'El Maestro' Irving Flores Readies Thrilling Afro-cuban? Jazz Sextet Project With Giovanni Hidalgo & Horacio “El Negro” Hernández; 'Armando Mi Conga' Arrives August 26
An explosion of talent and happiness in the City that never Sleeps, this is a love letter to Latin America. It’s my journey
and a tribute to the rhythms that shaped me. —Irving Flores
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data-original-title="" title="">Irving Flores is set to release his most ambitious project to date, ;Armando Mi Conga (Amor de Flores Productions), available on CD and all streaming platforms beginning August 26, 2025.
A vibrant celebration of Latin Jazz and Afro-Cuban Jazz, the 9-song album blends virtuosity with soul — and features an all-star lineup of Grammy-winning legends.
“This is a love letter to Latin America,” says Flores. “It’s my journey and a tribute to the rhythms that shaped me."
A compilation of eight original tunes with a bonus track, a solo piano version of centerpiece, “With Amanda en Favignana," (written for his wife, Amanda while on holiday in Favignana, Italy, off the western coast of Sicily), Armando Mi Conga guides the listener on a thrill ride through different eras of Flores's (El Maestro's) life. The album will be preceded by the release of the title track as a single on August 8th.
Written in Mexico City, Flores composed the infectious tune for a dear friend and legendary conga player, Armando “Pinaca” Espinosa. “Pinaca” was to receive an award and recognition from an International LP company, and the very proud and excited Flores insisted such an occasion deserved an original composition. There's a recorded big band version featuring “Pinaca” himself on the congas. On this version, Flores is delighted to feature one of his own musical inspirations and idols, the one and only
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data-original-title="" title="">Giovanni Hidalgo who provides a special rhythmic intro, a loving dedication to his father, José “Ma?engue” Hidalgo.
“The composition I wrote in 1994 was now in the hands of the best percussionist in the world. One of the most exciting moments of my life with the most amazing musicians and stepping foot into the City that never Sleeps, to record with these giants. It was just an explosion of talent and happiness," says Flores.
Born in Veracruz, raised in the Gulf of Mexico, Flores was immersed in the Afro-Cuban rhythms. Dancing in the kitchen with his grandmother to her collection of danzón records, Flores constantly breathed the sounds of Cuba. His father, founder of the Tampico Orchestra and leader of his own big band, toured the U.S., Central and South America, extensively. Flores’s childhood toys were instruments from his father’s trips abroad, his books and the charts his father would bring home from his global musical tours.
Living in a tropical climate, his first instrument was the organ and soon he would play the alto sax alongside his father and his project — the Irving Flores Super Combo band. At 16, he left for Mexico City to begin a life long journey that would ultimately lead him to the U.S. to pursue his own music.
In Mexico City, he attended the Music Conservatory, studied under the greatest of mentors, performed in famous ballrooms like Salon Colonia, appeared in concert at the majestic Bellas Artes, and eventually toured the world. Now based in San Diego, California, Flores continues to push musical boundaries and innovate within the jazz genre, contributing richly to its evolution, including through lively performances with renown trumpeter
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data-original-title="" title="">Gilbert Castellanos and reaching new audiences through his performances and recordings.
None more so than on his electrifying new opus. Recorded live in New York City during a pair of 10-hour sessions at East Side Sound in March of last year, Armando Mi Conga is a culmination of years of wisdom and experience, of sacrifice, dedication, discipline. Of love, of loss, blood, sweat, tears, and rebirth.
And he didn't do it alone. Along for the supreme exaltation of joy are some legendary figures in jazz, including
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data-original-title="" title="">Norbert Stachel on tenor sax, baritone sax, clarinet, and flute, showcasing Flores’s ability to bring together top talent to create truly spectacular music.
It's a path he's followed his whole career. His passion for education and community-building further strengthens the album’s depth and reach.
From his early beginnings as a child prodigy leading Orchestra Tamalipas to victory at the tender age of ten, to becoming a nationally treasured artist in Mexico, Flores’s journey has been nothing short of legendary.
From notable collaborations and performances with icons such as
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data-original-title="" title="">Poncho Sanchez, Airto Moreira, and the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Flores's skills as an arranger and producer shine through in projects like the acclaimed 'Tribute to Frank Sinatra' with the San Diego Symphony and his stirring arrangements for international stars like Luis Miguel.
The excitement continues this fall as Irving celebrates the release of Armando Mi Conga with special quintet shows at the San Diego Tijuana International Jazz Festival in San Diego (October 2) and in Los Angeles at Sam First on October 4. Other appearances include performances in Tijuana, Mexico, at the Tijuana Jazz & Blues Festival (October, San Jose (Hedley Club, Oct. 7), San Francisco (Mr. Tipple's, October 10) and Palo Alto (Meyhouse, October 11) with more to be announced soon. For all the latest info, please visit irvingflores.com
Track Notes
Armando Mi Conga (8:27)
Intro by Giovanni Hidalgo—special dedication to his father José “Ma?engue” Hidalgo.
“The composition that I wrote in 1994 was now in the hands of the best percussionist in the world. One of the most exciting moments of my life with the most amazing musicians and stepping foot into the City that never Sleeps, to record with these giants. It was just an explosion of talent and happiness." —Irving Flores
Gary en Nanchital (5:49)
“A composition reflecting one of the greatest Cuban rhythm influences of my life—el danzón. I was very intentional in choosing to record this as the first tune during our recording session. Who is this guy? Como toca él? I could see doubt mixed with curiosity hiding behind their eyes. Man did I bust out a killer piano solo. Back in the booth, I was received with high fives, fist bumps, and compliments for my playing and my composition. I passed the test. I had arrived and was accepted by the greatest living Latin Jazz artists in NY. The rest is history and you can hear it in this recording." —Irving Flores
With Amanda in Favignana (7:03)
“The tune that was inspired in Italy, was next in line. I knew featuring Brian Lynch would give this composition un sonido calido and that he would be the perfect artist to deliver an outstanding jazz improvisation. The dynamic duo, Giovanni Hidalgo and Horacio “el negro” Hernandez bring it home with some major sabor—creating a perfect fusion of Latin and straight ahead jazz." —Irving Flores
Tramonto A Massa Lubrense (9:34)
“Time to feature just the trio. No time to lose my concentration or inspiration. The clock was ticking in the studio. It was my turn to open with a piano solo, giving space to express mis sentimientos. John Benitez poured his heart and soul into this piece, recording one of the most spellbinding upright bass solos. This tune is dressed perfectly with the soft brushes of the drums, illustrating the softer, more reserved side of “el negro”. This track was recorded in one simple take. One word to describe this tune… breathless." —Irving Flores
Music en La Calle (4:55)
“Next tune, just in quartet. A talk rehearsal. Time is running…let’s do it! Take #1! BOOM. Giovanni Hidalgo, Horacio “el negro” Hernandez, John Benitez—these cats are the real deal. Together, hyped, we nailed it in one shot. We kept the dialogue from before and after this take to show how powerful it was to record together." —Irving Flores
Samba Con Sabor (5:50)
“This combination of Brazilian rhythms was the perfect opportunity to feature Norbert Stachel on flute. His precision, inspiration and beautiful sound dances perfectly together with the incredible drums. Not only that but, the special signature of John Benitez on electric bass weaved together this quintet to create magical syncopations and add a different sabor brasile?o to the album." —Irving Flores
Recuerdos (7:44)
“Day 1 is almost over. We are exhausted. And the last tune of the day is a tune I waited over twenty two years to finally record with Horacio “El Negro” Hernández. Horacio and I met in Monterrey, Mexico while he was on tour. We met in a jazz club, where he graciously passed up the opportunity to participate in the local jam session. Thankfully, I had the opportunity to play a piano solo—and chose to play my original danzón composition. The others on stage were unfamiliar with the style and bowed out, leaving the stage. All of a sudden, “el negro” jumped on the stage and began playing the drums. It was the first time a drummer accompanied this composition. Afterward, we met and hung out and I still remember my excitement and declaring that some day we would record together. Fast forward to 2024 and it was the moment. Life had come full circle." —Irving Flores
Dana Point (7:00)
“I don’t have the words to express how lucky I am with this group of talented artists. Precisión, talento, y experiencia on all levels is what this ensemble brought to the studio to put this recording on another level. The baritone sax combined with the trumpet… the rhythm section’s interpretations and solos just blew my mind. What solos! What energy! Que maravilla! This was the perfect powerful punch to bookend the Armando Mi Conga album." —Irving Flores
Bonus Track
With Amanda in Favignana (Solo Piano) [5:11]
“For the entire recording session, I had the love of my life, Amanda, beside me. She suggested a bonus track, capturing a piano solo of the tune I composed for her on the island of Favignana. I had one shot to get it right, and poured all of my love and emotion into the one take. It’s my gift to her. And it’s her gift to all the women who believe in their soulmate’s dreams." —Irving Flores
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Track Listing
Armando Mi Conga; Gary En Nanchital; With Amanda en Favignana; Tramonto A Massa
Lubrense; Music en La Calle;
Samba Con Sabor; Recuerdos; Dana Point; With Amanda en Favignana (Solo Piano).
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