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Gilberto
Colon Jr. -
- Band Leader for - "Ensalada de Pulpo"
Born on December 28, 1953 in Astoria, Queens,
- of Puerto Rican parentage, Gilberto early on
- was exposed to the likes of poetry and music as
- his father
liked to recite and his mother was
- an avid listener of Classical Latino
music. Having been reared in the Bronx before the Latino population hit full
swing was a plus as the diverse ethnicity of the neighborhood played an
integral part in the development of his musical appreciation. Throughout it
all, his parents' strong sense and appeciation of their root is what kept
Gilberto leaning towards Latin music, while his contemporaries were shifting
towards music more indigenous to that generation,
- His first instrument was the drums showing an affinity
towards the pecussion family. Later on switching to trumpet which he played
throughout his junior high and early high school years. It was while in the
10th grade that, having built a strong relationship with Oscar Hernandez he
decided to start taking lessons and pursue a career as a pianist.
- Aside from performing, Gilberto also teaches the piano and
musical theory. Gilberto has taught at Johnny Colon's East Harlem Music
School and has been a member of that faculty for over sixteen (16) years. He
has also served as a pianist and choral instructor for the Glee Club at P.S.
100 in the Bronx.
At present, Gilberto's goals include recording his own solo Latin jazz album
and to be able to meddle effectively in both the Salsa and Latin jazz
genre's.
His performance as well as recording credits include the following:
Hector LaVoe (for 16 years in which he served as musical director)
Machito & his Afro-Cuban Orq.
Tito Puente & Orq. Reinaldo Jorge & his Orq.
Alfredo De La Fe Israel y La Verdad (in which he served as musical director)
Conjunto Libre (who along with appeared in the Motion Picture "Crossover
Dreams" Starring Ruben Blades Adalberto Santiago (who along with appeared in
the
Motion Picture "Moscow on the Hudson") Luis "Perico" Ortiz
Louis Ramirez - Ray De La Paz (La Super Banda)
Orquesta Broadway Jose Mangual/ Jr. -
Melcochita Frankie Morales y La Banda) - Served as co-leader &
Musical Director RCA Recording Artist - Gichy Dan's Beechwood 19 a
Rock - Soul Fusion Group - with August Darnell
In conjunction with Vibra harpist A.J. Mantas/ formed a Latin Jazz group
called "Mambo Mood."
Ramon Rodriguez y la Sinfonica in which he served as co-leader and Musical
Director.
Tito Rodriguez Orch.
Tito Puente Orch.
Mike Hernandez/Sonora Casino
Angel Canales & Sabor
Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez Bobby Quezada
Sammy Gonzalez & Orq. Charanga La Tapa
Orq. Broadway Charanga Novel
Chocolate y su Orq. Mon Rivera & Willie Colon
Joe Cuba Sextet Johnny Colon & Orq.
Justo Betancourt Grupo Kabiosile/Alex Diaz
Tata Vasquez y Orq. Hansel y Raul
Ray Barretto Tito Rodriguez/ Jr.
Charanga 76 Tambo
Kako and his All Stars
Cal Tjader Jose Fajardo y su charanga
Celia Cruz Roberto Torres
Johnny Pacheco/Hector Casanova Raulin Rosendo
Rey Reyes Bobby Rodriguez y La Compania
Ray Ramos y Su Sonora Hermanos Moreno
Ray Matilla's Space Station Orlando Marin
India Jimmy Sabater y Orq.
Sonny Rivera Quartet Van Lester (served as co-leader)
Yomo Toro y Su Orq. Ray Cruz & Cruz Control
Danny Morel & Orq. Orq. Rubi (Cristiana)
Nicky Marrero y Sus Majaderos David Lugo - Trio
Solo Pianist @ Tito Puentes Restaurant inCity Island Bronx
Nacho Sanabria Ismael Miranda Cheo Feliciano Adela Dalto y Su Brazil/Jazz
Nelson Feliciano Chamaco Ramirez Tito Alien Jr. Gonzalez Bobby Quezada y Su
Orq. Victor Savinon y Sus Merengueros El Duende "House Band from Club
Caborojeno Ensalada De Pulpo (Latin Jazz Group) Patato & Afro Jazzia
Conjunto Clasico
Steve Pouchie & his Latin/Jazz Society Ensemble Angel L. Velazquez & Next
Level Alexis Diaz & Kabiosile Ralp Irizarry & Son Criollo Musical Director
of Luis Blasini & Iroco
La Diferente Ernie Y La Conspiracion
La Conquistadora
Larry Harlow
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