Latineo

Name: Latineo
Place of Foundation: Rotterdam, the Netherlands

Latineo was formed in 2007 by drummer Mark de Jong and consists of 4 specialists in the field of latinjazz who earned their reputation in The Netherlands as well as far beyond the Dutch borders. The group has come to be known for taking new directions within the latinjazz genre through an original and refreshing sound. Both distinct and contemporary, Latineo shows that the evolution of latinjazz is still going strong.

Cuban and Caribbean rhythms, catchy melodies, impressive improvisations, influences from Salsa and Timba and even from religious Afro-Cuban music, all this comes to an organic unity in Latineo´s music.

Pianist Marc Bischoff has established himself as the latin pianist and composer/arranger in the Netherlands. He's left his marks working with many bands like the Cubop City Big Band, Rumbata, Nueva Manteca, Metropole Orchestra, Izaline Callister and has played with international stars like Issac Delgado, Brian Lynch, Claudio Roditi to name but a few.

Bassplayer Yerman Aponte is from Caracas, Venezuela, where he played with artists like Paquito D´Rivera, Chucho Valdez, Al Di Meola, Tania Maria and several others. He currently resides in The Netherlands where he works with artists like Izaline Callister and Ronald Snijders.

Percussionplayer Jose `Pepe` Espinosa is from Havana, Cuba and is considered to be one of the greatest and most versatile Cuban percussionists worldwide at this moment. In Cuba he played with all the big names like Issac Delgado, Bamboleo, Cubanismo, Klimax, and works since several years from Europe as his base. He makes yearly tours playing all over the world with the legendary band “Afro Cuban All Stars”.

Drummer Mark de Jong is a very in demand drummer within the latinjazz scene of The Netherlands. He has worked with groups and artists like Nueva Manteca, Ramon Valle, Michael Simon & Roots United, Denise Jannah, Gerardo Rosales and many others. In addition he works regularly as a teacher of Latin Drums and Percussion at the Rotterdam Conservatory.

First Album Release
The first album of Latineo, `Two Ways`, was released in 2010 on Walboomers Records.  The album shows a band that knows how to make an organic blend between Latin American rhythms, beautiful melodies and jazzharmonies, in a swinging and vibrant fashion. Tight teamwork and interactive playing between the musicians are some of the prominent elements that define Latineo´s sound. The album contains original compositions by Marc Bischoff as well as a few arrangements of beautiful jazztunes that are not so commonly known.

Reviews for Latineo
“Good Work! Spirited real Latin Jazz! Very Good, swinging percussion, the best Latin Jazz work I´ve heard from The Netherlands.” Edsel Gomez, NY

“Latineo is a great and symbiotic ensemble and performs the music with aplomb and confidence. De Jong and Pepe Espinosa show great synergy.” Antonio Sanchez, NY

“Overwhelming album by Latineo! Wonderful music with a tremendous swing. Impressive duotrack by Mark and Pepe.” Calixto Oviedo, CU

“Latineo performs music that is both danceable and creative, unpredictable but logical. This group has the potential to delight audiences for many years to come.” Scott Yanow, LA