Orquesta de Jazz y Salsa Alto Maiz

Orquesta de Jazz y Salsa Alto Maiz is Iowa’s hottest Latin music band. This eleven piece band features musicians living in the heartland of America, but playing the Latin sounds usually heard in the clubs of New York, L.A., or Miami.

Orquesta Alto Maiz plays a wide range of Latin musical styles including merengue, samba, cha-cha-cha. salsa(mambo/rumba/guaguanco), calypso, Afro-Cuban, and punta. In addition to Latin-jazz standards by Tito Puente, Ray Barretto, Poncho Sanchez and others, the band plays original compositions.

Alto Maiz has recorded their favorite standards and original songs on two cassette tapes--Puerto de Tierra (1989) and Casa del Fuego (1991), and four compact discs--Dancing in the Corn (1993), Azucar Caliente (1995), Decada (1997) and Live at Montreaux (1999).

This Iowa-based band appeals to all ages and musical preferences. Once exposed, people understand why Salsa is becoming the international music of the new millennium.

Orquesta members bring a wealth of professional experience and education to their music and performances. During their performances, they have a lot fun playing the music that they love. Bob Washut leads the twelve member Orquesta de Jazz y Alto Maiz amd adds his talents as a composer, arranger, and pianist. Other members include Panama City, Panama native, Ed East on lead vocal and percussion, Brent Sandy on lead trumpet, Alan Naylor on trumpet, Rich Medd on trombone, Bob Thompson on sax and flute, Steve Grismore on guitar, Steve Charlson on bass, James Dreier on percussion, Paul Cunliffe on percussion, Dan Hummel on percussion, and Tom Barry as sound engineer.