Carlos Jimenez- Jazz Flutist: Biography
Carlos Jimenez - Flutist, Composer, Arranger, and Producer of Arriving
CARLOS JIMENEZ- JAZZ FLUTIST: BIOGRAPHY
Carlos Jimenez,A Yonkers, New York Native Latin Jazz flautist, composer, arranger, and producer. Jimenez started on trumpet at age 4, then he switch to flute at age 10. Jimenez' first music teacher was Mr. Pablo Leon at the Francisco Zayas Santana’s High School in Villalba, Puerto Rico. After arriving to New York in 1995, Jimenez studied flute with; Mitch Frohman, Mario Rivera, Bobby Porcelli, Dave Valentin, Vinny Rikitelli, and Dave Fenucane at the Westchester Conservatory of Music. Jimenez then studied piano with the great; Hilton Ruiz, Sonny Bravo, Mike Longo, and Barry Harris., When Jimenez met, pianist composer, arranger, conductor, and once Dizzy Gilespie's musical director, Mr. Mike Longo, his piano teacher, was when Mr. Jimenez' theory and musical ideas expanded. Hilton Ruiz has performed with Jimenez and Jimenez with Hilton's Latin Jazz All Stars. January 25, 2005 Jimenez debuted his first Latin Jazz production with Legendary Afro-Cuban pianist, Hilton Ruiz.. The CD was titled, "Arriving" under Jimenez' own label CJMartinete Music Co. His composition titled, Tunnel of Flowers was featured in a romantic Valentine Day compilation titled, “Vivid Chocolates.” October 14 2006 Jimenez released "El Flautista" his second Latin Jazz Production with his mentor, teacher, friend & Master Saxophonist Bobby Porcelli. Also featuring bassest, Gregg August; pianist, David Braham; trumpeter, John Walsh & Swifted timbalero also Jimenez' brother, Guillermo Jimenez. Carlos Jimenez has also recorded with Legendary flutist and Grammy Award Winner Mr. Dave Valentin. On June 1st 2008 Jimenez came out with his new release titled Thoughts. Now he is triying to open new doors and showing his other versatilities by creating 11 original compositions with extrodinary results.This third CD titled, “THOUGHTS (Pensamientos) is a wonderful production featuring greats like; Ruben Rodriguez on bass and Vince Cherico on drums. Jimenez along with vibist, Jay Hoggard, Ruben Rodriguez, Dean Vazquez & Vince Cherico will also be featured on Going Back To N.O.L.A a wonderful tribute to the Legendary pianist Hilton Ruiz produced by Aidita Ruiz/HRM Records.
http://www.mytracks.com/CarlosJimenez
Dean Vazquez - Congas, Bongos & Vocals
Dean Vazquez
Dean Vazquez, congas is a members of Carlos Jimenez Latin jazz Sextet, Trio and Salsa Orchestra since 2001. And have recorded with Jimenez on an introduction Tribute to Hilton Ruiz’ last recording that will come out this year or the next one under Aidita Ruiz HRM Record Label. Dean Vazquez has recorded also with Ruben Rodriguez, Vince Cherico and Jay Hoggard.
Has performed with Victor Venegas, Hilton Ruiz, Jimmy Delgado, Gregg August, Bobby Porcelli, John Walsh, David Braham, and Gilberto Colon Jr. El Pulpo.
Vince Cherico - Drummer & Percossionist
Vince Cherico (drums), Vince has been living in New York City for more than a decade while developing, performing and touring in a variety of musical settings around the world. He currently tours with Ray Barretto and New World Spirit and has recorded four CD's including their most recent release "Trance Dance" on the Universal label. Vince has also recorded two CD's with Chris Washburne and Syotos on Jazzheads Records and two CD's with Ray Vega on Concord Records. Recently, Vince has had the opportunity to record and perform in the company of James Moody, Kenny Burrell, Israel Cachao Lopez, Carlos "Patato" Valdez, Mongo Santamaria, Tito Puente, Joe Lovano, Wallace Roney, Steve Turre, Eddie Gomez and Hilton Ruiz. Vince has given drum clinics and master classes in Europe, at the Thelonius Monk Jazz Aspen Summer Camp and at Drummers Collective. Vince Cherico is endorsed by: Latin Percussion Inc., Remo Drumheads, Vic Firth Sticks, Zildjian Cymbals.
John Walsh - Trumpet
John Walsh (trumpet), 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, Duke Ellington Orchestra, Johnny Pacheco, Wycliff Jean, Max Roach, Celia Cruz, La India, Tito Nieves , Ray Barretto, Toshiko Akiyoshi, and the Barrio Boyz, among other less mentionables
Ruben Rodriguez - Bassist
Ruben Rodriguez was born in NYC and grew up in East Harlem and Cidra, Puerto Rico. He has been recognized as one the hardest working bass players in the United States. Mr. Rodriguez, whose father plays classical guitar, taught himself bass in Junior High School then spent some time under the tutelage of the esteemed Victor Venegas. Since getting his first break playing with Johnny Colon in 1979. He has played/recorded with Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, Willie Colon, Ruben Blades, Roberta Flack, Aziza, Darlene Love, Nona Hendryx, Ben E. King, Grover Washington Jr., John Scofield, Mavis Staples, Celia Cruz, Gato Barbieri, Eddie and Charlie Palmieri, Orlando "The Last Mambo King" Marin, Dave Valentin, Steve Khan, Dave Samuels and The Caribbean Jazz Project, Marc Anthony, India, Victor Manuelle and Gilberto Santarosa. Along with pianist/producer Sergio George, Ruben Rodriguez has been noted as revolutionizing the sound of contemporary popular salsa.
Gregg August - Bassest
Bassist Gregg August spans the jazz, Latin jazz, classical and avant-garde scenes. A sought-after composer and arranger, celebrated for his versatility, breadth and intelligence, Gregg has been an active member of the New York music scene for over ten years.
Originally a drummer, while spending two years at SUNY Albany, studying percussion with Richard Albagli, Gregg learned the bass. After transferring to The Eastman School of Music, August began studying jazz composition with renowned arranger Ray Wright and performance with pianist Bill Dobbins. After earning his bachelor’s degree, he promptly made the move to New York City, receiving his Master’s from The Juilliard School, where he studied with legendary bass teacher, Homer Mensch. Soon after graduation, August won the Principal bass position with La Orquestra Ciutat de Barcelona in Spain, which he held for two years. After spending some time freelancing as a jazz bassist in Paris, Gregg found himself hungry to return to the challenging New York scene. Upon arriving back in New York, armed with a wealth of experience in Spanish culture and language, Gregg became extremely inspired by latin music. His interest then led him to Cuba and Brazil and to becoming a student of master latin bass player, Andy Gonzalez. It wasn’t long before he was touring and recording with Ray Barretto’s New World Spirit.
August has played with Ray Barretto, Ornette Coleman, Paquito D’Rivera, Arturo O’Farrill, James Moody, The Chico O’Farrill Big Band, The Lincoln Center's Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, and Ochun among others. As a classical bassist he frequently performs with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, The Mark Morris Dance Group, the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, and the American Composer’s Orchestra. He’s also a faculty member at the Bang on a Can Summer Music Institute at MassMoca in North Adams, Mass. In July 2007, The Bang on the Can All Stars premiered his Cuban Son inspired composition “Oriente”. The Boston Globe review admires that the piece “deftly contrasts languorous atmospheric writing with the kind of hard-driving and rhythmically charged music that the All-stars eat for breakfast. “ He was also recently commissioned by the flute, harp and percussion trio, Maya, who recently debuted the works on their first CD In the Spirit.
In 2003 Gregg formed his own sextet which has recorded two critically acclaimed albums; Late August (Iacuessa Records, 2005) and his most recent, One Peace (Iacuessa Records, 2007), which was selected as one of the Top Ten recordings of 2007 by Paul Blair of Hot House magazine. The sextet performs regularly in the NYC area.
August is a member of the JD Allen Trio and Assistant Principal bass with the Brooklyn Philharmonic.
Fidel Cuellar - , piano, composer & arranger
Pianist, composer and arranger. Born in Bogotá Colombia. Fidel's musical education began with studies at Universidad Javeriana in the Jazz Performance Program, under the tutelage of Colombian and German instructors. In 2007 Fidel moved to New York City to study at the City College of New York (CUNY), where he currently studies with renown musicians Bruce Barth, Mike Holober, John Patitucci and Ray Gallon, with a scholarship granted by the Kaye Scholars Program. Fidel performed and recorded in Colombia with the quintet Puntah and his trio Indamood. His arranging and composition skills were awarded with Puntah in the University Jazz Festival 2005. In 2006 he performed as a repetition pianist and keyboardist in the Colombian production of Jesus Christ SuperStar by MISI. Fidel also worked as musical arranger and producer with "EMMAT" and "Audioenlace" studios in independent projects. Since his arrival to New York, Fidel has deepened into Latin Jazz, playing with Dave Valentine's pupil, flutist Carlos Jimenez. "He has a unique style that made Mr. Jimenez select him to record on his third CD titled, 'Thoughts', with Vince Cherico and Ruben Rodriguez." (Weschester Arts Council "live at the arst exchange" program, May 24) While playing with Mr. Jimenez's band, Fidel has performed with world-class (Fania, Tito Puente's Band, Ray Barreto's Band) latin jazz musicians such as John Benitez, Gregg August, Norbert Stachel, Reynaldo Jorge, Ricky Rodriguez and Bobby Porcelli. Alternately, Fidel is performing around Manhattan with Colombian singer Robert Kosta. Since February 2008, along with drummer Daniel Correa, Fidel has lead a new jazz trio with Colombian music influence, performing in Brooklyn, NY. Alongside, Fidel is currently working in the recording of a new sextet project with original compositions and arrangements.
Chembo Corniel - Percussionist
Born in Manhattan on November 22, 1953 of proud Puerto Rican parents, Chembo was raised in the humble streets of Red Hook, Brooklyn. It was during these years, as a quick-witted youngster, that he had the privilege and honor to study with such percussion luminaries as, Tommy Lopez Sr., "Little Ray" Romero, Louie Bauza, and Cachete Maldonado.
Chembo honed his skills at The Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts in New York, and also at the prestigious La Escuela Nacional de Arte in Havana, Cuba under the direction of the great Chucho Valdez. His intense studies with such legends noted above channeled his energy onto a path where Wilson "Chembo" Corniel has now created a reputation for himself among musicians and the public. Today, he is considered as one of the best hard-hitting, versatile percussionists around.
Chembo teaches percussion to students at the SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music, and leads numerous clinics throughout the United States where he brings awareness to others of the rich Afro-Caribbean traditions.
Among his credits, Chembo was chosen to create his own instructional DVD called, "An Introduction to Hand Percussion: Volume I-Congas". It was released in December of 2000 and with distribution by Warner Brothers it has been a success.
He's been a vital endorser of Latin Percussion instruments since 1982 as he is currently for Remo drum heads and Instanbul cymbals.
His touring credits are as long as his performing credits. Chembo has toured with many major artists throughout Europe, Asia, North & South America, and the Caribbean. Television credits include an appearance on the "Bill Cosby Show" and a recurring recording gig on Nickelodeon's children show, "Dora the Explorer".
Chembo continues to perform and/or record with many artists of different genres. He is currently concentrating on leading his own Latin Jazz Quintet, "Chembo & Grupo Chaworo". This is a well-balanced Latin Jazz group that incorporates many rich traditions, such as writer Aurora Flores states, " a sprinkling of be-bop, a touch of swing with a dollop of bomba, rumba, tango and danzon topped with 'un chin' de charanga." Chembo has recorde with Carlos Jimenez a release titled El Flautista www.cdbaby.com/carlosjimenez2
Hilton Ruiz - Pianist, Composer, Arranger, Producer...
One of the finest pianists in Afro-Cuban jazz, Hilton Ruiz is also an expert bop player. A child prodigy who appeared at Carnegie Recital Hall when he was eight, Ruiz gigged with Latin bands as a teenager and gained early experience playing with Joe Newman, Frank Foster, and Freddie Hubbard. He studied with Mary Lou Williams and had an important association with Rahsaan Roland Kirk (1973-1977). After touring with George Coleman (1978-1979), he recorded with Charles Mingus, Betty Carter, Archie Shepp, Clark Terry, and Chico Freeman, among others. Hilton Ruiz has mostly led his own groups since the early '80s and fortunately he has recorded quite a few rewarding discs. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Written by Scott Yanow
Dave Valentin - Flutist, Composer, Arranger, musical director..
Renown Latin jazz flutist, Dave Valentín, was born of Puerto Rican parents in 1952 in New York City. His love for music started quite early ; playing bongos and congas before he was 10 and even working Latin clubs in New York by 12. His talent and interest took him to the well respected High School of Music and Art in New York City, where he began studying percussion.
Valentín changed to flute and complemented his formal education at school with private classes under master flutist Hubert Laws. The early influences on Valentín's development as a flutist came from Latin artists such as Richard Egües but was tempered by American jazz musicians including James Moody, Frank Wess, Joe Farrell and, of course, his mentor, Hubert Laws.
Valentín soon began working as a professional musician in Latin bands, developing an unusual technique that featured blowing in a manner that sounded like percussion. Other unique developments by Valentín included singing into the flute and using non-standard flute instruments such a bass flute and a variety of flute developed in Colombia. He applied his techniques to a wide variety of music genres, ranging from jazz and R&B to salsa and merengue.
The fusion of jazz and Latin rhythms was a process begun by famous Cuban percussionist Chano Pozo and American jazz icon, Dizzy Gillespie, in the 1940's. Arrangers like Machito and Mario Bauza helped that development, giving rise to a new jazz style that has attracted many loyal fans and talented artists such as Valentín.
Despite the fact that the market for Latin jazz artists was not very good when Valentín was trying to establish his professional career, he persevered and pursued other avenues. He made a name for himself in the Far East, Australia, and Europe as well as the United States, based on his extraordinary and evident talent.
Valentín released his debut album in 1977 with Ricardo Marrero and also appeared on a recording by Noel Pointer. He was the first artist to sign with the GRP label, respected for its talented pool of Jazz artists and technical leadership in digital recording techniques. Valentín produced 18 recordings for GRP, and became the best Latin jazz instrumentalist in the market.
To his artistic credit, Valentín is also a composer, arranger, and band leader in addition to being the most celebrated Latin flutist today. He won a Grammy nomination in 1985 and the kudos of jazz fans with his selection as the leading jazz flutist by JazzIz magazine readers for seven years running.
On top of his carrier, he won a Grammy in 2002 with his band, the Caribbean Jazz Project, for his work The Gathering (Best Latin Jazz Album). www.musicofpuertorico.com
Jazz flutist Dave Valentin is a South Bronx native of Puerto Rican descent. He has played flute at Carnegie Hall and venues around the world. At a young age, Valentin had aptitude as a percussionist and was driven to do the best he could. At the age of 17, his focus switched from percussion to wind instruments. He picked up the flute in pursuit of a girl who played flute and quickly played circles around her, discovering the talent that made him a star.
Dave Valentin has spent the past twenty-one years playing a versatile jazz style, marked by nimble insistent syncopation of a rocking salsa laced with tropical mystery and played on a variety of ethnic and classical flutes. He was trained at the High School of Music and Art. His unorthodox technique emphasizes the percussive side of flute playing. His playing comes from the heart and the spirit of an international culture, a combination of Brazilian, R&B, salsa, meringue, Latin, funk, and jazz. Early in his career, there was not a market for Latin jazz, but he broke ground and prejudice, creating a niche for himself.
Established as a New York artist, he was able to break into other markets, Europe, the Far East, Australia and Indonesia. He has made 18 albums and has appeared on countless other albums as a guest performer. Among his many honors is a 1985 Grammy nomination for best R&B instrumentalist. He has been voted "Best Jazz Flutist" in JazzIs Magazine for the past seven years.
Though his career has taken him around the world, he continues to make The Bronx his home. He is very active in his community, participating in fundraisers with hospitals and schools. He has a program that he delivers to The Bronx schools, which includes an anti-drug video, Bronx Bad Boys. He then takes time after the video to do a question and answer period. He has found that children identify him as a role model. He comes from the same community; therefore they can see his success. The video, Bronx Bad Boys, was named after his single in his most recent album, Dos Amigos. In the video, Valentin, on flute, appears in a vision to a young boy enticed by the seduction of drugs in the rubble of the South Bronx. The story shows the boy how to "say no to drugs."
Valentin is intent on making an impact on future generations with both his music and community work. He has been honored by the Puerto Rican Educator's Society and has received citations for contributions to the community. In his parents' hometown of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, he has been entered into the public archives for his prominent contributions. When asked how come he's never left The Bronx, Dave is quick to respond, "Because I don't want to. I'm proud to live in The Bronx. We have a true community again." His advice to all kids: "As my father told me, 'It doesn't matter what you decide to do, do your best. If you want to wash dishes, be the best there is. If you want to repair cars, be the best mechanic there is.' " Music Duke
Discography
The Gathering 2002
Paraiso 2000
New Horizons
Sunshower 1999
Primitive Passions 1996
Tropic Heat 1993
Red Sun 1992
Musical Portraits 1991
Two AMigos 1990
Live at Blue Note 1988
Mind Time 1987
Light Struck 1986
Jungle Garden 1985
Kalahari 1984
Flute Juice 1983
In Love's Time 1982
I Got It Right This Time 1981
Pied Piper 1981
Land Of The Third Eye 1980
The Hawk 1979
Legends 1978
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