2004 Musician Seminar, Instructor Bio's and Profiles...

Oscar Hernandez has long been considered one of the most gifted and prominent pianist/ arrangers on the contemporary Latin, Latin-Jazz and  Salsa music scene.   Since its inception in the early 1980's, Oscar has been responsible for charting the musical course of the Ruben Blades Band. Increasingly in  demand as a pianist, arranger and producer, the Bronx native has produced such artists as Ruben Blades/Willie Colon "Carabali," Daniel Ponce, Rafael Dejesus, Eddie Torres, Phil Hernandez, Steve Kroon,"The Spanish Harlem Orchestra", and has made a more personal statement with the debut CD's "Decision" and "Alternate Roots" by his band Seis Del Solar, the Ruben Blades Band sans Ruben.     In addition to being Ruben Blades pianist, arranger and musical  director, Oscar Hernandez has enjoyed a prolific musical career recording and performing with such world renown artists as Latin music king Tito  Puente, Queen of Salsa Music Celia Cruz, Latin Pop Star Julio Iglesias, Juan  Luis Guerra, Ray Barreto, Earl Klugh, Dave Valentin, Johnny Pacheco, Ismael Miranda, Pete "Conde" Rodriquez, Oscar De'leon, Luis "Perico" Ortiz, "Libre," "Grupo Folkorico Experimental," Willie Colon, Kirsty MacColl,  as well as many others.     More recently, Oscar's musical exploits include working as Musical Director/Conductor, arranging and producing the music for "The  Capeman," pop-rock icon Paul Simon's Broadway musical. In addition, Oscar is also  the Music Producer of "The Capeman" cast recording. Oscar was Musical Director/Arranger for the hit shows "Quien Mato A Hector Lavoe" and "La Lupe" at the 47th Street Theatre. He also worked as Music Supervisor/Arranger for the show "4 Guys Named Jose And Una Mujer Named Maria."    Oscar's work as a studio session player can also be heard on numerous commercial jingles, some of which he has written and arranged. Among  those are the hit show "Sex And The City," Dunkin Donuts, Waldbaums, General Motors, just to name a few.    In addition to having firmly established his reputation as an excellent musician and producer/arranger, Oscar has been recently expanding his horizons into composing music for film having recently completed the  music for the film documentaries, "If The Mango Tree Could Speak" by Pat  Goudvis ... "Angela Tiene Un Bebe" by Paula Heredia ... and "Cuban Roots/Bronx Stories" by Pam Sporn.  

Johnny Pacheco For decades, Johnny Pacheco has been at the center of the Latin music universe. His nine Grammy nominations, ten Gold records and numerous awards pay tribute to his creative talent as composer, arranger, bandleader, and producer. Moreover, he is the pioneer of an unforgettable musical era that changed the face of tropical music history, the Fania All-Stars era.
 Throughout his 40-year involvement with the development of Latin music, Johnny Pacheco has received many kudos for his extraordinary genius. In November of 1998, he was inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame. In 1997, he was the recipient of the Bobby Capo' Lifetime Achievement Award, awarded by Governor George Pataki. In 1996 the president of the Dominican Republic, Juaquin Balaguer bestowed him with the prestigious Presidential Medal of Honor. In addition, Pacheco was presented with the First International Dominican Artist Award from the distinguished Casandra Awards. In June 1996, Johnny Pacheco was the first Latin music producer to receive the NARAS (National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences) Governor's Award in New York City.

Pacheco's pioneering musical approach has made him one of the most solicited producers in Latin music. He has worked with many of the best Salsa artists like Celia Cruz, Willie Colon, Hector Lavoe, Ruben Blades, Cheo Feliciano, and Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez. His resume also includes producing the hit song "Bailando Salsa" for the Spanish pop group, Mecano whose album sold half a million copies one month after its release. Johnny Pacheco also co-wrote and produced three songs for David Byrne's first solo album entitled Rei Momo.

He has written more than 150 songs and most of them are now classics. Among them are "La Dicha Mia", "Quitate Tu Pa' Ponerme Yo", "Acuyuye", "El Rey de la Puntualidad", and Tito Puente's "El Numero Cien". Pacheco has also been inspirational to the younger generations.He recorded and performed with the group DLG as a guest artist in one of his own compositions. Rap artist Mangu asked this Latin legend to write arrangements, sing chorus, and play the flute in his album Calle Luna Y Calle Sol. Mr. Pacheco has also produced music for feature films. He was the musical director of the film, Our Latin Thing, the first film about Salsa and its influence on New York Latinos. In 1974, he worked on a second film entitled Salsa. During the 1980s, he wrote the musical scores and themes for the film Mondo New York and Something Wild. The last one was in collaboration with David Byrne, leader of the group Talking Heads. His most recent work in the movie industry was the feature film The Mambo Kings released by Warner Brothers.

Born in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, Johnny Pacheco inherited his father's passion for music. Rafael Azarias Pacheco, his father, was the bandleader and clarinetist of one of the most famous orchestras of that time--the Santa Cecilia Orchestra. It was his father that first put a musical instrument into his son, Johnny's hands. At the age of 11, the Pacheco family moved to New York where he continued polishing his musical skills. He learned to play accordion, violin, saxophone and clarinet. He attended the Julliard School of Music where he studied percussion making him the leading percussionist of the time. He performed and recorded with the most important American artists. He then learned to play flute. He is recognized as one of the top flutists of his era.

In 1960, he organized his first and legendary orchestra, Pacheco y Su Charanga. The band signed with Alegre Records and its first album Johnny Pacheco Y Su Charanga Vol. 1 sold over 100,000 copies within the first year, becoming the best selling album of the time. The album is a classic. Beginning then and through the end of 1963, Pacheco introduced a new dance craze called "Pachanga". He became an internationally renowned star. He toured extensively throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Moreover Pacheco Y Su Charanga, was the first Latin band to ever headline the Apollo in 1962 and 1963.

In late 1963, his career took another historical turn when he created Fania Records with Jerry Masucci. In 1964, the label released Pacheco's next endeavor entitled Canonazo featuring a switch from the Charanga to Conjunto style. As the company's executive, creative director and musical producer, he was responsible for launching the careers of many of the young stars that formed part of Fania Records.

In 1968 he gathered many of the musicians from the label and showcased them together in concert. This marked the birth of the legendary Fania All-Stars. In 1971, this orchestra consisting of Fania's elite exploded all over the Salsa scene starting an incredible musical era for Latin music that has continued for over 30 years under the masterful direction of Mr. Pacheco.

For more than 40 years, Mr. Pacheco has been one of the most in-demand artist in the music industry in general. He has performed as soloist and guest artist in many Jazz Festivals worldwide. He has played with the best Latin musicians of the century including Perez Prado, Xavier Cugat, Tito Rodriguez, Tito Puente, and Celia Cruz among others. He has performed and collaborated with many legends of Jazz and popular American music such as Quincy Jones, Stan Kenton, Tony Bennett, George Benson, Sammy Davis, Jr., Ethel Smith, Stevie Wonder and many others.

 Johnny Pacheco is deeply committed to the improvement of the Latin community worldwide. He demonstrated his solidarity with the victims of Hurricane Georges by collaborating with the Hispanic Federation Relief Fund during "Hurricane Georges Relief Fund 1998" transmitted live across the northeastern United States by the NBC television network and by participating at an event at Hostos Community College. He also participated in the AIDS benefit concert Concierto Por La Vida, in November 1988 at New York City's Avery Fisher Hall.

In 1994, he established the Johnny Pacheco Scholarship Fund demonstrating his love for music and commitment to higher education. Each year a college freshman is honored with financial support and Mr. Pacheco's blessing. He says, "My hope is to give a young aspiring and talented musician a chance to develop as an artist and benefit from a college education."

The music of Johnny Pacheco Y Su Tumbao Anejo continues to bless the Latin music industry. He remains highly active in the recording industry performing and recording with his group as the guiding force behind the best tropical music. Always ahead of his time, he is one of the most admired and loved musicians on the music scene all over the world. Johnny Pacheco is a pioneer, an innovator and more importantly a living legend.

Andy Gonzalez (bass) was born in the Bronx, New York.  Gonzalez, brother Jerry, and Steve Berrios have shaped a unique vision of Latin  jazz. In 1971, Gonzalez joined Jerry and Eddie Palmieri in the classic lineup  of El Son. For the past 15 years, Gonzalez has played an integral part in  some of the most exciting Latin jazz groups to come along in recent years,  Jerry Gonzalez and the Fort Apache Band. The band has released several  acclaimed albums including The River is Deep, Obatala, Rumba Para Monk,  Earthdance, Moliendo Cafe, Crossroads, Fire Dance, and Pensativo. He appeared in  several Jazz at Lincoln Center events, including the 1995 concert conducted by  Chico O'Farrill called "Afro-Cuban Jazz: Chico O'Farrill and his Orchestra."  Andy Gonzalez was among the crowd of young listeners drawn to the La Perfecta's brash orchestration. "La Perfecta had a big sound, an  influential sound," he remembers. "I thought they were the best band on the scene."  By age 13, Gonzalez was well equipped to judge: he already had several  years of violin and bass training behind him, had formed a quintet with his  older brother trumpeter/percussionist (and Milestone recording artist) Jerry Gonzalez, and was playing professionally. He recorded his first album  in 1967 with Monguito Santamaria (Mongo Santamaria's son) and later worked  with Ray Barretto and Dizzy Gillespie.  In 1971, Gonzalez was hired by Eddie Palmieri's band. Oquendo had left  to play with a stellar assortment of bandleaders, including Pupi Campo,  Noro Morales, Miguelito Valdes, Johnny Pacheco, Larry Harlow, and Israel  "Cachao" Lopez. Gonzalez wooed him back to Eddie Palmieri's company, where the  young bassist and elder statesman of the drums formed a lasting friendship.  In 1974 Oquendo and Gonzalez left Palmieri to move in their own direction.  "I'd proposed forming our own band, and Manny was a little skeptical," Gonzalez says. "But when he realized I was a serious scholar, he got interested in the idea. There was a lot going on at that time; you had,  in New York, the Young Lords, the 'Viva Puerto Rico Libre' movement. That  word was in the air a lot-liberation. We decided we'd have a band that was  free to incorporate jazz, Afro-Cuban, to explore alternatives, so we named  it Libre."  

Bobby Allende   Bio: Bobby Allende is one of the first call-session percussionists who  has grown beyond his core specialty of salsa. His versatile style has led  him to work with the likes of David Byme, Grover Washington, Jr., and Gato Barbieri. Allende is currently performing and recording with Marc  Anthony.  In the Afro-Cuban arena, Allende is one of the few percussionists that  is equally adept on conga, bongo, or timbale. Having moved into a larger  area of music, he has embraced a broader spectrum of percussion to not only  color the music, but to propel it using his aggressive style of NY playing  that always speaks with

Pablo "Chino" Nunez       Percussionist and LP artist Pablo "Chino" Nunez has played and recorded with some of the greatest Latin Jazz musicians of our time including Ray Barretto, Hector LaVoe, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Larry  Harlow, Oscar D'leon, Marc Anthony, Tito Nieves and many others. Most recently, Chino has been arranging, producing and performing with the renowned, Grammy- nominated Spanish Harlem Orchestra with whom he toured  extensively in 2003.        In June, 2004 the Spanish Harlem Orchestra will release an  exciting, new production featuring actor and veteran vocalist Ruben Blades, which  will include an arrangement created by Chino called "Te Cantare". Vocalist  Ray De La Paz will perform the piece. Chino will also participate in a new production from jazz trombone legend Jimmy Bosch.        As a music educator, Chino has co-produced and starred in LP's  popular DVD, The Rhythmic Construction of a Salsa Tune, Vol. 1, which outlines  the basic rhythms of Cha Cha Cha, Son Montuno Guaracha and Latin Rock on  congas, bongos, timbales, maracas and tambourine. The dvd also illustrates the relationship between the instruments and the way in which they work  together to construct the rhythm of Salsa music.        Chino is one of the most respected and in-demand New York  City-based percussionists, and his work has inspired players of all generations to  be faithful to the music

Manny Oquendo & Libre are keepers of the flame. The nine-member band  carries the torch of early Afro-Cuban percussion and breathes the fire of a  1970s salsa conjunto<in short, Manny Oquendo & Libre are preserving the best traditions of Latin music to evolve this century. But the group's  assemblage of heavyweight musicians, led by percussionist Manny Oquendo and  bassist Andy Gonzalez, doesn't stop there. Libre is also pushing Latin music  into the next century. Listen to their new Milestone release, Mejor Que  Nunca, and the way they set a Marvin Gaye classic to the syncopated beat of a mambo-guaguanco, or launch a Cuban danzon with a massive trombone line electrifying the stately rhythm, and you'll understand why the band is  truly "Libre" –free

Jimmy Bosch plays it, lives it, and tells it like it is! A fiery  exponent of the progressive sound often referred to as the most awesome Salsa band  to dance to, listen to and watch in a concert setting, Bosch masterfully portrays his life experiences and musical inspiration creating Salsa  for the next century. As New York's most sought after trombonist, he  reinvigorates the Latin music scene by projecting his essence vis-a-vis, his emphatic solos, and rhythmic melodies which emanate from his soul and through  his trombone.  Whether before a sold-out audience, or in the company of the fans at  home, Bosch unabashedly raises the raw intensity of his all-star band,  igniting the spirit to relish in the swinging and complex mosaic of contemporary Latin music at its best - Salsa Dura.  Bosch began playing trombone in 1970, and at age 13 this prodigious  talent discovered the power of releasing energy through improvisation. Bosch frequented clubs in New York City with his trombone at hand. In 1978,  while a student at Rutgers University, he was hired by Andy Gonzalez to work  with Conjunto Libre, heralding the birth of a prolific career and extensive discography, spanning well over two decades. Bosch has collaborated  with the most stellar figures in Salsa including, Cachao, Celia Cruz, Eddie  Palmieri, Ray Barreto, the Machito Orchestra, Ruben Blades, Fania All-Stars,  Willie Colon, Oscar D'Leon, and Marc Anthony

John Walsh, who as a youth imagined he was born to play drums, became a trumpet player at the age of 12 years old. He first studied trumpet  with Fred Baker of the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra before attending  Western Michigan University to study with Dr. Steven Jones. In 1985, he came to  New York City to study with Dr. Eddie Henderson at Long Island University.  Since moving to New York, John has performed and/or recorded with Tito  Puente, Mel Torme, Lionel Hampton, Paul Simon, Eddie Palmieri, The Chico O'Farrill Orchestra, Chris Washburne & SYOTOS, Duke Ellington Orchestra, The  Machito Orchestra, Johnny Pacheco, Wyclef Jean, Max Roach, Celia Cruz, La  India, Tito Nieves, Ray Barretto, Toshiko Akiyoshi, and the Barrio Boyz, among  many others

RAY DE LA PAZ  This talented salsa singer started out singing doo-wops, as well as rancheras due to the prevalence of Mexican music played on New York  radios at the time. He took formal voice training for almost three years, simulating sounds and styles of crooners Bobby Darin and Frank Sinatra.  When he entered the service in 1969 he became a rock n' roll enthusiast,  singing the tunes of songs like those of Iron Butterfly. He explains how he  "came full into salsa by accident" in 1971 when a friend needed him to fill  in for the singer in their salsa band. Not knowing anything about salsa, he  tells us how he sang the head of the song, but "when it came time to  improvise.all I did was sing 'mamita.mamita this.mamita that.'" That same night  exposed him to legendary Latin performers, Joe Cuba and his original sextet,  Ricardo Ray and Bobby Cruz, as well as Eddie Palmieri and La Perfecta. Ray De  La Paz still marvels at the talents of Eddie Palmieri and La Perfecta  exclaiming, "they blew me away!" He was immediately inspired to expand his  adlibbing repertoire (to include more than just "mamita"), and seriously study  the art of soneando. "The next day I went to a record store and bought all  sorts of Latin music. I listened to the music, and started mimicking their  styles.I learned to sing on clave. My style came from all of those influences. Eventually, I developed my own style."  In 1972 Ray de la Paz bumped into Chino y su Conjunto Melao and  recorded with the band. "It took off from there.I sang with Ray Beretto after  Ruben Blades left the band. I did like 4 albums with Ray. We traveled all  over Europe. Worldwide, our music is really accepted and appreciated. You  know, you go to Europe, and they say Mr. Ray de la Paz. And they respect the solos.over here they kind of take it for granted." Hopefully, Friday  night's responsive crowd demonstrates that the salseros in Los Angeles do not  take Ray De La Paz for granted. Many fans greeted him with praise as they approached with their enthusiastic accolades between sets

FRANKIE VAZQUEZ  Rising sonero and percussionist (conga, timbales, clave, maracas, guiro  and campana). Started as a conguero with his own band, Los Generales,  playing in his father's restaurant; whilst filling-in temporarily for the group's unreliable lead singer, he proved to be better and more popular so  switched to lead vocals; thereafter he's combined singing and playing  percussion. Relocated to NYC '77. Made recording debut on the Al Santiago  production Fuego '77 '78 on Alegre by the young band of the same name; Al's liner  note described Frankie as "keen, energetic and peppy"; he provided coro and  sang lead voice on the cut "Nueva York"; his cousin David Sanchez handled  the remaining lead vocals. Fuego '77 lasted two years. He then spent two  years with Sonido Taibori (Sanchez sang coro on Johnny Ortiz y Taibori '79 on Fania with lead singer Tito Nieves; founder Ortiz, a prominent Puerto  Rican composer, subsequently departed), one and a half years with Orquesta  Calidad and intermittently worked for three years with Orquesta Metropolitana  co-led by the revered guiro/timbales player Osvaldo "Chi Hua Hua" Martinez. He participated in a tribute to the recently deceased Chi Hua Hua c '83-4.  He joined Wayne Gorbea's Conjunto Salsa for five years, providing lead vocals and guiro to Sigan Bailando '86 on Wayne Go. Accompanied  Conjunto Salsa's mus. dir./ bassist Harry Justiniano and conguero Angel  Justiniano in a move to the Bronx-based charanga Charanson led by pianist/ prod./  composer Hector Serrano; he's with them on the Dec. '87 recording of "Descarga (Around Midnight)," one of the highlights on The Montuno Sessions -  Live >From Studio "A" '95 on Mr Bongo, and sings on their cassette single  "Ese Gallo"/ "A Las Seis" '93 on Quenepa Productions. Spent five years with  the band of pianist/arranger/composer/ producer Javier Vazquez (no relation  to Frankie), whose CV incl. membership in La Sonora Matancera and Ismael  Rivera y sus Cachimbos. Performed on Javier Vazquez y su Sonora's outstanding  Ella Me Olivido '90 on Cuco incl. the now deceased trombonist Jose Rodrigues  (of Eddie Palmieri's Conjunto La Perfecta fame) and violinist Pupi  Legarreta guesting; Javier's brief liner note compliments Frankie on his  "brilliant work" on the album

Mitch Frohman   Grew up in the Bronx. He has played and recorded steadily with Tito Puente for the past 25 years. He currently leads The Bronx Horns. He also continues to be the sax and flute soloist with theTito Puente Orchestra and Latin/Jazz Ensemble.