Trombonist, composer and arranger Papo Vazquez has written a masterpiece composition titled "Iron Jungle" for the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, a resident band of Jazz at Lincoln Center.  Papo's unique writing style can also be heard in his latest cd titled "Carninal in San Juan" with Ubiquity Records, Cubop label.  This is the third cd with Cubop and Vazquez continues to blend his multi-faceted trombone style with rhythms of Afro-Caribbean origins and jazz.

Born in 1958, in Philadelphia, PA, and grew up in the heart of North Philadelphia's Puerto Rican community, as well as in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. At the age of 14, while in Philly, an uncle [a great guitar and cuatro player] recommended him as trombonist to a local band. That's when he met trumpet player Jimmy Purvis, who gave him his first jazz records J.J. Johnson's "Blue Trombone" and "John Coltranes Live at the Village Vanguard." Jazz became a big part of Papo's life at an early age.

At the age of 15 yrs Vazquez began performing at dances in Philly and shared the stage with New York bands such as, Willie Colon and Eddie Palmieri. Papo then auditioned for "Chocolate Armenteros" band. Choco gives him the gig and Papo began working with other New York bands such as Larry Harlow, Conjunto Libre and Hector La Voe. Then he began getting calls to record and perform with other top names in the Salsa scene, i.e., The Fania All Stars, Ray Barretto, Willie Colon, Grupo Folklorico Nuyorquino, Eddie Palmieri ect.

Vazquez has always been deeply moved by Jazz and specifically cites the music of John Coltrane and J.J. Johnson as having the most influence. By 1979 Steve Turre [whom Papo had brought to Libre] sends him to sub at a Slide Hampton rehearsal.He then studies with Slide Hampton and would record and perform for Hampton's World of Trombones. Eventually, Vazquez would tour Europe with the Ray Charles Orchestra and perform in New York with Jazz luminaries Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Foster, Mel Lewis. His involvement with musicians such as Mario Rivera, Hilton Ruiz, Jerry Gonzalez, Milton Cardona and others placed Vazquez as a key player in the burgeoning Latin Jazz genre and a founding member of groups such as the Jerry Gonzalez Fort Apache Band, Libre.

By 1980, Vazquez had traveled the globe. In 1981 he moves to Puerto Rico and becomes a founding member of Puerto Ricos Batacumbele, he performed with Batacumbele from 1981 to 1985, the popular Latin fusion band. Later on, he traveled as principal trombonist for Tito Puente and toured Europe with Dizzy Gillespie's United Nations Orchestra.

Vazquez' ability to fuse Afro-Caribbean rhythms, specially those from Puerto Rico and Cuba, with freer melodic and harmonic elements of progressive Jazz has insured his popularity on many fronts. As a composer, Papo Vazquez showcased his talents on the soundtrack for the movie "Free Enterprise" a Star Trek spoof. As well as sharing his compositions on other recordings such as, Ruben Blades "Antecedente" and Hilton Ruiz "Manhattan Mambo." He also performed on the soundtrack to Spike Lee's "Mo' Better Blues" and "The Mambo Kings" among others.

Papo Vazquez Pirates Troubadours band boasts a twisted variation on traditional themes and has used terms like Jibaro Waltz, Plena Funk, Bomba Jazz and Mapeye Jazz to help describe his music.