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Caribbean Jazz Project (CJP) is a Latin jazz and Afro-Cuban jazz band that includes Dave Samuels, Paquito D’Rivera and Andy Narell. They might be best known for their 2002 album The Gathering. They have recorded albums for Concord Jazz, Inak Records, and Heads Up International.

Vibraphone and marimba specialist Dave Samuels was a member of Spyro Gyra. With a love for Latin jazz, he formed the Caribbean Jazz Project. The band started in 1995 when Samuels joined steelpan musician Andy Narell and saxophonist Paquito D’Rivera to perform a concert in New York’s Central Park. The group’s appearance drew rave reviews. Their first album, the self-titled Caribbean Jazz Project, was released on Heads Up International.

The group has gone through several personnel changes. When Rivera and Narell left the group after its second album, Island Stories, it appeared as if the Caribbean Jazz Project would fold. However, Samuels resurrected a second version of CJP with guitarist Steve Khan and flutist Dave Valentin. In this format CJP toured extensively and recorded three more albums. The Gathering won the Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album.

The third version of CJP includes trumpet and flugelhorn player Diego Urcola, with pianist Dario Eskenazi, bassist Oscar Stagnaro, drummer Mark Walker, and percussionist Roberto Quintero. CJP toured with singer Diane Schuur and produced her album Schuur Fire (2005). (From Wikipedia)