Ronaldo Baca
- Albuquerque, NM
- Classical Guitarist
- 31 Verified Bookings
Christie C. said “Ronaldo was great! He played beautifully for our group. Everyone was very impressed and enjoyed his music. Thank you!”
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Welcome to Salsa con Jazz! We are a premiere ensemble based (when we're not traveling) in Denver, Colorado -- a diverse group of unique, highly accomplished players dedicated to exploring and composing salsa and Latin jazz..
Salsa Con Jazz combines the improvisation of Jazz with the incredible groove of the Mambo, Cha Cha, and much more! A gathering of some of the most outstanding musicians in town playing passionate, stirring salsa and more!
Be the first to review Purnell Steen and Le Jazz Machine
Price Range: $2,000 and up
Gig Length: 90 - 180 minutes
Languages: English
"This Latin jazz band puts on a great show!" -- Howard Stone, Founder and Chair, Vail Jazz Foundation
"Playing salsa and Latin jazz while combining improvisation with the soulful groove of the mambo, cha cha, and much more, this band will move you. Bring your dancing shoes!" -- Caramie Schnell, High Life Editor, "Salsa Con Jazz Lights up Solaris Plaza," Vail Daily, July 10, 2011 (B4)
"These guys come to play and they do it with great passion. Their rendition of Eddie Palmieri's classic Nada de Ti will grab your attention quick. Salsa Con Jazz is a musically diverse top- flight band....They can take it to another level!" --Carlos Lando, Program Director, KUVO 89.3 Jazz Radio
"Our crowd at Lannie's loves the energy and musicianship of this fabulous group. They are just plain all-out FUN!" -- Lannie Garrett, Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret
"It was our great pleasure to have Salsa Con Jazz for an extended corporate function. Our client, Daimler/Mercedez-Benz, was thrilled beyond belief with the groups ability to entertain and deliver a sound that highlighted our event. They are one of the best sounding and cohesive bands that I have seen in a long time. They carry such an impressive arsenal of musicians that it is no wonder they left us captivated."--Joey Cairo, Producer, OSK Marketing and Communications
"Even well-known standards take on a new life! Creative interpretations of classics, as well as original compositions, make this Denver-based all-star band an inspirin
Dr.Walter Barr holds degrees in Music, Music Performance, and Music Education from Northern Arizona University and Arizona State University, and he did his post-doctoral work at the Eastman School of Music. His academic career includes teaching posts at Arizona State University, Morehead State University in Kentucky, the University of Colorado at Denver, and Metropolitan State College of Denver. A trumpet and flugelhorn specialist, Walter has performed with Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Lena Horne, Mel Torme, Lou Rawls, Dave Brubeck, Brian Wilson, Michelle LeGrand, the Spinners, Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder, Sammy Davis, Jr., and many others. He has conducted for Dizzy Gillespie, Wynton Marsalis, Bobby Shew, Clare Fischer, and Terence Blanchard. Walter is endorsed by Bach Trumpets. He is co-founder-of Salsa Con Jazz and one of the band's principal arrangers.
Jimmy Trujillo -- Bass
Jimmy is celebrating 38 years in the music business by partnering in the creation of Salsa Con Jazz.J.T. has played with many greats from all segments of the music industry, including: vocalist Leon Thomas; keyboardist Richard Kermode (Janis Joplin, Malo, Santana); composer David Amram; bassist Marshall Hawkins; saxophonist Richie Cole; Jon "Bowser" Bauman of Sha Na Na; the Drifters; the Coasters; Lesley Gore; the Shirelles; and Denver artists Hazel Miller, Vic Cionetti, Ron Henry, and Mistura Fina. He has also served as a clinician with drummers Gerry Brown and the late Mark Craney; percussionists Alex Acua and Jose Rossy (Weather Report); and guitarist Robben Ford. J.T. is currently touring with guitarist Eddie Turner in support of the Northern Blues releases "Rise" and "The Turner Diaries," and he has recorded Eddie's on next CD, "Miracles and Demons" with producer Kenny Passarelli. He is highly influenced by John Patitucci, Anthony Jackson, Marcus Miller, Will Lee, Jose Santiago, Sal Cuevas and Andy Gonzalez on the bass -- and of course Miles Davis overall. (link hidden) a Yamaha Guitars, GHS Strings, and Markbass Amplifiers Artist.
Philip Weightman - Drums
Philip is originally from Chicago, Illinois, where he attended Kennedy-King College as music major. Philip began touring with Chicago-based band The End. In 1975, Philip relocated to Denver, where he began playing with Joe Keel & the Action Orchestra. He has toured Eastern Europe with Sammy Mayfield and Solomon Burke and toured Japan with the Hit City Band. Other local collaborations include the Famous Freddi Henchi Band, the Hazel Miller Trio and the Hazel Miller Band, the Longmont Symphony Orchestra, and the Hot Lunch Band. Philip has been honored to open concerts for Stanley Clark, Jonathan Butler, the Jazz Crusaders, the Gap Band, and Rick James. Philip is a Soultone Artist.
Jos Espino – Percussion
Jos’s versatility, professionalism, and ability to perform diverse styles of music have made him a “first call” Denver percussionist. His performance experience is extensive and includes work with Conjunto Colores, Dave Valentin, Hilton Ruiz, Eddie Santiago, Luis Conte, Jerry Gonzales, Adalberto Santiago and, before his passing, with his idol, Tito Puente. Jose credits his percussive abilities to private instruction from Gary Sosias, Karl Perazzo, Fausto Cuevas, and world-renowned percussionist Giovanni Hildalgo. Jos proudly endorses Meinl Percussion and Cymbals.
Gary Sosias – Tymbales, Vocals
Gary Sosias is considered one of the premiere Latin percussion specialists in the U.S. Early on, his father, Kiki Sosias, who was a percussionist with Xavier Cugat, taught him the basics, and eventually had him performing professionally at 11 years old. Gary’s musical influences include his father Kiki, his mother Connie, Ray Pacheco, Tito Puente, Ray Barreto, Jos Madera, Lalo Rodriquez, Orestes Vilato, Tito Rodriquez, Mongo Santamaria, Jack LaForte, and Neil Bridge. Gary earned his undergraduate degree in sociology and bilingual/bicultural education from Metropolitan State College in Denver, and his Master’s degree in elementary education from the University of Maryland. Gary led Colorado’s own Conjunto Colores for 18 years before moving to Maryland in 1966. On the east coast, Gary has worked with Orquesta La Romana, Rumba Club, Mambo Combo, Laura Sosa, Joe Falero, and the Latin Jazz All Stars. He has been a mainstay percussionist and vocalist with Orquesta Sin Miedo for the past ten years. Currently, Gary teaches fourth grade for Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland and tries to apply music and percussion to his lessons whenever possible. Gary endorses Gon Bop Percussiona and Sabian Cymbals.
Justin Adams - Keyboards, Arranger
Justin Adams works as a jazz pianist, arranger, and educator. He currently teaches jazz piano and jazz ensemble at Metropolitan State College of Denver and serves as the musical director for Lannie Garrett. He has performed with Claudio Roditi, Wayne Newton, J.P. Torres, Chris Calloway, and many other acclaimed musicians. Notable gigs have included the Jazz in Vercours Festival in the French Alps, the Juneau Jazz Festival, the Inaugural Ball, the Kentucky Derby, and the New Orleans New Year’s Eve Celebration. He currently serves on the board of directors of the Colorado Conservatory of Jazz Arts, a program committed to finding and developing young jazz musicians.
Mark Marquez – Congas
Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Mark Marquez has over 20 years’ experience as a professional Latin percussionist and has performed with groups and individual artists including Conjunto Colores, Vic Cionetti, Eric Trujillo, Sweet Mo, Wide Open, and Sin Miedo. He is the featured congero with Salsa Con Jazz. Mark is endorsed by Gon Bop congas.
Jeremy Wendelin - Saxophones, Flute, Clarinet, Arranger
Jeremy was a concerto contest winner at the University of Puget Sound, where he shared the stage with greats such as Art Farmer, Poncho Sanchez, and Ray Brown. He has been a featured soloist with the Jefferson Symphony and the Evergreen Chamber Orchestra. He performs regularly with his quartet at clubs and festivals and is in demand as a freelance player throughout the Rocky Mountain West for concerts, shows, and events. He is also active as a composer, arranger, and teacher.
Bernardo Alvarado - Lead Vocal, Acoustic Guitar
Under his father’s guidance, Bernardo began performing professionally at the age of 12 with El Trio Alvarado. From 1970-80, he served as Musical Director of the National Chicano Dance Theatre, Artes Chicanos. In 1980 he performed Off Broadway in "The Me Nobody Knows," followed by work with the Octavio Figueroa Salsa Band and Conjunto Colores, He later sang with Salsa Oeste, traveling to mainland China and the Phillipines. In addition to being the
Jimmy Trujillo | Bass |
Philip Weightman | Drums |
Jos Espino | Percussion |
Gary Sosias | Timbales, Vocals |
Justin Adams | Keyboards, Arranger |
Mark Marquez | Congas |
Jeremy Wendelin | Saxophones, Flute, Clarinet, Arranger |
Bernardo Alvarado | Lead Vocal, Acoustic Guitar |
Wade Sander | Trombone |
Toms Ornelas | Vocals |
Dr. Walter Barr | Trumpet, Composer, Arranger |
First Note Entertainment | Management Team |
Christie C. said “Ronaldo was great! He played beautifully for our group. Everyone was very impressed and enjoyed his music. Thank you!”
Paige K. said “This band is extremely talented, dressed appropriately for the event, and were also wonderful to our guests. We highly recommend them and look forward…”
Rebecca G. said “Russ was the perfect touch to our event! The MUSIC was BEAUTIFUL!!! The guests were impressed with him and many commented on his amazing guitar skills.…”
Sholon holds a strong belief that music is meant to be heard AND experienced. Each show her bands perform is unique from the previous one. They play covers with…