COMBO SABROSO (”tasty combo”) was formed during the summer of 1998 when band leader, pianist/vocalist, Matt Jenson, then living in Portsmouth, NH, made a decision to pursue a much deeper understanding of this music that he loves so much. He assembled the best Latino musicians he could find in Boston and got a weekly gig for the group…and the rest is….HISTORY!

This group has a long history of playing clubs and performance venues but also plays exclusive private parties and corporate events where the client wants high quality Latin Jazz and Dance Music. Check out this phone call Matt received after playing a 40th birthday party!

Combo Sabroso has provided Matt with an opportunity to learn how to play traditional Afro-Cuban music with some of the best Latin players north of NYC. Since its inception the group has been playing to packed houses, private parties, weddings in Boston, Maine, Western Mass and New Hampshire. They have twice received the Portsmouth Herald’s (NH) reader’s poll award as “Best World Music Band.”

Combo Sabroso is primarily a LATIN DANCE BAND and list as their main influences the ensembles of Latin piano icon Eddie Palmieri and the grand percussionist, Tito Puente. In fact Jenson studied with Palmieri and maintains a friendship with the Maestro and works extensively with Mr. Palmieri’s timbale player, Jose Claussell. With influences such as these you can bet that the group remains committed to the deeper side of the idiom…..it’s SOUL CLEANSING LATIN DANCE MUSIC!!

They follow in the tradition of these venerated maestros by incorporating their formula of layering exciting jazz solos over relentless, energetic dance rhythms. Their repertoire includes compositions that range in style from Cha Cha to Danzon, from Bolero to Salsa, from Latin jazz to Plena. Jenson, who now lives in Boston and teaches piano and a class on Bob Marley at Berklee College of Music, incorporates his blues and reggae influences by bringing Latin dance arrangements of various American R&B and Jamaican reggae tunes to the Afro-Cuban table.

Combo Sabroso features, from Costa Rica, Manolo Miarena, a well known percussionist and singer who has performed internationally with La Timba Loca, the Latin Party Boys and pianist Rafael Alcala. Performing on timbales and vocals, from Venezuela is Ernesto Diaz. Known for his enthusiastic and animated performance style has been a mainstay in the Boston Latin music scene for 20 years and is on the faculty at Berklee College of Music. Peruvian bassist and singer Alex Alvear, is also an anchor of the Latin music scene in Boston and NYC and is known for his organic and infectious tumbao (groove) and amazing vocal work. He leads his own group, Mango Blue and has performed with many internationally known Latin artists including Paquito D’Rivera. On horns, Combo Sabroso presents trombonist Angel Subero and saxophonist Matt Langley. Angel is an internationally known classical bass trombonist who has performed with nearly every major symphony in the world, and moonlights as an energetic (to say the least!) Salsa and Latin Jazz trombonist. Matt Langley’s relentless and soulful tenor playing is well-known throughout New England and especially in his recorded work with the Charlie Kohlhase Quintet is sublime.

At any one performance you may see a cross-section of the core band members listed above and:

Pablo Bencid – percussion, vocals
Jeff Galindo – trombone
Squantch – trombone
Scott Flyn – trombone
Tim Mayer – saxophone, flute
Mondongo – trombone
Oscar Stagnaro – bass
Paulo Stagnaro – percussion
Kalani Trinidad – flute, vocals
Karina Colis – timbales, vocals
Gabriel Lugo – percussion