COMBO SABROSO ("tasty combo") was formed during the summer of 1998 when band leader, pianist/vocalist, Matt Jenson, then living in Portsmouth, NH, made a decision to pursue a much deeper understanding of this music that he loves so much. (Back then the group was known as The Amazing Mambo Combo.) He assembled the best Latin musicians he could find in Boston and got a weekly gig for the group...and the rest, for the Seacoast, NH area, is....HISTORY!

The group has since been playing to packed houses in the area and has performed at nearly every festival, club, fundraiser and good friend's wedding! They have twice received the Portsmouth Herald's readers poll award as "Best World Music Band."

Combo Sabroso is primarily a LATIN DANCE BAND and list as their main influences the ensembles of Latin piano icon Eddie Palmieri (in fact Jenson studied with Palmieri and maintains a friendship with the Maestro) and the grand percussionist, Tito Puente. With influences such as these you can imagine that the group is top quality and remains comitted to the deeper side of the idiom.....it's SOUL CLEANSING LATIN DANCE MUSIC!!

They follow in the tradition of these venerated maestros by incorporating their formula of layering exciting jazz solos over relentless, energetic dance rhythms. Their repertoire includes compositions that range in style from Cha Cha to Danzon, from Bolero to Salsa, from Latin jazz to Plena. Jenson, who now lives in Boston and teaches piano and a class on Bob Marley at Berklee College of Music, incorporates his blues and reggae influences by bringing Latin dance arrangements of various American R&B and Jamaican reggae tunes to the Afro-Cuban table.

Combo Sabroso features, from Costa Rica, Manolo Miarena, a well known percussionist and singer who has performed internationally with La Timba Loca, the Latin Party Boys and pianist Rafael Alcala. Performing on timbales and vocals, from Venezuela is Omar Ledezema. Known for his enthusiastic and animated performance style, he has traveled the world with many Latin greats, including recent performances in Las Vegas with the vocalist for Carlos Santana, Andy Vargas. Peruvian bassist and singer Alex Alvear, is a mainstay of the Latin music scenes in Boston and NYC and is known for his organic and infectious tumbao (groove) and amazing vocal work. He leads his own group, Mango Blue and has performed with many internationally known Latin artists including Paquito D?Rivera. On horns, Combo Sabroso presents trombonist Chris "Squantch" Sears and saxophonist Matt Langley. Matt Langley's spirited playing is well-known in the seacoast New Hampshire area and for his recorded work with the Charlie Kohlhase Quintet and numerous others.