All City Latin Ensemble

New York City’s All-City High School Latin Ensemble is a Big Band dedicated to honoring the musical traditions of the New York City Palladium era, as well as the traditional and contemporary styles of several cultures across Latin America. By playing charts that span from Machito and Tito Puente to present-day hits, students hone their technical skills, become more versatile musicians, and gain deep insight into the rich traditions of Latin music from a historical perspective. 

With a full Latin percussion section and four vocalists singing in the soneo style, the Ensemble performs repertoire in musical styles that include the Cha-Cha-Cha, Bolero, Son Montuno, Rumba, Salsa, Guaguancó, and Merengue. Through a partnership with multi-GRAMMY Award winner Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, participating students also have the opportunity to work with professional musicians who have performed with the biggest names in Latin music, including Celia Cruz, Rubén Blades, Arturo Sandoval, The Tito Rodriguez Orchestra, and Tito Puente. 

The All-City High School Latin Ensemble is one of seven ensembles comprising the All-City High School Music Program, a free Saturday program in its 87th season that is operated by the NYCDOE’s Office of Arts & Special Projects.