Like this nation of immigrants whose disparate cultures converge to create something new, jazz also constantly evolves, in part by the infusion of hitherto unrelated styles of music. Latin jazz is a prime example of this musical melting pot, beginning with Dizzy Gillespie‘s seminal collaborations with percussionist Chano Pozo and trumpeter Mario Bauza in the 1940s. But while this fusion tends to be with world music that has a more broad appeal, a recent trend has seen jazz musicians delving into the world’s folk traditions, in an attempt to blend the sophistication of modern jazz with a more organic sensibility.

Saxophonist Miguel Zenón has spent the past couple of years taking this approach, exploring plena, the street music of his native Puerto Rico. Zenón conducted extensive research into the 100-year history of this form, which led to the 2009 recording and release of his latest album, Esta Plena.

“[Plena] is derived directly from African music,” explained Zenón, during a recent interview with DCist. “It’s almost like our carnival music. It’s party music. It’s not complicated music. It’s not ritual music.”