By Rick Zeigler—
MUNCIE, IN— The GRAMMY-nominated Afro Peruvian Jazz Orchestra will be performing in a FREE outdoor concert as part of the 2025 Muncie Three Trails Music Series. The concert will take place at 7:00 PM on Saturday, September 20th at Brown Family Amphitheater on the campus of Ball State University. The Ball State University Jazz Ensemble will open the show7
The Afro Peruvian Jazz Orchestra (APJO) is a dynamic 17-piece ensemble that expertly blends jazz with traditional Peruvian rhythms, creating fresh and innovative sounds. Founded by Peruvian composers and woodwind players Anibal Seminario and Lorenzo Ferrero, APJO performs both original compositions and unique arrangements of traditional Peruvian tunes. The Afro-Peruvian Jazz Orchestra brings together a diverse group of musicians from both Peru and the United States, each bringing their unique musical perspectives to the ensemble. The result is a powerful and dynamic sound that showcases the beauty and complexity of Afro-Peruvian music. Their repertoire includes rhythms such as Lando, Festejo, Marinera, Zamacueca, and more. The orchestra’s vocalists add another layer of depth and emotion to their performances. The Afro Peruvian Jazz Orchestra is rapidly becoming one of the most influential projects in Peruvian jazz and culture.
APJO’s groundbreaking album Tradiciones fuses the rich musical traditions of Afro-Peruvian rhythms and jazz harmonies, resulting in a sound that is both traditional and contemporary. Tradiciones has received massive critical acclaim, earning two prestigious Latin GRAMMY nominations for Best Latin Jazz Album and Best Arrangement for the tune “La Flor de la Canela,” which won that award. The album also received a regular GRAMMY nomination for Best Latin Jazz Album. APJO has made notable appearances at prestigious events and venues, including the Jazz Education Network Conference, one of the world’s largest jazz gatherings, in both January 2018 and January 2024.
They also headlined the 5th annual Jazz Festival at El Camino College on May 5th. In 2024, they were featured at the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts and Pageant of Masters, further establishing their presence in the jazz community. Additionally, they have graced renowned stages such as the Alex Theater and the Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles. In sum, the Afro Peruvian Jazz Orchestra is rapidly becoming one of the most influential projects in Peruvian jazz and culture.
The Muncie Three Trails Music Series is a non-profit partnership between Muncie Downtown Development Partnership and Rick Zeigler, series founder and organizer. The mission of the series is to bring critically acclaimed, national recording artists to perform at Canan Commons, Muncie’s premier outdoor performance venue, located in the heart of Downtown Muncie, and at the Brown Family Amphitheater at Ball State University. A second mission is to promote the many recreational, artistic, and cultural attractions located along, or in close proximity to downtown Muncie, Ball State, and Muncie’s popular “Three Trails” — The White River Greenway, Cardinal Greenway, and Muncie Arts and Culture Trail. We hope attendees will heed our slogan, “Explore the Trails, Enjoy the Music.”
