MANTECA - Free Jazz Leadsheet

“Manteca,” composed by Dizzy Gillespie and Chano Pozo in 1947, is one of the earliest and most influential Afro-Cuban jazz compositions. Its driving rhythm, infectious groove, and complex horn lines helped define the Latin jazz genre.

Performed by big bands and small ensembles, the tune blends bebop harmony with Afro-Cuban percussion, offering ample room for improvisation while maintaining a high-energy, danceable feel.