San Francisco's best Latin rhythm section debuts its original compositions with an all start cast of Bay Area vocalists.
CARLOS CARO (percussion) was born in Guanajay, in the Havana province of Cuba. Musical talent runs in his family from his mother playing maraca to his maternal grandfather playing guita (bagpipes from Spain) to his paternal grandfather "Caruchín" who is a great singer/songwriter and poet in his own right. Carlos received his training at world renowned Escuela Nacionle des instructores de arte (ENIA) in Havana. Carlos has been playing for almost 20 years with such Cuban groups as Clave and Paulito FG y Su Elite. Carlos’ favorite bands include Ruben Blades, Sonora Poncena, Septeto Nacional, Orquesta America, Orquesta de Enrique Jorrin and Los Van Van. Carlos plays bongo and he was recently honored with the title of "Best bongo Timba Player of All Time" by the popular website www.timba.com. He also plays timbales, guiro, congas and hand percussion instruments. Kitikiba Pa Ti marks his first effort as a composer. Came to Bay Area 8 years ago.
SAUL SIERRA (Bass). Saul, born in Mexico City, started playing rock music while still in in high school. At an early age he was exposed to Latin music from his father's extensive collection of Mexican folkloric music and Cuban music. After high school Saul came to US and studied at the prestigious Berkelee School of Music in Boston. Saul’s favorite American bands include Sting and the Police, Led Zeppelin and AC/DC. Carlos says “I like all kinds of music that groove and I think those bands groove really well. But there is no kind of groove like the Cuban groove. In Cuban music I listen to a lot of Cachao, Cachaito, Los Van Van and folkloric Mexican styles like banda music, mariachi music and son veracruzano."
MARCO DIAZ (trumpet, piano). Marco is a San Francisco native who remembers hearing his uncle play classic piano in concert halls in Guatemala. He took his first lessons in trumpet and piano at age 14. “I like the character of the trumpet. It can have an ‘in your face’ personality or it can be ‘not in your face’ You can make it sound really beautiful. I thought that this is a good description of me and the trumpet lets me really express myself.” Marcos was trained at the Community Music Center, private school on Capp St. in San Francisco where he studied classical,jazz and pop music.
