Esteemed trumpeter Jesús Alemañy and his long time group ¡Cubanismo! are world-famous when it comes to crafting some of the most vibrant dance hybrids to ever come from their country, often times bursting with unpredictable polyrhythms, mountains of brass and the jazzy might of a vintage big band. In other words, longtime listeners and newcomers alike in for a red hot show when the troupe tornadoes through the McAninch Arts Center (MAC) on Sunday, February 18 with a must-see matinee. Find out exactly what to expect, along with a two-decade timeline of the Grammy-nominated group, from the man who’s been there since the very beginning.

How would you describe the show you’re about to bring to The Mac?

Jesús Alemañy: It’s going to be hot! We will give people the chance to take a small trip through the history of Cuban music, in a concert featuring Cuban rhythms with some updated arrangements by myself and some the members of the band. Every member of ensemble- 14 musicians, including one woman, my wife- will have solos. And the audience will be more than welcome, and in fact, encouraged to sing and dance throughout the show. There will also be a couple of surprises, but the audience will have to see the show for the surprises.
 
What do you hope people will take away from the performance?

Alemañy: We haven’t been in Chicago for a while and I am looking forward to having the opportunity to reconnect with the great Chicago audiences who haven’t had the chance to experience our music performed live for a long time. The last time was few years ago at the Latin Music Festival that I think was in Grant Park. I’m hoping they’ll see how we continue to keep the richness of Cuban music in our roots, while continuing to explore different approaches harmonically.
 
¡Cubanismo! doesn’t seem to be a specific line-up of musicians, but rather a rotating cast. What does the current ensemble bring to the table?

Alemañy: 60% of the musicians in the current band have been together the last 15 years. And all of the musicians in the current band have been with the band for the last three years. It is a great opportunity for me to have the chance work together this long with experienced musicians and create a chemistry that makes it easy to work together. Actually, there are a few members I’ve known since we were in primary school and studied at Havana Music College together.
 
When you look out from the stage at a crowd in Cuba, what do you see?

Alemañy: We don’t perform in Cuba any more. 100% of the band members have been out of Cuba for 10-20 years. I moved to Mexico. Others moved to Europe, the U.S. and Canada. Of the original members, three have passed away and a few others are playing with other bands.

What have your American audiences been like, specifically those in Chicago?

Alemañy: The special thing we experience with Chicago is the reception. It’s always hot with much loving support. Part of that is due to the influence of the city that is home to a great culture of music, rich tradition and history of jazz. And the audiences are very well informed about music, very knowledgeable, open and very cosmopolitan. I’m especially looking forward to seeing some old friends while here.
 
How are you prepared to handle the weather and do you think the music will at least make it feel warmer?

Alemañy: The music and all the shaking we do in the performance are sure to help offset some of the winter chill. But don’t forget many of the band members will be coming from Canada, though the one member from the south might find it a bit cold.

The group has steadily built a following here with additional visibility coming from your 2008 Grammy nomination for “Greetings From Havana.” What did you take away from that experience?

Alemañy: For a number of years prior to the Grammy nomination, we would have two or three U.S. concert tours per year; but then the relationship between the U.S. and Cuba changed, and at one point, we had 40 concerts canceled and everything in the U.S. ground to a halt. But we continued to tour to Canada, Asia, Europe, Australia and South America. And then the Grammy nomination gave us the incentive to keep developing our music.
 
You’re often referred to as a legend who’s surely influenced many fellow musicians, but who were the primary artists that helped shaped the way you play at the beginning of your career?

Alemañy: I started planning music when I was 10-11 years old, but I had the incredible opportunity to play with some of the most important Cuban musicians who encouraged me to create my own style and explore other types of music, including classical and jazz. These musicians include an old master of Cuban music style, Lazaro Herrara, another known as El Pecoso, who has since passed away, and my uncle Luis Alemañy, who was part of the band, then went on to play with another band.
 
And last but not least, what’s next for you and ¡Cubanismo!?

Alemañy: Next, we are going to go to California in April and we are also planning on doing a new live recording. The last we did was in 2010, so it is time to create some new material so we’ll have something new to share the next time we return to Chicago.

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¡Cubanismo! featuring Jesús Alemañy performs at the McAninch Arts Center (MAC) on Sunday, February 18 at 3 p.m. For additional details, visit Cubanismo.org and AtTheMac.org.