Multi-instrumentalist Jerry González and his Fort Apache Band were one of the most exciting Latin jazz ensembles to rise to prominence in the 1990s. The outfit fused the rhythms of Cal Tjader, Tito Puente and Eddie Palmieri with a fiery bebop horn section, with González providing the center on trumpet and percussion. At a young age, González joined Dizzy Gillespie’s band as a percussionist, and then played for four years with Palmieri before forming the influential progressive salsa band Libre with his brother Andy, and timbales player Manny Oquendo. González left Libre in the late-80s to concentrate on leading the Fort Apache Band. In 1989, they released OBALATA and RUMBA PARA MONK, and were off to the races.