Knox College's third annual Winter Jazz Series brings Peruvian percussionist Juan Pastor and his band Chinchano to the Knox campus for two free, public events on Saturday, January 9, 2016—a workshop at 4 p.m. in Jay Hall, and a concert at 7:30 p.m. in Kresge Hall, Ford Center for the Fine Arts.

A native of Peru now living in Chicago, Pastor is renowned for his blend of jazz with Peruvian folk rhythms. His first CD, Chinchano, received 4 stars in Downbeat magazine, along with praise for its "evolving structures and joyous Peruvian grooves not commonly encountered by Northern ears."

Pastor's recently released second CD Un Cambio, recorded with saxophonist Rich Moore, trumpeter Marquis Hill, pianist Stu Mindeman and bassist Patrick Mulcahy, debuted at the Green Mill in Chicago to standing-room-only crowds.

A graduate of Northern Illinois University, Pastor earned a master's degree at DePaul University. He has performed at jazz festivals in Europe and the Americas and recorded with jazz artists including Howard Leavy, Jimmy Heath, Fareed Haque, Patricia Barber, Ryan Cohan, and The Chicago Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble.

Pastor is currently an adjunct music faculty member at Benedictine University and percussion instructor for the After-School Partnership Program at DePaul University.

The Winter Jazz Series is part of Knox's Year of Jazz programming, along with the Rootabaga Jazz Festival and Mirza Jazz Residency. This year's Winter Jazz Series concert is supported by grants from the Knox College Latin American Studies Program, Stellyes Center for Global Studies, and Cultural Events Committee.