The Puro Queso Jazz Quartet was founded by

Venezuelan bass player José Layo Puentes, Italian pianist

Giampaolo Orrigo and Mexican guitarist Victor Ruiz, with the

idea of playing strictly jazz (with a mostly Latin flavor).

In 2005 the band began performing weekly at

a well-known bar in downtown Pittsburgh

accompanied by New York saxophonist Paul

Eiss, whose integration into the group occurred

organically after a couple of exploratory

rehearsals.

During this period the group began to

define itself and started giving

concerts at other local venues, such as museums

and festivals, as well as social events.

Today the Puro Queso Jazz Quartet continues to make

an unassuming but sincere contribution to the

already rich and demanding local jazz culture