Carlos Jimenez - Flutist, Composer, Arranger, and Producer of Arriving, El Flautista & Thoughts(Pensamientos)
Carlos Jimenez is the next generation of great Puerto Rican flute players, following the steps of Dave Valentin and Nestor Torres. Born in Yonkers, New York.
He started playing trumpet at four years old, under his father’s guidance. He then moved to Puerto Rico and studied trumpet and flute at Fransisco Zayas Santana High School with Professor, Pablo Leon.
In 1995 Jimenez moved to New York City to study at the Music Conservatory of Westchester, with flutist and saxophonist, Dave Fenucane. While completing his education in classical music, he studied with master musicians Dave Valentin, Hilton Ruiz, Mario Rivera, Bobby Porcelli, Sonny Bravo and Mike Longo.
Jimenez' talent and passion for Latin Jazz has resulted in him recording and performing with many jazz greats, including Hilton Ruiz, Stephane Ronget, Barry Harris, Dave Valentin, Jay Hoggard, Craig Holiday Heynes, Sonny Bravo, Dick Griffin, Eddie Allen, Cecil Bridgwater, John Benitez, Earl May, Leroy Williams, Wiilie Martinez, Chico Freeman,Edy Martinez, Alfredo Valdez Jr., Javier Vazquez, Edy Zervigon, Willie Cintron, Sergio Rivera, Karen Joseph, Ruben Rodriguez, Lewis Kahn, Gregg August, Vince Cherico and Bobby Porcelli. His latest CD is titled "Thoughts".
Committed to his craft and community, Jimenez has perform for the National Hispanic Business Group, Local 802 AFM, United Federation of Teachers, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Hostos Community College, New Milford High School, New York City' Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, Castle Hill Senior Center, ST Baldrick’s Foundation, Westchester Arts Council, NYC-Labor Day Parade, NYC-National Puerto Rican Day Parade, Yonkers Federation Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Charter School of Educational Excellence, Westchester County Legislator Lyndon D Williams, Mount Vernon Mayor, Clinton Young, and Jazz & Blues Yonkers Downtown/Waterfront BID.
Alternately, Jimenez has also perform at world-class hotels & casinos, such as the famous “ THE BORGATA HOTEL, THE RAMADA, CROWN PLAZA, THE PIERRE HOTEL, CIPRIANI HOTEL, DOUBLE TREE HOTEL, PALM PAVILLION AND EMPIRE CITY AT YONKERS RACEWAY”.
America’s finest Latin jazz pianist Hilton Ruiz delivered musical spectacle for over four decades. This virtuoso delighted audiences at Jazz landmarks like Carnegie Hall, The Village Gate, Keystone Corner and the New Port Jazz Festival.
Hilton’s discography is truly the Peoples Music consisting of over 50 international recordings as a leader and over 200 recordings as a special guest. Over 80 musical treasures affirm Hilton’s remarkable talents as a composer. His original compositions are featured in such noted works as Academy Award winning AMERICAN BEAUTY, Woody Allen’s CRIMES AND MISDEAMEANORS, The Wayans Brothers LOW DOWN DIRTY SHAME, THE COSBY MYSTERIES and CALLE 54.
Doctor Bill Cosby and Tito Puente; El Rey De Los Timbales, appreciated his gift for writing music; calling on Hilton to compose and arrange their special projects. Hilton proudly delivered Blues for Cos and Mambo Para Puente to his life long friends.
Hilton compared his distinct style to Home Cooking; his own secret recipe of musical influences and worldly travels. Hilton spun the globe with his Jazz mentors Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Frank Foster, Dizzy Gillespie, George Coleman and Charles Mingus. His astrological style was out of our universe, launching sci-fi rhythms at a
Moments Notice, striding One Step Ahead the next and steadily gliding back into orbit At Day Break.
Hilton’s talents were truly Something Grand. At Showtime, his fingers flew across the keys so fast that could not be captured with even the most ultra quality cameras.
As an educator Hilton inspired Puerto Rican Children, providing his protégés David Sanchez and Carlos Jimenez with New Horizons.
Hilton Ruiz; A New York Story, was awarded the Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition on August 22nd, 2002 in acknowledgment of outstanding and invaluable service to the community. As recognized by the United States Congress, Hilton Ruiz is a World Jazz Legend for Infinity.
Bobby Porcelli - Flautists,Alto Saxophonists, Composer, Arranger..
New York native Bobby Porcelli (b. 12/16/37) is one of Latin and Afro-Cuban jazz´s most accomplished flautists and alto saxophonists. An exciting soloist influenced heavily by Charlie Parker and Sonny Still, Porcelli´s alto has soared gracefully above the legendary percussive ensembles of Machito (´65-´66), Mongo Santmaria (´87-´90), and Tito Puente (´66-´00). Since the early ´80s, Porcelli has toured Europe as a single, playing with local rhythm sections across the continent and performing at many festivals. An original member of T.S. Monk´s sextet as well as the Monk on Monk Tentet, Porcelli has demonstrated his ability to creatively interpret the idiosyncratic pianist´s quirky compositions.
Alto sax legend, Bobby Porcelli has earned his stellar reputation through years of performing with the biggest names in Latin music. He joined the Tito Rodriguez Orchestra in 1963 and later the Machito Orchestra in 1965. Porcelli began playing with Tito Puente during 1966 and continued on with Puente for over 30 years. He is the only lead alto sax player to have played steadily with the "Big Three" from the Palladium Era (Puente, Machito, and Rodriquez). Bobby Porcelli (alto saxophone) has earned his stellar reputation through years of performing with the biggest names in Latin music. He joined the Tito Rodriguez Orchestra in 1963 and later the Machito Orchestra in 1965. Mr. Porcelli began playing with Tito Puente in 1966 and continued on with Puente for over 30 years. Besides being the only lead alto sax player to have played steadily with the "Big Three" from the Palladium Era (Puente, Machito, and Rodriguez), Mr. Porcelli has performed and recorded with Mongo Santamaria, Eddie Palmieri, Chico O’Farrill, Willie Colon, George Benson, Joe Henderson, Cedar Walton, and Bobby Watson.
Other Credits Include:
T.S. Monk Jazz Band (currently featured)
Mongo Santamaria
Eddie Palmieri
Celia Cruz
Joe Henderson/Kenny Dorham Big Band
Buddy Rich
Mambo Kings Movie Soundtrack
Lewis Kahn - Trombonist, Violinist..
Lewis Kahn (Trombone & violin) Based in New York, Lewis Kahn Has Been Working as a trombonist and violinist since the late sixties.
After studying at the Eastmanand and Julliard schools of music he went on to perform worldwide in a variety of musical styles. Some of the artist he has performed and recorded whith, include: Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Phylis Hyman, Janis Ian, David Byrne, Machito, Ruben Blades, Willy Colon, Hector Lavoe, Charlie & Eddie Palmieri, Johnny Pacheco and Marc Anthony
Guillermo Jimenez - Timbalero, bongos, congas, vocalist, and guitarist
Guillermo Jimenez, 32, self thought timbalero, bongos, congas, vocalist, and guitarist. Inspired by Ray Barreto's song Indestructible, La Sonora Poncena's Timbalero, El Gran Combo's Timbalero, Tito Puente's 122 Albums. Started off at the age of 16 with; bongoes, congas, drum set, then moved up to timbales where he played with many groups in Villalba, Puerto Rico. Playing Musica Navidena, Salsa, and Latin Jazz with his brother Carlos Jimenez who also inspired him because of his composition and the way he feels the music should be approach. Guillermo has also mentioned that many years ago him and his brother used to talk on rehearsals in Puerto Rico and Florida about recording and that's what they both accomplished. Guillermo has also played drums in a local Yonkers rock band that once won second place in a school contest. Influenced by Tito Puente, Edgardo Morales, Jessie Colon, Marc Quinones, Roberto Rohena, Giovanni Hidalgo, Poncho Sanchez, Mongo Santamaria, Ray Barretto and Nicky Marrero who once told him at Wille's Steakhouse that he played great and took a well tought solo ( Un solo bien pensao! ). Has recorded with Carlos Jimenez, Hilton Ruiz, Dave Valentin, Lewis Kahn, Bobby Porcelli, Aryam Vazquez, Adam Weber, and Geoff Brennan, Chembo Corniel, David Braham, John Walsh, and Gregg August. Has performed with; Harvie S, Eddie Allen, Dave Braham, Ana Milat-Meyer, Patrick Grady, Dave Valentin, Mitch Frohman, Ruben Rodriguez, Fidel Cuellar, Gilberto Colon Jr., Jay Hoggard, Cristian Rivera, Enrique Hanaine, Abraham Zaenz