Band Members
Orquesta Saboriche knows how to turn up the heat. Each member of this swinging, high-energy band has a passion for the music. From classical concert halls to the streets of Cuba, Orquesta Saboriche's members represent the vast diversity of skills and talents required for a world-class salsa band.
Rolando Granera
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Rolando is the leader and conguero for Orquesta Saboriche. Rolando started playing with Ritmo y Armonia nearly 15 years ago and has been featured in several top Bay Area salsa bands ever since. He started Saboriche as an independent project in 2008. Already, Saboriche has grown to include some of the Bay Area’s top talent. |
Omar Ledezma
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Omar is the musical director and lead vocalist for Orquesta Saboriche. Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Omar has been taking the Bay Area by storm with his talents in latin percussion as well as vocals. Omar is a key member of several other hard-hitting salsa bands such as Candela, Orquesta América, La Moderna Tradición, and the Venezuelan Music Project. He brings a new and refreshing vocal energy to Orquesta Saboriche’s sound. |
Tony Garcia
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Tony is Orquesta’s Saboriche’s bass player. From Pinal Del Rio, Cuba, Tony had his start studying classical music with Marcelino Gonzalez. He went from playing in the symphony to recording and touring the world with the traditional son and charanga band, Grupo Valleson. Tony has been bringing his swing to top bands in the USA since 2003. |
Darius "BigSalsa" Johnson
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Darius is an arranger and piano player for Orquesta Saboriche. Darius has a background as an electrical engineer, IT professional, classical violinist and professional salsa dancer. While leading Salseology dance company in central California, he co-founded and lead the premier salsa band of Central California, Salsa Solution. As a board member of the world-famous Salsa Mania Dance Company, Darius remains a prominent figure in the music and dance scene. |
Julio Areas
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Julio is the nephew of the great timbalero Chepito Areas (from Santana’s group). Julio is a world-renowned player who has played with several top bands (e.g. Ritmo y Armonia and Charanson). He is currently the timbalero for Orquesta Saboriche. |
Neftali Rosado Jr.
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Talo is the bongosero for Orquesta Saboriche. Talo started playing bongos for his uncle, Miguel Echeveria, with Orquesta Sensual. He is now one of the top latin percussionists in the Bay Area. |
Elijah Samuels
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Elijah is an arranger and leader of Orquesta Saboriche’s horn section on baritone sax. He is a top talent in the Bay Area music scene. Elijah has collaborated with world-class musicians such as John Calloway. He has played with various groups of different genres including funk/soul, big band, and salsa. |
Julius Melendez
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Julius is the lead trumpet player for Orquesta Saboriche. For ten years Julius toured the world with the U.S. Navy Band as a Trumpet, Percussionist, Soloist and Master of Ceremonies. He has performed professionally in over 450 cities & 92 different countries with world-class artists such as Carlos Santana. He is also an extremely effective lecturer and teacher, with a high degree of technical and theoretical proficiency. |
Abel Figueroa
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Abel is Orquesta Saboriche’s trombone player. He studied in Puerto Rico with the legendary bass player,Bobby Valentin. Abel has recorded with greats such as Pedro Conga, Carlos Santana, and Puerto Rican Power, and Azuquita |
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