NUEVA MANTECA

The founder of Nueva Manteca is Jan L. Hartong who started the band in 1983. In the 90's, journalist Raul Rico of the authoritative Latin Beat Magazine, praised the group as “Europe’s finest in Latin Jazz”. Many have followed him over the years, and not without reason. The group belongs to the top of the Latin scene as can be judged from USA radio playlists which regularly show a top ranking position for Nueva Manteca’s CD’s Nueva Manteca creates a synergy between Cuban music and Jazz music “pursang”. The group is not “just another good latin jazz band” as there are somany these last few years, they are unique in performance, style and repertoire. Their – mostly own – arrangements and compositions show inventively, creativity and most all a musical spirit that’s really something!

Nueva Manteca is the living example that the sum ismore than the parts. And considering the parts resemble an international caliber and equally convincing soloist capacities of the individual member expect a sizzling and swinging show! Nueva Manteca shows what musical synergyis all about.

DISCOGRAPHY

Varadero Blues -Timeless (1989)

Afrodisia- Timeless (1990)

Bluesongo - Lucho/EMI (1992)

Porgy & Bess - Lucho/EMI (1993)

In concert at Nick Vollebregt's Café - Wereldomroep (1994)

Let's Face The Music and Dance - Blue Note / World Pacific (1995)

Afro Cuban Sanctus - Azucar/EMI (1997)

Night People - Azucar/EMI (1998)

Congo Square - Munich Records (2002)

A Latin tribute to West Side Story - Munich records (2003)

Nueva Manteca LIVE - JWAJazz Records ( 2013)

MAIN PREFORMANCES

The group toured and played a.o. in :

Germany, Belgium, France,Finland, Londen Salsa Festival 1986 . KLM Jazz Festival 1994 Curacao, Toronto Jazz Festival 1995 ,Montreal Jazzfestival, Tour USA1996 - San Jose, Oakland, Trinidad 1996 - Port of Spain. Tour Israël 1997-Tel Aviv, Haifa, North Sea Jazz 1990/2004. Heineken Puerto Rico Jazz Festival 2003, Ollin Kan festival 2008-Tlalpan (Mexico), Colombia 2008 - Bogota, Medellin, Cali, Canada, USA, Finland, Dutch Caribean, Israël, England, Denmark, Germany, Trinidad & Tobago and Puerto Rican Heineken jazz festival.

NUEVA MANTECA “MEETS THE LEGENDS”

Nueva Manteca has toured with an impressive number of international stars, including: Giovanni Hidalgo,Armando Peraza, Orestes Vilato, Dave Valentine, Paquito d'Rivera, Arturo Sandoval, Luis Conte, Bobby Sanabria, Nicky Marrero, Ralph Irizarry and Claudio Roditi.

PROJECTS

In the 25 years of the existence of the group Nueva Manteca initiated many special projects: Porgy and Bess, Monktuno suite (music of Th. Monk), West Side Story, Congo Square (music of New Orleans), Tribute to Woody Shaw, Afro Cuban Sanctus, Motown Mambo, Requiem para el mundo, Tango con clave and Chicano Rock.

LATEST PROJECT

Nueva Manteca has the reputation to surprise the audience with refreshing musical starting points. This new project is called ‘CRIME’. Afro Cuban music with arrangements of theme’s from famous crime and gangster music. Can you imagine the theme of the Godfather in a Cuban rumba Guaguancó, It will be music that you immediately recognize but have never heard so. A perfect combination of recognition and surprise!

LINE UP

Jan Hartong – Piano

Ed Verhoeff – Guitar

Ben van den Dungen - Saxen

Ilja Reijngoud - Trombone

Jeroen Vierdag - Bass

Nils Fisher – Percussion

Lucas van Merwijk - Drums