Jazz trombonist Luis Bonilla toured and recorded for many years with Lester Bowie's Brass Fantasy, and Bowie's mentorship inspires his 2007 recording Terminal Clarity.
"The fabric of my music reflects my natural inclination towards Latin rhythms meshed with rhythm and blues, free jazz, funk, rock, and even the sounds of AM radio from the '70s."
Bonilla is a member of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the Mingus Big Band, and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra. He has performed with jazz greats ranging from Toshiko Akiyoshi to McCoy Tyner, and contributed his studio licks to recordings by Mary J. Blige and La India, among others.
A big day for jazz at NEC—come early for a 1pm masterclass with pianist Jason Moran, and come back in the evening for a baker's dozen of NEC faculty improvisers, plus friends!
Are you an NEC faculty member or student who is giving a school concert? Submit your artist and repertoire information now!
SARAH VAUGHAN