René Escovedo is a percussionist, music instructor, and band leader based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Born to the famed Escovedo Latin music family (Pete Escovedo, Sheila E., Peter Michael Escovedo, to name a few), he began his music education in grade school. At the age of nine, he got his first jazz drum kit and began his life-long artistic journey as a percussionist. Self-taught, initially he played whatever music was popular throughout the years, but honed in his skills by being around his uncles. That gave him the opportunity to attend many performances at renowned venues from an early age; places like The Greek Theater in Berkeley, The Fillmore Theater in San Francisco, Yoshi's in Oakland, The Stone in San Francisco. He would eventually go onto perform and all those venues, and many others.
Later in his career he went on to study music performance and production at Alameda College.
A consummate professional who's always working on developing his skills as a musician, he's also the founder and leader of two bands, The Fuse, a powerful instrumental ensemble, and René Escovedo & The New E!, with an emphasis on R&B, Funk, and Soul. René is also an international touring percussionist with Con Funk Shun, the legendary R&B and funk band that throughout the years has had four consecutive Gold’s and one Platinum album, 20 hit singles including 8 Top Ten R&B Hits, among other artistic achievements.
Grateful to those who took the time to teach him, René has gone on to become a music teacher himself, providing small group and individual lessons with fun contemporary materials that support active engagement. He's also a member of the board of directors at Musically Minded Academy and Spotlight On The Bay Entertainment.
“Edgardo & Candela” is a Salsa Band based in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 30 years, making us one of the most established Salsa Orchestras in California.
The instrumentation is piano, bass, trombone, sax, flute, guitar, conga drums, bongo drums, timbales and vocalists. Smaller versions of the band are available upon request, while always maintaining the musical integrity of the genre. Better known as simply “Candela,” their trade mark is their high energy level performance, featuring great vocals, a tight rhythm section and the powerful sound of the horns. The band features the crop of professional musicians in the Bay Area, which makes for an incredible musical experience every time they play!
During the evening, Edgardo will personally assure that everyone is entertained while he mixes singing tunes by Oscar De León, Marc Anthony, Eddie Palmieri, Rubén Blades, Tito Puente, Guaco, Pete "Conde" Rodriguez, Celia Cruz and Ray Barretto among others, but the real treat here is Edgardo's original music, presenting him as a mature composer and poetic lyricist.
Willie Panama' (born William L. Duguid) is a Panamanian-American international recording artist in the salsa music genre. Willie is a well-known singer, composer, musician and actor. In this genre he combines salsa music with reggae rhythms, creating an intoxicating mixture for the dancer and the viewer referring him as, The King of Salsa Rap or El Sonero Rapero de la Salsa.
Born in the Republic of Panama' in the Calidonia neighborhood, he was attracted to music at a young age, and he always was the attraction to the cultural activities at his local school. This Latin star is characterized by his energy, magnetism, power, control, and attractiveness on the scenario. He takes control of any stage and makes it glow with tropical flavor.
His first achievement and great opportunity with the greatest of the tropical music scene was on September 9, 2000 at the 25th Salsa Festival at Madison Square Garden in the city of New York, as a chorister for artists of the magnitude of Celia Cruz, Eddie Palmieri, Son by 4, Oscar D’ León, Michael Stuart, Tony Vega, Tito Nieves, Herman Olivera, Pete el Conde Rodriguez, Domingo Quiñones, Jerry Medina, Marc Quiñones, Frankie Morales, and The Tito Puente Orquestra.
As a singer Willie has shared the stage with other Salsa artists such as Sergio George, Oscar D’ León, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Adalberto Santiago, Don Omar, Felix Shakaito Suarez, Alfredo de la Fè’, La Orquesta La Luz, The Puerto Rican Power, Tito Nieves, Azucar Negra, Luís Perico Ortiz, La Sonora Ponceña, Tommy Olivencia Orquestra, DLG, La Sonora Carruseles de Colombia, Tony Vega, Ruben Blades, Los Van Van de Cuba, Alberto Barros, Diego Galè, Joe Arroyo, Wilson Saoko, Gabino Pampini, Luis Flores, Tommy Ruíz, Saulo Sánchez, Charlie Cardona, Cali Alemán, Aylen Rodríguez, Moncho Santana, Andy Caicedo, Daniel Silva, Willy Garcia, Javier Vásquez , Diego Móran and Tito Puente Jr.
As a musician Willie Panama' is an exclusive artist signed with TYCOON and SABIAN having many times the opportunity to participate as an Master Instructor in the Panama' Jazz Festival.
He also has made an incursion in the cinema business as an actor in the role of a bodyguard in the Malcom X film, directed by the famous Spike Lee as the bodyguard next to the Oscar Winner African - American actor Denzel Washington, and also in the movie Any Given Sunday directed by the great Oliver Stone, in the double character of the Oscar Winner African-American actor, Jammie Foxx.
He has toured extensively around the world: Europe, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and parts of South America. One of his many achievements was to participate in the Mint Festival House at the 2008 Cannes International Film Festival in France.
In addition he is acquainted with American artists in the branch of Jazz, Pop, and Rock such as Herbie Hancock, Chucho Valdèz, John Patitucci, Omara Portuando, Jose Feliciano, Jon Secada, Billy Gibbons, Kriss Allen, Billy Ray Cyrus, Wayne Shorter, Susana Baca, Tom Patitucci, Brian Blade, Luis Marín, Danilo Pérez, The Temptations, Betty Wright, The Blue Notes, Kool and the Gang, The Isley Brothers, Najee, Connie Francis, Bunny Wailer , Boys II Men, and the list goes on.
Willie Panama' has been recognized and awarded by numerous Consuls and Ambassadors of Panama' around the world, by the Mayor of Miami Florida and by United States Governor Rick Scott who recognized him with the Governors Veterans Service Award for his honorable and distinguish service to the US Armed Forces, music and to the great State of Florida.
José Luis Chapman Sánchez, nombre con quien fue bautizado El Montuno, por sus padres de origen dominicano, Carlos Chapman y Ángela Sánchez en el estado de Pensilvania, Estados Unidos. Es allí donde comienza sus estudios básico en una escuela elemental para luego continuar en la República Dominicana cuando la familia decidió regresar a su tierra natal. El hoy conocido en el medio artístico como El Montuno, desde muy pequeño mostró inquietudes artísticas. Para todo el que conoce a la familia de El Montuno, no le parecerá una sorpresa porque viene de una familia artística. Su abuelo, Carlos Chapman desde muy joven aprendió a ejecutar el bajo; disciplina que heredó el padre de Montuno que respondía al mismo nombre. El padre de Montuno no sólo ejecutó el bajo sino que llegó a pertenecer a los grupos musicales más importantes de la República Dominicana tales como la orquesta de Johnny Ventura, Félix del Rosario, Primitivo Santos, el grupo de son Maniel entre otros.
El MontunoAprender a leer y a tocar la tambora, fueron habilidades que aprendió de manera paralela. Así es como Montuno comienza a pertenecer al grupo musical de la iglesia local y comienza a formar parte del coro de la escuela. El Montuno creció expuesto a un sinnúmero de géneros musicales, de manera que creció admirando a artistas como Michael Jackson, Johnny Ventura, Ismael Rivera, Pete Conde Rodríguez, José Alberto El Canario, Óscar D' León y al cerebro musical detrás del famoso grupo salsero venezolano, Porfi Baloa.
Pero fue en el año 2003 cuando José Luis hace su sueño realidad. Es en dicho año que Montuno no sólo logra ver en vivo a su gran ídolo, Óscar D' León, en el Copacabana de la ciudad de Nueva York, sino que en un acto de osadía, sus amigos, literalmente, lo levantan hasta la tarima. Para su gran sorpresa, D' León se mostró receptivo y le dio la oportunidad de cantar. Es allí donde tiene su primera experiencia como cantante ante un gran público. A partir de esa noche, Montuno se convirtió en una cara que siempre aparecía en la presentaciones de D' León siempre que se presentaba en la ciudad de Nueva York. "Ese es un gesto que siempre le estaré agradecido a mi gran ídolo", dice El Montuno con los ojos típicos de los niños que llegan a una juguetería por primera vez y que le gustaría que el tiempo se detuviera.
El Montuno y Rafael IthierPasarán unos años y la inquietud por ser parte de firmamento artístico fue en ascenso y lo llevan a conocer a otro de sus ídolos, Porfi Baloa, que estaba hospedado en hotel de la ciudad de Miami. La química entre el maestro Baloa y Montuno fue inmediata tanto en lo musical como en lo personal. Dicha química, hace que Baloa se lo lleve a Venezuela consciente de que en él había futuro y le graba una producción bajo su sello Porfi Music. En esta producción musical, el maestro Baloa, ha creado un sonido novedoso y, según el maestro, acorde a la personalidad y las capacidades vocales de su nueva cosecha musical. Tanto el maestro Baloa y El Montuno esperan que esta producción le sea de su agrado y que la gocen tanto como ellos la gozaron mientras cocinaban este suculento plato musical. Bueno, sea usted el jurado...pero, sobre todo, disfruten la producción de la cabeza a los pies del Rey de la cimarronada.
In 1963 Jr. Henry Miranda’s plan came to fruition. A lifelong Cuatrista, he brought his amazing music from Hawaii to California where he formed the group “Jr. Miranda and His Latin Rhythm Boys”. He inspired and mentored many, leaving behind a musical legacy for his sons Earl R. Miranda and Henry Miranda Jr.
Latin Rhythm Boys–The modern-day brainchild of brothers, Earl and Henry Miranda Jr.–has evolved into a powerhouse of high energy Puerto Rican Music that includes Salsa as well as their specialty Jibaro sound. Reminiscent of the FANIA All Stars, these bad boys of Latin Music are hitting the world by storm.
To date this phenomenal specialty band combines expertise sounds acquired throughout the Bay Area, Puerto Rico and New York City. Latin Rhythm Boys continue to captivate their fans and audiences with their unique musical style and stage presence. With two successful CD launches under their belt, "Musica De Mis Padres" in 2005, and "Year of The Cuatro" in 2013, they released their third CD project on December 2018, "CELEBRANDO - 60 Years Est.", featuring multiple award-winning invited guest artists such as Grammy Award winner (the late) Johnny Polanco on Trombone and Tres Guitar, Artie Webb on flute, vocals by 8-time Grammy nominee and 3-times Grammy winner Willy Torres, as well as other Latin music luminaries like Chino Nuñez, and Jimmy Bosch, among others.
