Timba Bass

Manuel Orza

Bass

Expert Bass instructor specializing in Latin rhythms Manuel Orza Bass Instructor | Latin Music Mastery Manuel Orza is a Cuban professional bassist with an extensive career in Latin music, Latin jazz, and contemporary popular music. A graduate of the prestigious Amadeo Roldán National Conservatory of Music in Havana, Cuba, he completed his studies in 1989, building a strong academic foundation and a deep understanding of Cuban and Latin American musical traditions. Throughout his career, Manuel has stood out for his versatility as a performer on upright bass, baby bass, and electric bass. His sound combines technique, musicality, flavor, and a deep knowledge of the different styles that shape the language of bass in Latin music. His experience includes genres such as Latin pop, bolero, salsa, Cuban music, Latin jazz, and contemporary fusion. Through his mastery of these styles, he has performed, recorded, and collaborated on musical projects with renowned international artists and musicians. His collaborations include names such as José Feliciano, Arturo Sandoval, Horacio “El Negro” Hernández, Terry Bozzio, Ravi Coltrane, Roy Hargrove, Alfredo de la Fé, Jimmy Bosch, Dave Valentín, El Canario, Giovanni Hidalgo, Issac Delgado, Guajiro Mirabal, Aymée Nuviola, Amaury Gutiérrez, Cheo Feliciano, Celia Cruz, Tito Nieves, Rey de la Paz, Ray Sepúlveda, Andy Montañez, Calixto Oviedo, Francisco “Pancho” Céspedes, Kemuel Roig, and many other leading figures in Latin music and jazz. As a musician, Manuel Orza is recognized for his ability to adapt to different musical settings, providing a solid rhythmic foundation, harmonic sensitivity, and a deep sense of groove. His career makes him a valuable reference for students who want to understand the true role of the bass within Latin music. At Latin Music Mastery, Manuel shares his experience through a practical, clear, and musical approach, helping students understand not only what to play, but how to accompany, support a band, and develop an authentic language in styles such as bolero, Latin pop, and Latin jazz. His teaching is designed for bass players who want to strengthen their technique, improve their rhythmic feel, better understand the function of the bass within Latin genres, and develop professional musicianship that can be applied both on stage and in the recording studio.