About the Artist

Led by guitarist Jose Guzman, The Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective blends the heart of Afro-Caribbean rhythms with the sophistication of modern jazz. Their third album, “Fiesta at Caroga,” has been making waves in the jazz world. It’s been featured on jazz radio stations across the country, received glowing reviews from music critics, and charted on JazzWeek’s Top 100 Jazz Albums of 2024. A native of Ponce, Puerto Rico, Guzmán is a versatile guitarist, performing across jazz, classical, and rock genres. He served as an artist-in-residence at the Caroga Lake Music Festival and earned the 2020 Urbana Arts Grant to compose works blending Afro-Cuban and Puerto Rican rhythms. His projects have also been supported by Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs, Illinois Arts Council, Urbana Arts, and the Mykytyn Composition Award, with recordings featured on albums by Dimitrije Vasiljevic, KASA String Quartet, and Mr. Chair.