While State-of-the-Art Cultural Hub Casa Belongó is Built in East Harlem, Non-Profit Institution Belongó Provides Free Music Education and Community Programs to NYC & Beyond

June 11, 2026 -- Belongó is a New York City-based non-profit cultural institution founded by pianist/composer and GRAMMY Award winner Arturo O'Farrill in 2007 that is dedicated to performing, teaching, and preserving the music of the Americas rooted in African and Indigenous traditions through jazz. A crucial component of Belongó's work over the past 19 years has been providing young people access to free music education, particularly those who may not have as many opportunities. Over the course of the 2025-'26 school year, Belongó offered free music education to hundreds of students at 24 public schools spanning all five boroughs of New York City. A range of programming available to K-12 students includes lessons and interactive demonstrations. Belongó estimates that over 30,000 students have benefitted from their educational programming since its founding.

Additionally, a special program launched in May in Brooklyn's District 15 offers 4th and 5th grade students a five-week "Intro To Jazz" program taught by Arturo O'Farrill. The immersive class includes a professional percussionist and bass player and explores the basics of jazz, as well as improvisation.

Belongó's music education initiatives reach beyond K-12 students. The Fat Cats are a pre-professional youth orchestra that prepares the next generation of musicians. The orchestra is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, and over 200 musicians have participated in the program. The Fat Cats perform at venues and events throughout New York City, and will host their end of season showcase at Shapeshifter Lab in Brooklyn on June 23.

Crucial access to music education is also provided to incarcerated youth at East River Academy. Now in its second year, Belongó's residency offers access to 18-21 year-old students at the Rikers Island alternative transfer high school, working with young people that require different ways to complete their education.

Outside of its educational initiatives, Belongó also programs a host of music and cultural events across NYC, the U.S. and internationally, including the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra's annual performance season. O'Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra (ALJO) just launched a residency at new Times Square jazz club The Pocket . The celebrated orchestra performs from their deep repertoire of Afro Latin jazz from across the Americas every Tuesday, with sets at 7 and 9PM.

The 12th annual Pueblo Harlem: Celebrating Latino Culture takes place on June 26. This day-long festival for all ages at Riverside Church in West Harlem brings together community, culture, and live performance featuring Arturo O'Farrill, the Fat Cats, guest music artists, and Ballet Hispanico. Lead sponsor is New York City Council Majority Leader Shaun Abreu along with support from EmblemHealth and Ponce Bank. WABCTV7 is the official media sponsor.

O'Farrill & ALJO will also perform locally at Riverbank State Park in Manhattan on July 11, a free concert presented in collaboration with Carnegie Hall's Musical Connections program with persons that were formerly incarcerated at Sing Sing Correctional Facility.

Belongó's education programs are made possible with the generous support from New York City Council, Arnhold Foundation, Blanche T. Enders Charitable Trust. Charles H. Revson Foundation, The D'Addario Foundation, Exploring the Arts, The Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation, and The Pinkerton Foundation.

Community programs and initiatives are made possible through funding from the Hearst Foundations, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, and The Ford Foundation.

Casa Belongó

Belongó broke ground on a state-of-the-art cultural and education hub in February. Casa Belongó will occupy the first two floors of Timbale Terrace, a 341-unit building of affordable housing in East Harlem. Featuring opening remarks from Mayor Mamdani and the premiere of a new O'Farrill composition penned for the occasion called Mamdani Mambo, the groundbreaking was covered by the New York Times, Gothamist, WNYC, NY1, JazzTimes, 1010Wins, ABC7, Pix11, Hellgate, and more.

Upcoming

Every Tuesday - The Pocket - New York, NY - Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra Tuesday Night Residency begins - show times at 7 + 9PM

June 18 - ShapeShifter Lab - Brooklyn, NY - the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra with Wagner High School Jazz Band

June 23 - ShapeShifter Lab - Brooklyn, NY - the Fat Cats' End of Season Showcase

June 26 - The Riverside Church - New York, NY - 12th Annual Pueblo Harlem: Celebrating Latino Culture - Day-long festival of music, dancing, workshops for families and community - Arturo O'Farrill, the Fat Cats, special guests

June 27 - Harlem Library - New York, NY - Afro Latin Jazz Music Exploration monthly residency

July 11 - Riverbank State Park - New York, NY - Carnegie Hall Musical Connections - Arturo O'Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, Freedom Trap

July 12-19 - Belongó at Babel Camp - Balatonboglar, Hungary (week-long retreat for musicians)

About Belongó

Belongó, formerly the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance, was founded by Arturo O'Farrill in 2007. The non-profit institution is dedicated to performing, educating about, and preserving the music of all of the Americas, emanating from African and indigenous roots, through the entry point of jazz. The organization produces the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra's annual performance season in New York and worldwide. Its educational programs include the Afro Latin Jazz Academy of Music (ALJAM), an in-school residency program serving public schools citywide with instrumental and ensemble instruction; the Fat Cats, a pre-professional youth orchestra that prepares the next generation of musicians; and the Global Rhythms in Our Tribe (G.R.I.O.T.), a music program that connects youth with rhythms and storytelling from global cultures as a way to engage them in anti-violence activities. In addition, it holds a world-class collection of Latin jazz musical scores and recordings.

Belongó embraces its mission with a commitment to social justice, equity, inclusion, and the equality of all cultures worldwide. For additional information, visit belongo.org .