Bio
The Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective
Led by guitarist Jose Guzman, The Collective's repertoire reflects Guzman’s musical heritage with rhythms from Puerto Rico, mixed with the sophistication of modern jazz. Creating a prism of melodies that float on top of Caribbean grooves. The ensemble’s fourth release, "Cortadito," has been featured on jazz radio stations across the country, received glowing reviews from music critics, and listed among Puerto Rico's Best Albums of 2025 by the Fundación Nacional para la Cultura Popular, jazz journalist Wil Sostre, and Roots Music Report Top 50 Latin Jazz Albums of 2025.
José Guzmán Borrero, a native of Ponce, Puerto Rico, is a multi-genre guitarist who has performed with jazz ensembles, chamber groups, and rock bands. He leads the Latin jazz group, The Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective, that blends the heart of Afro-Caribbean rhythms with the sophistication of modern jazz. Guzmán was the artistic director for the Cafelao Jazz Festival that took place in Ponce, PR in 2012 and 2013. As a side man, he recorded on Dimijtre Vasiljevic's Accidental Nomad (released on Rope a Dope Records), KASA String Quartet Forever Wild Vol 1, and Mr. Chair's Better Days among others. Guzmán has performed as an artist in residence at the Caroga Lake Music Festival as both a classical and jazz guitarist. He has received grants from the city of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, the Illinois Arts Council, the Music Performance Trust Fund , the city of Urbana Arts Grant, and the Boulder County Arts Alliance Pathways to Jazz Grant.
He holds an undergraduate degree from the Puerto Rico Conservatory in Jazz Guitar and Afro-Caribbean Music, a master’s degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in Theory and Composition, and a doctorate degree (DMA) from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign in Jazz Guitar Performance with a minor in Composition.
Photo by Clayton Hauck