Rooted in Afro-Cuban folklore and driven by the energy of Latin jazz, Montuno West blends rich musical traditions with contemporary sounds in an exciting, infectious live performance.

With members based in Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver, the ensemble brings together internationally respected musicians from Cuban, Venezuelan, Brazilian and Canadian backgrounds. Their music blends traditional Batá drumming, Cuban folkloric rhythms and songs with contemporary jazz harmonies and improvisation, creating a sound that is vibrant, fresh and uplifting.

Montuno West's latest album, Raíces, explores ancestry, identity and cultural memory through original compositions. Released in 2024, the album reached #3 on the !earshot National Jazz Chart and helped earn the group a 2025 Western Canadian Music Award nomination for Jazz Artist of the Year.