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| RAFAEL RAMIREZ AND ALTA OPENING AT CANA After successful runs at Bay Area venues Cocina Poblana, Habanas and Cana, Rafael Ramirez and Alta will continue their musical journey to the beat of spicy Latin music beginning Saturday, September 1 from 1 pm to 4 pm, and every Saturday in September, at Cana's, 530 Lake Park Avenue in Oakland. Referenced in 'Legends of Latin Rock' and a consistent draw on the Bay Area's music scene, Rafael Ramirez's four decade performance track record includes names like Richie Havens, Taj Mahal, Randy Jackson, Dave Matthews, Jorge Santana, Coke Escovedo, Narada Michael Walden, Troy Luccetta of Tesla, Luis Gasca, Arcelio Garcia, Richard Bean of Malo and Sapo, Melvin Seals, Marcia Miget, Abel Sanchez, Puro Bandido, Safari and Producers like Ray Obeido, Ray Gardner, Columbia and TSOP's Bill Greene. "My goal with Alta is to preserve the traditions and genres of the Latin idiom.", states band leader Rafael Ramirez, "It's not the traditional, spicy Salsa and Latin standards that get you dancing, but the infectious way we play it." Performing with 'Rafy' are Gary Flores on keyboard and vocals, bassist Carlos Ramirez on lead vocals, and Eric Rangel on bongo and campana. SF native Gary Flores was a member of the great Ritmo 74, which opened for Latin bands like Willie Colon, Ismael Quintana, Eddie Palmieri, Larry Harlow, Johnny Pacheco, Celia Cruz, Cheo Feliciano, Richard Kermode (Janis Joplin, Malo, Santana), and Luis Gasca (Santana, Malo). "Jazz musicians like Maynard Ferguson, Mongo Santamaria, Woody Herman and many others are my influences.", says Gary, "So I am attempting to following that path, but with a Latin feel." Beginning as a Classical guitarist Carlos Ramirez (no relation) has sung and played bass across the Latin genres from Tex-Mex to Salsa Dura to Tango, and even Metal Rock. Alta's lead vocalist this captivating sonero's says, "For a good composition to transcend requires arranging for great musicians, so that when a good singer is added the equation is complete.". Carlos has performed with prominent names such as internationally reknown Latin Jazz pianist Omar Sosa, Salsa stars Eddie Santiago, Hector Tricoche, Willie Gonzales, pianist Tony Perez, Carlos Guerrero and Bay Area's own, Orestes Vilato. Multi-talented percussionist/vocalist and one of the Bay Area's sought after percussionists, Eric Rangel has been performing and recording music for more than three decades. Endorsed by LP Percussion Music Group and Vader Percussion he's played along side world renown artists such as, Tito Puente, Dizzy Gillespie, Pete, Coke, and Sheila Escovedo, Carlos "Patato" Valdez, Francisco Aguabella, Mickey Hart, Freddy Hubbard, Giovanni Hildago and many more. He's recorded with John Santos and the Machete Ensemble, Conjunto Cespedes, pianist Omar Sosa, Karl Perazzo and Raul Rekow, Santana percussionists. About Cana: Located at 530 Lake Park Avenue in the historic Lake/Grand area of Oakland and positioned directly across from the Farmers' Market, Cana is touted as 'the Bay's only authentic Cuban restaurant venue'. write your comments about the article :: © 2012 Jazz News :: home page |