Manteca

Manteca is a Canadian jazz fusion group from Toronto, active since 1979. The band forms around percussionist Matt Zimbel and bassist Henry Heillig, and its line-up has also included Colleen Allen, Aaron Davis, John Johnson, Gordon Sheard, Wayne Baker, Herb Koffman, Rick Tait, Steve McDade, Kirk MacDonald, Ralph Bowen, Gary Bogon, Phil Dwyer, Earl Leader, Norman Jones, Art Avalos, Mike Sloski, David James and Charlie Cooley.

Style and repertoire

The group plays contemporary jazz and jazz fusion, with a pan-fusion approach that draws on jazz improvisation alongside salsa, samba, funk and tribal influences. Their arrangements use horn sections, Latin and African percussion and synthesisers. Their repertoire consists of pieces composed by keyboardist Aaron Davis and Rick Tait.

Career history

Manteca begins playing in Toronto in 1979 and tours regularly in Canada by 1987. The band makes its US debut at the Concord Jazz Festival in 1989 and appears at the North Sea, Pori and Stockholm jazz festivals in 1990. During the 1980s and 1990s, it tours as a Canadian jazz fusion band. After a hiatus, it releases Onward in 2007 and returns to touring.

Awards and later work

The group receives a Juno Award in 1989 for Instrumental Artist of the Year. On Onward, it adds instruments including EWI and pennywhistle, with guest composers Gord Sheard and Doug Wilde.