Today we’d like to introduce you to Pablo Gil.
Hi Pablo, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
When I arrived in Miami in 2016, I came with years of experience performing and conducting large jazz ensembles in both academic and professional settings. Almost immediately, I felt the urge to create something new — a group that would have the energy and sophistication of a big band, but also explore styles, repertoire and instruments of our Latin American musical heritage. So I began small — rehearsing every Tuesday morning with just a handful of musicians. Week after week, more players joined in, until we finally filled every chair in what became the Raíces Jazz Orchestra. We started performing around Miami, and one evening I invited Tony Succar, the Grammy-winning producer and percussionist, to be our special guest.
That concert changed everything. After the show, Tony suggested that we record and release music and videos together — and that’s how our partnership began. Nearly nine years later, we’re still collaborators and great friends. Working with Tony has been a tremendous learning experience; he’s not only an extraordinary musician, but also a brilliant producer, filmmaker, social media innovator, and entrepreneur.
Our collaboration led to the release of our self-titled album Raíces Jazz Orchestra in 2020 — a project that received critical acclaim and became the centerpiece of a PBS television special. Since then, we’ve continued producing and reimagining iconic pieces from the Latin American repertoire, such as Caballo Viejo, featuring amazing guest artists like Richard Bona, Mariaca Semprún, Rafael “Pollo” Brito, Marc Quiñones, and many more.
Recently, we performed a beautiful concert at the Miramar Cultural Center, and we’re now working on new music for our next album. Miami has truly become our home — a city overflowing with talent from across Latin America and the world. It’s the perfect place for a project like Raíces, where jazz meets the heartbeat of our culture.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like any meaningful artistic journey, it hasn’t always been smooth. We’ve faced many challenges along the way — and of course, the COVID-19 pandemic was a major one. But instead of stopping, we decided to use that difficult period to focus our energy on completing our first album and producing our PBS television special. What could have been a time of silence became one of creativity and growth. Another ongoing challenge has been the logistics of maintaining a big band of this scale — scheduling rehearsals, coordinating so many incredible musicians, and finding the financial support needed to keep the project alive. But Raíces Jazz Orchestra has always been, above all, a labor of love — a celebration of music, collaboration, and our shared Latin American heritage.
For me, it’s more than just a project. It’s a lifelong commitment — to the music, to the culture, and to the community that inspires it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Raíces Jazz Orchestra is a big-band ensemble based in South Florida whose mission is to explore and celebrate the Latin-American musical heritage through the lens of jazz and large-ensemble writing.
We combine the instrumentation and energy of the classic jazz big band (saxes, trumpets, trombones, rhythm section) together with the rhythmic vitality, percussion, grooves and flavor (“sabor”) of Latin music — Afro-Cuban, Afro-Peruvian, Brazilian, Venezuelan joropo, flamenco influence, you name it.
World Music Central
There are a few milestones with Raíces Jazz Orchestra (RJO) and my own journey (as Pablo Gil) that stand out for me—and shape how I talk about what we do and why it matters.
Our First Album
Our self-titled debut (with co-leader Tony Succar) remains one of the proudest achievements. The album has been described as:
“a big band project … a modern, truly Latin-American large ensemble … the album features beautifully crafted arrangements of beguiling variety… Clearly … the whole orchestra musicians’ love for a vivid high-energy style of music shines brightly from song to song.” “Their first, self-titled album is an amalgamation of original compositions … new arrangements of standards such as ‘Eye Of The Hurricane’ (Herbie Hancock) and ‘Más Que Nada’ (Jorge Ben).”
Jazz Journal
What I love about this work is that it truly integrated them: original material, reinterpretation of standards, a full ensemble, and deep cultural influences from Latin America. It put RJO on the map as something with ambition and identity.
📺 The PBS Special
Another landmark was our feature on the PBS special Great Performances: Roots of Latin Jazz. Hosted by Sheila E., the program presents RJO — under my direction and Tony’s production — as a vehicle to explore Latin jazz’s roots and identity.
For me, this wasn’t just exposure—it was validation: that the idea of a Latin-big-band rooted in heritage and jazz excellence could be broadcast nationally on public television, reaching broad audiences. It reinforced our mission and helped elevate our visibility.
“Caballo Viejo” + Venezuelan Diaspora Documentary
Recently, we released our version of the Venezuelan classic “Caballo Viejo” (May 16 2025) with collaborators including Rafael ‘Pollo’ Brito, Mariaca Semprún, and César Muñoz.
This project is meaningful on multiple levels: It honors Venezuelan musical heritage; it connects with the diaspora; it shows the band’s capacity to collaborate powerfully; and it pushes our sound into new storytelling territory. Alongside this, we have an upcoming documentary on the Venezuelan diaspora (directed by Luisa de la Ville & myself) which I’m deeply proud of because it combines music, culture, identity, migration, and community.
I’m most proud when we bridge artistry, cultural identity, and community. Whether it’s the first album with its bold statement, the PBS special with its national reach, or the new single/documentary with its cultural resonance—these are moments when RJO and I feel aligned with our purpose.
I specialise in writing, arranging and directing for large ensembles (big band format) — bringing my background as a saxophonist/woodwind player and composer/arranger into the service of the band’s vision. For instance, one of our arrangements is “Eye of the Hurricane” (the Herbie Hancock piece) re-imagined in a Latin-big-band context.
On a personal scale, I also perform as a saxophonist, woodwind specialist, educator, and director — so my work spans performance, composition/arrangement, education, and ensemble leadership.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned as a recent immigrant is that perseverance and purpose always find their way through uncertainty. When I first arrived in the United States, I had to start almost from zero — new environment, new professional network, a different cultural and musical landscape. It was both exciting and intimidating.
Over time, I learned that you don’t have to abandon your roots to move forward — in fact, your roots are your greatest strength. That realization became the foundation of Raíces Jazz Orchestra.
Ultimately, my journey has taught me that success is not about fitting into an existing space — it’s about creating one where your culture, your language, and your story have room to breathe and shine. That’s what I try to embody in every project we do.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raicesjazzorchestra/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RaicesJazzO/
Image Credits
Photographer Jose Carlos Gomez
