About

Cape Verdean pianist/keyboarder/composer/arranger Carlos Matos is a true musical ambassador of Cape Verdean music in Europe, which makes him a very in-demand musician. His playing is deeply

rooted in the songtradition of his home islands, combined with Cuban-style piano playing and strong influences by the likes of Herbie Hancock and Gonzalo Rubalcaba. Carlos studied at Rotterdam Conservatory. On his critically acclaimed CD “Caboverdianismo” he fuses Jazz and Cape Verdean music.

The German Nils Fischer’s musical, experienced and powerful playing make him one of Europe’s top percussionists, touring and recording with an array of premier bands. Trained in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Brazil and at Rotterdam Conservatory, he has had the honor to share the stage with such legendary figures as Giovanni Hidalgo, Pío Leiva, Orestes Vilató, Armando Peraza and Paquito D'Rivera. His debut salsa/Latin jazz album “¡Gracias Joe Cuba!” has got rave reviews both at home and abroad.

Singer Dina Medina was born close to Rotterdam in The Netherlands. She was raised with the music of Cape Verde - the origin of her parents. As an international artist touring in Africa, USA and Europe, she is equally at home at all the Cape Verdean musical genres, nevertheless she really loves to sing the morna. Her first album “Paixão e Coração” was an international hit. Dina’s most recent CD “Mornamente” has multiple nominations at the Cabo Verde Music Awards.

Born on Aruba as son of trumpeter Oscar Steba, the virtuoso bassist Reno Steba had success with his own band Earth Sensation, and works as studio-musician and composer, producing several albums. He is maybe the busiest bassist in Holland, touring constantly with Lucas van Merwijk, Monica Triga, Izaline Calister and many others. He played internationally with famous musicians like Jaco Pastorius and guitarist John Abercrombie.

Armando Vidal, drummer/percussionist/singer was born in Holguin in the east of Cuba and graduated from the Havana Conservatory (E.N.A. ) in 1992 as a classical and Cuban music Percussion player. With his soulful and virtuoso playing, he plays not only in almost every authentic Latin and Latin jazz band in The Netherlands, but he also toured in Italy, Great Britain, Israel, Hungary and the USA with international artists. He is also a very talented singer, and his own album - feat. Dave Valentín - is in the making.

Singer, pianist and percussionist Alberto Caicedo was born in Guapi, Colombia. His musical interest started to develop at the age of 10, playing with the kids from the neighborhood. In 1996 Alberto Caicedo decided to move to Cali the salsa capital, where he took part in numerous salsa and folklore projects. In 2000 Alberto took the decision to emigrate to Europe, looking for new musical challenges. Throughout his musical career he has traveled international destinations including Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Spain, France, Germany, Benelux, Italy, Aruba, Curacao, Poland and Kazakhstan, and preformed with artists like David Pavon, Roberto Blades, Frankie Vasquez, Nils Fischer & Timbazo, Marco Borsato, Mario Rivera “Mayito”, Cubop City Big Band, Willie Cólon and Cheo Feliciano. Alberto’s debut CD is ‘La Voz De Colombia’. His second CD will be released in 2012.

New York, Puerto Rico. He studied in New York and played as a freelance musician different bands. In 1982 he left to Europe. After a couple of years working in France(tours to Martinique, Guadeloupe en West Afrika), he arrived in The Netherlands. He recorded with among others the famous dutch artists Mathilde Santing, Gerard Joling, Piet Veerman en Renee Froger. He toured with the Glenn Miller Orchestra in Europe and Japan. Joe Rivera is member of Saoco, Timbazo, Rumbatá, Mariachi Tierra Caliente, The Cubop City Big Band, The New Cool Collective Big Band, Samba Salad and the John West Orchestra (Munich).

New York native David Rothschild is number one Latin trombonist in Holland. He toured with the Glenn Miller Orchestra in Europe and Japan. He is member of Timbazo, Rumbatá, he Cubop City Big Band and The New Cool Collective Big Band and frequently plays with the Metropole Orchestra.