There exists a large and unique repertoire within the big band genre that requires musicians who are knowledgeable about Latin rhythms, clave, and African-based percussion instruments, as well as modern jazz and swing. The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra (ALJO) was founded in 2002 by artistic director Arturo O'Farrill to perform compositions of masters such as Machito, Tito Puente, Chico O'Farrill, Astor Piazzola, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Hermeto Pascoal, and others, and to keep this culturally rich tradition alive by continuing to commission new works.