Bill Summers, Irvin Mayfield & Los Hombres Calientes

Biography

Los Hombres Calientes is a New Orleans-based jazz ensemble founded in 1998 by trumpeter Irvin Mayfield, percussionist Bill Summers, and drummer Jason Marsalis, blending Afro-Cuban jazz, Latin rhythms, rhythm & blues, funk, and modern jazz elements into a danceable, cross-cultural sound that captivated audiences at venues like Snug Harbor and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. The group quickly signed with Basin Street Records, releasing five albums including Volumes 1, 2, and 3, which highlighted Summers' deep knowledge of African and Cuban percussion rhythms alongside Mayfield's vibrant trumpet and Marsalis' dynamic drumming. Yvette Bostic-Summers added vocals and percussion, Victor “Red” Atkins handled piano, and Edwin Livingston played bass, creating a serendipitous fusion that appealed to both jazz purists and younger dancers.

The band's formation stemmed from late-night jam sessions at Bill Summers' New Orleans home, sparked by a phone call from Mayfield to Marsalis, who recommended Summers for his expertise in global percussion traditions. Summers, a veteran of Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters and the Walter Payton Trio, brought decades of study in ethnomusicology from institutions like the Detroit Conservatory, Michigan Conservatory, and UC Berkeley, infusing the music with authentic African call-and-response, funk, and fixed rhythms from bells and shakers. Irvin Mayfield, inspired by mentors like Wynton Marsalis, drove the group's cultural ambition, while the ensemble's 'New Urban' style incorporated European, Asian, African, jazz, and rap influences.

Los Hombres Calientes achieved multi-award-winning success, establishing itself as a cornerstone of New Orleans' vibrant jazz scene and influencing the local music landscape through its innovative boundary-crossing sound. Though Jason Marsalis later departed for solo pursuits, the group's legacy endures through its recordings and live performances, embodying New Orleans' multicultural heritage.

Fun Facts

• The band formed serendipitously from a phone call by Irvin Mayfield to Jason Marsalis, who suggested contacting Bill Summers, leading to late-night sessions at Summers' New Orleans home that birthed the group.
• Los Hombres Calientes' music is described by Summers as 'New Urban,' a genre blending European, Asian, African, jazz, funk, and rap elements to represent modern metropolis culture.
• Bill Summers' late-night musical soirées in New Orleans served as a 'lightning rod for creativity,' directly sparking the band's formation and other collaborations like Summer’s Heat.
• The group's debut with Basin Street Records followed a chance meeting between Mayfield and label owner Mark Samuels, launching a career-long relationship after just one live record in the catalog.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Mother of Bill Summers - Influenced his early musical path (N/A) [Childhood, 1950s]
• Wynton Marsalis - Mentor and inspiration for Irvin Mayfield's cultural entrepreneurship and musical vision (Living with Marsalis in New York influenced Mayfield's career approach) [Late 1990s]

Key Collaborators

• Irvin Mayfield - Co-founder and co-leader, trumpeter (Los Hombres Calientes albums (Volumes 1-3 and others), Basin Street Records releases) [1998-present]
• Jason Marsalis - Original drummer and co-founder (Los Hombres Calientes early albums and performances) [1998-early 2000s (later left for solo career)]
• Yvette Bostic-Summers - Percussionist and vocalist, enhanced rhythms and added vocals (Los Hombres Calientes performances and recordings) [1998 onward]
• Victor “Red” Atkins - Pianist (Los Hombres Calientes ensemble) [1998 onward]
• Edwin Livingston - Bassist (Los Hombres Calientes ensemble) [1998 onward]
• Herbie Hancock - Band member in Headhunters (Summers' prior group) (Head Hunters (1973, platinum album)) [1970s]

Artists Influenced

• Kim Provost and Bill Solley - Met at Summers' late-night sessions; Summers recognized their talent and invited them to join his Summer’s Heat tour (Summer’s Heat tour)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia