Azuleja

Azuleja is a NYC-based band that marries the traditional sounds of Buena Vista Social Club and Trio Los Panchos, with modern salsa, Brazilian and American jazz stylings, featuring sexy lead vocals, propulsive rhythms and powerful virtuoso lead performances.

Working, playing and recording with the greatest vocalists and instrumentalists of every genre, Azuleja has shaken, stirred -- then heated -- to come up with a fresh voice of its own which is earning the band a devoted crossover following in the New York City area.

Azuleja has been praised for its appearances at club dates, festivals, elegant private parties, as the featured group in concerts, as well as in more intimate restaurant and lounge settings. Three cuts from Azuleja’s album appear in the film “Kitchen Help” (Skywriting Films, 2003) and their music is currently part of the production for an upcoming Hollywood blockbuster to be filmed in NYC.

THE AZULEJA ALL-STARS

Dorothy Potter, featured vocalist
Worked With: Philip Glass, Ibrahim Ferrer (Buena Vista Social Club), Pete Seeger, Lucia and Fiesta de Tambores, Papo Gely, Tico Da Costa, Michael Pemberton and #7 Composer: Skywriting Films “Kitchen Help” Promoter Producer: El Taller Latinoamericano 300+ concerts Los Aterciopelados, Mercedes Sosa, Larry Harlow, León Gieco and David Byrne with Harold Leventhal Productions.

Aaron Gilmartin, guitar, vocals
Worked With: Eliot Goldenthal Julie Taymor, “Frida”, Lisa Peterson “Sueño” by Jose Rivera at the MCC Theater, Alex Forbes USA/Europe tour, Dionisia Garcia flamenco cuadro. Discography: guitar and co-write on “Leap”, Alex Forbes. Composer: Skywriting Films “Kitchen Help” underscore, Songs of Love various titles

Phoenix Rivera, percussion
Worked with: The Eurythmics and Annie Lennox, Robert Palmer, Chico Freeman, Papo Vasquez, The Chico O’Farrill Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra, Mario Rivera (his father), Dave Valentin, the Blues Brothers, Santana, and Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Latin Jazz Orchestra. Discography: Grammy award winning CD of Tito Puente and Eddie Palmieri. Composer: Viacom - Nickolodeon’s children’s TV show “The Rugrats”.

Tim Ouimette, trumpet
Producer, composer, arranger, trumpetist. Worked with: Ray Charles, Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Barretto, Ben E. King, Aretha Franklin, The Four Tops, Frankie Valle and The Broadway show “Fosse” Leader: The Tim Ouimette Big Band. Producer: Shades of Blue, Ben E. King’s for Half Note Records.

Les Rogers - Trumpet, flugelhorn
Worked with: Babatundi Olantunji, Tressa Lewis, Berkeley Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Kent Nagano, Conductor Jack Lee ("Three Penny Opera"), Bobby Watson, Betty Carter, Band of One, drummer Donald Bailey. Television appearances: "Geronimo"(TNT-1993); Texas"(FOX-1994); "Dead Man's Walk"(CBS-1996) Radio: Improvisations, KPFA radio, Berkeley, Ca (Nov,. 1993)

Barry Olsen, piano, trombone
Worked with Ray Barretto, Eddie Palmieri, Hector Lavoe,Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Marc Anthony, and La India, Paul Simon, David Byrne, Charlie Persip, Adlaberto Santiago, Ingoma (Zim Ngqawana) Syotos (Chris Washburne) Harvie Swartz's and Eye Contact, Broadway show "The Lion King." Discography: "Ancestral Healing" (Pops Mohammed), "Jazzin' Universally" ( Airto Moreira, Jose Neto, Valerie Naranjo), "Nuyorican Nights" and "El Otro Lado" (Chris Washburne)

Pedro Giraudo, bass
Worked with: Bobby Sanabria, Vincent Herring, Nelson Gonzalez, Guillermo Klein and Scott Reevs. Recorded with: Jose Halac, Francesca Ancarola, Antiheroe Group, Fernando Oteros X-Tango, Brian Vargas, The Art Department, Jose Conde, Nick Mancini Collective, Mo'Guajiro, Jess Jurkovic and Felipe Riveros.

Robert Gómez, tres, guitar
Leader: the Robert Gomez Trio, Rob G and the L Ps.
Discography: original album with vocal collaboration by Grammy winning vocalist, Norah Jones.

Alex García, Bongos
Composer: Ballet Nacional de Cuba and Ballet del Teatro Municipal de Santiago en Chile Bandleader: AfroMantra “Latin Jazz Ensemble” Worked with: Grammy nominee Juan Pablo Torres, Grammy nominee Juan Carlos Formell, Chris Washburn & Syotos, Cuban pianist Tony Perez, Meme Solis, Israel Kantor (Los Van Van), Nelson Gonzalez, Malena Burke, Miles Peña.