Belongó, formerly the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance is a New York based cultural organization dedicated to education, preservation, and performance of an American musical treasure, Afro Latin jazz. Founded by pianist, composer, and educator Arturo O’Farrill in 2007, Belongó's programs span the five New York City boroughs and beyond. New York performance season, presents intergenerational community events, provides year-round free music instruments and instruction to youth, and maintains a comprehensive archive of Latin jazz compositions.
ALJA's mission is geared to address the realities of inequality through performance, commissions, music preservation, socio-cultural engagement, community activities, and education programs. We provide performance, touring and recording opportunities to disenfranchised artists working in marginalized genres such as Afro Latin Jazz and Afro Latin folklore. We provide free access to the arts and help artists from marginalized communities realize their art