A trip to Cuba from the United States is only 90 miles, but an evening with the Afro-Cuban jazz group Ninety Miles brings it even closer.  

Stefon Harris, David Sánchez and Nicholas Payton lead this virtuosic group of musicians with a commanding presence. Ninety Miles was featured in a two-night stay at Titmus Theatre in Thompson Hall last Thursday and Friday. 

The group’s shows were near capacity and the energy in the room was palpable. Audiences heard sprawling jams that felt like loosely formed songs, riding a wave of spontaneity and chemistry. Excited shouts from the crowd followed mesmerizing solos, and it proved to be hard to wipe the smile off my face.

 “We do it for the crowds,” Harris said. 

Although the group has played all over the globe, it’s clear that the size of the venue isn’t as important as the connection with the people.  This connection is one that’s ever-present on stage; Ninety Miles’ rhythms feel dialogical.  Displaying precise call-and-response solos, gorgeous duets and an ever-changing cast of characters throughout the night, Ninety Miles’ show was as entertaining as it was eclectic.

 Some songs began with an extended bass solo while others blossomed into a lush range of textures from a simple duet. It’s easy to attribute this dynamic range to the group’s musical diversity. While Ninety Miles approaches free-form jazz with infectious Latin rhythms, the group’s musical tastes cover a wide spectrum.

 “I’d say we all listen to very different music,” said David Sánchez, saxophonist for Ninety Miles. “We definitely have some music that we all can relate to, but we listen to a lot of different stuff too … Beethoven, Debussey, Motown, soul, jazz.”

 This diversity is one of the most prominent aspects of Ninety Miles that shines through. Stefon Harris crafted brilliant and melodic lines on his vibraphone and marimba, making the percussive instrument sing out with overwhelming presence. Trumpet player Nicholas Payton released quick spurts of vivacious jazz, perfectly fleshing out the already expansive soundscape while David Sánchez’s saxophone glided smoothly throughout the mix.

 From Tokyo to Brazil, this group is providing the world with a taste of Cuban jazz. Though the band is barely two years old, they play with the undeniable chemistry of veterans on the same wavelength. This highly acclaimed group effortlessly encapsulated the essence of what’s exciting about live music. Ninety Miles has the ability to capture a moment, to steal your attention. Each layer is so densely packed that you can lose yourself within a different instrument every other minute.

 Ninety Miles takes listeners on a musical journey with a visceral live show that feels organic and passionate. Steeped in traditional Latin and African rhythms, the smooth jazz that filled Titmus Theatre was enough to leave this listener thoroughly surprised and entirely satisfied.