Cosmic Jibaros

The title of Cosmic Jibaros' one and only studio album is "Yo Soy Del Mundo," or, in English, "I Am of the World."

In one sense, it recalls the displacement felt by frontman Rick Reyes following his move to America from Puerto Rico. In another, it is the ideal maxim for a band that is not only multiethnic, but embracing of musical traditions from across the globe.

"In my world, that's the norm," Reyes said. "People are from different places, they have different backgrounds. That's the way the world is going. That's the future."

Cosmic Jibaros, the Bridgeport-based Latin rock band celebrating a decade of performing in Connecticut, will take the stage at the Fairfield Theatre Company on Saturday, July 9, at 7:30 p.m.

Founded by professional musicians who work in and around the Park City, the band represents a robust blend of nationalities -- from Puerto Rican and Polish to Irish and Jamaican. Though Latin rock is the sonic bedrock of Cosmic Jibaros, the band pulls together such disparate elements as jazz, funk, soul, samba, salsa, afrobeat and alternative rock.

It is only natural, given the band's assorted backgrounds and musical tastes, that the sound would turn out to be so wide-ranging and eclectic, Reyes said.

"When you look at the band, and the diversity of the band, you can see where the music comes from," said Reyes, who was born in Bridgeport and moved to Puerto Rico, where he lived with his family until he was 15. "We come from all these different angles."

He sees the band as part of the wave of Latin rock bands sprouting up across the United States. Reyes said what sets Cosmic Jibaros apart is that while many of those groups hail from Texas (Los Lonely Boys, Del Castillo) and the West Coast (Los Lobos, Ozomatli), "we represent Connecticut."

"As far as I know, you can't find anything like us anywhere else" in the Northeast, he said.

Conceived of a decade ago, the band solidified its lineup in 2003 as Reyes hooked up with local musicians, including guitarist Darian Cunning and percussionist Tony Cintrón, whom he met at Bridgeport's Acoustic Cafe (Cintrón had previously drummed for Ricky Martin). The remaining band members -- drummer Christopher Stanley, bassist Juan Carlos Vega, conga player Johnny Durkin, keyboardist Tony Senes and percussionist Obanilu Allende -- also hail from the Bridgeport area or New York City.

Since forming, the band has performed occasional gigs -- it's difficult to get all the members together in one place at the same time -- throughout the tri-state area, including Cinco de Mayo parties at the Acoustic Cafe, the Wilton Library's Summer Music and More concert series and the International Festival of Arts and Ideas in New Haven.

Reyes, who recently recorded his debut solo EP at the Carriage House Studios in Stamford, said a second Cosmic Jibaros album is in the works.

While the group has yet to experience commercial success, its distinctive, forward-thinking sound has helped spread the word about Cosmic Jibaros. And, not surprisingly, its fanbase tends to be just as diverse as the band itself.

All this makes for a truly cross-cultural experience, something Reyes described as "the new America."

"We are representative of a community that's coming into its own," Reyes said. "We're creating a new sound by embracing other styles.

"With the effects of globalization, people can hear different music from different places. That's exactly what we're all about."

StageOne at the Fairfield Theatre Company is at 70 Sanford St., Fairfield. Saturday, July 9, 7:30 p.m. $14, $10 for members. 203-259-1036, www.fairfieldtheatre.org.


- Connecticut Post