Biography
Los Hombres Calientes is a New Orleans-based Afro-Cuban jazz ensemble founded in 1998 by trumpeter Irvin Mayfield and percussionist Bill Summers, blending jazz, rhythm & blues, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and influences from the African diaspora including music from New Orleans, Africa, Cuba, and Brazil. The group quickly gained recognition, signing with Basin Street Records shortly after forming and releasing their self-titled debut album in 2000, which won Billboard’s Contemporary Latin Jazz Album of the Year; they followed with at least four more albums, including Volume 2 (1999), Vol. 4: Vodou Dance (2003), showcasing a fiery, danceable sound that appealed to both jazz enthusiasts and younger audiences.
Original members included Mayfield on trumpet, Summers on percussion, and drummer Jason Marsalis, with additional contributors like Yvette Bostic-Summers on percussion and vocals, Victor “Red” Atkins on piano, Edwin Livingston on bass, and guests such as the Louisiana Philharmonic String Quartet. The band's career faced challenges after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which destroyed Mayfield’s club and claimed his father’s life, leading to a hiatus until a reunion for a Haitian benefit concert; despite this, they maintained performances, including regular Saturday nights at Mayfield’s Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse. Mayfield’s compositional role expanded across albums, incorporating trumpet, organ, Wurlitzer, and vocals, while the group elevated Basin Street Records’ profile.
Los Hombres Calientes represents a vibrant fusion of New Orleans jazz traditions with global grooves, contributing to the city’s cultural landscape through dynamic live performances at festivals like Jazz & Heritage Fest and a legacy of five albums that highlight joyful rhythmic similarities across cultures.
Fun Facts
- The band played just one gig before signing with Basin Street Records and releasing their debut album three months later.
- Bill Summers and Irvin Mayfield, separated by 30 years in age, describe their partnership as a daily 'jazz relationship' resolving conflicts through music.
- Los Hombres Calientes became the regular Saturday night act at Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse, with Mayfield stating he 'gets paid to play the trumpet' first thing each morning.
- Their debut album won Billboard’s 2000 Contemporary Latin Jazz Album of the Year, putting the small Basin Street label 'on a huge map.'
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) - High school program that trained Mayfield as a young trumpeter in a competitive environment (Early development leading to Los Hombres Calientes formation) [1990s]
Key Collaborators
- Irvin Mayfield - Co-founder, trumpeter, composer, arranger, co-producer (All albums including debut (2000), Volume 2 (1999), Vol. 4: Vodou Dance (2003)) [1998-present]
- Bill Summers - Co-founder, co-leader, percussionist (All albums; known from Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters) [1998-present]
- Jason Marsalis - Original drummer and co-leader (Debut album and early recordings) [1998-early 2000s]
- Yvette Bostic-Summers - Percussionist and vocalist (Early albums) [1998-early 2000s]
- Edwin Livingston - Bassist (Volume 2 (1999)) [1999 onward]
Connection Network
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Los Hombres Calientes: Irvin Mayfield & Bill Summers has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.