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Latinjazznet.com:

Hot Five Latin Jazz Picks August 2025

Que Viva La Musica by Vicki Sola:

Interview with Steven Oquendo (SOLJO), Que Viva La Música, #77, 8-30-25

Global Village with Chris Heim, KMUW/NPR (September 5, 2025):

“And some impressive Latin sounds from Conrad Herwig with the late, great Eddie Palmieri, a tribute to Titos Puente and Rodriguez from the Steven Oquendo Latin Jazz Orchestra, and the 50th anniversary reissue of the Fania All-Stars at Yankee Stadium.”

George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly:

“The overflowing stage featured a band of four trumpets, three trombones, five reeds, piano, bass and three percussionists that hum and sizzle like a V8 Buick. Oquendo and tenor saxist Patience Higgins are bright and bold on the avalanche of “Machito  Forever” while the leader gloriously glows with vocalist Alberto Toro on “Tus Ojos”. The sections flex their muscles on the dark and dramatic “Mambo Inn” and saunter with the vocal chorus on “Oye Mi Guaguanco”. Some tricky layers slither and wind on “Mamaguela” and the team bops till they drop on “Agua Limpia Todo”. The  percussion team gets tribal with Gruber on and earthy “Avisale A Mi Contrario” and percolates on a salsa’d take of the hard bop classic “Joy Spring”.”

JAZZIZ Magazine:

Inside Track

El Chino, Solar Latin Club:

“‘A Centennial Salute to Tito & Tito (Live)’ funciona tanto como documento histórico como celebración musical contemporánea. Steven Oquendo y su orquesta demuestran un profundo entendimiento  del material clásico sin caer en la mera imitación. Es un homenaje que honra el pasado mientras afirma la vitalidad continua de esta tradición musical en el signo XXl.’”

Jesse Chuy Varela, Music Director & Announcer at KCSM Jazz 91:

“Props to my man, Steve Oquendo for a superb new album honoring Tito Puente and Tito Rodriguez (A MUST HAVE) with a tight swinging big band with veterans like Pete Miranda (Bari Man) helping anchor the orchestra. And who is Leo Gruber (he can sing).”