Keeping Alive the Music of a Master

Singer Rudy Calzado, who will lead the 18-piece Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra at the Wadsworth Theater on Saturday, sees the performance as a tribute to the group’s legendary founder, Mario Bauza.

Since Bauza’s death in 1993, the ensemble has dedicated itself to spreading the sounds of Latin jazz.

“We’re really excited to be able to keep the Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra together,” said Calzado, a native of Cuba who moved to the United States more than two decades ago. “Maestro Bauza was one of the hardest-working men I know. We miss him, but he asked us to keep his music alive and we’re doing our best to keep that promise.”

So the orchestra is on the road again.

“We look forward to continuing our work,” Calzado said. “We’re more oriented than ever. We want to share with young people what we started and (keep) going for future generations.”

Cuban music has been a part of America’s musical culture since the mid-1800s. In the 1940s, Bauza began to integrate Cuban rhythms and North American jazz--both of African origin--and set the sounds to music.

Bauza, who performed as a trumpeter and played with such greats as Cab Calloway and Chick Webb, brought Afro-Cuban music to the forefront of the musical scene.

Bauza “was one of the leaders to many musicians here in the United States,” Calzado said. “He is the one who led them and showed them the way to the Afro-Cuban roots.”

Bauza formed the Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra in 1982. Today it is under the direction of Calzado and veteran trumpeter Victor Paz. Other members are drummer Bobby Sanbaria, saxophonist-flutist Enrique Fernandez, trumpeter Manny Duran, pianist Marcus Persiani, bassist Joe Santiago and conga player Carlos (Patato) Valdes.

Their performance will feature music from their hit releases “Tanga,” “My Time Is Now” and “944 Columbus,” which was recorded shortly before Bauza’s death. The last recording, named after Bauza’s New York residence of 50 years, was nominated earlier this month for a Grammy in the Latin jazz performance category.

Before the concert begins, Steve Loza, a member of the UCLA department of ethnomusicology and systematic musicology, will give a pre-performance lecture at 7 p.m. that will explore the history of Latin jazz.

The Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra performs at Veterans Wadsworth Theater, Wilshire and Sawtelle boulevards, Westwood. 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $25 and $22. Information: (310) 825-2101.