Northwest College welcomes the Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective to campus on Wednesday, Nov. 5, for an evening concert in the Nelson Performing Arts Auditorium. The show will feature music from their newest album, “Cortadito,” and runs from 7-8:30 p.m. There is no charge for admission.

Led by guitarist Jose Guzmán, the Collective compositions reflect Guzmán’s musical heritage, with rhythms from Puerto Rico mixed with the sophistication of modern jazz. The ensemble’s third album, “Fiesta at Caroga,” has been featured on jazz radio stations across the country, received glowing reviews from music critics, and charted on JazzWeek’s Top 100 Jazz Albums of 2024.

A native of Ponce, Puerto Rico, Guzmán is a versatile guitarist who performs across jazz, classical and rock genres. He served as an artist-in-residence at the Caroga Lake Music Festival and earned the 2020 Urbana Arts Grant to compose works that blended Afro-Cuban and Puerto Rican rhythms. His projects have also been supported by Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs, the Illinois Arts Council, the Music Performance Trust Fund, and the Urbana Arts Grant. Guzmán’s recording credits include Dimitrije Vasiljevic, KASA String Quartet and Mr. Chair.

In addition to the concert, the Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective will hold a convocation from noon-12:50 p.m., giving NWC  students an opportunity to learn more about traditional Puerto Rican music and its elements.