La Fiesta Latin Jazz Quintet Get ready to move, clap, and learn with the La Fiesta Latin Jazz Quintet—an energetic, interactive performance that introduces students to the vibrant rhythms of Latin jazz and its African and Latin American roots. Perfect for all grade levels, this engaging program blends live performance with music education, giving students a firsthand experience of improvisation, cultural fusion, and the excitement of jazz in action.

Workshop Option:
All members of La Fiesta are experienced educators who can work with your school jazz band or music classes prior to the performance. Students may even have the opportunity to join the band onstage for a featured number during the show.

Students will:
Explore the roots and rhythms of Latin jazz, including its African and Latin American influences – Participate in call-and-response activities and movement games that engage the entire audience – Cheer on their peers as selected students dance alongside the band in a high-energy finale led by one of our musicians This program is fun, educational, and tailored to school audiences of all ages. La Fiesta Latin Jazz Quintet has been a favorite for assemblies and classroom programs for years.

What educators are saying:
“The band was awesome!! Incredibly skilled, knowledgeable, and engaging.”
“It really was a very complete educational performance.”
“This was a great assembly! The students were well-behaved, and the music was fantastic!”

See the group in action: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1775933072587044

Artist Background

La Fiesta Latin Jazz Quintet comprises players from North Carolina, one of whom is originally from the Dominican Republic. We perform throughout North Carolina in schools, clubs and at festivals. The group is led and directed by Gregg Gelb, who for over 30 years has taught and played jazz throughout the Triangle. Gelb was the recipient of the Raleigh Medal of Arts in 2018 and a NC Arts Council Jazz Fellowship, and is the Director of the National award winning Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble. The group includes Ramon Ortiz, a Latin Jazz percussionist who is a native of the Dominican Republic. Steve Anderson is a critically acclaimed composer and pianist whose music has been published on fourteen compact discs, four of which have appeared on the Grammy Awards ballots; Beverly Botsford, a cross-cultural percussionist and educator who has worked with Chuck Davis and the African American Dance Ensemble, Urban Bush Women, and the American Dance Festival; and our bassist is Andy Kleindienst, who is also a trombonist, educator and co-director for Orquesta GarDel.

Search Criteria

• Program Type: Performance
• Discipline: Music
• Grade Level: Elementary, High, Middle
• Cultural Context: African, African-American, Caribbean, Hispanic
• Accepts bookings in Johnston County