Bob Cuadrado: Bass, Tim Shadley: Piano, Frankie Ramierez: Percussion/Vocals, Willie Conde: Congas, John Dellavedova: Timbales, Tom Shannon: Sax/Flute, Rich Fisher: Trombone, Dave Johnson: Trumpet
Influences
Machito. Chico O'farrill, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmeiri, Ray Barretto, Dizzy Gillespie, Mongo Santamria, Cal Tjader,
They come from diffrent parts of the world and have varying levels of musical backgrounds and expertise, but they all love salsa. "Not the hot sause," said John Dellavedova, timbales player for the Salsa Rhythm Project.
Unfortunately, Dellavedova said, members of the group have to clarify that for people in this part of the country, an area where salsa as food is more common than salsa music. Members of the Salsa Rhythm Project hope to change that with their performances. Bob Caudrado, Bass and vocalist with the Salsa Rhythm Project, said he looks forward to introducing Salsa music to students. Caudrado has taught classes in Spanish and Music at TCC for 26 years. His love for Salsa music began as a child , growing up in the South Bronx in New York City. "After school, guys would bring out their congas and timbales and sit and jam," Caudrado said. That memory is shared by other members of the band, including native Puerto Rican Frankie Ramirez. " I learned to play on the streets when I was a little kid. I would go to the carnivals and watch the guys play," he said. "We played music on the beach every weekend. There were young and old guys. I learned form the old people. Over here, you didnt see people playing on the street just for fun." And that is something Ramirez misses. When he goes back to Puerto Rico to see friends and family, he is tempted to stay. On his last trip back, he stood for five hours watching a band play salsa music. What makes it bearable to come home , in part, is the music he shares with members of the Salsa Rhythm Project. All of them have a passion for the Caribbean influenced sound, he said. "Salsa is a very cultural msuic, primalily from Cuba, Puerto Rico, and from the Caribbean. The instruments used are Caribbean. They provide a real rhythmic sound, with winds and vocals on top. And the Vocals are alot like folk music; they tell a story about the culture," Caudrado said. Dellavedova said he has never seen a frown from anymone in the Audience whne he is playing salsa. He said the music makes you want to get up and dance. Playing and listening to salsa helps percussionist Willie Conde forget about his day job. Conde, who works in a law enforcement, said salsa takes him to a diffrent place. Dellavedova hopes the Salsa Rhythem Project will be able to transport people to another place. " I would like to see it carry them away somewere," he said.
FOR BOOKING: Contact Bob Cuadrado: 918-622-8476 or John Dellavedova 918-488-0899 e-mail: dova@tulsarealtors.com
Hola my New CD "Breaking Skin/Rompiendo el Cuero" is now available at http://cdbaby.com/cd/congajohnny and at Descarga.com(see review)..Thank you all in advance for purchasing my music!..Volcano Percussion Artist-"JC" JOHNNY CONGA
Comment from a very satisfied Client at their private party: We all LOVED having you and would like to ask you to reserve the first Saturday in May 2010 to come back for this event!!! You guys were perfectly wonderful and I just heard raving comments from everyone about your music and the band overall. You are the perfect band for our event. Thank you so much and I’m so glad you enjoyed yourselves! That is important. Looking forward to having you again and keeping in touch with you. I’m already a fan on Facebook and have sent you’re My Space link to many! Thank you again! Kathie
