Joe McCarthy’s ascent as one of today’s strongest practitioners of Nuyorican Afro-Latin jazz continues with the irrepressible Upwards.

...exciting and highly complex...Hats off to McCarthy and his Afro Bop Alliance Big Band for further proving that jazz will never be stymied as it encompasses numerous cultures in democratic fashion.

It’s no wonder that this is why, with its eight gleaming gems of music, Upwards ends up sounding as the best album that Mr McCarthy and The Afro Bop Alliance have recorded so far.”

While there are many big bands on the scene, there none quite like this. That the band can move quickly from angular, intervallic runs to lush, pensive moments is a testament to the virtuosity of its performers and the artistic suppleness of its leader.

This music has so many layers and so much complexity, yet so melodic as well. It really is a joy to behold.

Congratulations to Joe and his band mates for creatively pushing Latin big band jazz forward in exciting new directions!