MANZANARES

Artist Information

Biography

MANZANARES is hot Spanish guitar, sizzling Latin percussion, and soulful vocals; a high-energy and fiery sound with a dazzling repertoire that ranges from Spanish and Middle Eastern guitar melodies to Flamenco to Pop to Latin Rock…an authentic roots musical experience including… “from lilting romantic ballads to up-beat infectious & irresistible dance rhythms sure to get you going!”

Led by multi-generational Abiquiu, New Mexico natives/brothers David and Michael Manzanares, MANZANARES gained both national and international attention by placing in the top 3 Latin songs worldwide for the "2006 13th Annual BILLBOARD World Song Contest" and winning the "Latin Album of the Year" for the "2006 Independent Music Awards" which included musical groups from around the globe.

As small children, they began their musical journey and education by capturing the essence of the Northern New Mexican rancheras, corridos, huapangos, boleros and valses of a past era. Their father’s early musical influence is a big source of their inspiration. The band is comprised of some of the most prolific and talented musicians in the music industry and includes:

The explosive percussion of Mark Clark, a native New Mexican. His musical career includes performances, tours or recordings with renowned musical acts including James Taylor, Natalie Cole, Kip Winger, Ottmar Liebert, and Jono Manson.

Kevin Miller, a native Santa Fean and cousin of Michael and David, has also had a rich musical history. His multi-musical talent adds an exciting percussive texture to MANZANARES. He plays congas and percussion as well as lending a hand on guitar and vocals. A definite crowd favorite!

Kanoa Kaluhiwa joins the band on tenor saxophone. His silky smooth jazz infusions add yet another dimension to the music of MANZANARES and his sax riffs stand out on their award winning CD, Nuevo Latino. He has also recorded and toured with Ottmar Liebert and the popular latin group "Sparx".

Jose Romero has been a part of the Santa Fe music scene ever since he could hold a guitar. This multi-talented musician rocks on keys, guitar, bass, and just about every musical instrument he picks up. He holds down the big bass sound for MANZANARES.

Johnny Benoit, an Albuquerque native now residing in Santa Fe. Benoit brings a national touring musical background to the already strong drum chair when he sits in for Mark Clark. Johnny's national tours have included country surf star Junior Brown.

Bjorn Hamre, a native Santa Fean, has been on the music scene for the past 10 years playing with the alternative rock band, Standing Wave. He is also currently playing with Santa Fe blues guitarist Alex Maryol. Bjorn brings his outstanding talent and varied musical background to the group! He is a percussive powerhouse and adds his own fire to the already combustable MANZANARES sound.

The infectious rhythmic sound of MANZANARES continues to make it's way to the ears of the music industry... Legendary music producer/manager Miles Copeland recently included the group in an upcoming documentary. They headlined the wrap party for "Sunshine Cleaning" starring academy award winning actor Alan Arkin and Emily Blunt. They were also the featured entertainment for the feature film "The Flock" starring Richard Gere and Claire Danes. They also performed for the wrap party of the Steven Spielberg DreamWork's / TNT epic "Into the West"…. as well as for the party of the Adam Sandler film “The Longest Yard”.

Their music has been featured on ABC's Primetime Live and is currently being featured on the Food Network’s Food Nation with Bobby Flay, is also currently featured on the European entertainment program; Voxtours, as well as the soundtracks of several shows including Knowledge TV and The Trail of the Painted Ponies.

Their performances have included Headlining the Oscar de la Hoya post-fight party at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, opening for Los Lobos at the Oscar de la Hoya vs. Mosely pre-fight festivities at the MGM Grand, the Taos Solar Music Festival (opening for Los Lobos), South by Southwest (BMI Songwriter’s Showcase), The Knitting Factory Hollywood, Santa Fe's renowned Spanish Market, The Temple Bar in Santa Monica, concerts for the United Way and Endowment for Youth (Santa Barbara), SohO in Santa Barbara, EAT’M Las Vegas (showcasing the best unsigned artists from across the nation), The Buckaroo Ball (Santa Fe’s largest charity event), Palm Springs Nortel Film Festival, New Mexico State Fair, Santa Fe Opera Guild, American Indians for Opportunity, Santa Fe Film Festival, Columbia Pictures and NBC to name a few.

MANZANARES has signed with the Los Angeles based music placement agent “NomaMusic” and immediately had their single “Muchacha” placed on the soundtrack for the upcoming feature “SchoolDaze”.

MANZANARES’ latest award winning CD Nuevo Latino, delivers their evolved sound complete with the “hip-displacing” Latin rhythms they have become famous for. Nuevo Latino won four NM Music Association awards - including “Album of the Year” for 2003. Their first CD “Vivir” featured David, Michael and Mark Clark and lends itself to the softer, more romantic side of their music. “Vivir” won two NM Music Industry Coalition awards - one for best Latino musical production and one for best vocal performance.

"Nuevo Latino is solid from start to finish, a nonstop romp through the the vibrant territory that Manzanares has staked out as its own." Silja Talvi for the Pasatiempo/Santa Fe New Mexican

The electricity and raw energy of their performances continue to push this exciting Nuevo Latino act into the forefront of Latin Music.

According to the Palm Spring’s Desert Sun,
“MANZANARES is explosive latin music!”.

This stellar band is making their mark on the Latin music world with their latest release "NUEVO LATINO", and with the recent national exposure and international attention, MANZANARES is poised to take their music global!

Instrumentation

David Manzanares: acoustic guitar, lead vocals
Michael Manzanares: electric & acoustic guitar, lead vocals
Mark Clark: drums, cajon, percussion, vocals
Kevin Miller: congas, guitar, vocals
Kanoa Kaluhiwa: saxophone, percussion
Jose Romero: bass, keys

Discography

2006 Billboard World Song Contest Winners' compilation CD

2006 Independent Music Awards "Winners" compilation CD

MANZANARES / Nuevo Latino - NMMIA's 2003 winner of:
1. "Album of the Year"
2. "Best Latino production"
3. "Best Arrangement of an original composition"
4. "Best Engineer"

MANZANARES / Vivir - NMMIA's winner of:
1. "Best Vocal"
2. "Best Latino production"

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace
• David Manzanares Official Site

Audio

• Que_Se_Va
  Listen   Download
• Muchacha
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• CHANGE THE WORLD
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• SOLEDAD
  Listen   Download

Lyrics

• Que Se Va
• CHANGE THE WORLD
• SOLEDAD

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Return to Abiquiu
  

  "...as smooth as Santana and as exuberant as the Gipsy Kings...." Marjorie Kaplan

• MANZANARES makes music without borders [+ Show ]
  

  "Nuevo Latino is solid from start to finish, a nonstop romp through the the vibrant territory that M..."Nuevo Latino is solid from start to finish, a nonstop romp through the the vibrant territory that Manzanares has staked out as its own." Silja Talvi for the Pasatiempo/Santa Fe New Mexican
  

• MANZANARES [+ Show ]
  

  Manzanares - Nuevo Latino By: Ben Ohmart Jul 18, 2003 Artist: Manzanares (www.manzanaresys...Manzanares - Nuevo Latino
  By: Ben Ohmart
  Jul 18, 2003
  
  
  Artist: Manzanares (www.manzanaresysol.com)
  Title: Nuevo Latino
  
  Manzanares is a high energy Latin group with a good following everywhere from Europe to Japan to here. Their guitar-led fire is a composite of pop, Latin rock and sometimes Middle Eastern guitar melodies, which explains the global conquest.
  
  There may be a larger sound than the opening 'Que Se Va' but there isn't one that can beat the sound barrier quicker.
  
  amore
  te di mi corazon
  y en cambio
  robaste mi pasion
  alma mia
  no quero ya pensar
  en tus caprichos
  tus dedalos quero borar
  
  The band is led by David and Michael Manzanares who take care of acoustic guitars and vocals. Their rhythmic help is at times impressive, filling out the short album with some fine and spirited work. Though they believe in brass, if you're looking to catch your fix of high horns on this, look elsewhere. Strong hands on the guitar, often industrial enough to be called Flamenco, are the pitching force on this 10 track cd.
  
  Que Se Va
  Mi Lumbre
  El Baile
  Solamente Ella
  Tu Cara
  Viaje Al Corazon
  Entre El Fuego
  Chiquita
  Mas Que Yo Soy
  Muchacha
  
  The recording is clean. Often romantic. I don't know if this is their debut album or their 14th, but it's a conspicuous piece of work. A good work.
  
  

• LATIN CLUBS
  

  "...Nuevo Flamenco sounds by New Mexico's hottest act!" Latin Style Magazine, Los Angeles, CA

• Main Stage Entertainment [+ Show ]
  

  "The Manzanares brothers, David and Michael, and their five-piece percussive powerhouse band, jam wi..."The Manzanares brothers, David and Michael, and their five-piece percussive powerhouse band, jam with electricity and raw energy. Driving audiences into a dance frenzy, this hot rockin' flamenco band combines rock, rumba, and Latin sound with traditional New Mexico music. Their Nuevo Latino style delivers an aggressive, charismatic punch, blended with Afro-Cuban rhythms, Merenge, Salsa and Samba." Taos Solar Music Festival

• FIRE AND GRACE [+ Show ]
  

  "What distinguishes the MANZANARES brothers from other local acts that draw heavily on the Spanish g..."What distinguishes the MANZANARES brothers from other local acts that draw heavily on the Spanish guitar sound (often referred to as nuevo-flamenco) is their ability to amalgamate traditional New Mexican music with the electricity and fire of rock, flamenco, rumba, and Latin sounds." Antonio López, Pasatiempo: Santa Fe's Weekly Arts & Entertainment Magazine

• PALM SPRINGS HISPANIC AWARDS
  

  "Left the audience clamoring for more...Otra! Otra! Otra! Otra! Otra!" Al Vasquez, La Prensa Hispana

• SAN DIEGO SNAPSHOT [+ Show ]
  

  "Wow, what an amazing show that was! I can't believe I was so moved by the music. I stood on a chair..."Wow, what an amazing show that was! I can't believe I was so moved by the music. I stood on a chair to take photos. I haven't done that since a Prince concert...When I looked through the view finder it felt like I was photographing The Beatles at the Cavern Club in Liverpool!" Krista Jarred, San Diego, CA

• Las Vegas Leisure Guide [+ Show ]
  

  "...Los Lobos, with more than 30 years in the music industry, will take the stage at 8 p.m. and perf..."...Los Lobos, with more than 30 years in the music industry, will take the stage at 8 p.m. and perform hits from their Grammy Award-winning albums including "La Bamba." In addition, Manzanares, one of the hottest Latin acts to hit the international music scene, will perform on the main stage between 4 and 7:30 p.m."

• BANDA CALIENTE [+ Show ]
  

  "BANDA CALIENTE!...Manzanares sizzles with a concert of percussive Nuevo Latino music perfect for sh..."BANDA CALIENTE!...Manzanares sizzles with a concert of percussive Nuevo Latino music perfect for shakin' your groove thang".

Setlist

A typical Manzanares set consists of a combination of original soulful ballads and scorching up-tempo dance grooves...think merenge, cha cha cha, bolero and Rock en Espanol collides with Nuevo Flamenco!

Covers are sprinkled in throughout the show and can range anywhere from R&B, hints of disco, funk and classic rock.

Sets are created for the individual shows -- the length can range from 45 minute sets or up to 1 1/2 hour sets with an intermission.

A recent set list included:
De Sol A Sol
Esperando Estoy
Ventura Highway
Solamente Ella
Vamos A Bailar
Ritmo Criminal
Rosa Maria
Que Se Va
Vera Cruz
Caminando por la calle
Muchacha

Basic Requirements

Calendar