Mambo Zombies

Artist Information

Biography

The Chicago based group Mambo Zombies consists of 3 main players, Dez Desormeaux, Luis Prieto Rosario, & Jose Valdes, who have performed together over the past 12 years. They appear each Tuesday night at Green Dolphin Street from 8:00 – 11:00. Their CDs can be purchased at their website: www.mambozombies.com. CDBaby, & iTunes.
DEZ DESORMEAUX: saxes & flute
Dez has performed with Celia Cruz, Charlie Palmieri, Menique, La Lupe, Nestor Sanchez, the O’Jays, Clarence Clemons, the Dells, the Chi Lites, Jr. Wells, Otis Clay, Bo Diddley, Kid Ramos, Ronnie Earl, & many others. An in-demand studio player, Dez has also played on hundreds of TV commercials.
LUIS PRIETO ROSARIO: drums, congas & percussion.
Luis has performed with Celia Cruz, Cano Estremera, Michael Stuart, Rico, and more. Luis is a first call percussionist when top name artists from New York & Puerto Rico play Chicago.
JOSE VALDES: keyboards, pedal bass & percussion.
Jose has performed with Tito Puente, Lou Rawls, Paquito D’Rivera, Andy Gonzales, Armando Manzanero, Jose Fajardo, Freddy Cole, Ira Sullivan, and many other fine musicians. Also a popular studio player, Jose is featured on hundreds of TV commercials.

Instrumentation

Jose Valdes - Keyboards & Pedal Bass
Dez Desormeaux - Tenor Sax, Soprano Sax & Flute
Luis "Prieto" Rosario - Drums, Congas, Timbales & Percussion

Discography

Mambo Zombies - Mambo Zombies (released 02-06)
South Side Christmas - Mambo Zombies (released 10-06)
M Z 3 - Mambo Zombies (released 01-09)
Hot Salsa (Compilation)- Ariz. Univ. Recordings, (European Release 2007)
The Best of Smooth Jazz Christmas (Compilation) - Ariz. Univ. Recordings, (European Release 2008)
Mad Love Sweet Love (Compilation) - Ariz. Univ. Recordings, (European Release 2009)

Official Website

http://www.mambozombies.com

Links

• CDBaby
• Amazon
• Lala
• PayPlay
• bitmunk

Audio

• MAMBO INN
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• LET'S STAY TOGETHER
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• BELLA COSA
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• I REMEMBER GROVER
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• MINI SKIRT
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• AND NOTHING MORE
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• SUPERNATURAL THING
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• Brigas Nunca Mais
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• Costa Caribe
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• CAPULLITO DE ALELI
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• AUTUMN IN NEW YORK
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• Squeech Me
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• My Sweet Valentine
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Lyrics

• And Nothing More
• My Sweet Valentine

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• SMOOTH JAZZ.COM [+ Show ]
  

  Reviewer: Smoothjazz.com Review From Chicagoland comes one of the most fun Christmas projects we've...Reviewer: Smoothjazz.com Review
  From Chicagoland comes one of the most fun Christmas projects we've ever heard! Actually, this group's website is the most fun we've ever had here at Smoothjazz.com, Christmastime or otherwise, with its colorfully clad mamboing masked zombies dancing their way across the computer screen ala the Rockettes. Despite its entertaining qualities, make no mistake, SOUTH-SIDE CHRISTMAS is also deep jazz my friend... funky, Latin Christmas jazz to be precise. This project is perfect for the jazz enthusiast on your holiday list and for the upcoming holiday celebrations with friends and family; a must have soundtrack while you're pretending to not notice that you're standing under the mistletoe whilst the hottie from the sales department breezes by the eggnog at your annual Christmas soiree. There are seven festive tracks in all including very merry versions of "Sleigh Ride" and "Little Drummer Boy that will have you trimming your tree at double time, and look out, a little "Killer Joe" has crept into the group's jazzed up "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town." You'll also hear one of the most pure and soul-stirring renditions of "Christmas Time Is Here." Mambo Zombies, celebrating a decade long collaboration, consists of three main players: Saxophonist/Flutist & Vocalist Dez Desormeaux, Percussionist Luis Prieto Rosario and Keyboardist/Vocalist Jose Valdes. These exceptionally talented musicians are in demand studio professionals and have contributed to hundreds of TV commercials. You can see Mambo Zombies live each Tuesday night at Chicago's premiere jazz supper club, Green Dolphin Street. ~ SANDY SHORE

• Aaron Black [+ Show ]
  

  Reviewer: Aaron Black From the opening, driving beat of the first track, Mambo Zombies announce the...Reviewer: Aaron Black
  From the opening, driving beat of the first track, Mambo Zombies announce their presence with an electric energy that grabs on tight and doesn’t let go for the entirety of this impressive 11-song debut. The stellar playing of all involved brings new vibrancy to such standards as Loverman and Autumn in New York, while Latin legends like Jobim and Esquivel get their tunes presented with hard-driving virtuosity that sacrifices none of the soul. This is Latin jazz that baptizes the uninitiated and thrills the connoisseur. The eponymous release marks a stunning new arrival, but the players are no tyros. Dez Desormeaux, a veteran on the Chicago scene for decades, brings lyrical elegance to his flute work while tackling the saxophone bloodline with vigorous precision. Keyboardist Jose Valdes stays mostly electric, adding edge and buoyancy to Luis Prieto Rosario’s dazzling drums. Guitarist Phil Miller plugs in as well, supporting the masterful trio with gritty musicality. The charged undercurrent knows when to abate, imbuing the softer passages with their own subtlety and grace. This is bold, intimidating stuff that welcomes you with emotional accessibility and lets its artistry speak for itself. Highly recommend.

• P.R. Brimstone [+ Show ]
  

  Their instrumental sound is based in Latin styles, including their namesake. On "Mambo Inn" the live...Their instrumental sound is based in Latin styles, including their namesake. On "Mambo Inn" the lively interplay is at once deep and pulsating and yet full of light grace. On "Capullito De Aleli" the airy dancing of the flute cannot help but promote feelings of joy. The whole group's ability to provide a concise, tight melody or head piece and then sway in jazzy, improvisational sojourns at every turn must explain the reason they perform regularly at the Green Dolphin Street in Chicago, IL. Do yourself a favor and acquire this music for your own.
  
  - P.R. Brimstone -

• Big B Buzz [+ Show ]
  

  Reviewer: bigBbuzz I'm from the South Side origionally, but now a long time gone, and I could not b...Reviewer: bigBbuzz
  I'm from the South Side origionally, but now a long time gone, and I could not believe the syncopation,sophistication, and audacious bodaciousness of these creative spirits!! Even down to the back-up vocals, there was such clarity and drive that I had by the 4th time in a row, my dogs were even singin'!! Thanks for such a fine piece of vibrant expression.

Setlist

Original Compositions as well as covers,
which include:
Let's Stay Together - Al Green
What's Goin' On - Marvin Gaye
Mambo Inn - Mario Bauza
Armando's Rhumba - Chick Corea
Giant Steps - John Coltrane
Chevere' - Stevie Wonder
Mini Skirt - Esquivel
La Bikina - Ruben Fuentes
Capullito de Aleli - Rafael Hernandez
Claudia - Chucho Valdes
Supernatural Thing - Ben E King
Armando's Rhumba - Chick Corea
Tanga - Dizzy Gillespie

Basic Requirements

Calendar