Montunos en el Jardin plays Afro-Cuban/Latin-influenced groove music. Mani Bances has been a part of the Latin, jazz, and funk scenes in Chicago for years, and has played with too many acts to list. John Mead is a bandleader who has played all sorts of tributes and original music on stages all over the city for the past fifteen years. They are both teachers at the Old Town School of Folk Music, where they have led the Latin Funk Ensemble. Together, they and their associates bring a rich, unique blend of styles and influences together into a stew of Caribbean and R&B flavors.