           
Musician
Featured this week,
David Gerald - Guitar, Vocals, Bandleader, Songwriter and Producer -
David is a blues guitarist. He is originally from Detroit, Michigan. Growing up in the "Motor City" and the home of Motown, meant that he was surrounded by the soulful sounds of R&B and the Blues. After many years of listening, at age 16, he began to learn to play the guitar. He attributed his interest to the musical influence of Prince and other 80’s rock guitarists. In Motown, the sound is soul and R&B, but somewhere along his path, David says "He rediscovered the blues" and began listened more seriously to the music of Albert King, ZZ Hill, B.B. King, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. In the 80's David composed rock and pop tunes. At age 24, he began writing and composing tunes with the help of a computer program, and has continued to write and compose to this day. In 2009, David released his first album "Hell and Back" (CD Baby) containing 5 of his original tunes and a selection of cover tunes previously recorded by Blues greats. The "Thrill is Gone", "Red House", "Cold Shot", and the other cover tunes were recorded live at J. Dubs bar in Riverview, Michigan. David can be seen and heard playing at clubs and festivals in the Detroit area.
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 Cécile Corbel, Celtic harpist, composer and singer.
Cécile was born in Brittany, the Celtic region in the north-west of France. While growing up, Cécile traveled all over Brittany with her
parents, who were puppeteers. She learned to play the guitar, but in her teens discovered the Celtic harp. At the age of 18 Cécile
went to Paris to study to become an archeologist. Instead, she found herself performing at concerts, pubs and cafes and eventually
she self-produced her first album "Harpe celtique & Chants du monde" and was then noticed and approached by Keltia Musique, which is Sinead O'Connor and
Loreena McKennitt's label. Today, Cécile performs with her musicians all
over the world. From a review in Musical Discoveries,
“Corbel's unique harp technique and her appealing young voice, sometimes
compared to Kate Bush's, reveal a world encompassing ancient poems, original
compositions, Celtic tunes and Mediterranean melodies. It is said that
Cécile Corbel takes you for a trip out of a time. Following the path of
prestigious musicians such as Alan Stivell, the young Breton composer and
singer now performs her Celtic and world music with her musicians in France
and all over the world.” Cécile's latest album is titled "Kari-gurashi" (2010). Links: Website, MySpace Music and Albums page. |
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Joe "Killer Joe" Falero - Percussionist, Composer, Producer & DJ . Joe was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico. He is known for his showmanship, great technique and spectacular solos. Over years of performing in the DC area, Joe has gained recognition as a band leader who strives to perform with the goal of exceeding all previous performances. This brings an almost electric energy to each time the band plays. Joe strives to get the best out of his fellow musicians, and in doing so, he is always providing an original musical experience for everyone who comes to his live performances. Joe Falero
& DC Latin Jazz All Stars is a band that reflects Joe's desire and ability to
blend different styles of Latin music like Mambo, Salsa, Cha-Cha, Rumba and
Bolero. Salsa in English and more. Joe has launched his first CD "Latin Flavor!", which
is getting lots of play around the DC area where
his fans gather to dance to his live music. Links:
MySpace, Website, Interview by DC Live Music and DC Bebop page.
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Miguelito (Jaime Miguel Barrera) - multi-instrumentalist, music composer, producer and arranger . Miguelito is from Brazil and is known for developing a fusion style music. He says he has always been interested in creating melodies and likes writing soundtracks for films. He has recorded with many musicians all over the world, and enjoys being in contact with them through the music he creates. He published his first vinyl recording in 1992, titled "Miguel Tatton
Instrumental". In 2004 he released his second album in CD titled "Miguelito
Instrumental"
As a producer, has worked with groups like "Soul Friends" to developed soul music, and the "Time Travellers" on rock projects. More recently, he has been working on his "Amazonia". Megilito is a "Nature lover", and says he "lives right among Brazilian Pantanal", and believes "every human being should plant at least one tree in their lifetime." Links:
MySpace, YouTube and DC Bebop
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Benito Gonzalez, Pianist, Arranger and Composer.
From Maracaibo, Venezuela, Benito is described as "an exciting
composer and performing virtuoso". If you have the pleasure of hearing and witnessing a performance
by Benito, then you will recognize him for the keyboard powerhouse that he is. His virtuosity won
him the "Great American Jazz Piano Competition" in 2005. Since the competition, he has toured and
worked on musical projects. Benito has shared the stage with Curtis Fuller, Pharaoh Sanders,
Bobby Hutcherson, Christian McBride, Ignacio Berroa, Roy Hargrove, Billy Hart, Rene McLean,
Steve Turre, Hamiet Bluiett, Antonio Sanchez, Nicholas Payton, T.K. Blue, Jackie Mclean and
Kenny Garrett. Benito is featured keyboardist on N-GROOVE's latest CD "It's Who We Are".
He can be heard live in many jazz venues in and outside the United States.
Links:
Website,
MySpace Music
CD:
Starting Point (CDBaby.com) |
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Ginetta Minichiello (Ginetta's Vendetta) - Trumpeter, vocalist, composer and bandleader.
Ginetta says she is an "Italian Gypsy, born there", but came to the U.S. when she was a baby. She began playing trumpet
in the third grade at age eight and says "I knew right then that I loved music and the stage!!!" Looking back, she
also says "now mind you, I'm only 5 feet tall now... back then I was a little
tiny thing. When the music teacher asked what I wanted to play, I said
'Trombone', and he said 'your arms are too short'. Short arms and providence led Ginetta to the trumpet.
"Ginetta is an alumnus of North Texas State University where she studied and played most styles of music ranging from classical, jazz, blues and pop to Cumbia, Salsa, Merengue and Funk. She has studied music and been taught to play by trumpet masters Marky Markowitz, Spanky Davis, Ted Curson, Howard McGhee and Allan Colin, to name a few.
Over the years Ginetta and her horn have performed with many well known entertainers. She has shared the stage with the Neville Brothers, Charles Neville, Jimmy Buffet, "Tone, Tony, Toni", "two tons of fun", Albert Collins, The Holmes Brothers. "The Boo Radleys", The Phantom Band (Haitian Compa band), Blue Boy (Trinidad Calypso star) and numerous Salsa legends.
Ginetta has 3 Billboard world songwriting awards for 3 of her original songs. She received the Ascaplus Award for songwriting, which is awarded yearly and the soul-patrol future Legend of Black Music Award. She also received the Music Liberty Initiative for NYC Musicians, after 9/11.
Ginetta's Vendetta has a CD "La Dolce Vita" (2007) on CD Baby.com. Links:
MySpace, Website and DC Bebop
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Singer, songwriter, Loide.
Born in France, raised in Cali. Loide has been singing since Kindergarten. She did "musicals and
choirs through elementary and High School. She sang in the church and trained in Classical from
High School through her second year of College. One day in high school she heard Nancy Wilson
singing "Guess who I saw today" and the moment defined part of her journey into singing Jazz.
She would identify herself as a "Jazz Vocalist", but she notes in an interview in "African Loft",
that Jazz "does not encompass what I do musically or
where I’d like to go with the music. I still love and adore Jazz, and implement it into the sounds and layers of where I’m evolving musically, but I’m reaching closer to home now. Home being the melodies and rhythms out of Lusophone Africa, particularly Mozambique and Guinea Bissau".
Loide recently released her first CD titled "Loide, Live at Bohemian
Caverns" (2009). Link:
MySpace
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Marlene S. Lima Guitarist. Marlene was born in Rio de Janeiro,
but grew up in Brasília when it became Brazil's new capital. Her father was a saxophonist and her mother a music lover so music has always been part of her life. Marlene started playing the guitar when
she was a teenager. She studied music at the prestigious "School of Music
of Brasilia" learning to play from several famous Brazilian
guitarists.
In the years following her studies, she performed in theaters, bars of Brasilia and Goiânia with several
instrumental groups, but notably with the "Loga'Ritmo" band, the "Maracatu Banda", and the big band "Popular Brasilia Orquestra". A gifted guitarist herself, she has continued to perform in many venues
in Brasilia. She also teaches "violăo and guitar at an
institute "The Plant of Sounds Course of Music" in Brazil. Link:
MySpace Music.
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 Roberto A. Tyson - Guitarist, Soloist, Arranger and Composer -
Roberto was born in
Cuba into a musical family. He was schooled in the ways of the grandmasters of jazz by his father, also a guitarist and assisted in his musical evolution by his mother, a singer and pianist.
Early in his musical career, Roberto was a noted child prodigy and obtained a reputation for the quality of his musical sounds. Growing up around the guitar created a natural attraction to the instrument and he began strumming it while still a toddler. It was not the first instrument he attempted, but quickly became his unwavering musical extension.
Roberto came to the U.S. and continued to evolve his musical skills through
his involvement with musical groups in the Tampa Bay area while growing up.
Partnering with a childhood friend, Cedric C. Givens, Roberto and Cedric
created and released their first CD "Nemesis Bleu" in 1997. They
have continued to collaborate over the years and released their latest CD
"It's Who We Are" with bassist Cheik Ndoye in 2007. Since
the release of the most recent CD, Roberto has
immersed himself in the music. He has joined with numerous musicians in the
DC area to create many varieties of music. He can be heard performing as a soloist,
performing with flautist Arch Thompson as the TnT Jazz Duo, playing with the
Cachaca Latin Jazz Trio, with the Sabroso Latin Jazz Ensemble which features Arch and
percussionist "Killer Joe" Falero. Roberto is also active
with Cedric and their N-GROOVE band. Listen to Roberto on
N-GROOVE's latest CD release.
Also check him out performing with Nemesis Bleu
on (CDBaby.com) .
Link to Roberto's: Website
, MySpace Music page and DC Bebop.
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 Tiacoh Sadia, Drummer
- A Jazz and traditional African drummer, Tiacoh made his first drums out of cardboard boxes that had contained
Nestlé and Bonnet Rouge concentrated milk. By the age of 12, Tiacoh was playing regular gigs with most of the
country’s local and traditional bands and helping to provide for his family. At the age of 16,
he became
one of the youngest members of the country’s military band, which played for the
their President and during other official
ceremonies, which entailed traveling throughout the Ivory Coast and other
African countries. Over a number of years,
Tiacoh performed with many world renouned musicians and singers.
Roberto Torres, Alfredo Rodriguez, Salif Keita, Myriam Makeba, Mory Kante,
Sekou Bambino, Princess Erika, Idrissa Diop, Kassiry, Tabala, Rido Bayonne’s
Orchestra, Higelin with Youssouh N’Dour in Bercy, France. He accompanied the
late great Nina Simone and toured with Myriam Makeba. Tiacoh released
his first CD titled "Zougnon Wa,”, (1996) containing all original music
composed and arranged by Tiacoh. His band can be heard performing in a
number of DC area venues. Link -
Tiacoh's MySpace
Music |
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 Adam Smale, 7-string Fingerstyle Jazz Guitarist - Toronto, Canada.
From Bar River, Ontario, Canada, Adam got his musical calling at the age of seven, he had wanted to the play 5-string banjo, but was told he was too small to play it so he turned to the guitar. By the age of twelve, he was performing at community events, became a member of the musician's union, and was on the road,
gaining valuable experience, playing bars and weddings around Northern Ontario when he was fourteen. To further his musical evolution Adam moved to Toronto where he enrolled in the music program at Humber College. While at Humber,
he was introduced to the music of the jazz greats, as well as to other types
of music which heightened his appreciation of the music of his country.
Around this time, he began developing his own style of Jazz. Years
after graduating from college he became a
protégé of Lenny Breau, who inspired him "to discard his flatpick to wield a thumpick once again--a return to his youth." Adam's musical transition from the flatpick prompted him to modify his guitar. To this end "he designed a seven-string guitar and had a local luthier build it for him. Adam
says, "With six strings, I felt a little boxed in. I now have more flexibility with the extra string."
In 2000 Adam released his first CD, "Fun City" (CD Baby). In 2002 the Adam Smale Quartet placed 2nd in the renowned Grand Prix de Jazz contest at the Montreal Jazz Festival. During his career Adam has performed in South America, India, in the Middle East, as well as performing in the Toronto area and in
northern U.S. cities.
Links:
Website:
Adam Smale Jazz
Buy:
Adam's Music, and
MySpace Music
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 Daniel Martina - Guitarist, composer and music producer
is from Rosario, Argentina. Daniel began studying music theory and Argentinean folk guitar with a local music teacher at the age of 9.
He says he does not remember his instructor's name, but his surname was Valdés Alva and
he composed a song from his "Tute" CD called "Canción para Valdés Alva".
He says his music has been influenced by "Many artists (players, composers
and producers)". "The first songs heard that peaked my interest in being a jazz musician could be 'San Lorenzo' and 'Phase Dance' from Pat Metheny
Group". Over the years, through improvisation, "I've listened and learned
from a number of jazz musicians." Daniel attended the Nacional University of Rosario (UNR)
School of Music and he studied with jazz guitarist and composer Amando Alonso in Buenos Aires. He is self-taught in the Berklee College of Music method."
He has taken part in clinics taught by a number of renowned musicians and has participated in clinics held by Pat Metheny,
Chuck Wayne, George Benson and several others while in the U.S. He has played as "sideman" to "Gato" Barbieri
and has performed on stage with many Argentinean artists. His recordings "Propinas" and "Tute" are available at
CDBaby.com.
Daniels new album, "Luna Rosarina", is soon to be released. Links: MySpace Music, website and DC Bebop page. |
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 Mikael Björck, Guitarist
from Gothenburg Sweden. Mikael began playing guitar at the age of
10. He says his "first idols were guitar players like Mike Stern, Al DiMeola,
Pat Martino and Swedish guitarist Janne Schaffer" ABBA's guitarist. Mikael started
his first band in high school, playing on different
parties and pubs in Gothenburg in Sweden, mostly we played
instrumental music". In 1988, at the age of 20, Mikael moved to Los
Angeles (Hollywood) to study music at the Guitar Institute of Technology. He moved back
to Sweden and began playing with different bands. During his musical
career, Mikael has performed with own band Mikael Bjorck's Back Seat Betty (Jazz,funk
blues), the Janne Ersson Big Band, Soulbox and Gospel Comp. He has also
played with Svante Thuresson, Hayati Kafe, Roger Pontare and Annkristin
Hedmark. Mikael has recorded two CD's - The return of "Tant" Benson (1998) and Holy Cow (2001) -
and is working on his third now. Links: MySpace Music and DC Bebop page. |
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Vocalist Liz Briones
is a native of Ecuador who grew up in DC. With her
own Latin blend of blues, jazz and R&B, Liz captivates her audiences with her talent for making you feel her music. In
2002 Liz's talents won her the Baltimore Blues Society's "Blues Competition". In 2004 she released her first CD, which
was produced by her own Kiss My Jazz Entertainment LLC titled "Liz Briones". In 2006 Liz released a two track CD titled
"El Amor de Madre", which was a tribute to Mothers. She has performed from South America to Southeast Asia. She can
be heard at venues in and outside DC. Enjoy her songs on her CD "Liz Briones".
Links: "KissMyJazz.biz" website, MySpace Music and DC Bebop page. |
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 Pepe Coloma - Guitarist,
born and raised in Lima, Peru. Pepe moved to New Orleans
in 1979, then to Boston in 1981 where he studied guitar with Mordy Ferber and Oscar
Stagnaro. While in Boston he played with John Payne and Grupo Galaxia. He moved back
to New Orleans in 1991 where he studied under Hank Mackie and Richie Zellon for a
brief period of time. He plays guitar and bass; has arranged and sometimes
directed "Fredy Omar con su Banda". Pepe performs as a freelance musician at
the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. He has done this every year for
the last 14 years. Pepe has played for Cubanismo at
Cafe Brasil, (it was dubbed 'the best show of the year 1999'), with Poncho
Sanchez (at the Blue Nile), and Teatro Milenio (at Tulane University and at
Cafe Brasil), opened for Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Ruben Blades, Gilberto SantaRosa,
Maraca and Arturo Sandoval - to name a few. Pepe is currently recording
songs for an upcoming Cd. Link:
MySpace Music
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 Cheikh Ndoye, Bassist
- Originally
from Senegal, Cheikh began his musical journey learning to play the piano,
but after hearing Jaco Pastorius performing with Weather Report, he picked
up his first bass at the age of 14.
He secured his first professional gig with a Dakar jazz band, Opus. The
band had its first international exposure at the notable St. Louis Jazz
Festival in which appeared other great jazz musicians such as Pharaoh
Sanders, Jack De johnnette, Herbie Hancock and many others.
Cheikh has performed with a number of DC based bands over the years
- Tosin and his hallelujazz project, N-GROOVE and the PostModern Blues
Fusion Jazz band.
Cheikh has released his first CD "A Child's
Tale", which can be found on iTunes and ordered through CD Baby. Link:
MySpace page. |
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 Bass player, composer-songwriter, Raymond d'Huy. Raymond is a self-taught bass player
born in Guadeloupe (French West Indies).
He began playing guitar at the age of seven after his brother Philippe introduced him to the instrument.
Since this first exposure, he has discovered the beauty of music and art as an expression of a free human being.
Raymond is Co-founder of the Caraďbe Jazz Ensemble, he has been performing on the Guadeloupe scene since 1978.
In 2007 Rayond released his lastest album entitled "MesTissages", which is
also a word game meaning "interbreeding". The album is a mix of
"different rhythms such as Biguine, Mazurka, Gwo Ka sounds, Latin-Jazz and
much more".
Recorded with long-time friends, "MesTissages" is a subtle "musical rainbow,
a texture of different influences
blend together in one great mix".. Links: MySpace Music and "MesTissages" CD. |
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 Jumbo Aniebiet, Trumpeter
- Nigeria born, in love with music since age eight. Jumbo says
he thought he might enjoy a career in Computer Sciences so he studied for a
number of years, but in the end came back to his first love music. He says
his studying music will last for eternity and "even after i die". During his
musical career, Jumbo has shared the stage with many musicians -
notably with Hugh Masekela, Al Jarreau, Donnie McClurkin, Yinka Davies,
Lágbájá, Wyclef Jean, elder Steve Rhodes, Tee-Mac Omatshola, Pastor Tony Rapu and others.
Jumbo has released his first CD "Brand New Day" on CD Baby, and can be seen locally performing
with Tosin & the hallelujazz project and other groups.
Links: Website,
MySpace Music and CD Baby.
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 Alex Martin, Guitarist
- A native of Rennes, Brittany (France), Alex grew up largely in North Carolina. He has studied with former Thelonious Monk trumpeter Ray Copeland and nylon-string jazz guitar legend Gene Bertoncini. His own jazz is
a mix of original compositions as well as U.S., French, and Brazilian standards that reflects his different backgrounds and passions. He performs regularly at venues throughout the DC area.
See the performance calendar on his website.
Link: MySpace Music. |
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  Drummer,
Songwriter and Musical Producer,
Tosin Aribisala from Nigeria. . Tosin is leader of his own group, HalleluJazz Project, which he organized in 2002. During his career, Tosin has recorded and toured with mainstream acts like Julie Dexter, Femi Kuti, Talib Kwali, Taj Mahal, D’Angelo and Yerba Buena, to name a few. He has released his second album, “Mean What U Say – Da Drum Monologue Project”, which is a follow-up to his
successful "What's On Your Mind" debut album.
Links to:
TosinMusik.com,
Tosin
on MySpace.com,
YouTube
and
DC Bebop: Drum Monologue
CD. |
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 Singer, songwriter, and dancer Rimi
brings her unique genre of pop with an Indian flavor to the American music
scene. Her music, the product of a unique and versatile combination of
Eastern and Western upbringing, gives richness to her personality and performances. Rimi has performed
with several popular artists in india and has completed her own fusion self-titled pop album, "Rimi", and will release it first in India. Her
dream is to eventually create a place for Indian music in the American pop scene and globally. Links: Rimi and MySpace. |
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 "Ney Mello
is hailed as an outstanding virtuoso and brilliant composer in the world jazz scene by legends such as Al Di Meola. Being a renaissance man
of the guitar, he has garnered numerous awards for extraordinary achievement in the arts and has been featured soloist in recent chart topping rock releases and performed Indian classical music with tabla master
Broto Roy. He is at home on electric and acoustic guitar. Ney performs coast to coast and internationally." Links to Ney's Website,
MySpace
and Ney Mello'a Wikipedia
page. Ney's new CD, "Meditations" is available online through his website Store.
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 Carmen Amara - Singer, dancer and actress, a native of Cartagena/
Colombia, Carmen immigrated to the United States at the age of two. Her
strong interest in entertainment was evident from the beginning. Her
exposure to many genres of music and breadth of Latin culture has made her
an artist of substance. Carmen is
equally comfortable with many musical styles. She is an outstanding athlete and dancer. She has studied Jazz, hip hop, tap and ballet
dance styles. Links: Carmen's website and MySpace.
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 Rachel Stewart,
Saxophonist - Originally from the North of England - Yorkshire. Her family
moved to Perth, Australia where she grew up. In her musical career she has toured
extensively but has returned to Perth. Rachel has performed on stage with Diana Ross, Barney Kessel, Paul Grabowski, Dale Barlow, Don Pullen and Jane Bunnett, to name a few.
Rachel produces music under her label "Pure Energy Productions".
Link to her
MySpace Music page. |
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 Jeng "Etu" Ebraheem, Bassist
- Etu is a noted bassist who can be heard performing with the PostModern Blues Fusion Jazz band, which has released a new CD titled "Many
Designs". Link to: Etu's MySpace
and Cheikh and Etu's MySpace page. |
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Reginald Cyntje, Trombonist
- from the island of Dominica, began his musical career at age 12, at that
time he chose the trombone as his tool of expression with the goal of
becoming a great trombone player. To this end, he has studied at Interlochen
where he was exposed to the virtuoso trombonist Christian Lindberg. In 1993
Reginald began studying jazz trombone at Berklee College of Music. During
his time at Berklee Reginald performed with well-known international
artists. Since that time, he has performed and/or recorded with world
renowned musicians/ poets to include Nasar Abadey, Wayne Andre, Amiri Baraka,
Ron Blake, Michael Bowie, Herman Burney, Marc Cary, Benito Gonzalez, Amin
Gumbs, Michael Hawkins, Buck Hill, Ron Jackson and Illinois Jacquet to name
just a few. Cyntje is currently leading The Reginald Cyntje Group and
working as a sideman in other jazz, Latin, and Calypso groups.
Link to: MySpace Music page. |
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 Rafael Monteagudo - Drummer/Percussionist
- Born in Havana, Cuba. Rafael has toured with the Washington Ballet & Walter Bell. He has shared the stage with Roy Hargrove, Dave Koz, T.S. Monk, FatBurger,
Rebecca Ruby, and Lou Volpe among others.
Website, and Alafia Dance & Drum. |
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