Edward Villalba- Bandleader and founder/ Bass Guitar/Lead and Backround Vocals-------------
Cassandra Morales-Lead Vocals, Backround Vocals------------
Fred Lazo-Lead Vocals, Backround Vocals----------
Ernie Romero-Lead Guitar/Lead Vocals/Backround Vocals----------
Robert Alverado-Trumpet-----------
David George-Trumpet / Flugal Horn----------
Roberto Cruz-Tenor Sax/Alto Sax/Lead and Backround Vocals----------
Jesse Dominguez-Tenor Sax/Alto Sax/Soprano Sax/Bari Sax/Flute----------
Ruben-Trombone
Mio Flores-Timbales----------
Tam Sugayan-Congas/Backround Vocals----------
Arturo M. Cruz-Rapper/MC----------
Arnold Sanchez-Drums----------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Mystique Band---December 2, 2006
Edward and Cassandra in Edwards Recording Studio working on the New Mystique CD
------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------
Mystique live in concert at the San Jose Mckenery Convention Center with Mr.Jerry Salas from El Chicano
-------------------------------------------------------Robert Alvarado On Trumpet
Cassandra , Edward and Fred
Mr Bassman!!!!
Fred Lazo on Lead Vocals
Arturo Cruz AMC
Kendal Mease
Kendal and Roberto Cruz
Fred Lazo
EL Jefe in action!!!!
Kendal and Jesse Dominguez
Yours Truly holdin down the bottom!!!!
Mystique Performs with Mr Jerry Salas from El Chicano
ElChicanos Jerry Salas on stage with Mystique
Mio Timbalero Flores
Tam Sugayan
Fred Gettin down
Mystique front vocal line
Cassandra and Edward
Sharing info with the crowd
Mr Maxx Cabello onstage with Mystique
Jerry Salas and Maxx Cabello onstage with Mystique
Cassandra and Fred
---------------------------------------------------------
Mystique Live at San Francisco's Carnaval 2007
-----------------------------------------------------------
Edward Performs at the North Beach Festival in San Francisco Ca
------------------------------------------------------------Freddy(lead Vocals) Cassandra(Lead Vocals) Edward(Lead vocals, Bass) and Kendell(Trumpet) at our Halloween gig 10/28/06 at Carlos Goldsteins Restaurant and Cantina!!!
MYSTIQUE LIVE IN CONCERT
SUAVECITO MI LINDA
ITS GETTING HOT IN HERE
EDWARD AND BOBBY GAVIOLA GOING OVER SONG LIST BEFORE SHOW
GETTIN INTO IT!!!
CASANDRA AMD ME ON VOCALS
OK NOW...CONCENTRATE!!!!!!!
LIFE IS GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!
MR BASSMAN
THE MYSTIQUE BANDMEMBERS L-R ANTONIO MARQUEZ (GUITAR), TAM SUGAYAN (CONGAS), CASANDRA MORALES (LEAD VOCALS), KENDELL MEASE (TRUMPET), ARTURO CRUZ AMC (RAPPER-MC), FRED LAZO (LEAD VOCALS),EDWARD VILLALBA (LEAD VOCALS, BASS GUITAR, BANDLEADER AND FOUNDER)
Scoreboard at Candlestick Park as Mystique Performs National Anthem for SF Giants/Chicago Cubs Game
Santana congero Raul Recow on stage with Mystique at Mr. E's In Berkley Ca.
Santana congero Raul Recow on stage with Mystique at Mr. E's In Berkley Ca.
Pet Escovedo on stage with Mystique at Space 550 In San Francisco Ca.
Jorge Santana (Guitar-Malo)Leo Rosales (Timbale -Malo) and Tony Menjivar (Congas-Malo)Jamm on stage with Mystique at the Latin Jazz festival in Lathrop Ca.
Drumming legend Zorro (Bobby Brown,New Edition) Jams with Mystique in San Jose Ca.
Leo Rosales and Tony Menjivar jam with Mystique in Lathrop Ca
Edward Villalba at the Garlic Festival in Gilroy Ca.
Mystiques First NBC TV Appearance on the Comunidad del Valle Show with host Damien Trujillo circa 1996
Influences
I have met many Celebrities in my musical Journey. For pictures go to my website at http://www.mystiqueband.com and click on the celebrity section. Ok Here is the short list of some of the celebs that I have met and took pics with.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Edward and Mondo Congero for the Kool Kats Band
----------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edward and Reginald Ballard AKA Bro Man from the TV Show "Martin", and "The parkers"
Edward Villalba and Artie Kornfeld (The man who came up with the idea of throwing and the legendary promoter of the Woodstock Concert)
Left to Right-- Chuckie (Percusionist for Jo Battan) The Legendary Joe Battan, Jim Hernandez (Owner Of Time Warp Records), Margarita Mejia, And Edward Villalba
Edward Villalba and Mic Gillette (Tower of Power)
Edward Villalba and Neal Schon (Journey, Santana)
Edward Villalba and the Guitar Girls
Edward Villalba and Randy Bachman (Bachman Turner Overdrive)
Edward Villalba, Leonard Garcia (Back), Kendal Mease, Henry Garza (Los Lonely Boys) and Cassandra Morales
Edward Villalba, Jose Chapito Areas (Santana) and Leonard Garcia
Edward Villalba and Salvador Santana, Son of Carlos Santana and leader of the Savador Santana Band
Edward Villalba and Santana Artist Michael Rios
Edward with original El Chicano Bassist Fred Sanchez and original El Chicano Vocalist Jerry Salas
Edward Villalba and Laura Fabian
Edward Villalba and Elizabeth Pena (La Bamba, Resurrection Blvd.)
Edward Villalba and Pia Zadora
Edward Villalba and former Mystique Lead Guitarist now with the Band "Los Mocosos" Gabriel Sandino
Mingo Lewis (Santana) Edward Villalba and Richard "Bandido" Segovia (Eddie Money, Bandido)
Edward Villalba and Comedian Adam Hunter
Edward Villalba with Rocky Hernandez and Melinda Hernandez (lead Vocalists for the Band Little Joe)
Neal Schon (Journey, Santana) and Edward Villalba
Jose "Chapito" Areas (Santana, Abraxis) and Edward Villalba
El Chicano Bandleader and Founder Bobby Espinoza and Edward Villalba
Rick Martinez, Edward Villalba and Crazy Boy Marvin Rodriguez
Christopher "Kid" Reid from the Kid & Play House Party Movies and Edward Villalba
KISS 98.1 FM Radio Personality Tony Sandoval and Edward Villalba and One of the Mystique Dancers
Former Lead singer from the Band Tierra Steve Salas, NBC TV Personality Damian Trujillo and Edward Villalba
San Jose Vice Mayor and Mayorial Candidate Cindy Chavez, Edward Villalba and Ca. State Assemblyman Simon Salinas
Edward Villalba, American Idol Runner up Latoya London and Zach Bonilla
Legendary Boxing Manager Lou Duva and Edward Villalba
Legendary Percusionist Giovanni and Edward Villalba
Legendary Congero Armando Perraza (Santana, Buena vista social club)and Edward Villalba
Edward Villalba with Actor and Friend Mike Morrof (La Bamba)
Sal Lopez (Mi Familia, American Me), Tony Plana (Resurection Blvd. Zuit Suit, Born in East LA),Jenny Gago (Mi Familia), Edward Villalba and Dee Dee Davila
Vic Pameroyan, Pete "Pops" Escovedo, And Edward Villalba
Sapo Bandleader and Writer and singer of the hit song from Malo "Suavecito Richard Bean and Edward Villalba
Edward Villalba with the King of Salsa Tito Puente and Millie P.
Edward Villalba and Jorge Santana
Edward Villalba and Comedian Manny Maldonado
Edward Villalba and Comedian "STARR"
Edward Villalba with Ritchi Valenz Brother Bob Morales who was portrayed by Essai Morales in the movie "La Bamba"
Edward Villalba, Valerie Harper (Rhoda, The Mary Tyler Moore Show) and Burt Villalba
Edward on Stage on his 21st birthday with the Legendary Mary Welles and Curtis Womack (Bobby Womacks Brother)
Edward Villalba, Sheila E. andd Juan Escovedo
Ed with Latino Legendary Actor Tito Guizar
Edward Villalba and Henry Cisneros
Edward Villalba Picking up Singer Vicki Carr in His dads 1963 Silver Cloud Rolls Royce
Edward Villalba and Raul Recow (Santana)
Edward Villalba and Lucy Arnaz (Daughter of Lucille Ball and Dezi Arnaz)
Edward Villalba and Andy Garcia
Edward Villalba and Tina Yothers
Edward Villalba and Brenton Wood
Edward Villalba and Johnny Hernandez (Brother of Little Joe and Writer of the song "Las Nubes")
Edward Villalba and Ann Miller
..pics021.jpg" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">
Edward Villalba and Mike Gomez(Zuit Suit)
..queband/Edspics012.jpg" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">
Crazy Boy Marvin Rodriguez and Edward Villalba
..ueband/Edspics011.jpg" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">
Cheech Marin, Edward Villalba and Woody Harrelson
Edward Villalba and The Raiderettes
Edward Villalba and Monica Mesones
(Co-Host of the show) " ME CASO CONTIGO " out of Los Angeles
Edward and El Chicano Bandmembers
Edward Villalba and Eddie Palmeri
Edward Villalba and Roy Murray (Original Horn player from Malo). This man wrote the horn parts for the songs "Nena" and "Cafe" and played the horn solo intro on the recording of "Suavecito"-Malos first major hit and probably the all time Latino love song of the decade.
I have met Jennifer Lopez, Joe Battan, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Andy Garcia, Lou Diamond Phillips, Appollonia Kotero, Los Lobos, The guys from El Chicano, Christopher "Kid" Reid, Mike Moroff, Loni Anderson, Robert Rodriguez, Moctezuma Esparza, Mary Welles, Brenton Wood, Al Wilson, Margarita Reyes, Edward James Olmos, John Liguazamo, Lucy Arnaz, Jorge Santana, Ann Miller, Curtis Womack, Bob Morales, Raul Recow, Neal Shon, Armondo Perraza, Sal Lopez, Jenny Gago, Vicky Carr, Pia Zadora Valerie Harper, Cheech Marin, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Pena, Tony Plana, Lupe Ontiveros, Pete Escovedo, etc etc. The one person that I have not met and I have played with many past and current members of his band and am good friends with his brother Jorge is Mr. Carlos Santana. He is the one that opened up the doors for latin Rock music and I look up to him immensley for his accomplishments in the Music industry. The Nicest celebrity that I have met is The Late Great Tito Puente. Tito taught me to be humble and to thank the lord above for the opportunity to play music and to never forget where you came from and the fans that got you there. This great soul sat there with me (a Nobody that he never met before) for a couple of hours and got drunk with me drinkin shots of brandy telling me his philosophy and history of his musical adventures. The other man I admire and can now call a good friend and mentor is Mr Pete Escovedo. I fashoned my band Mystique after his band Azteca and he has taken us under his wing and given us many opportunities and I am proud to have shared the stage with this living legend That I am proud to call my friend.
Sounds Like
all our influences but with a hella more energy and power!
THE BEGINNING
Mystique was formed in September of 1995 by bandleader Edward Villalba.
His first intent was to start a salsa band, but his whole concept changed after looking into the music scene. He realized the potential for the type of music that he remembered from his days when weekends were about enjoying live bands at weddings, quinceneras and in local parks. These bands played a variety of musical styles - not just one.
Edward began thinking about the music scene being wide open. As if a void needed to be filled, Edward used all of his energy to begin and form a band that would incorporate the sound that is now being created by his band....MYSTIQUE!
The path that Edward Villalba walks in enriched with "sabor" of multi-talented influences - a kaleidoscope of ethnic and popular culture. The rich experience of the San Francisco Bay Area scene included bands such as...Tower of Power, Malo, Santana, Azteca, Sapo, Cold Blood, Sly and the Family Stone and Graham Central Station and includes many other bands from outside the Bay Area such as War, Tortilla Factory, Little Joe Y La Familia, The Midniters, Tierra, El Chicano, Earth Wind and Fire, The Commodores, and Kool and the Gang, just to mention a few.
Soon, Edward began to see the realization of a band, recruiting top musicians from throughout the Bay Area, Mystique was formed. Over the course of six years, musicians came and went and every time a musician left, another musician of high caliber would join the group. With the most recent recruitment, Mystique has the energy and the professionalism to attract many well known and seasoned musicians who come out and sit in with Mystique at many of their performances including such Latino legends as...
Steve Salas (Tierra, El Chicano), Marcos Reyes (WAR, El Chicano, Malo), Mic Gillette (Tower of Power, The Sons of Champlin, Santana, The Doobie Brothers), Pete Escovedo (Azteca, Santana, Pete Escovedo Orchestra), Karl Perazzo (Santana), Raul Recow (Santana, Malo, Sapo), Armando Perazza (Santana, Buena Vista Social Club), Jorge Santana (Malo, Jorge Santana Band, Santana), Mingo Lewis (Santana, Al Dimeola), Dale Villavicencio (Tierra), Gibby Ross (Malo, Journey, Sammy Hagar), Juan Escovedo (Pete Escovedo Orchestra, Confunction, Sheila E. Band), Leo Rosales (Malo, Jorge Santana Band, Pointer Sisters), Richard "Bandido" Segovia (Eddie Money, Bandido, Allman Bros), and Tony Menjivar (Malo, Bueno) just to name a few.
As Mystique developed into a band, Edward realized that the group was taking on a life of it's own. San Francisco percussion legend Leo Rosales, upon seeing the band for the first time, deemed Mystique as "The Latin Earth, Wind and Fire."
Edward was humbled and he reflected on his initial thoughts about just having another band. Calls started coming in and finally things started to jump. Appearances on local television networks, radio stations and live performances catapulted the band's popularity to heights he only dreamed about.
With a four-piece horn section that echoes thoughts and images of Tower of Power, and a full percussion section with heavy Latino influences, Mystique attacks each song with high energy and versatility. Songs such as, Rick James' "Give It To Me Baby", Little Joe's "Las Nubes", Perez Prado's "Que Rico El Mambo", and Santana's "Corazon Espinado" have become favorites to Mystique's fans.
The band also performs eclectic styles such as Santana, Malo, Azteca, Latin Rock and Salsa. With the ability of a chameleon, Mystique interprets musical style with ease and power. Through many influences, the band has developed a sound that reflects the passion referred to by their fans as "Musica Caliente."
On November 1, 2003 Edward Villalba and Mystique were awarded a Proclamation from the City of San Jose Ca. for their many contributions to the community including awarding the "Mystique Scholarship" to Latino students and in recognition for being the first Latino band to ever do a halftime show in the History of the National Football League when Mystique performed the Halftime show in front of 60,000 fans along with the Raiderettes at The Oakland Coliseum for The Oakland Raider/Arizona Cardinal game in November of 2001.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Council Woman/Vice Mayor Cindy Chavez reads Commendation to be awarded to Edward Villalba and Mystique
California State Assembly man Simon Salinas Awards Commendation to Edward Villalba
Edward shows off Comendation Award
Commendation Awarded to Edward Villalba and Mystique from the City of San Jose Ca.
With the release of Mystique's first CD "Musica Caliente", and their Second CD/ First DVD "A Night of Enchantment with Mystique Live in Concert" and Their 2nd DVD "Mistique Live", Edward has accomplished, with a company of talented musicians, his idea, his desire and his commitment to live entertainment. It is with great appreciation, enthusiasm and gratitude that Mystique give to their fans, their interpretations of old standards.
Mystique is currently working on their third CD that will feature original material as well as old standards. Mystique's goal is to entertain audiences with Peace, Love and Harmony through music. The distinct Mystique experience provides an intense musical and visual journey that brings back feel good memories, creates deja vu and supplies a good time. As Edward says, "It's not us that are important, it's the fans." Because of the fans, we are able to reach that high level of performance that brings them back for more!
"Thanks to the fans.....We are MYSTIQUE!!!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 ALL MY FANS AND SUPPORTERS THE TIME HAS FINALLY ARRIVED. RALEIGH N.C'S FAVORITE M.C NEW SINGLE CHUNKY MONKEY AND, MY ALBUM (MR. WORLD PREMIER) ARE NOW AVALIBLE ON I-TUNES, AMAZONMP3 AND, NASPSTER MUSIC STORES! ALSO IF YOU BUY THE ALBUM AND, SEND PROOF OF PURCHASE TO MY EMAIL (WRITERSBLOKKMEDIA@YAHOO.COM) I WILL PERSONALLY SEND YOU A "PERSONALIZED" AUTOGRAPH PICTURE TO YOU SHOWING MY APPRECIATION FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
REMEMBER NEM-IZ DOES WHAT OTHER ARTIST WOULDN'T DO FOR HIS FANS! MUCH LOVE TO MY SUPPORT SYSTEM (SUPPORTORS AND FANS!) TAKE CARE, GOD BLESS
The Mystique Band---December 2, 2006
---------------------------------------------------------
Mystique live in concert at the San Jose Mckenery Convention Center with Mr.Jerry Salas from El Chicano
-------------------------------------------------------Robert Alvarado On Trumpet
------------------------------------------------------------Freddy(lead Vocals) Cassandra(Lead Vocals) Edward(Lead vocals, Bass) and Kendell(Trumpet) at our Halloween gig 10/28/06 at Carlos Goldsteins Restaurant and Cantina!!!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edward and Reginald Ballard AKA Bro Man from the TV Show "Martin", and "The parkers"
Edward Villalba and Artie Kornfeld (The man who came up with the idea of throwing and the legendary promoter of the Woodstock Concert)
Left to Right-- Chuckie (Percusionist for Jo Battan) The Legendary Joe Battan, Jim Hernandez (Owner Of Time Warp Records), Margarita Mejia, And Edward Villalba
