Trombonist/composer/arranger William Cepeda carries some impressive credentials, having studied and played with Donald Byrd, Jimmy Heath, Slide Hampton, Lester and Joseph Bowie, and David Murray, as well as Paquito d'Rivera, Eddie Palmieri and Tito Puente. Like the family of Israel "Cachao" Lopez from Cuba, or the Caymmi family in Brazil, the Cepedas have been the keepers of traditional Puerto Rican music for years.
Cepeda has mastered the skills a jazz artist requires and combined them with the traditional music of his homeland, creating Afrorican Jazz. "This is my contribution to Puerto Rican music," Cepeda explains. "Nothing like this has been done before, because while there are plenty of great jazz albums inspired by Cuban rhythms and music, Cuban-jazz fusions and such, there's nothing quite of the same calibre out there for Puerto Rican music and jazz. And there should be. It's time."

My Roots and Beyond is an exhilerating amalgam of jazz and bomba y plena (Afro-Puerto Rican styles) that Cepeda and his group (with special guests Slide Hampton and Paquito D'Rivera) offer with remarkable dexterity, elegance, and vigor. It's a highly personal statement that enables Jazz with new tonalities and intensity via Puerto Rican music

Cepeda reports that "traditional Puerto Rican music isn't heard that much outside of the island and it's a shame. We have a very strong music. By using a variety of instruments and the wealth of jazz resources, I have brought this rich tradition to another level, to a wider audience but also to a new level of feeling, more in line with the experience of today. I'm putting a little fire into it, with the result, I hope, of offering a dynamic and beautiful music for many, many people to enjoy."

Beyond The playing throughout, by all the soloists, is intense and always right in the pocket, consequently the music sounds fresh, complete with unexpected references and perspicacious surprises.