A nine piece Latin band performing Classic Salsa, Latin Jazz, and traditional styles including…
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Mambo
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Bolero
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Chachacha
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Rumba
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Son
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Son Montuno
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Guaracha
This fine ensemble performs to the delight of audiences everywhere, with their fine repertoire of traditional Latin classics and original compositions and arrangements.
Instrumentation:
(Bass, Piano, Vocals, Arranger, Musical Director)
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Born 1962 in Nicaragua, Cesar graduated from the National Conservatory of Music and began his musical career in the city of Managua as a bass player with the jazz fusion band Praxis.
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Playing different styles including Brazilian, Rock, Flamenco and Latin American Folk, he performed in the Havana Cuba Jazz Festival and the UCLA in Lima, Peru in 1987.
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Won first prize in the Festival de la Juventud.
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Music Adviser for The Nicaraguan National Television Systems Network for three years
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Composed, arranged and played for the OTI Nicaraguan Festival.
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Produced, played and recorded with Latin Caribbean -Reggae, Salsa, Cuban and Merengue bands in Miami.
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Toured with Soul Vibes
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Played Mexican music in California
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Musical Director of Tropical Splash in Las Vegas.
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In 1997, he spent four months playing Jazz in Japan.
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Cesar is currently producing his own music as well as arranging, playing bass and piano with West End Mambo as well as leading his original Latin Rock band Braco.
Jose Sanchez
(Timbales, Congas and backup vocals)
Born in Aibonito, Puerto Rico, Jose played hand percussion and drum set for his church at the age of 12. He began his professional career with Brazilian band Energia Brazil, where he met Cesar Oviedo. Recognizing Jose’s natural talent for percussion, Cesar brought him onboard his Latin jazz/rock/fusion band Braco playing drumset. His versatility and passion for Salsa brought him to West End Mambo, first as bongocero, then as conguero.
- Performed with various local groups including Samecumba and Color Latino.
- Shared the Smile Fest stage with Bella Fleck and the Flecktones.
- Featured percussionist on numerous area recordings including the latest projects by Braco and West End Mambo.
Jose’s versatility has found him playing an array of percussion: timbales, djembe, congas, bongos and drum set, as well as a variety of musical styles, including, funk, jazz, salsa, merengue, cumbia, bachata, son, sambas and boleros, as well as playing gospel music for his church. He is currently very active in the Latin music scene throughout the piedmont and triangle areas of North Carolina.
(Saxophones, Arranger, Bandleader)
- Steve studied with woodwind maestro Joseph Viola and is a graduate of the Berklee School of Music.
- His 25 year career includes live performances with R&B artists including The Four Tops and The Temptations.
- He performed at the Brevard Jazz Festival with The Matt Kendrick Unit, sharing the bill with the Yellowjackets and Kenny Garret.
- He appears on recordings with the Matt Kendrick Unit, the Alan Neese Quintet and the Joe Robinson Group.
- Steve is an accomplished writer, arranger and recording engineer, producing numerous successful independent releases for regional artists.
(Lead vocals, Coro & Percussion)
- Maria is a native of Colombia who has kept a strong sense of her culture's music; Cumbia and Vallenato. Upon arrival in United States in the early seventies, she was exposed to the soulful sounds of artists like Patty Label, Aretha Franklin and Diana Ross. Raised in Miami, a melting pot of ethnic music, she was greatly influenced by Jazz and Brazilian singers like Al Jarreau, Billy Holiday, Janice Siegel and Antonio Carlos Jobim.
- Maria studied voice at Miami-Dade Community College, the Lecuona Music Academy, and has performed in musicals and festivals, among them George M. and El Festival de La Calle 8. She sang lead vocal for Salsa bands including Tirso Martin & His Orquestra and the Bambana Band, as well as working in the department of media and advertising for Telemundo, where she made jingles for radio and TV.
- After coming to North Carolina she has studied voice at the North Carolina Music Academy and is currently attending Guilford College, working on a dual degree in Psychology and Education. She has been involved in music projects with Stan Stegal (top 40), Vacilon (Salsa, Cumbia, & Merengue) and most recently, the Too Cool Yule CD with West End Mambo (Classic Salsa).
Nathan
Scott
(Bass)
- Began studying the bass with his father at the age of 12.
- Won the
ASTA National Bass Solo competition and was principal bass
of the National High School Honors Orchestra (1998)
- Member of the Winston-Salem Symphony since 2001
- 2004 graduate
of the NC School of the Arts with a degree in music
performance on the bass.
- In addition to his work with West End Mambo, Nathan is an active freelance jazz bassist in NC
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Rafael
Duque
(Congas)
- Born in NYC in 1981, Rafael is a graduate of UNC-Greensboro majoring in Sociology
- Studied Latin percussion with Felix Sanabria in Staten Island, NY, focusing on Afro-Cuban and Puerto Rican rhythms.
- As a sociologist and student of Afro-Cuban/Puerto Rican/Latin music in NYC, Rafael has conducted interviews with such notable musicians as bassist Andy Gonzalez, percussionist Willie Everich, music historian Rene Lopez. His primary musical influences include Rene Lopez, Jerry & Andy Gonzalez, Manny Oquendo, Pancho Quinto, Gregorio "El Goyo" Hernandez, and Tommy Lopez.
- In addition
to his work with West End Mambo, Rafael has played with
the Herman Aldridge Swing, Color Latino, Joe Robinson
and Upper Line-up
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Alberto
Carrasquillo
(Trumpet)
- Alberto is a busy freelance trumpet player. In addition to his Salsa work with West End Mambo, he plays trumpet with Carnavalito, a popular Latin Jazz group based in Raleigh.
