Afro-Cuban Jazz at The Merc

Pianist, composer, arranger, and producer Irving Flores brings his dynamic Afro-Cuban JazzTrio to The Merc for a special celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, highlighting the richness, history, and innovation of Latin jazz.

With a career spanning more than four decades, Irving Fernando Gomez

Flores has established himself as one of the most respected voices in contemporary Latin jazz. Born in Mexico and now based in San Diego, he has performed and collaborated with internationally recognized artists including Poncho Sánchez, Airto Moreira, and members of the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, while contributing his talents as a composer, arranger, and educator.

His acclaimed album Armando Mi Conga represents a powerful tribute to Afro-Cuban jazz traditions, blending intricate rhythms, melodic sophistication, and the improvisational spirit of jazz. The recording features collaborations with legendary musicians including Giovanni Hidalgo, Horacio Hernández, and Brian Lynch, and has received recognition as one of the standout Latin jazz releases of recent years.

For this intimate performance at The Merc, Flores will be joined by an exceptional rhythm section:

Irving Flores — Piano
Fernando Gomez — Drums
Julian Esparza — Upright Bass