Jimmy Bosch

An expressive approach to the trombone, distinguished by soaring melodies and deeply felt grooves, has positioned New Jersey-born Jimmy Bosch among the foremost practitioners of contemporary Latin music. Throughout Latin communities he is recognized by the sobriquet “El Trombon Criollo.” Over the years his instrument has bolstered the ensembles of Ruben Blades and Son Del Solar, Mark Anthony, Eddie Palmieri, Perfecta Combinacion, Manny Oquendo Y Libre, Cachao, Celia Cruz, La India and Ray Baretto. Since 1996 Bosch has also directed his own ensemble, the Masters.

Raised in modest circumstances as one of eleven siblings, Bosch first took up the trombone during his school years at age eleven. Two years afterward he made his professional bow with the Hoboken merengue outfit Arcoires. In 1978 he entered the classical-music program at Rutgers University while simultaneously joining the influential salsa group Manny Oquendo Y Libre, an affiliation he has maintained through occasional performances and recordings. His inaugural release as a leader, Soneando Trombon, includes appearances by Cuban trumpet legend Chocolate Armenteros and vocalist Pete Rodriguez. Salsa Dura appeared in 1999.