RumbaJazz

RumbaJazz, under the direction of Dmitry Pshenichnykh, is a genuine, professional Afro-Cuban orchestra from St. Petersburg, working within all the rules of the genre and style. The group's debut performance took place in the summer of 2005 at a St. Petersburg club, marking the first appearance of the name RumbaJazz on the St. Petersburg jazz scene. The two halves of the name (rumba and jazz) eloquently speak to the musical preferences of its members.

At first, the group was a small combo performing descarga music, unencumbered by serious arrangements. It subsequently expanded to the size of a full orchestra, with a full brass and rhythm section. The presence of four percussionists allows the musicians to experiment with Afro-Cuban folk styles, weaving vibrant percussion pieces into the musical fabric of their performances.

The orchestra's musicians are equally well versed in the specifics of various Afro-Cuban styles and movements, as well as jazz music, and all, without exception, are excellent soloists, each with their own unique personality. Over the course of RumbaJazz's existence, the ensemble has featured many fine performers, both from the local St. Petersburg jazz scene and guests from other cities in Russia and around the world.

The RumbaJazz orchestra's repertoire includes works from various eras of Afro-Cuban music.