Alina Morr/Urban Tropical is the hottest new group to come out of Southwest Detroit’s lively music scene . The brain-child of Alina Morr, Pianist/Arranger for the legendary Grammy Nominated jazz group Straight Ahead, the band features the city’s hottest Latin and Jazz Players….a powerful mix
Alina Morr cut her musical teeth playing in Detroit’s blues scene, gaining valuable experience in playing Roots Music, then ventured into the jazz scene. She spent several years living in the Spanish Caribbean: living and performing music in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic; making 3 trips to Cuba, and performing with a Latin Music Group, Los Hidalgos, on various cruise ships throughout the Caribbean. She then spent a year in Boston, studying at the Berklee College of Music, before returning to Detroit, where she was invited to join the groundbreaking jazz group, Straight Ahead, along with band members Marion Hayden, Gayelynn McKinney and Regina Carter.
Her unique blend of musical influences, as well as her skill and imagination in writing and arranging music have resulted in the creation of a powerful and authentic take on modern Latin Music.
Urban Tropical’s musical crew are: John Douglas, Trumpet; Eddie Caraballo, Bass and Vocals; Armando Vega, Lead Vocals and Congas; Christopher Kaercher, Tenor Saxophone and Flute; Djallo Djakate, Drum Set; and Alina Morr, Pianist/Arranger/Director.