Mario
Abney
Balanced Ballad 1
With Patina finish
Current Residence: New Orleans, LA
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Performed with: Jimmy Cobb, Herlin Riley, Wes “Warmdaddy” Anderson, Christian McBride, Bill Summers, George Porter jr., Nicholas Payton, Kermit Ruffins, Erykah Badu, Ellis Marsalis, Roy Hargrove and many others.
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Website or contact for booking info: http://marioabney.net
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​Chicago born and raised Jazz Trumpeter Mario Abney now of New Orleans fuses traditional and extended trumpet techniques in a most inventive way; his strikingly personal instrumental vision endows the music with an infinite array of tonal color. Recognized for his ability to create pure musical dialog, and hear music in a universally spiritual way, he is definitely one of New Orleans most pioneering young jazz musicians. Trumpeter, composer and bandleader Mario Abneyʼs musical career began with his introduction to the piano at age 7. Influenced by his uncle Arthurʼs piano playing and the musical background of his church, Abneyʼs love and fascination for music grew. By age 11 Mario added drums to his musical experiences. He continued to hone his percussion skills by playing drums for his church. It was during high school years that his interest turned from piano and drums to wind instruments.
ormide
armstrong
concert 460lt
Hometown: La Marque, Texas
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Alma Mater: East Texas State University, College of the Mainland, The University of Houston
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Performed with: Mambo Jazz Kings, Clay Jenkins, Shelly Carrol, Marvin Santiago, Estrellas Brillantes, Ojo Del Soul, All U Need, and Kanye West (just to name a few)
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Connect: www.bossstreetbrassband.com
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Raised on Boss Street in La Marque, Texas, Ormide Armstrong spent his early years learning the trumpet from his cousin Lawrence "B-Bone" Thomas. He graduated from La Marque High School in 1990. His college music education began at East Texas State University in Commerce, Tx in 1990-92. From 1992-1993 Ormide studied jazz and trumpet at the College of the Mainland under the tutelage of Sparky Koerner. He began playing trumpet professionally in 1992, playing with the Roger Eckstien Blues band and performed at the Can Cun Jazz Festival. From 1993-1996 his studied music at the University Of Houston where he played lead trumpet in the Jazz Orchestra under Noe Marmolejo and received his Bachelors of Music. During his studies at U of H, he started his first 9 piece rhythm and blues band called "Bad Shoes". Bad Shoes performed in the Houston-Galveston area funkin’ up club and parties. Bad Shoes performed at the 1993 Can Cun Jazz Festival.
In 1996 Ormide began teaching middle school band in La Marque, producing two National Championship middle school jazz bands. He now serves as Director of Bands at John H. Reagan Early College High School in Austin, Texas. Since 2005, Ormide has shared his love for music with hundreds of students and transformed his high school’s band into an award winning show style marching band.
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Ormide is the bandleader, arranger, composer, and trumpet player for the Boss Street Brass Band.
kevin
batchelor
stage 470lt bronze with custom bell
Current Residence: Grand Concourse Bronx, New York
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Musical Influences: Miles Davis, Bob Marley, Louis Armstrong (just to name a few)
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Website or contact for booking info:
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Steps from the D train, apartment window to the Grand Concourse, Bronx New York, is where you will often find Kevin Batchelor, a musician’s musician. Between the daily noise of Bronx city life and the blare of exhaust fans below comes the passionate sound of Kevin’s trumpet and voice, inspired by the borough he has called home for the past 25 years. Reggae and ska fans alike know Kevin from his years with many of the scene’s most respectable acts such as Sugar Minot, Steel Pulse, Big Mountain, and most recently in a long tenure touring the world with Jamaica’s Skatalites, creators of ska and reggae music. Now, in the city where he lays his head, Kevin debuts as front man of Grand Concourse; a group that showcases solid original material behind his true to form voice.
Grand Concourse is a mixed bag of scene musicians in and around the city. From Brooklyn come Eddie Ocampo (drums), Dan Jeselsohn (bass) and Tony Orbach (saxophone). Eddie played a major part on many great records born out of a young, respectful and creative New York scene and Dan earned his miles on the road with acts such as The Toasters and New York Ska Jazz Ensemble. Tony is a local, most trust worthy partner of Kevin’s through many a New York band, such as Urban Blight. Also from the Bronx hails Gideon Blumenthal (keys), former road dog with Westbound Train, in whose space all of this went down. The songs are written between and after a return to New York by Jonny Meyers (guitar), a native of Queens who spent many years touring and recording with The Stingers ATX.
On February 12, KBGC released their debut record; radio length tunes that get right to the point. Delivery that is consistent from rehearsal to recording. Thirteen melodies that spill out of a Bronx window onto Kevin Batchelor’s Grand Concourse.
The CD will be readily available on itunes, live shows and at www.mossburgmusic.com.
Felix
DeLeon
Balanced Ballad 2 Custom
Hometown: Houston, Texas
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Musical Influences: Clifford Brown, Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard, Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie
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Performed with: Jon Faddis, Ponco Sanchez, Danilo Perez, Ndugu Chandler, Patrice Rushen, Marvin Stam and Bill Mays (among others)
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Born and raised in Houston, Texas Felix DeLeon came from a family of Church musicians and learned at an early age how to play by ear. He started off learning piano and did not pick up the trumpet until High School.
He attended Mac Arthur High School which is known for their excellence in Jazz and Latin Jazz studies. With this opportunity he learned music theory and had the privilege to work with: Jon Faddis, Ponco Sanchez, Danilo Perez, Ndugu Chandler, Patrice Rushen, Marvin Stam and Bill Mays.
From there Felix went to college in Miami, Florida where he was under the direction of trumpeter Arturo Sandavol. With this opportunity Felix grew as a trumpet player and a soloist. During college and the beginning of his professional career Felix had the honor to share the stage with: Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Chaka Khan, Paquito D' Rivera, Michael Brecker, Maynard Ferguson, Billy Taylor, David Sanborn and Nestor Torres.
Felix DeLeon as been involved in numerous recordings and concerts across the nation. One specific recording won a Grammy Award and another recording was nominated. Now, Felix is in demand as a trumpeter, pianist, composer, arranger and clinician. He plays with various groups in Houston, Texas and has established himself as a diverse musician in all genres of music.
keith
fiala
stage 470 lT, KF LEAD CUstom, balanced ballad 1,
Broadway 466
Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa
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Performed with: Arturo Sandoval, Gordon Goodwin, Randy Brecker, The Temptations, Brian Lynch, Allen Vizzutti, Bill Watrous and many others.
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Website: www.keithfiala.com
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Keith started playing as an exuberant young student, and was in no time being told that he had a natural ability. Once Keith started showing an interest in playing for a living, he was quickly told to just keep it as a hobby, how hard the music business is, etc. As Keith got in to high school, he got "stuck" on the high note pursuit. Still chasing that dream of wanting to play professionally, the lack of real guidance and support quickly took its toll. Keith auditioned for Raymond Crisara at the University of Texas at Austin and was granted a full ride scholarship. Believing what he'd been told for years (you'll never make it), he struggled his first and only year at UT… after receiving a letter from the admissions office stating that the out of state scholarship was cut due to legislation, Keith decided to hang it up as a trumpet player.
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Keith quit trumpet playing for nearly 3 years. He was miserable and felt as though something was truly missing from his life. Starting to play again was no easy feat. Working full time, with no teacher nor motivation to play, made things even tougher, but this time Keith marched ahead. He was offered a chance to play with a local group forming (that he still performs with today) and jumped at the chance. He started asking questions, reading, and working hard on the one aspect that confused him from a young age. In 2004, Keith was offered the opportunity to play on Maynard Ferguson's band and jumped at that chance! Staying with MF for a year, Keith took every opportunity to ask questions, take notes, and learn as much as possible.
Jose
Holloway
Austin Winds mouthpieces
Born and raised in Little Rock, AR, José Holloway's music is an homage to his beloved homeland as he blends jazz, gospel, soul, and hip hop into a sound of his own. At the age of 12, the trumpet found him at Dunbar Magnet Middle School where he would eventually become an award winning educator as Little Rock Family Magazine’s 2019 Middle School Educator of the Year. Throughout his teenage years, he was able to play alongside the notable jazz gospel artist Merlon Devine at Full Counsel Christian Fellowship. Here, José realized that he would play jazz and gospel for the rest of his life. After graduating from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, AR, he began playing in various bands and ensembles around the state and the world. In the summer of 2018, he completed a European tour with the Roamin Jasmine, a swing band based out of New Orleans, Louisiana. He earned a Master's Degree in Music from University of Arkansas - Monticello in August 2017 where he studied under the highly respected jazz trumpeter Dr. Alex "Pope" Norris. Mr. Holloway has played or opened up for noted artists Kirk Whalum, Jessica Care Moore, Amasa Hines, and Bethany Devine. Jose has opened for the saxophone virtuoso Gerald Albright and Gospel superstars Tye Tribbett and Deitrick Haddon. He also plays with local groups and artists such as The Funkanites, Sean Fresh and the Nasty Fresh Crew and his own ensemble Off the Cuff, with whom he released the album Off the Cuff EP.
Jose Holloway has recently released his debut single as a solo artist entitled "Pray (feat. Sheena V)", and the newly released album, Quarantine and Chill (feat. Rafael Powell).
The biggest accomplishments in his life, however, are marrying his loving wife, Allyson, and raising his beautiful daughter, Aria Myles Holloway.
Alejandro
Jaime
Balanced Ballad 1 Dark Patina
Austin Winds Custom mouthpieces
Hometown: Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
Current Residence: San Antonio, TX
Alma Matter: Texas State University
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Alejandro started his professional career in Jazz at age 14. While in High School, he would play around San Antonio for fiesta events and other private events. Toward the end of his Junior year, he started private lessons with Larry Schmidt, local lead trumpet player, private lesson teacher, and former band director at Rudder Middle School in San Antonio. Larry Schmidt would take Alejandro to gigs with him to gain experience on lead trumpet. Alejandro also had the opportunity to sit in with higher caliber groups such as the San Antonio Jazz Orchestra and Paul Elizondo'z Big Band. After High School, Mr. Jaime attended Texas State University in San Marcos where he learned other styles such as Salsa, Merengue, and Mariachi, which expanded his opportunities. Alejandro started his professional Mariachi career in San Antonio in 2005 with Mariachi Reyes. After gaining experience, knowledge, and repertoire with that group, he went on to play with and help other groups all around the San Antonio, San Marcos, and Austin areas. These groups include Mariachi Suroeste, Mariachi Garibay, Mariachi En Fuego, Mariachi Relampago, Mariachi Los Gavilanes, Mariachi Continental, Mariachi Mexico Lindo, Mariachi Los Conquistadores, Mariachi Mexico de Noche, Mariachi Sangre Mexicana, Mariachi Los Toritos, Mariachi Los Caporales, Mariachi Azul, Mariachi Son De Mi Tierra, Mariachi Capital de Austin, Mariachi Clasico de Austin, and his latest group Mariachi Los Alazanes.
At the same time Alejandro was also performing Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia, and Bachata with groups such as Grupo Pasion, Vanessa y Los Hombres De Fierro, Grupo Variedad, La Moña Loca, Salsa Del Rio, Orquesta Ritmo, and Mambo Kings among other groups. During this time, Alejandro learned a lot of different skills that have helped him become a well rounded musician while playing with these groups. With this experience he built confidence and made connections with other musicians. This led to him performing and sharing the stage with lots of well known and famous artists, as well as two famous composers and conductors. Alejandro was also invited to participate in an online collaboration during the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic with over 80 musicians all around the world. All of these artists he has been fortunate to have played or shared the stage with include John Fedchock, Carol Morgan, Mike Vax, Butch Miles, Freddie Mendoza, Ron Wilkins, Pablo Montero, Lucero, Antonio Aguilar Jr, Maricela Rubiales, Flor Silvestre, Larry Harlow, Stephin Merritt, John Mills, Bob Mintzer, Stephen Hawk, Ruben Ramos, Manuel Vargas, Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan, John Mackey, Frank Ticheli, Jorge Tlaxcaltecatl, and Luis Aquino.
Alejandro has also performed in the classical world with symphony players and at Easter Church services locally.
Pasha
Karchevsky
Stage 470LT brushed Copper
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Hometown: Novokuznetsk, Russia
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Musical Influences: (info coming soon)
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Performed with: (info coming soon)
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Website or contact for booking info: (info coming soon)
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Pasha Karchevsky is a jazz trumpeter, composer, educator as well as a winner of many international jazz competition. He was born in June 30, 1989 in Novokuznetsk, Russia. In 2015 Pavel graduated in world-famous Russian Academy of Music named after Gnesin. The same year he published the first manual "12 jazz transcriptions for a trumpet".
Throughout his career, Pasha has played with some of the most famous Russian, European and American Jazz Musician, such as Igor Butman, Anatoly Kroll, Larisa Dolina, Ivan Farmakovsky, Nick Levinovsky, Alex Sipiagin, Terence Blanchard, Allan Harris, Bob Minzer, Valery Ponomarev, Victor Bailey, Joel Rosenblatt, David Fiuczynski, Gino Vannelli, Till Bronner, Linus Lindblom, Isamu McGregor, Willerm Delisfort, Jonathan Michel, Anvar Marshall, Maurice Brown, Russell Hall, Evan Sherman, Mark Whitfield Jr, Evan Paul Marien, Conrad Herwig, Brubeck Brothers, Mirelle Mathieu.
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ray
lavan
balanced ballad I
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Hometown: Lake Charles, Louisiana
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Musical Influences: Freddie Hubbard, Miles Davis and Earth, Wind, and Fire
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Performed with: Bobby Sanabria, Jens Lindemann, Marcus Roberts, and the Boston Brass (just to name a few)
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Website or contact for booking info:
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Trumpet player, composer, and educator, Ray Lavan, III, was born and raised in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He is the son of Ella Lavan and the late Rayfield Lavan, Jr. Ray’s passion for music started at an early age. He received his first musical instrument, a toy piano, at age three, and he began learning to play the trumpet at age seven.
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Ray attended LaGrange High School where he served as Drum Major of the Gator Band and received accolades including being named to the All-State, All-Region, and All-Region Jazz bands. Ray went on to attend and graduate from McNeese State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. During his tenure at McNeese, Ray continued to work in his craft by serving as Drum Major for the Pride of McNeese Marching Band, participating in the Lake Charles Symphony, and performing as the Principal Trumpet in the Wind Ensemble, Messiah Orchestra and Jazz Band.
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Ray has performed with and been a part of several local/regional bands including City Heat, Soul Vacation, Hamilton Loomis, and lead his own band, The Groove Knights. He has toured Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, and Texas showcasing his amazing musical abilities. One of Ray’s greatest moments as a musician occurred when he received private instruction from famed trumpet player, Wynton Marsalis.
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Ray and his wife Diztorsha reside in Orange, Texas, where he is the Director of Bands for the West Orange-Cove Consolidated Independent School District. Ray also serves as a freelance musician and is currently working on his first album.
Eundo
park
Stage 470LT Brushed BronzE
Stage 460LT Raw Brass
Studio 460 Flugelhorn
Hometown: Houston, TX
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Alma Mater: Eastman School of Music, University of Texas Austin
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Performed with: Wynton Marsalis, Clark Terry, Bob Brookmeyer, Clay Jenkins, Harold Danko, Conrad Herwig, Tim Hagans, Ron Westray, The Walkmen, Roy Hargrove, Robert Glasper, Kendrick Scott, Walter Smith, to name a few as well as trumpet soloist with the Korean Broadcast Station Symphony Orchestra.
Eundo is originally from Houston TX and now resides in Austin, TX. He is currently on faculty at Concordia University Texas where he teaches trumpet, brass and jazz ensemble. Before coming to Concordia, he served as adjunct faculty at Huston Tillotson University.
Eundo received his Doctor of Musical Arts in Trumpet Performance/Jazz Emphasis from the University of Texas at Austin. He received his Master of Music in Jazz Performance as well as his Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY.
Eundo is a very active jazz, classical, and commercial performer locally, nationally, and internationally. He has performed with names such as Wynton Marsalis, Clark Terry, Bob Brookmeyer, Clay Jenkins, Harold Danko, Conrad Herwig, Tim Hagans, Ron Westray, The Walkmen, Roy Hargrove, Robert Glasper, Kendrick Scott, Walter Smith, to name a few as well as trumpet soloist with the Korean Broadcast Station Symphony Orchestra.
His primary teachers include Don Johnson, Bob Walp, Jim Thompson, Clay Jenkins, Ray Sasaki, Ron Westray, and Dennis Dotson.
eric
peñA
Concert 460LT, Bronze Bell
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
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Alma Mater: Texas State University
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Musical Influences: Arturo Sandoval, Jose Hernandez, Cutberto Perez, Wynton Marsalis, Adam Rapa, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Mariachi Vargas, Mariachi Sol De Mexico
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Performs regularly with: Mariachi Relámpago, La Moña Loca, and The Brew in Austin, TX
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Eric Peña began his professional trumpet career at the early age of 16. In 2001, John Jay High School was one of the few campuses to offer a mariachi program for its students. Following recommendation from the band director, Eric joined the mariachi class where he quickly fell in love with a new style of trumpet playing. After just a few months of learning the standard mariachi repertoire, Eric was hired up by a professional group, Mariachi Del Sol, and began performing around San Antonio.
Upon graduating from John Jay High School in 2003, Eric chose to continue his music education at Texas State University in San Marcos, TX. While attending Texas State University, Eric sat principal trumpet in the Wind Ensemble as well as lead trumpet for the award winning Salsa Del Rio and Mariachi Nueva Generación.
Eric has made a name for himself as one of Austin’s top latin trumpeters and has shared the stage with groups such as Grupo Fantasma, La Moña Loca, El Tule, Tortilla Factory, Orquesta Trabuko, La Libertad Orquesta, as well as Mariachi Relámpago, Mariachi Tamazula, Mariachi Estrella, Mariachi Los Toros, and Sebastian De La Cruz during America’s Got Talent 2012.
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Music Videos:
La Moña Loca (Esperando): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYJp13Ilegk
La Moña Loca (El Tranque): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2MZ-NPgMwk
Private practice video, playing to the recording of Sevillana from Mariachi Sol De Mexico: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Du6fC-vctcw
Shane
pitsch
stage 470lt
balanced ballad 1
Currently plays with:
Shane Pitsch and the Smokestack Revue, The Smokestack Horns, The Shane Pitsch Quintet/Sextet,
Drew Smith's Lonely Choir, Akina Adderly and the Vintage Playboys
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Website or contact for booking info:
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Shane Pitsch holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in trumpet performance and literature from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a Master of Music in Trumpet Performance degree from Eastern Illinois University, and a Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance (jazz emphasis) degree from the University of Texas at Austin.
Shane has performed with artists such as: Willie Nelson, The Drifters, Sam Moore (of Sam and Dave), Maria Schneider, Wayne Shorter, Steve Turre, Henry Butler, Spoon, What Made Milwaukee Famous, The Latin Breed, Johnny Bush, Ron Wilkins, and many others.
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Over the past several years, Shane has been involved with many Austin area bands, including: Global Soul (co-leader), Ghandaia, Opositivo, The Latin Breed, The Caldwell Shine Band, ATX Big Band, Blind Date, The Nash Hernandez Orchestra, and The Contemporary Works Jazz Orchestra.
pete
rodriguez
stage 470lt with copper bell
studio 460 flugelhorn
balanced ballad 1
Hometown: Bronx, New York
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Alma Mater: Rutgers University, The University of Texas
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Latest Music: El Conde Negro
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Connect: www.peterodriguezmusic.com
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Trumpeter, vocalist and percussionist Pete Rodríguez carries the bloodline of Nuyorican salsa as he takes the tradition of Afro-Cuban jazz to new places. The son of renowned salsero Pete “El Conde” Rodríguez and godson of Fania Records bandleader Johnny Pacheco, the younger Rodríguez cut his teeth backing up some of the greatest names in Latin music. He became his father’s musical director at the age of 19.
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Coached by pianist Oscar Hernandez, the former director for "El Conde" and Ruben Blades, Rodríguez was playing trumpet, singing coro, playing maracas and giving cues to the band. As a vocalist, he sang on Tito Puente's Grammy-award winningMambo Birdland. As an instrumentalist, he's appeared with legends including Celia Cruz, Eddie Palmieri, Chico O'Farrill and Bebo Valdez. Now, as a bandleader, Rodríguez is drawing on these experiences to take his brand of Afro-Cuban jazz in exciting new directions.
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Rodríguez’s music comes from a deeply personal place, reflecting on his connections to his father and heritage, as well as other unexpected influences. Rodríguez lived through the birth of Hip Hop during his early childhood in Bronx, New York. As a sharp contrast, after moving to Puerto Rico, he focused on classical music, performing trumpet with the Symphony of Puerto Rico at the young age of 15. While in the United States Army, he discovered his love for jazz and made it the focus of his professional and educational pursuits after leaving the military. The diversity of these life experiences can be heard both in Rodríguez’s compositions and playing style.
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While pursuing his musical career, Rodríguez has also always made time for prioritizing education. He holds his bachelor and master of music degrees in jazz from Rutgers University. He obtained his doctorate of musical arts from the University of Texas at Austin in 2007.
Micah
Shalom
stage 470lt with copper bell
Baby Austin Pocket in Brass
Micah Shalom has shared the stage with many international artists as a horn player, performing both trumpet and valve trombone, including General Smiley, I-Taweh, The Skatalites, Apple Gabriel (Israel Vibration), Calton Coffie (Inner Circle), Mikey Dread (Dread At The Controls), Lynval Golding (The Specials) and Sister Nancy. He also appears on stage with many additional projects on horns and vocals including Cilantro Boombox, Don Chani, Lakandon, Macaxeira Funk, Mau Mau Chaplains, Island Rose and The Vibrashens, Hector Ward and The Big Time, The Bandulus, Night Doctor, The Austin Reggae N’ Dub Allstars, Umoja Orchestra, Ekobios, and many more.
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Starting in Gainesville FL in 2007, Micah Shalom formed a band of ska, reggae, and world musicians to play his brand of original and cover music from these genres. The Babylonians now reside in Austin TX with a cast of diverse musicians with musical backgrounds from Latin to Ska to Afrobeat to Reggae. Backing artists such as Cedric IM Brooks and Kevin Batchelor of The Skatalites, and Grammy Award Winner Calton Coffie of Inner Circle, The Babylonians cut their teeth learning to play Jamaican reggae and ska, traveling with Cedric IM Brooks, Kevin Batchelor in the US and Calton Coffie to perform in Jamaica.
everol
wray
stage 470lt with copper bell
Hometown: Kingston, Jamaica
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Musical Influences:
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Connect:
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As Director of Brass, Everol Wray leads the brass section and is responsible for admitting new members to the section. He is also the Principal Trumpeter and is being groomed as a conductor.
Since 1987, Everol has performed professionally around the world, including Europe, Asia, North America, Latin America and the Caribbean. He has also been the lead trumpeter for many major works, including Lauryn Hill's hit song "Doo Wop (That Thing)" from her Album "Miseducation of Lauryn Hill."
A key member of the 'Lloyd Parks & We The People Band,' Everol has performed with several top international entertainers, including Dennis Brown, Jimmy Cliff, among others. He has also just arranged the horn parts for Jimmy Cliff's soon to be released Album "Existence."
Accredited by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, Everol is one of the top trumpeters on the island of Jamaica and is expected to play a key role in the launch of the JSO internationally.