Arturo O’Farrill, the pianist/musical director of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, moonlights big time as the leader of the Chico O’Farrill’s Afro-Cuban Jazz Big Band, named for his father, every Sunday at Birdland (315 W. 44th St., at Ninth Avenue; [212] 581-3080).
The orchestra, which includes congas and cowbells, mixes classic jazz styles with rhumbas, salsa, African clave rhythms and congo to create a vibrant musical sound. Arturo, who was born in Mexico and grew up in New York, has been directing the Afro-Cuban Big Jazz Band since 1995. He has been trying to help preserve the music of his Cuban-born father, who wrote music for the likes of Benny Goodman and Dizzy Gillespie, and died in 2001. The Chico O’Farrill Jazz Orchestra plays out the year at Birdland, with shows today and Sunday at 9 and 11 p.m., and tomorrow at 8 and 11 p.m. The New Year’s Eve performances feature guest vocalist Hilary Kole. Tickets are $25 to $60.