Client Reviews

Evelyn Chassagne
Executive Assistant at WHMC

"One of the best performances at the Wyckoff Hospital Annual Health & Wellness Fair was The Afro-Latineers Band! The community members in attendance were dancing and moving to their upbeat Latin groove.  The crowd enjoyed them and we received nothing but positive feedback from all…they were awesome!  We look forward to The Afro-Latineers entertaining our future events."

Robert MacKay
Director of Public Relations, QEDC

"The Afro-Latineers performed at an annual event, Queens Taste, that I organized at the New York Hall of Science in May 2015. The group played a wide range of beautiful music that wafted through the large space that was filled with 66 vendor tables. The band was tight and its sound was fantastic. Many attendees praised the group, and I think they really enriched the night. I give them my best compliment: I'd use them again in a second."

Evan Weiss
Organizer of The Bloody Mary Liberation Party

"Paul and his band were incredible. Their selection of songs was perfect. Musically they sounded amazing. Dealing with Paul was a pleasure. I wish all of my vendors were as easy to deal with as Paul was."

Jennifer Furioli
Former Manager of the New Rochelle Grand Market

"Sabor & the Afro-Latineers had vendors and shoppers dancing on the lawn all afternoon at New Rochelle's Grand Market. These talented musicians show up on time, engage the audience and have fun! I look forward to having them return."

Nancy Kleaver
Former Partner of ReCreate Qns

"The Afro-Latineers were one of about 60 groups we considered for our inaugural Third Thursdays In Bliss Plaza concert series. Their act immediately stood out among the crowd of applicants and we booked them to close the series. Paul and his bandmates were joyous, professional, community-minded and sharp. They performed outdoors on a blustery day under the 7 train with lots of curious kids and got the crowd dancing and smiling immediately."

Interim Executive Director
Sunnyside Shines BID - 2015

“Paul and his band the Afro-Latineers performed during our organization’s Third Thursdays music series. I was impressed by the level of enthusiasm they elicited from the crowd—no other group quite brought the party like they did! Additionally, they were very professional in submitting the required paperwork well in advance of the performance date. Our bookkeeper appreciated that!”

Rita Pihra-Majurinen
Artistic Director of Art on the Corner

Working with Paul '"Sabor"' Rivera and the Afro-Latineers was a pleasure. Professional, thorough, flexible, and collaborative are well-deserved descriptors. "Sabor" is a skilled storyteller, engaging the audience thru word and sound. All who attended our inaugural JAZZ NITE raved about the band's diverse grooves, their energetic performance, and their warm presence."

Volunteer
The Parkside Plaza

"Sabor & The Afro-Latineers are a fantastic group of top-notch musicians that know how to bring the life to the party. On top of being professional, they brought an incredibly charismatic and vibrant energy to our anniversary celebration at the Parkside Plaza. With their magnetism and friendliness, they pulled people of all ages into the event, made them dance, and created a festive atmosphere. Sabor is also a wonderful MC. I would bring them back every week if I could! ​We appreciate how community-oriented the group is and that they value how the arts can bring people together!"

Stephanie Lorduy
Wellness Coordinator at The Shield Institute

"I work for a day program that serves adults with developmental disabilities. Paul and his band members played for our “So Long Summer” event on September 28th, 2016. They arrived early, started on time and played some awesome music for our program participants. Individuals were dancing inches from the band and giving regular high-fives to the players, who reciprocated with smiles and warm interactions. Thanks to Paul, Cindy, Joaquin, Richie & David for giving us a lovely afternoon con sabor!"

Paulette C.
Client, GigSalad - 2018

"Great Talent! Wonderful dinner party. We hired The Afro-Latineers for a dinner party. They came early, were personable, professional and extremely talented. Great selections that pleased the crowd. Well worth every penny. Would hire again."

Nancy C.
​Former Director of Sunnyside Shines BID

"The Afro-Latineers were amazing.  It was a pleasure having you at the event!" -- Taste of Sunnyside 2016

M.PATMOS
Vendor, Make Music New York 2019

"It was such a joy to work with The Afro-Latineers! People were literally stopping to dance in front of my shop! I definitely recommend them for an event - really happy music and super nice, really talented crew - playing a nice mix of Ethiopian twinged jazz and Latin Jazz, Salsa and other Afro-Latin styles." 

Amy Paul
Former Executive Director, Woodside on the Move, Inc.

"So much love for the Afro-Latineers. They were responsive, enthusiastic, lively, and flexible. They were the perfect choice for 40th year nonprofit fundraiser - upbeat, but also conducive to networking. They even played an improv version of "Happy Birthday/Happy Anniversary" while we were cutting our cake, and helped get the word out about our event."

Ben Fuller-Googins
Community Planner at the Carroll Gardens Association Inc.

"The Afro-Latineers played at our annual Columbia Waterfront Fall Festival on Saturday September 12th. Between the other attractions and musical acts, they were far and away the most electric and energy giving part of the day! As soon as they started playing, people gathered around stage and started dancing. In addition to the stellar performance, they were very active in promoting our event on social media. It was a joy working with them leading up to the event and finally getting to enjoy their unrivaled. talent. I cannot recommend them enough."

Elizabeth Berlinger
English Professor at CUNY BMCC

"Sabor" & The Afro-Latineers have provided BMCC's Poetry Day Celebration with wonderful music for the past two years. Their energetic music has brought spirit and joy to our audiences, and the band is warm, professional, and efficient. We look forward to working with Sabor & The Afro-Latineers again!"

Ike Sturm
Music Director for Jazz at Saint Peter's Church

"The performance by 'Sabor & The Afro-Latineers' was a bright and energetic point in our program, playing with a tight groove and uplifting spirit." - 2013 All Night Soul

Brady C.
Executive Director, GCNSSC

"It was a great performance, very exciting with lots of energy.  Everyone who was there had a wonderful time."

Sara Nordmann
Executive Director, Atlantic Avenue BID

"...Your live music set of vibrant Afro-Latin Jazz definitely excited the crowd and set a great ambiance for passerby's. Our event would not have had the same impact without you...."
​- Make Music Cobble Hill 2018

SPECTATOR REVIEWS

"I turned my head to see the source of the voice but my sightline was met instead with an all-smiles janitor dancing through the crowd, his broom as his date, to the latino-jazz of the Afro-Latineers, who provided the soundtrack for the night."
​-- Jill Strominger of Edible Queens during Queens Taste 2017
"The group's music was much enjoyed at Mount Sinai - Beth Israel Phillips Ambulatory Care Center! It was enjoyed by the patients as well as employees of the ambulatory medical facility. I am an employee there and was definitely enjoying ALL of the musical tunes!! I am looking forward to hearing and seeing you ALL perform again. Much continued success!!"
​-- Nurse at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, PACC
"I wanted to say that we really enjoyed ourselves at the 2015 Taste event.  This year's venue and the flow of the event went really well.  Access to water was also a great idea and this year it seems that there were more bins to dispose of waste.  The music was a great treat as well. Great job."
​-- Awilda Cury, attendee of Queens Taste 2015
DJ Aphrosoul says, "I truly enjoyed listening to my friend Rich as well as the rest of Sabor and The Afro Latineers. The music was as beautiful as it was thought provoking, story telling, soothing, and entertaining. They definitely have made a fan in me…" 
YouTube subscriber, Victor Starita says, "The best Jazz combination NYC!!"