Don't Miss the Puerto Rico Golden Jazz Stars at Yoshi's San Francisco Salsa Music Jazz Club!!
Puerto Rico Golden Jazz Stars Tour at Yoshi's San Francisco
Sep 18, 2008 – Sep 20, 2008
Thursday Both Shows $20
Friday & Saturday All Shows $24
Featuring Alfredo De La Fe', Eric Figueroa, Ritchie Flores, Endel Duenoi, Ramon Vasquez, and very special guest legendary conguero Francisco Aguabella
For Ticket Purchase visit www.yoshis.com
About the Musicians:
Eric Figueroa:
(Pianist, composer, arranger, musical director and producer.)
Born and raised in the picturesque streets of Brooklyn, NY. He discovered, at the early age of 8, his passion for music. Under his dad’s guidance, the virtuous young man had his professional debut at 14. He continued studying piano with Professor Mary Johnson and by the late ..70..s he was the youngest member of the "Orquesta Internacional" an ensemble that played with international stars such as: Celia Cruz, Santitos Colón, José "Cheo" Feliciano, Rubén Blades, Tito Allen, among others.
During the ..80s, he became a founding member of the group "Batacumbele." This one of a kind ensemble woke up in the Puerto Rican youth a new love for Afro- Caribbean music. Figueroa worked among talented people such as: Giovanni Hidalgo, Jerry Medina, Eddie “Gua- Gua” Rivera and Juancito Torres.
The ..90..s were the Romantic Salsa decade. Figueroa had an important place during the development of this genre. He was in charge of prestigious productions for several artists, including but not limited to: Luis Enrique, Lalo Rodríguez, Omar Alfanno and Domingo Quiñones.
The 21st century arrived and Eric Figueroa continued to be an innovator. His capacity to reinvent himself, without diminishing the quality of his work, won him a Grammy in 2000 for producing the song “Medley Boogaloo” for Olga Tañón..s production “Olga Viva, Viva Olga”. This award led him to a new stage in his life and he enrolled at the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music to study Composition. In 2006 he took the challenge, and without forgetting his tropical roots, he produced a salsa song for one of the best reggaeton performers, Tego Calderón. The song’s title is “Chango Blanco” and is included in the “Underdog” Production.
Eric Figueroa is a professional musician. He has dedicated his whole life to the melodic development of the Caribbean rhythms and is one of the pillars of tropical music in all its forms.
Alfredo De La Fe' (Violin): is a Cuban-born and New York-based violinist who lived in Colombia for more than 16 years, responsible for transforming the violin into an important sound of Salsa and Latin music. The first solo violinist to perform with a Salsa orchestra, De La Fe has toured the world more than thirty times, appearing in concert and participating in more than one hundred albums by such top-ranked Latin artists as Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Jose Alberto "El Canario", Cheo Feliciano, The Fania All Stars and Santana. His second solo album, Alfredo, released in 1979, received a Grammy nomination as "Best Latin album".
Ritchie Flores (Congas):Richie Flores, one of the most in-demand percussionists of today's active music scene has captured the attention of fans and critics alike by way of his electric performances that continually thrill audiences worldwide. Recently described by Latin Beat Magazine as having the fastest hands in the East and the West, Richie's music is primal and powerful. He is currently in the process of innovating a new sound for the band of which he is leading; an exciting, contemporary fusion containing elements of rap, jazz and even salsa, further complemented by lyrics that contain a positive message of hope, a message that is relevant to the challenging issues we face in todays ever changing world.
Endel Dueno (Drums): was born among a family with musical linage. He started in the music next to his biggest pride, his father, a renowned musician of the '40s. At age 15 he becomes part of the Quito Velez Orchestra and then goes on to play with The Metropolitan Boys, a band that used to alternate with El Gran Combo in many social events. He has also participated with Tommy Olivencia. And that is how Endel Dueno a.k.a The Encyclopedia of the Timbal" was formed. Has been in stage in the United States, Japan, France, Germany and Spain to name just a few.
Ramón Vázquez (Bass): is a veteran of the recording studio, having been a sideman on dozens of projects for artists through a wide variety of genres. Nonetheless “On The Move”, marks his debut as a leader. For his maiden recording, he selected some of the best players on the scene, including the highly talented members of his working quartet at the time: Yan Carlos Artime, a very expressive Cuban pianist, who is equally at home with complex pieces, as well as in the subtleness of “La Varita Mágica” which he also co-authored; Alejandro Avilés, an up and rising player with a command of the alto sax and outstanding improvisational skills, who also contributed one of his original compositions for the project (“Eso Na’ Ma’”); Henry Colé, an outstanding energetic, yet sensible young drummer from who we will certainly continue hearing about, since he is rapidly becoming a highly in-demand sideman with calls coming from many bandleaders, including established names such as David Sánchez and Miguel Zenón.
His talent and charisma have allowed him to work with a great number pop, jazz and classical artists, in and out of Puerto Rico; enabling him to become one of the most sought-after bassist in the local industry. He's had the gratifying opportunity to work next to some of the great performers of popular music, such as: El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Olga Tanon, Tony Vega, Enrique Iglesias, Eddie Santiago, Jerry Rivera, and many more. Ramon also has included to his musical resume performances with the Costa Rica National Symphonic Orchestra, Puerto Rico National Symphonic Orchestra and the San Juan Pop. He has also participated in dozens of recordings, including Olga Tanon's Grammy Award winning album "Olga Viva, Viva Olga".
