Tony Banda-Bass /
Chris Barron-Piano /
Joey DeLeon-Conga & Percussion /
Javier Vergara-Tenor Sax /
Francisco Torres-Trombone /
Ramon Banda-Drums & Timbales /
Here's video clip of the sextet filmed
by Martin Cohen for his "Profiles in Greatness"
series. January 17th, 2007
The Banda Brothers......
Respect. Admiration. In the highly demanding field of music, they're awarded to only a choice few…to outstanding creative forces like Ramon and Tony Banda.
Brothers from a musical family, they are best known to audiences the world over for the 20 plus years of solid, uncompromising work they spent as the backbone and anchors of one of the worlds most celebrated music ensembles, the Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band…Tony on bass, Ramon on drums & timbales.
Ramon and Tony were born in 1954 & 1955 respectively and raised in Norwalk, California a suburb of Los Angeles. There was much music in the family home and surrounding neighborhood. By 1961 the brothers were performing on a regular basis all across Southern California, thus receiving invaluable "on the bandstand" experience at an unusually young age. It was during these formative years that the brother's love and appreciation for a wide variety of musical styles developed, especially Jazz / Latin / Rhythm & Blues.
The brothers have participated in countless tours, played every major music festivals around the globe and have recorded with a long list of world renown artist including Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, Cal Tjader, Celia Cruz, Freddie Hubbard, Jimmy Smith, Ry Cooder, Kenny Burrell,Woody Herman, Ray Charles, Carmen McRae, Mongo Santamaria, Al Jarreau, Chick Correa, Bette Midler, Buddy Colette, Dianne Reeves, Joey DeFrancesco, Al McKibbon, Stanley Turrentine, Joe Pesci, Francisco Aguabella, the Jazz Crusaders, Eddie Harris, Arturo O’Farrill, Terence Blanchard, Jackson Browne and the list goes on.
Playing with an energy and conviction that is soulful, relaxed and intensely swinging, Tony & Ramon sign all of their art that way, but never more so than when they now head up their own group "The Banda Brothers Sextet". Formed in 1996 with a powerful emphasis on straight-ahead Jazz as well as drawing from the rich Afro-Caribbean traditions.
They have assembled some of the most talented, young musicians working today, including Javier Vergara - Tenor sax, Chris Barron - Piano, Francisco Torres - Trombone, Joey De Leon - Percussion. The group has a unique talent for bringing insight and imagination to original material as well as covered classics, providing the perfect balance of accessibility and invention. Their 2004 debut release “Acting Up!” is on the WJ3 Label.
www.bandabros.com
Where u watching the laker game at? Stick around after the game for request wednesdays featuring $2 16 oz beer, $3 bottled beer , $4 mixed drinks, and $5 premium drinks...and oh of course.....NO COVER ALL NITE LONG!
THE CONGO SQUARE PROJECT FOUNDATION presenta: " Sacred Ground + Saints at Congo Square + Drummers United (with a little help from our friends) Volumes 1 & 2 ". Cuatro CD's a beneficio de los musicos necesitados de NEW ORLEANS, la cuna de la musica moderna. Con leyendas de la talla de Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Louie Bellson, Hubert Sumlin, Levon Helm, Dr. John, Steve Jordan, Souhail Kaspar, Danny 'Kotch' Kortchmar, Clive Bunker, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Jimmy Cobb, Airto Moreira, Larry Campbell, Ira Coleman, John Densmore, Keith Carlock, Tanmoy Bose, Mardi Gras Indians, Grupos Africanos, Ensembles Clasicos, Candombe Troupes, Musicos Callejeros, Zapateo Americano, Tablao Flamenco, etc... Producido por un argento itine(deli)rante!!! Dedicado a Max Roach, Howie Wyeth, Buddy Harman, Manolo Iglesias & Earl Palmer. Saludos, Fabian Jolivet
THE CONGO SQUARE PROJECT FOUNDATION presenta: " Sacred Ground + Saints at Congo Square + Drummers United (with a little help from our friends) Volumes 1 & 2 ". Cuatro CD's a beneficio de los musicos necesitados de NEW ORLEANS, la cuna de la musica moderna. Con leyendas de la talla de Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Louie Bellson, Hubert Sumlin, Levon Helm, Dr. John, Steve Jordan, Souhail Kaspar, Danny 'Kotch' Kortchmar, Clive Bunker, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Jimmy Cobb, Airto Moreira, Larry Campbell, Ira Coleman, John Densmore, Keith Carlock, Tanmoy Bose, Mardi Gras Indians, Grupos Africanos, Ensembles Clasicos, Candombe Troupes, Musicos Callejeros, Zapateo Americano, Tablao Flamenco, etc... Producido por un argento itine(deli)rante!!! Dedicado a Max Roach, Howie Wyeth, Buddy Harman, Manolo Iglesias & Earl Palmer. Saludos, Fabian Jolivet
WE HAVE FINALLY COMPLETED FOUR ALBUMS FOR OUR FOUNDATION TO HELP THE NEW ORLEANS MUSICIANS IN NEED FEATURING LOUIE BELLSON, PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND, EARL PALMER, HUBERT SUMLIN, LEVON HELM, DR. LONNIE SMITH, JIMMY COBB, CHUCK E. WEISS, JAVON JACKSON, CLEM BURKE, LARRY CAMPBELL, AIRTO MOREIRA, COUGAR & RUBEN ESTRADA, WASHBOARD CHAZ, MIKE WATT, STEVE JORDAN, DANNY 'KOOTCH' KORTCHMAR, JOHN BOUDREAUX, JAMES GADSON, TANMOY BOSE, CLIVE BUNKER, IRA COLEMAN, PETER ERSKINE, JERRY JUMONVILLE, PETE LOCKETT, SANTA DAVIS, JOHNNY VIDACOVICH, SAM CARR, BILL BRUFORD, KEITH CARLOCK, STANTON MOORE, SOUHAIL KASPAR, AFRICAN MUSICIANS, NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES, GOSPEL CHOIRS, CLASSICAL ENSEMBLES, TAP DANCING, LATIN ENSEMBLES, MARDI GRASS INDIANS, STREET MUSICIANS, DJ RE-MIXES, ETC. . . Currently looking for the right record company to release these wonderful gems. Please, help us support thee cradle of modern music!!! Regards, Fabian Jolivet
ETHNIC GROOVES, FUNKY STUFF, WHATEVER YOU WANNA CALL IT. A HUGE CALF SKIN BASS DRUM THAT CAN'T LIE, VIRTUOSO GUITARS, ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES COMING OUT OF THAT HAMMOND B3 MONSTER. REAL MUSICIANS RAISED ON A STEADY DIET OF CHICAGO BLUES, MEMPHIS ROCKABILLY, STAX SOUL & KINGSTON DUB PLAYING THE KINDA MUSIC WHERE EVERY NOTE COUNTS. FANTASTIC DRUM SOLOS, ABSTRACT MOODS, NASHVILLE GUITAR LICKS, A TOUCH OF BE-BOP. NEW ORLEANS GUMBO, DEEP BASS, BOOM-BOOM-BOOM LOVERS, A SWAMPY BLUESY BACKGROUND, ORGANIC SOUNDS>THE ELECTROROOTS PROJECT by Fabian Jolivet - Featuring Rick Holmstrom, Skip Edwards, Freddy Koella, Deacon Jones, T. Nakamura, Pete Mazich, Jah Faith, Tony Martin, Oliver Steinberg, Geoffrey 'Mouth' Grange, Carmelo Luggeri, Botafogo, Ciro Fogliata, Michael Tempo, etc...
Hi Tony and Ramon, been awhile since you guys jammed at the caffe. Any interest this year. Javier said you were in the studio. Let me know as I would like to book a date. Peace amigos.
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