In comparison to American Jazz, Latin Jazz employs straight rhythm, rather than swung rhythm. Latin Jazz rarely employs a beat played in four, but uses a form of the clave. The conga, timbale, güiro, and claves are percussion instruments which often contribute to a Latin sound.

Samba originates from 19th century Afro-Brazilian music such as the Lundu. It employs a modified form of the clave. Bossa Nova is a hybrid music based on Samba's rhythm but influenced by European and American music from Debussy to US jazz. Bossa Nova originated in the 1960s, largely from the efforts of Brazillians Antonio Carlos Jobim, João Gilberto, and American Stan Getz. Its most famous song is arguably The Girl from Ipanema sung by Gilberto and his wife, Astrud Gilberto.

Latin jazz music, like most types of jazz music, can be played in small or large groups. Small groups, or combos, often use the Be-bop format made popular in the 1950s in America, where the musicians play a standard melody, many of the musicians play an improvised solo, and then everyone plays the melody again. In Latin jazz bands, percussion often takes a center stage during a solo, and a conga or timbale can add a melodic line to any performance.

Bands at Jagz that play Latin;

Azucar Morena- Cuban Band
Cache
Chacon
Cubana Bop
La Cuba Ritmo
Los Amores
Manteca
Mezcla de Londres
Mustard Latino
Padrisimo - Latin Night
Palenke
Riamba
Timbao Tivoli- Cancelled