Kansas City Latin Jazz Orchestra

the kansas city latin jazz orchestra was formed to preserve and elevate the artforms & traditions of latin american and salsa music as it exists in conjunction with the cultural expressions of folkloric & community dance. we accomplish this by advocating for and demonstrating the local and international cultural relevance of these artforms within the historical evolution of jazz through cultural immersion, community engagement, youth education, and performance. founded upon twenty years of musicianship, bandleading and artistry, the kansas city latin jazz orchestra was incorporated in june of 2018 by latin percussionist and artist, pablo sanhueza & historian cynthia ammerman. kcljo is the first nonprofit in the midwestern united states that is solely dedicated to the musical culture & traditions of latin american music, salsa & folkloric dance, and to the latino contributions to the genre of jazz. the ensemble in its full form consists of ten musicians (and always increasing) who stud