Percussionist-arranger-composer Samuel Torres and the Samuel Torres Super Band will bring the dynamic and infectious sound of Latin jazz to Aaron Davis Hall on Friday, May 18, at 7:30 p.m. with the “Alegría, Urban Latin Jazz Portrait” concert featuring songs from his upcoming album Alegría. With Alegría Torres pays homage to his Colombian homeland and other Latin American nations, giving a nod to their resilient spirit and ability to find joy in even the darkest times. Inspired by the vibrant urban and Latin dance music scenes of Bogotá and beyond, Torres created Alegría with an aim to merge classic jazz traditions with a more contemporary Latin urban sound as well as popular music styles such as boogaloo, cumbia and Afro-Cuban jazz. Above all, Alegría aims to inspire audiences to dance and find joy in the music.

The Samuel Torres Super Band is a dream team composed of Torres (congas and percussion), Will Vinson (alto saxophone), Joel Frahm (tenor and soprano saxophone), Ivan Renta (baritone saxophone, bass clarinet and flute), Michael Rodriguez (trumpet), Alex Norris (trumpet), Marshall Gilkes (trombone), Luis Perdomo (piano), Rubén Rodríguez (bass) and Pablo Bencid (drums).

Presented by City College Center for the Arts, tickets for “Alegría, Urban Latin Jazz Portrait” concert are now on sale. Tickets can be purchased online at www.citycollegecenterforthearts.org or in person at the Aaron Davis Hall box office Tuesday through Friday from noon to 6 p.m. For more details, visit the CCCA site or call the Aaron Davis Hall box office at (212) 650-6900. Aaron Davis Hall is located on the campus of the City College of New York, at West 135th Street and Convent Avenue (129 Convent Avenue).

The Alegría album and concert are a part of a grant by Chamber Music America 2017 New Jazz Works Commissioning program funded through the generosity of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. Torres, who won the grant in 2012 and 2017, has the distinction of being the first hand percussionist to receive the honor.