The worlds of jazz and the Cuban bolero will dance together under the hands of Charlie Haden and his musical mates at 7:30 tonight in Eisenhower Auditorium.

Nationally acclaimed acoustic bass player Charlie Haden, along with pianist and collaborator Gonzalo Rubalcaba, saxophonist Joe Lovano, violinist Federico Britos Ruiz, and drummer Ignacio Berrao, will take on the Latin-tinged jazz musings from Haden's 2002 album, Nocturne.

With the Grammy awards right around the corner, everyone is conscious of former winners, and Haden and company are no strangers to the national spotlight. Nocturne gave Haden his second Grammy, this time in the category of Best Latin Jazz album.

In 1998, Haden and longtime friend Pat Metheny won a Grammy for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Individual, or Group with their album Beyond the Missouri Sky. Cuban pianist Rubalcaba previously received a Grammy for his Latin jazz album Supernova.

Rubalcaba and Haden have a unique chemistry. They initially met in Cuba in 1986, said Jason Byrne, senior publicist at Third Floor/East West media. Byrne believes this relationship, along with the fact that Haden has actually been to the land where the bolero springs from, gives credence to the songs on Nocturne.

"When a musician travels to where the music originated, it gives his music an authentication, because he knows what it is truly supposed to sound like," Byrne said. "Any fan of beauty will be able to enjoy Haden. His music is melodically beautiful."

Haden has an illustrious history in the music industry. He has yodeled country music with his family in Springfield, Miss., performed with pioneering free jazz band the Ornette Coleman quartet, and lent his talents to popular artists such as Yoko Ono and Beck.

"In the last 45 years of jazz, without a doubt, he is one of the top five bass players," said Gary Kennedy, a jazz lexicographer.

Kennedy also attributes Haden's newfound success to his pleasing playing.

"It almost sounds like he is playing wood ... it's a thick, beautiful sound," Kennedy said. "In the '90s, his music became very popular, but he has always had it."

For Haden's Nocturne tour, he has brought together a well-seasoned group of artists. Rubalcaba's Cuban brand of piano styling is similar to the methods of Dizzy Gilespie and Jack DeJohnette.

Since 1985, saxophonist Joe Lovano has released 21 albums. "He is one of the top practitioners of his instrument," Kennedy said. "He is one interesting cat."

Uruguayan violinist Federico Britos Ruiz is well versed in jazz as well as classical music. In his international tours, he has shared the stage with Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, Benny Goodman and Charlie Byrd, to name a few.

Ignacio Berrao has been playing and teaching drums for more than 30 years. He has released an instructional video, Mastering the Art of Afro-Cuban Drumming, and he continues to lend his talents to musicians all over the globe.

One hour before the concert, Charlie Haden will conduct an informational session, Artistic Viewpoints, for interested concert-goers. This free program will give inquisitive fans time to ask questions and learn about his songs.

Haden's songs should resonate with all audiences, said Laura Sullivan, manager of public relations for Eisenhower.

"If you haven't tried jazz before, this will be a good first-time experience," Sullivan said. "It will be perfect for Valentines -- calm, relaxing, and a lot more accessible than the free jazz of, say, Wayne Shorter."