Welcome to the home of Bembé Blue!

Come join us for adventures in Latin Jazz that will excite your musical taste buds!

Bembé Blue performs Tito Puente’s version of Triton, written by Chucho Valdés

Bembé Blue plays Sambroso written by David Torres

Bembé Blue performs Mongo Santamaría’s Bembé Blue

Bembé Blue performs MontunoBlue by Ray Barretto

Paavo Carey, Leader, Saxophones
royal hartigan, drum set

Paavo Carey: band leader, all saxophones, flute, clarinet

royal hartigan: drum set

Greg Toro: double bass, bass guitar

Greg Toro: double bass, bass guitar

Kenny Kozol: congas

Brian Friedland, piano, keyboards

Hear Paavo Carey, musical director, speak about his early experiences in Latin Music as his impetus for forming the band Bembé Blue.

Meet royal hartigan, life-long music traveler discovering, respecting and fully embracing worlds of music and communication beyond his own.

Greg Toro speaks about his roots in Latin Music and how music became his passion for life.

Listen as Kenny Kozol tells us about his journey as a player through the world of Latin percussion.

What is it all about? Read on…

Bembé Blue is a five-piece Latin Jazz Ensemble, formed in 2023, dedicated to performing and developing Afro-Latin music, part of the African diaspora. Based out of Boston, Massachusetts, Bembé Blues instrumentation consists of Paavo Carey, Soprano, Alto and Tenor Saxophones, royal hartigan, drum set, Brian Friedland, Piano, Kenny Kozol, Congas and Greg Toro on the Double Bass and Bass Guitar. In addition to Latin Jazz, these fine musicians are well seasoned and experienced in playing many different kinds of music. All members of the band are composers, blending Afro Cuban rhythms with original conceptions in melody and harmony, creating unique and exciting musical experiences for our audiences.

Click on the date for details on our upcoming events:

Previous Bembé Blue performances:

  • January 11, 2024: Roundhead Brewery, Hyde Park

  • February 4, 2024: Square Root, Roslindale

  • February 15, 2024: Roundhead Brewery, Hyde Park

  • February 16, 2024: The Beehive, downtown Boston

  • March 13, 2024: Boston Community Leadership Academy, BPS, Dorchester

  • March 14, 2024: Roundhead Brewery, Hyde Park

  • April 18, 2024: Roundhead Brewery, Hyde Park

  • June 1, 2024: The Beehive, downtown Boston