Dennis Calito-Timbales

 First and foremost I would like to thank God for blessing me with this talent and for making this a great living. Also, I would like to thank my wife who has been behind me a 100% percent on my dream/goals and to my daughter who is my motivation everyday to be my best. I have been a Percussionist since the age of 10 yrs old; an inspiration by my belated brother Victor. I've had the privilage in backing up big names in the Latin Industry such as- Grupo Niche, Jerry Rivera, Kevin Ceballo,Van Lester,Yomo Torro,Frankie Negron,Alex D'Castro,Tony Vega,Jerry Galante,etc. There is only a few musicians in the Chicagoland area that is able to play all three percussion instruments. I am blessed to say I am one of them and the only one that is called for all three positions when needed. My experience has exceeded in other industries as well. I have had the opportunity to be apart of Willow Creek Worship Team for over 5 years. I've performed for their "LIGHT" Christmas services; and have performed at the Arts Conference and Leadership Summit for the past 2 years. I've also have had the blessed opportunity to perform with Christian artist such as Darlene Zcscech, Hector Hermosillo, Maria Del Sol. Throughout all the years of being a musician/percussionist; I have fulfilled one of my dreams/goals which was putting this band together with my older brother Byron. I know with all my dedication and the support that I receive I will accomplish a lot more.


Harley Figueroa-Sax

 First of all I'm deeply in love with God. Yet a fail him every day, he still calls me his son and friend and has forgiven me of all my sins through the sacrifice of his son Jesus Christ. That's most important in my life. Second is my family. I have a beautiful wife who I adore! To put up with me and my crazy scheduling, I can't but feel blessed! I love my parents to death!! I have the coolest little bro and two beautiful sisters.

Musician / Producer / Saxophone. Harley is mostly in latin music and have backed up artist like N'KLABE, Huey Dunbar, Tito Puente jr., Andy Montanez, Richie Rey and Bobby Cruz, Johnny Rivera, Moncho Rivera, Lalo Rodriguez, Domingo Quinones, Jose 'Papo' Rivera, Los Lonely Boys, Maelo Ruiz, Jerry Galante, Primi Cruz, Cano Estremera, Alex D'Castro, Bonny Zepeda, Tony Vega, Julissa, Jesus Enriques, Jaime Murell, Wichi Camacho, Zarix, and many many more. He also is involved in gospel Music which has shared the stage with artist like Thermaine Hawkins, Dan Willis and the All Nations Choir, the infamous Andrae Crouch, Erinie Hasse & Signature sound.

His 1st major production was working with Chrsitian artist name CRYSTAL PETROVIC.  Also worked with Jesus Enriquez while he crossed over to Latin-Pop, He was once a big Salsa artist under RMM Records. The album is coming out great!!

Harley also has a CD titled "FROM ME TO YOU". he had the privilege to have some great musicians(Kahari Parker, Chuck webb, Tito Carillo, Gadwin Vargas, Andy Guzman, etc...).you can purchase on itunes.com and cd baby.com.

Alex Torres- Lead Vocal

 Alexander Torres Birth Date: August 6, 1980 Birth Place: Guayama, Puerto Rico, SanJuan Alexander Torres is one of the premiere voices of his generation, a sensitive and intelligent singer who continues to stretch both as an artist and as a person. Alexanders dedication to honesty and respect for tradition have enabled him to build one of the most respected careers in Music history. He moved to Sunset Blvd. L.A. in 1984 at 3-years-old following his mother. He was a huge fan of Lionel Richie and Stevie Wonder at the age of 5, complementing those influences with an appreciation for Salsa and Balada, which he knew held a special place in his heart due to his background as a Hispanic singer. He was also taken by a Pop tradition that was then finding its chief manifestation in Michael Jackson. Alexander hit the national spotlight in 1992. He was just 12, the product of a rough-and-tumble childhood in Chicago, IL. A self-described "Riddlin pill taker" as a youngster, Alexander found release in performing. He was singing at music recitals at 6 and in Symphony Orchestras at 12, learning, he says, "what it takes to keep them entertained through four or five sets." Alexander adopted elements from all of these sources, and his striking vocal instrument - earned him attention from the beginning. While working a series of side jobs, he entered singing contests around town, regularly winning first prize. A live appearance on American Idol and a showcase at Chicagos famed House Of Blues led to his 2000 showcase to Jive Records.Alexander has produced his own and others' work and co-wrote a number of the songs he's recorded. Moreover, he has had considerable impact beyond the music industry. "People have a duty to help each other out," he says. "I'm happy I can give something back to society through my efforts helping and being involved in the music industry and the community.

Micah Frazier- Trumpet

 Trumpeter and music educator Micah L. Frazier’s passion has always been to share and speak of life through music. Believing that music is a reflection of life, he strives to give listeners a vision of splendor and foulness, contentment and discomfort, affection and abhorrence, as well as time.

Micah began his musical path at a young age. Born in Chicago, Illinois, he as a youth was trained to become a percussionist for the Alalaki African Dance Troupe of Chicago in the mid 80’s and was later hired as a percussionist for the Fleetwood-Jourdain African Dance Classes in Evanston IL. Around the same time he was given a trumpet by a WWII vet named Allen “Bo” Price, who was the director of the Pride of Evanston Drum and Bugle Corps. From that point forward Micah’s course into music had been solidified. He attended Evanston Township High School and was a trumpeter for the Skokie Valley Youth Orchestra which later became known as the Midwest Young Artists (MYA). After graduating, he attended the Chicago Musical College at Roosevelt University, where he received his Bachelor of Music Education, and now holds an Illinois State Standard Certificate in Music Education K-12. Micah is currently a member of the Music Educators National Conference (MENC), the Illinois Music Educators Association (IMEA), the Teacher Advisory Council to the Jazz Institute of Chicago, and a co-director for the Chicago Public School’s All-City High School Jazz Program.

Although Micah is a fulltime high school band director and general music teacher, he is also a part-time jobbing musician who has had the pleasure of playing with many local Chicago groups and artists, including Chris Greene’s New Perspective, Louie-Louie’s Maad Soul, Humo with poets Smokie and Avery R. Young, DJ David Sabat, DJ Lego, DJ FLX, and the Sidemen Big Band. As well, Micah has performed for many that are nationally known such as the O’Jays, Shekinah Glory Ministry, Colombian salsa artist Jerry Galante, DJ Steve “Silk” Hurley, Kelan Phil Cohran, Malachi Thompson’s African Brass, and the Chicago Jazz Ensemble under the direction of William “Bill” Russo.

Micah has always had a special place in his heart for Latin music. Starting with his early training as a hand drummer, combined with his classical and jazz training on trumpet, the music of Latin America seemed to answer his two musical callings. He has performed with several Chicago latin bands such as Benji y su Merenbanda, Rica Obsesion, Tato y su Orchestra Suave, Banda Rica, Latin Inspirations, Willie Garcia y su Orchesta Sabor, and Nabori from Milwaukee, WI.

Micah’s list of performances include the 1997 Pan-American Fest at Soldier Field, The Taste of Chicago, The Chicago Gospel Fest, The Chicago Jazz Fest, 2008 Chicago Grammy Listening Party, Russell Simmon’s Def Poetry Jam Chicago at the Museum of Contemporary Art, The Milwaukee Fest, The Chicago Colombian Fest, Six Flags Great America, as well as The Chicago Puerto Rican Fest from 1997 to 2009.

Micah appears on several recordings including Malachi Thompson’s CD “Blue Jazz” on the Delmark Record label and Shekinah Glory Ministry’s CD/DVD “Jesus” on the Kingdom Records Label, a division of Universal. You may even find his work on Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts Jazz Ensemble CD: “Birds Eye View”.

If you’re looking to catch a performance of trumpeter Micah L. Frazier check any of Chicago’s blazing hot scenes like Cuatro New Latin Restaurant on Wabash, V-Live on Milwaukee, Alahambra Palace on Randolph, Rumba Latin Supper Club on Hubbard, Club 720 on Wells, or the Funky Budda Lounge on Grand.

Joe Mende-Trombone

 Born of German and Mexican descent in 1980, Joe Mende was late bloomer to music, picking up his first trombone during his sophomore year of high school, per the personal wish of his breast cancer-diagnosed mother.  Joe could not set down his trombone once he got his hands on it, and soon after he studied privately with former member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Richard Schmitt, and Joseph Stegemann, whom Joe credits with helping flourish his classical trombone training.  By the time Joe completed high school, he was the recipient of numerous classical solo, ensemble and jazz awards.  Most notably, he was only the second Chicago musician to ever make IMEA All-State Orchestra, as First Chair.   


Joe deferred his musical scholarships to college in order to pursue fortuitous freelance opportunities presented to him.  Wisely taken, this decision opened the door for Joe to pursue his next genre of interest, Latin music.  Quickly excelling in the Salsa scene, Joe became musical director of Ricky Luis Y Su Orquesta, currently known as the young Salsa sensation,“N’Klabe” of Puerto Rico.  After completion of this musical project, Joe returned to school in 2005 to continue his training in Jazz with renown musician, Tom Garling, and Classical, with Joseph Rodriguez.  One year later, Joe added trombonist, Luis Fred to his repertoire of teachers while touring with N’Klabe.    

Octavio ( Junior ) Rivera-Lead Singer/Coro

 

 











Junior Rivera was born Octavio Rivera Jr, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His father "Dicky" a local singer and **cortista for over 30 years with the bands like La Ganga, La Controversia and Salsa Progresiva, was one of his musical mentors. It was with this band (Salsa Progresiva) that he began singing chorus in the 1980's. He developed his Singing skills under the master guidance of Cecil Negron of the orchestra Sabor and Victor "Vitin" Narvaez(May he rest in peace). 

Junior Rivera credits Orquestad as the foundation from which he developed as a **sonero and percussionist. With his time in Orquestra Kalidad, he sang with some of the greats in the Milwaukee area; Ramon Gely, Roberto (Bobby) Pagan and Ramon Velez. At one point in his career he joined forces with Sergio (Veneno) Poventud, director of Orquesta Veneno, a Merengue band that dominated the Latin music scene in Milwaukee for several years. However, Junior's love for salsa music began to take over. And with Sergio's blessing he left Veneno, and joined Jose Claudio and Salsa Power to fill his void for Salsa! He later joined Alberto Rivera in Chicago to sing with Orquesta Isla, while with this group, he backed up professional singers from New York, Florida and Puerto Rico. Amongst them were Cano Estremera, Cheo Feliciano, Frankie Negron, Michael Stuart, Wichy Camacho, Jerry Galante, Tito Allen, Eddie Santiago,Alex D' Castro and Ismael Miranda just to name a few. For Junior Rivera, The ultimate highlight of his singing career was at Milwaukee's Summer fest, 2003, when the great Tito Nieves invited him onstage to sing together!

Junior has sung with several talented Salsa Orquestas including Charambo from Chicago, and local Milwaukee band Salsa Power lead by Jose Claudio, with Madisalsa lead by Claude Calliet in Madison Wisconsin and with Joey Burgos and Clave Y Afinque, til now with whom he is currently with D'Calleson, Rumbon D'Esquina, Madisalsa and Rica Obsesion from Chicago,Ill.