Afro-Cuban jazz is a variety of Latin jazz. The other well-known variant of Latin jazz is Brazilian jazz. Afro-Cuban jazz was played in the U.S. directly after the bebop period, while Brazilian jazz became more popular in the 1960s and 1970s.

Afro-Cuban Latin Jazz includes salsa, merengue, songo, son, mambo, and cha cha cha.

Afro-Cuban started as a movement after the death of Charlie Parker. Notable bebop musicians like Dizzy Gillespie and Billy Taylor started Afro-Cuban bands at that time. Gillespie's work was mostly with big bands of this genre. While the music was influenced by Cuban and Puerto Rican musicians like Tito Puente, there were many Americans who were drawing upon Cuban rhythms for their work.