Janice Maisonet

Giovanni Hidalgo: Jubilation

by Don Ball
April 5, 2026

While Bad Bunny is making Puerto Rican culture better recognized in contemporary popular music, jazz has long championed the island's rich musical traditions and artists, from the legendary composer and trombonist Juan Tizol to the rollicking pianist Eddie Palmieri to the soulful saxophonist Miguel Zenón, among many others. Included in that group would be Giovanni Hidalgo, whose release Jubilation demonstrates why he is considered one of the premier conga players performing in jazz. Commissioned by the island's arts ...