The project marks Glenn’s first album as a bandleader in nearly five decades, making it a major milestone in his career. Released around his 80th birthday, the album serves as a personal musical statement reflecting his lifelong love for Latin rhythms and jazz improvisation.
The music blends Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Brazilian, and Latin jazz influences, highlighting Glenn’s versatility as he performs on vibraphone, flute, saxophone, and marimba. Each composition reflects different aspects of his musical journey and the artists who influenced him.
Roger Glenn is a renowned American multi-instrumentalist, composer, and bandleader known for his work in jazz, Latin jazz, blues, funk, and world music.
Throughout his career he has performed on more than 18 instruments, including vibraphone, flute, saxophone, marimba, and vocals, creating a distinctive sound that blends improvisational jazz with Afro-Caribbean rhythms.
Born in New York, Glenn comes from a musical family—his father, Tyree Glenn, was a famous trombonist and vibraphonist who performed with legends such as Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong.
Over the decades, Roger Glenn has collaborated with major jazz and Latin music figures including Mongo Santamaría, Dizzy Gillespie, Cal Tjader, Donald Byrd, Taj Mahal, and Herbie Mann.
These experiences helped shape his style, which combines jazz improvisation with the rhythmic traditions of Latin America and the African diaspora.
Track list
Zambo’s Mambo
Cal’s Guajira
Brother Marshall
A Night of Love
Energizer
Congo Square
Angola
Samba De Carnaval
Musicians on the album
Roger Glenn — vibraphone, flute, saxophone, marimba, vocals
Ray Obiedo — guitar
David K. Mathews — piano
David Belove — bass
Paul van Wageningen — drums
Derek Rolando — percussion
John Santos — percussion, vocals
Michael Spiro — percussion, vocals