Hispañola’s Jam is a vibrant trio led by Jim Ferraiuolo, blending Afro-Caribbean rhythms and jazz into an irresistible fusion. With Roro Ligondé on guitar and vocals and Ayodele Maakheru on bass and vocals, the group creates a rich, groove-driven sound that celebrates cultural roots and musical exploration.
This presentation is made possible by support from New York State Council on the Arts, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, & the Howard Gilman Foundation.
Hello, my name is Steven Xol-Quevedo and I’m MMG’s current marketing intern. For the next several weeks you’ll be hearing from me about MMG activities and offerings.
Image of MMG marketing intern, Steven Xol-Quevedo
Earlier this month, I had the chance to attend Hispañola Jam at Tío Pepe. From the moment the trio started playing, the room felt alive in a way that’s hard to describe. Conversations quieted, chairs shifted closer to the stage, and it felt like everyone was leaning in together, listening, feeling, and connecting. There’s something special about live music that just can’t be captured in a recording, and being there in that moment made it real.
Image of Hispañola Jam performance at Tio Pepe, NYC
One of the moments that really stuck with me was when the group performed the song Favela, a Bossa Nova classic by Antônio Carlos Jobim. In Brazil, a favela is a shantytown or impoverished urban settlement characterized by precarious housing and a lack of infrastructure, and the piece performed by Hispañola Jam shared the melancholic feeling of that environment.
Image of Favela sheet music and audio of the original recording.
Image of Rocinha, the largest hill favela in Rio de Janeiro
Learning this about the music added so much more weight to the listening experience. You could see the room shift, people weren’t just listening to notes, they were listening to stories. It reminded me how powerful music can be when paired with storytelling.
Throughout the night, the musicians balanced storytelling, improvisation, and cultural reflection in a way that made every song feel personal. There were moments that made me smile, moments that made me pause, and moments where I could just feel the room breathing together with the music. Being there as an intern, seeing the energy and connection firsthand, made me appreciate the role of these performances in keeping culture and community alive.
💌 Don’t miss the next performance in collaboration with Communitas America!
We’re closing out the year with another live performance on December 10th, and it promises to be another unforgettable evening of culture, connection, and music with heart along with uplifting social entrepreneurship presented by nonprofit partners in community impact, Communitas America. Don’t wait to register!