Nueva Manteca made a selection of the songs composed by Leonard Bernstein. All these songs get’s a different flavour because of the use of Afro Caribbean rhythms. ‘Maria’ played as a Rumba Guaguanco, ‘Officer Krupke’ played as a Plena and ‘A boy like that’ played as a Guajira in five/four. The founder of Nueva Manteca is Jan L. Hartong who started the band in 1983. In the 90′s, journalist Raul Rico of the authoritative Latin Beat Magazine, praised the group as “Europe’s finest in Latin Jazz”. Many have followed him over the years, and not without reason. The group belongs to the top of the Latin scene as can be judged from USA radio playlists which regularly show a top ranking position for Nueva Manteca’s CD’s. Nueva Manteca creates a synergy between Cuban music and Jazz music “pur sang”. The group is not “just another good latin jazz band” as there are so many these last few years, they are unique in performance, style and repertoire. Their – mostly own – arrangements and compositions show inventively, creativity and most all a musical spirit that’s really something! Nueva Manteca is the living example that the sum is more than the parts. And considering the parts resemble an international caliber and equally convincing soloist capacities of the individual member expect a sizzling and swinging show! Nueva Manteca shows what musical synergy is all about.