Canadian - based Latin band Rumba Calzada pumps your adrenaline to dancing level with powerful, upbeat Latin music. This bands repertoire runs from traditional Latin to Latin Jazz, playing original compositions and drawing influences from legendary artists like Tito Puente and Eddie Palmieri. Two of their original songs have been charted in Miami,Florida. The band has been performing as a group for six years, has traveled across Canada, far south as SanFranciscoand toManila. During their month- long gig in Manila's hottest club, Zu at the Shangri-La Hotel. Boying Geronimo, the original bandleader suffered a heart attack while performing. His son Raphael has taken over the group as the new bandleader. The band currently has two full length CD's entitled "BOYING GERONIMO'S RUMBA CALZADA" and GENERATIONS".
BIOGRAPHY
Raphael Geronimo - Percussionist, Composer, Instructor
Vancouver's interest and enthusiasm for Afro -Latin music can be linked directly to a handful of dedicated artist. Raphael Geronimo has been an integral part of the Vancouver Latin and Jazz scene for more than ten years, performing, teaching, writing and directing for many of the city's best-loved groups. Third generation in a family of professional musicians and dancers, he committed himself at age seventeen to serious musical studies under the direction of his father Boying Geronimo, and made his professional debut one year later. Continuing his training he studied in Cuba at the Laboratorio International de Folklore en la Habana and in New York City at the Boys Harbour Center of Performing Arts. Raphael continues to direct the band Rumba Calzada, which has been nominated for a Westcoast Music Award and a Canadian Independent Music Award, in 2002. Some highlights of his career include performances with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Winnipeg Philharmonic, Windsor Symphony, Montreal Jazz Festival with Oscar Lopez, and Vancouver International Jazz Festival with Rumba Calzada. Raphael has performed with award winner Poncho Sanchez, Sal Cracchiolo and the Juno nominee Chris Tarry Collective. Other groups he has performed and recorded with include Crash, Alma Libre, Meta 4 Collective, Vince Mai, Gay Delorem, Millennium Project and Soul Stream. Raphael has become known for a vibrant and original sound, which energizes any group he is associated with.
Lou Mastroianni - Pianist
Lou received a scholarship at the Banff School for the Arts where he studied with Don Thompson, Dave Holland, Kenny Wheeler and John Abercombie. He continued education in Latin Jazz and Cuban music in Cuba studying with Emilio Morales from the group NG LaBanda, percussionist Anga Diaz from the group Irakere and tres player Papi from Orquesta Reve Lou now performs and arranges music for Westcoast nominees World Music groups such as Shango Ashe, The Hard Rubber Orchestra and Rumba Calzada. Lou has performed and recorded with Grammy award winner Poncho Sanchez, Los Munequitos de Cuba, Grupo Jazz Tumbao and Juno nominee Karin Plato
Rolo Preza - Volcalist / Percussionist
Born in El Salvador Rolo began his career at the age of 12 as a Latin American Folk Ballet Dancer. His career began as a musician in Mexicowhere he performed with groups such as Nequepio, Guazapa and Yolocamba I'ta. With these groups he has toured throughout Latin America, Mexico, Europe, The United States, and Canada. His career also extended into television and the movie industry. He has contributed to the creation of the soundtracks to the movies "SALVADOR" by Oliver Stone and "ROMERO" by John Duighan.
Nicholas Apivor - Multi-instrumentalist
Nick is known throughout Vancouver as "the" multi-instrumentalist. He specializes in the Vibraphone and Marimba. He has achieved a Bachelor of Music Degree at the University of Victoria studying with Sal Fererras. Nick was the percussionist for the last two Vancouver Playhouse Productions, "Guys and Dolls" and "The Music Man". Aside from performing with Rumba Calzada Nick also plays with the high-action, Ashe Brazil.
Rod Murray - Trombone
Since coming to Vancouver in 1995, young Trombonist, Rod Murray has become a player in demand for both Jazz and Latin music. He performs with bands such as the Jill Townsend Big Band, The Now Orchestra and the Hard Rubber Orchestra. Rod has appeared on recordings by Yes, Collin James, Fred Stride and Hugh Fraser's - Veggie
Allan Johnston - Bass
Al has played with most of Vancouver's finest Latin and Jazz groups. He has played or recorded with Orquesta La Clave, Grammy winner Lalo Rodriguez (with La Clave), NY Salsa legend and Fania All-Star Larry Harlow (with Seattle's Nueva Era), Ernán López-Nussa, winner of the 2002 Cubadisco Award (Cuba's Grammy) for Latin Jazz (with Orquesta Goma Dura), Rumba Calzada, Alma Libre, Shangó Ashé, and many others. He has traveled extensively throughout the latin world developing his style, including Cuba, Puerto Rico, and New York.
VENUES PLAYED
BRITISH COLUMBIA & CANADA
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INTERNATIONAL
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TV, NEWSPAPER ARTICLES AND INTERVIEWS
The Province The The Georgia Straight The Manila Standard The Philippine Star Manila Bulletin Philippine News The Oregonian Show
Today |
CHKG 96.1FM - CKNW 98 - Vancouver CBC RADIO - WDNA 88.9 FM - WEMU (Cuban Fantasy) - KPOO 89.5 FM - San Francisco KSPC - 88.3 FM CITYLITE - RJTV VTV - Vancouver |
FESTIVALS
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DuMaurier International Jazz Festival (5 YEARS) Kaslo Jazz Festival (2 YEARS) Pacific National Exhibition (P.N.E.) - (2
YEARS) |
B.C. Summer Games - Maple
Ridge Victoria Latin Festival (3
YEARS) Victoria Jazz Festival Victoria Folk Festival
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AVAILABLE AS A 4 - 8 PIECE BAND
CROWD PLEASER FOR ALL AGES
