Steven Oquendo Latin Jazz Orchestra

Biography

Steven Oquendo is a Puerto Rican and Dominican-descended trumpeter, bandleader, and music educator born in 1979 in New York City. His musical journey began at age 10 when he first learned trumpet, leading him to attend the prestigious Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School, where he was a member of the award-winning LaGuardia Concert Jazz Ensemble. During his high school years, Oquendo earned the Outstanding Soloist Award in 1998 from Wynton Marsalis at the Jazz at Lincoln Center's Essentially Ellington Competition and was selected for the Grammy All-American High School Jazz Orchestra. He was mentored by two of jazz's most respected trumpeters, Jon Faddis and Wynton Marsalis, establishing himself early as a powerful force in the Latin music scene.

Oquendo's professional career has been marked by extensive touring across Africa, Europe, South America, and the Caribbean, with collaborations spanning diverse genres and artists including Celia Cruz, Rubén Blades, Eddie Palmieri, Juan Luis Guerra, Destiny's Child, and Big Pun. In 2009, while working as a music instructor at Harlem School of the Arts, Oquendo founded the Steven Oquendo Latin Jazz Orchestra (SOLJO), a 19-piece big band that has become a cornerstone of New York's Latin jazz scene. SOLJO has performed at prestigious venues including Jazz at Lincoln Center's Dizzy's Club and has earned recognition for its sophisticated arrangements of Afro-Cuban, salsa, and mambo classics. Beyond his work as a bandleader, Oquendo serves as music director for Pelham Preparatory Academy in the Bronx and assistant director of the All-City Latin Ensemble, earning recognition from Good Morning America as a 2022 Class Act teacher for his educational impact.

Fun Facts

• Oquendo was a member of the Grammy All-American High School Jazz Orchestra in 1998, the same year he received the Outstanding Soloist Award from Wynton Marsalis.
• The LaGuardia Concert Jazz Ensemble, of which Oquendo was a member, won first place in Jazz at Lincoln Center's 1996 Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition and Festival.
• SOLJO initially functioned as a rehearsal band before impresario David Maldonado helped establish it with a weekly residency, transforming it into a performing ensemble.
• Oquendo was recognized by Good Morning America as a 2022 Class Act teacher for his work with students in the Bronx, highlighting his dual commitment to performance and music education.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Wynton Marsalis - High school mentor and jazz trumpet legend who awarded Oquendo the Outstanding Soloist Award (Jazz at Lincoln Center's Essentially Ellington Competition) [1990s]
• Jon Faddis - High school mentor and highly regarded jazz trumpeter (LaGuardia High School mentorship) [1990s]

Key Collaborators

• Celia Cruz - Legendary salsa singer performed with Oquendo (Various performances) [Career spanning]
• Rubén Blades - Salsa and Latin music icon collaborated with Oquendo (Various performances) [Career spanning]
• Eddie Palmieri - Latin jazz pianist and bandleader performed with Oquendo (Various performances) [Career spanning]
• Juan Luis Guerra - Dominican musician and composer collaborated with Oquendo (Various performances) [Career spanning]
• SOLJO Band Members - 19-piece ensemble including Pete Miranda (baritone saxophone), Michael Pallas (trombone), Carlos Maldonado (congas), Nelson Matthew González (timbales) (A Centennial Salute to Tito & Tito album and live performances) [2009-present]

Artists Influenced

• Pelham Preparatory Academy students - Students taught by Oquendo as music director (Music education programs) [Current]
• All-City Latin Ensemble members - Students guided by Oquendo as assistant director (All-City Latin Ensemble programs) [Current]

External Links

• Spotify