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CALJE (The Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble) was formed in efforts to fuse the musical treasures of Afro- Latin American music and Jazz as well as musicians from Chicago’s diverse Latin and Jazz community. With a global sound and ensemble, CALJE has played in some of the finest performance halls and highlights many luminaries of Chicago. Musicians in this band have had the opportunity to share the stage with artist such as, Ella Fitzgerald, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Chick Corea, The Temptations, Paquito D'Rivera, and Danilo Perez, among others.

CALJE made its debut by kicking off the notorious "Jazz en Clave" Latin Jazz Festival at Chicago’s HotHouse, alongside the Grammy Award Nominated drummer Dafnis Prieto’s Quintet, Jane Bunnet, and virtuoso violinist Alfredo de la Fe. " This 15 piece band, playing before a standing-room only crowd at this international music venue in the South Loop left everyone gasping and wanting more dazzling sounds after their near two hour flawless set" Chicago Jazz Scene Reviewer- James Walker.

Founded in 2006 by Nicaraguan pianist/composer, Darwin Noguera and Mexican Trumpeter/composer, these long-time musical collaborators envisioned an endeavor for Chicago that would follow in the innovative footsteps of the pioneering Dizzy Gillespie's United Nations Orchestra, Irakere, and the Arturo O’Farrill Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra at Lincoln Center. CALJE aspires to partner up with John Faddis' Chicago Jazz Ensemble and become its other official half, the Latin side.