Chico O'Farrill Orchestra, by John Abbott

"Chico O'Farrill is the intellect behind Afro Latin jazz," said Arturo O'Farrill, son of Chico and music director of the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra and the Chico O'Farrill Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra. "His training in serial music, his profound understanding and skill in big band writing (he wrote 10 albums for Count Basie) and his deep roots in Afro Caribbean rhythms, make him unique in the history of all of these genres. In addition to being skillful he was also an inspired artist with the integrity to follow his inner vision."

Arturo O'Farrill

Widely regarded as one of the master architects of Afro Cuban jazz, Chico O'Farrill almost became a lawyer. Born into an Irish-German-Cuban family in the Havana region of Cuba, Chico was slated to follow in the family tradition and enter into law practice. Luckily as a teenager he was sent to study in the United States, where he heard the sounds that would change his life and revolutionize jazz, the trumpet and the big band. After studying at the Havana Conservatory and performing in the nightclubs, Chico decided to move to New York where he continued his musical studies with Stefan Wolpe of the Juilliard School and gradually integrated himself into the New York Jazz scene. It was there that Benny Goodman, who had trouble pronouncing his name, dubbed him "Chico" and hired him almost immediately as a staff arranger. During his tenure with Goodman, O'Farrill penned one of Benny's biggest big band hits, "Undercurrent Blues."

Feel the Music!, a music program designed for children and families affected by September 11th, is offered through the World Foundation for Music and Healing (WFMH), dedicated to promoting healing through music and nurturing creative expression in children and families who have suffered trauma and loss. Arturo O'Farrill is the music director and pianist for The Jazz at Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra and for the Feel the Music! program. WFMH is a project of Friendship Ambassadors Foundation, Inc. For more information, visit

WHAT: Chico O'Farrill Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra and very special guests will perform at St. Peter's Church to benefit music programs for children and teens directly affected by 9/11

WHEN: Friday, June 9th, 2006 at 7:30 PM

WHERE: Saint Peter's Church (54th Street & Lexington)

TICKET PRICE: $15 suggested admission

To reserve tickets, call 212-669-6126 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it