The Band

Bernardo Padrón - Saxophone

After graduating from the University of Toronto's Faculty of Music Performance program in 1987, Bernardo moved to Caracas and played with Venezuela's top pop and jazz artists. He recorded his first Compact Disc as leader, composer, and producer: "SEADANCE", released in Caracas, Venezuela in 2001.

As a leader here in Toronto, he has performed with his group in various cafés and jazz clubs, and as a sideman, he has played with numerous recording artist including Hawksley Workman, The Nathaniel Dett Chorale, David Buchbinder, The Alchemistas, and many others.

Alexis Baro – Trumpet

The classically trained trumpet player grew up in Havana, Cuba, where he got his teaching certificate from the Amadeo Roldan music institute. He immigrated to Toronto in 2001, and immersed himself in the city’s jazz, R&B, funk and calypso scenes.

He is best-known in Canada as a member of Archie Alleyne’s award-winning band Kollage, doing mostly hard bop material. Alexis’ own CD, Havana Banana, is listed in the top Canadian jazz releases of 2004.

He has played with the likes of the Temptations, Jon Secada and Sheena Easton, and was Nominated “2005 Trumpet player of the year” - NATIONAL JAZZ AWARDS.

William Carn - Trombonist

Trombonist William Carn has emerged as one of Canada’s leading contemporary jazz composers and performers. He has performed and recorded with dozens of infamous jazz artists and has been nominated for Trombonist of the Year for the National Jazz Award in 2004, 2005 and 2006. Williams debut CD is called Other Stories, and features 9 new original compositions.

As a clinician and teacher, William has taught throughout Canada for such distinguished institutions as the University of Toronto, Capilano College, Grant MacEwan College, Mohawk College and for the Toronto, York and Etobicoke boards of Education.

Ruben Vazquez – Piano

Ruben Vazquez was born in Havana, Cuba. In 1994 graduated from the Conservatory “Amadeo Roldan”. In 2006 graduated of Jazz studies from Thompson Rivers University. He studied jazz improvisation techniques with Don Thompson, Phil Dwyer, Chucho Valdez, and others. He has recorded and performed with several artists like Jane Bunnett, Luis Mario Ochoa, Roberto Ochipinti, Diego Marulanda, Fantasia Orquestra, Evaristo Machado, Nick Ali, Pablo Acea and others.

Rosendo Leon Arocha Jr. “CHENDY” – Drums

Born in Havana Cuba, Chendy began playing music at the age of four. He began his professional career at the age of 18, playing and recording with many famous Cuban bands and artists. In 1998 Chendy was given the opportunity to write the music for a Cuban documentary called Policlinico Miserable, which was nominated for an Oscar.

In 1999 he came to Canada where he has continued to play with Cuban and international artists and shows including: Jesse Cook, Ron Sexmith, Amanda Martinez, Hilario Duran Big Band and Trio (Juno Award Winner), Alex Cuba Band (Juno Award Winner), and many more.

Paco Luviano – Bassist

Originally hailing from Acapulco, Mexico, Paco was taught in the Jazz
tradition by his father, Macario Luviano, a saxophonist, arranger and
bandleader. Moving to Canada in the early nineties, Paco began establishing himself as a versatile acoustic and electric bassist, who could play Jazz, Latin, Brazilian, Pop, Middle Eastern and Funk music. He studied both at York University and at the University of Toronto in the Jazz Program.

He is a known session musician in the city and has played on many albums including Leona Boyd‘s recording “Camino Latino,“ and Nick Ali & Cruzao’s “Shades of Brown“ on the Justin Time records label. With this band he won the Montreal Jazz Festival’s “Prix du Jazz” award in 2001 and was nominated at the National Jazz Awards for Electric Jazz Group of the year in 2002, 2003 and 2004.

Gino Del Sole – Guitar

Gino Del Sole began his music career in 1981, and toured throughout North America during the 1980’s. In the mid-90’s Gino enrolled in the music program at Humber College. Upon graduating with honours in 1998, he formed his own jazz group, and performs regularly at parties and functions.

Gino has also done many musicals including A Chorus Line, Joseph, Fiddler on the Roof, and British Invasion I and II at Stage West in Mississauga. He was the full-time guitarist there for the debut of California Dreaming. He performs with Eric Lambier (alumni of Shania Twain’s band), Mitchell V and the World, Mark Kopman’s After Midnight and has just joined rock soprano Patrizia in support of her upcoming CD.

Karen Figueira – Female vocalist

Enrique Loyola - Drummer/ Percussion

Enrique has worked with top artists, has toured internationally, and has appeared regularly on television. He has collaborated in studio sessions and jingles and has backed finalists in the famous Festival O.T.I. as well as heading his own band at one of Mexico City’s most renowned night spots.

After arriving in Canada, Enrique expanded his musical base by including percussion instruments (those from Brazil, Cuba, the Middle-East and Africa) and continues to study, appear in jazz festivals, work in studio sessions, tour and back up well-known artists.