO). Kicking off on April 19 in celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month, the series invites audiences to experience one of the most dynamic forces in contemporary jazz in an intimate, immersive setting at City Winery on Pier 57. The series also represents the next chapter for the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, which has been performing a weekly residency for the past 29 years, and has become a core part of the cultural fabric of New York City.
Following its April 19 kickoff, the residency continues weekly from April 26 through May 31, transforming City Winery into a vibrant cultural hub where live music, culinary excellence, and community converge. Guests will experience electrifying performances that blend traditional Afro Latin rhythms, modern jazz, and contemporary composition.
A rare opportunity to experience a full 18-piece orchestra up close, the series brings the scale and energy of a major concert hall into City Winery’s signature listening-room environment. Select performances will also coincide with key seasonal moments, including Mother’s Day and Memorial Day weekend, offering a unique way to celebrate with family and friends through music, food, and shared experience.
Mexican-born pianist, composer, and bandleader Arturo O’Farrill stands as a towering figure in contemporary music, renowned for his genre-defying virtuosity, leadership, and unwavering commitment to social justice through music. Hailed by DownBeat as “one of our greatest living pianists,” O’Farrill bridges the gap between traditional Latin rhythms and modern jazz while continually pushing the boundaries of the art form. As founder and director of both the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra and Belongó—the non-profit institution dedicated to performing, educating about, and preserving the music of all of the Americas—he has built a legacy rooted in cultural dialogue, education, and community impact.
»We’re incredibly proud to welcome Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra to City Winery,” said Michael Dorf, CEO of City Winery. “Presenting an artist of this caliber—whose work not only defines the genre but continues to push it forward—reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting jazz and culturally significant music in an intimate, accessible setting.»
With limited capacity and an emphasis on immersive, up-close performances, the residency underscores City Winery’s continued evolution as a destination for world-class music experiences beyond the traditional concert format. By pairing globally renowned artists with curated culinary offerings, City Winery offers guests an experience that is as much about connection and atmosphere as it is about performance.
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