An expressive playing style, marked by flaring melodies and soulful rhythms, has made Jimmy Bosch one of the leading trombone players in contemporary Latin music. Known throughout the Latin communities as "El Trombon Criollo," the New Jersey-born Bosch has strengthened the music of such top-notch Latin groups as Ruben Blades and Son Del Solar, Mark Anthony, Eddie Palmieri, Perfecta Combinacion, Manny Oquendo Y Libre, Cachao, Celia Cruz, La India and Ray Baretto. Bosch has led his own group, the Masters, since 1996. Bosch, one of 11 children raised in a poor family, began playing trombone in school at age 11. Two years later, he made his professional debut with a Hoboken-based merengue band, Arcoires. In 1978, Bosch enrolled in the classical music department at Rutgers University and became a member of the influential Salsa band Manny Oquendo Y Libre. He continues to perform and record with the group occasionally. Bosch's debut album as a bandleader, Soneando Trombon, features guest appearances by Cuban trumpet legend Chocolate Armenteros and vocalist Pete Rodriguez. Salsa Dura followed in 1999. ~ Craig Harris