Charlie Sepulveda

A highly regarded trumpeter, bandleader, and educator, Charlie Sepúlveda is recognized for his ebullient jazz albums, which combine hard bop, Latin, and Afro-Cuban traditions. A professor at the Puerto Rico Conservatory of music, Sepúlveda emerged in the '80s playing alongside his cousin Charlie Palmieri and other Latin stars, including Tito Puente and Dave Valentin. He has recorded with artists from across the musical spectrum, including Dizzy Gillespie, David Byrne, Danilo Perez, and They Might Be Giants. With his group the Turnaround, he has released a bevy of albums, including 1993's Algo Nuestro and 2017's Mr. EP: A Tribute to Eddie Palmieri. He has earned many accolades, including a Latin Grammy for his big band album with Jon Secada, To Beny Moré with Love. In 2021, he brought many of these influences together for his LP This Is Latin Jazz.