Panamerican Project
Latin American cheerfulness meets the driving force of jazz, rhythmic diversity meets melodic richness. With Norman Peplow’s Panamerican Quintet, the name says it all: as colorful as the countries along the world’s longest highway are, so diverse are the tonal identities on this musical journey.
The project led by the bandleader authentically combines the rich rhythms of Central and South America with elements of jazz – without restricting itself artistically, as the solo excursions of the five band members impressively demonstrate. This intense, somnambulistic interaction between innovation and tradition is fun, arouses curiosity, drives the listener forward and, in many moments, has a sensual, melancholy beauty.
Most of the musicians in the quintet come from countries along the Pan-American Highway and bring their musical and folkloristic influences to the project. Chile meets Peru, Colombia meets Nicaragua and past Cuba the whole thing leads to North America, the hotbed of jazz. In the sounds of the quintet, everyone leaves their usual place from time to time and passes the musical balls to their colleagues.
All band members have been active around the globe for years, independently of each other, in a wide variety of genres – from jazz and classical music to world music and pop.
Just as the individual musicians found their second home in Germany, vice versa band leader Norman Peplow also made his way to Central America. There he soaked up all the colorful, vibrant (musical) life over a long period of time. In the course of his artistic career, he has developed a very individual style, which is expressed in numerous original compositions and ingenious arrangements of well-known pieces.
Line-up:
Mirta Junco (Cuba) – vocals
Daniel Manrique Smith (Peru) – flutes
Camilo Villa Robles (Colombia) – bass
Miguel Altamar (Colombia) – drums
Norman Peplow (Germany) – piano / comp / bandleader
BRAZZEU
Latin American cheerfulness meets the driving force of jazz, rhythmic diversity meets melodic richness. With Norman Peplow’s Panamerican Quintet, the name says it all: as colorful as the countries along the world’s longest highway are, so diverse are the tonal identities on this musical journey.
The project led by the bandleader authentically combines the rich rhythms of Central and South America with elements of jazz – without restricting itself artistically, as the solo excursions of the five band members impressively demonstrate. This intense, somnambulistic interaction between innovation and tradition is fun, arouses curiosity, drives the listener forward and, in many moments, has a sensual, melancholy beauty.
Most of the musicians in the quintet come from countries along the Pan-American Highway and bring their musical and folkloristic influences to the project. Chile meets Peru, Colombia meets Nicaragua and past Cuba the whole thing leads to North America, the hotbed of jazz. In the sounds of the quintet, everyone leaves their usual place from time to time and passes the musical balls to their colleagues.
All band members have been active around the globe for years, independently of each other, in a wide variety of genres – from jazz and classical music to world music and pop.
Just as the individual musicians found their second home in Germany, vice versa band leader Norman Peplow also made his way to Central America. There he soaked up all the colorful, vibrant (musical) life over a long period of time. In the course of his artistic career, he has developed a very individual style, which is expressed in numerous original compositions and ingenious arrangements of well-known pieces.
Line-up:
Camila Ronza, voc. (BR)
Norman Peplow, piano (GER)
Daniel Manrique-Smith, flute (PE)
Maxim Zettel, perc. (GER)
David Andres, bass (GER)
Johan Dynnesen, drums (DK)
Cuarteto Pasatiempo
In this quartet’s music, gentle melancholy meets the vibrant spirit of Cuba. The songs speak of longing, memory, and the fleeting beauty of passing moments – at times tender and chamber-like, at others rhythmically joyful and full of life. Always vivid. Always moving.
Afro-Cuban and Latin American styles such as Bolero, Son, and Danzón merge seamlessly with jazz and classical chamber music. Original compositions stand alongside rediscovered gems from Latin America’s rich musical heritage. The lyrics weave through Spanish, Portuguese, and English.
Four musicians from Cuba and Germany bring this unusual fusion to life – versatile, deeply rooted, and artistically mature. Each of them draws from years of international experience across genres like jazz, classical, world, and pop music – some having shared the stage with renowned figures of the global scene.
Singer Mirta Junco, violinist and vocalist Claudia Barretto, and cellist/pianist Yaniel Matos infuse every performance with a piece of their Cuban soul. Pianist Norman Peplow adds his profound love and long-standing expertise in Afro-Cuban music.
Improvisation, subtle nuances, and spontaneous interaction with the audience are an integral part of every concert. The music tells delicate, poetic stories – even when it touches on life’s grand themes of love, dreams, and transience.
A project with a truly distinctive sound – personal, unexpected, and deeply beautiful.
Line-up:
Mirta Junco, voc / perc (CUBA)
Claudia Ramos Barretto, viol / voc (CUBA)
Yaniel Matos, cello / voc (CUBA)
Norman Peplow, piano (GER)
Marcando
Marcando is an all-star salsa orchestra with musicians from Cuba, Colombia, Germany and the USA. Each of them has already worked with international greats such as Cheo Feliciano, Willie Colón, Larry Harlow, La India, N’Klabe, Charanga Habanera, Guayacan, Pedrito Martinez, Paquito D’Rivera, DLG, Jimmy Bosch, La Clave Secreta, Spanish Harlem Orchestra and others.
The inexhaustible repertoire includes old and new salsa and timba classics from Colombia, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Cuba and NY as well as their own pieces. The songs are presented with the band’s typical rousing and modern swing, with which the group has attracted a great deal of attention throughout Europe within a very short time.
As a result of the monthly Latin Session Cologne, which the band launched in 2015, it is one of the most well-rehearsed salsa bands in Europe:
Line-up:
Edisney Portales – vocals
Andy Hunter – trombone / vocals
Norman Peplow – piano / vocals
Camilo Villa – bass / vocals
Sebastian Nickoll – percussion / vocals
Daniel Hahnfeld – percussion
Blanca Núñez Quinteto / Trio / Duo
Spanish singer, songwriter and multi instrumentalist Blanca Nunez brings us a new album: En Tierra.
“I came to Germany in 2003 and couldn’t speak a word in German. I left everything behind: family, relationships, Fine Art studies, friends, all the known places, all the dreamy paths. As my plane was leaving the ground in that summer morning so long ago, I could see how fast the land became so small. I saw my whole life reduced to that tiny brown piece of ground that I was leaving for the unknown. For ten years I wasn’t able to write one song about that moment. It was too painful.
So, when my brother and his family also moved to Germany in 2013, I got reminded of that moment in the plane. It touched me so much that I began to write a song named En tierra (on land). “A new beginning is a gift”, I say in Adelante, and it has been like that ever since 2003. A new language, new chances, new people, new music and new families. I’d like to encourage you to listen to this album with an open mind. It’s not about jazz, folk, singer/songwriter or Latin. It’s about life, overcoming, pain, strength, love and all the things that connect us to life and to each other. And it’s about tearing down borders of any kind.” – Blanca Nunez
Line-up:
Blanca Núñez – vocals / bandleader
Julian Bossert – saxes / flute
Norman Peplow – piano
Jakob Kühnemann – bass
Alfonso Garrido – perc
Bruno Müller – guitar (special guest)
Pangea Última
The name of the band refers to the supercontinent that will possibly arise in 250 million years: In it, all present-day continents will merge into one and all territorial borders will be overcome.
The band anticipates this distant future and makes its contribution so that mankind is at least musically attuned to its continued existence. Founder, guitarist and singer José Díaz de León is the main composer of the project and has a Mexican – German background. The compositions gather influences of all over the world, he has collected during musical travels in Latin America, Africa and even India. The band’s latin jazz sound is expanded with exotic flavors that suit very well. Their rhythms reach from Cuban Son and Rumba over Afro-Peruvian Festejo and Landó to less known West-African grooves such as Mandancó or Triba.
The magazine “Jazz thing” called the debut “Espacios Abiertos” (2017), a “delightful redefinition of cross-cultural music”. The second album “Camino a Mictlán”, released in 2021, was also praised by the international press. The online magazine “Formato Siete” calls it an “epic” and “Polifonía Red” predicts that it will be an album that breaks stigmas and styles.
PANGEA ULTIMA has played festivals and club gigs all over Germany with different featured guests, such as Hindol Deb on sitar, Joscho Stephan on gypsy guitar or Roland Peil on second percussion. The actual formation as a septet featuring Frederik Köster (Triolk Gurtu) on trumpet and Flügelhorn.
Line-up:
José Díaz de León – electric guitar, vocals
Christine Corvisier – tenor sax & flute
Frederik Köster – trumpet & flügelhorn
Norman Peplow – piano
Roman Fuchß – bass
Christian Fehre – percussion
Antoine Duijkers – drums
Zuin Sonero
ZUIN SONERO – Cuban Music with Soul and Drive
ZUIN SONERO fuses the vibrant pulse of traditional Cuban rhythms with the effortless swing of jazz. The name says it all: “Zuin,” inspired by the English “swing,” evokes playful energy and movement, while “Sonero” pays homage to the rich legacy of Cuban music. The result is an electrifying blend of Son, Cha-cha-chá, Bolero, Guaracha and more—music that resonates with seasoned listeners and curious newcomers alike. Familiar and fresh at once, the sound of ZUIN SONERO is unmistakably their own.
This band is a heartfelt tribute to the richness and emotional depth of Cuban musical traditions—at times dynamic and irresistibly danceable, at others intimate and storytelling. Their repertoire spans high-energy dance numbers and quieter, more reflective moments, always grounded in a warm, organic sound.
The members of ZUIN SONERO are internationally seasoned musicians who have performed with major salsa orchestras and renowned jazz ensembles around the world. They’ve shared stages with legends like La India, Charanga Habanera, Oscar D’León, Orquesta Guayacán, Pedrito Martínez, Paquito D’Rivera, Mayito, DLG, La Clave Secreta, Spanish Harlem Orchestra and many others.
What sets ZUIN SONERO apart is the way their music comes to life on stage: through spontaneous interaction, subtle communication, and a spirit of open musical dialogue. Each performance becomes a unique creation—arrangements take shape in the moment, driven by joy, presence and creative play. The audience feels it too. This sense of vitality and connection makes every concert a one-of-a-kind experience.
ZUIN SONERO stands for an authentic yet contemporary take on Cuban and Latin American music—alive, danceable, and full of heart. More than a concert, it’s an invitation to move, to feel, and to celebrate.
Line-up:
Ney Portales – vocals / bass
Sebastian Nickoll – congas / cowbell / vocals
Norman Peplow – piano / clave / vocals
Surensemble
Under the leadership of drummer Pablo Sáez, Surensemble’s distinctive sound was always represented by their two unique guitarists creating with electric and acoustic guitars a diverse musical landscape. This time, the rhythm section is expanded with four wind instruments: flute, saxophone, trumpet, and trombone. Alongside Latin percussion, drawn from Chile, Brazil, and Peru, the band incorporates electronic elements, including samples that play a significant role in shaping their sound. “Stay Together” includes a notable collaboration with renowned Italian philosopher Donatella di Cesare, bringing a unique philosophical dimension to the music. Furthermore, the album showcases the exceptional vocals of Niel de Grace Tyson, recorded specifically for this project.
The tracks on “Stay Together” are infused with Latin jazz influences, presenting spacious arrangements and graceful, rhythmic elegance. The band’s remarkable ability to blend Afro- American roots and folkloric nuances with the contemporary and fusion jazz.
Line-up:
Pablo Sáez – drums / bandleader
Jens Böckamp – saxes
Alvaro Severino – guitar
Norman Peplow – piano
André de Cayres – bass
additional musicians extended line-up:
Matthias Schriefl – trumpet
Andy Hunter – trombone
Daniel Manrique-Smith – flute
Jaime Gamero – percussion
Tomi & Su Timbalight
End 2010 a promising young cuban Singer Tomás Sotolongo Fuentes & the german pianist Norman Peplow put together some of the best timba & salsa musicians in Belgium creating Tomi & Su Timbalight. Thenceforward was born its unique sound based on the passionate love for music and the cultural meeting between two very different cultures; the Cuban and the European. Tomi & Su Timbalight initially focused on Son, the backbone of Cuban Salsa and the traditional sound in which Cuban music has its roots.
This gave the band its fundament and a common understanding of their musical direction. Soon they started adding the Timba-feel to their music and the group is since then one of Europe’s most established Timba bands. Today Tomi & Su Timbalight represents a wide range of musical genres from salsa to jazz. Mastering both the traditional Cuban music as well as the more contemporary elements.
The band is formed by 11 musicians, most of them coming from Cuba. Tomi & Su Timbalight firmly stationed in Belgium is deeply motivated to create modern salsa music with a uniquely cuban flavor. You can also expect to be visually blown away by the dancing and high energy of the performers. You will be moving and on your feet immediately!
Line-up:
Tomás Sotolongo Fuentes – vocals / bandleader
Norman Peplow – piano / arranger
Toni Santo – backing vocals
Renato Mora – backing vocals
Samuel Ruíz Alemán – bass
Alvaro Severino – guitar
Norman Peplow – piano
Rubén Hérnández – trumpet
Yuliesky González – trumpet
Frans Cornelissen – trombone
Edouard Wallyn – trombone
Leonid Múñoz – congas
Gilberto Quevedo – trimbales