Music
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Río Negro represents the harmonious marriage of the vigor, freshness and edge of youth with the adeptness, dedication and maturity associated with experience. They combine contemporary vibes with the traditional jazz feel, adding dashes of Latin, funk, and R&B influences to both their original material and their arrangements of standard tunes. The result of this musical potpourri is a sound so catchy and new that you can't help but to be in awe. To put it plainly, these guys are great." - Beth Perry
- Rio Site
January 2002 - Radio Interview on 1380 WAOK Atlanta, Georgia
"These guys are great! Their CD is amazing."
Chris Askew - Host of "Unwrapped" WAOK 1380 AM and co-host of CNN Talk Back Live
- WAOK - Atlanta
June 2001 - Paul Mitchell Community Jazz Awards
"Río Negro reminds me of the early Jazz Messengers. Back in the 1950's, when the Messengers first got started, they too were the young Jazz Lions of their day, talented, gifted and brought a fresh sound to the Jazz scene. When I first heard Río Negro, I knew right away that I wanted them to showcase their music at our 2001 WRFG Paul Mitchell Community Jazz Awards and POW!, our audience was floored by their presentation!"
Phil "Captain Mellow" Clore - Jazz Music Department Manager, WRFG 89.3 FM Atlanta
- WRFG Radio - Atlanta
Discography
Listen to Music
Latin Flavor
Pachanga (Johnson-Jones)
Consuelo (Johnson)
Lágrimas (Johnson)
Midnight Serenade (Johnson)
Agony of Indifference (Johnson)
Four (Davis)
Baila Morena (Johnson)
Straight-ahead
Espionage (Johnson-Jones)
Kingdom (Jones)
Out of Touch (Jones)
Equanimity (Johnson)
Moment's Notice (Coltrane)
Read Original Song Biographies
It's All Right With Me
Darn That Dream
Tip Toe Gently
Argumentative
After Work
Caravan
Amazing Grace
It's October
Millenium Montuno
The Innocent
Swing Des Puces
Goin' Back
Blue Bossa
Night and Day
Footprints
Equanimity
Invitation
Autumn Leaves
Caravan
Photos
Bio
In his poem "The Negro Speaks of Rivers", Langston Hughes wrote, "My soul has grown deep like the rivers." From this beautiful poem comes the name Río Negro pronounced REEOO NAYGRO. Río Negro, a name given to the group by Broderick Santiago, means "Black River" in Spanish. More specifically, the name refers to three skilled musicians who have co-anchored a dynamic group for more than two years playing at various high profile functions around the world.
kevin@rionegrojazz.com
Kevin "Quino" Johnson (27), who grew up in Boston, Massachusetts, comes from a musically talented family. He is encouraged by his older brother Doron Johnson who plays jazz piano for Wynton Marsalis among others and his father who plays piano in church. Surrounding himself with music of all forms, especially Latin and Caribbean influences, he uses his music as a means of expression, fusing the old with the new and the unexplored. While briefly living in Spain and the Dominican Republic, Johnson studied music and developed his unique writing style. He has shared the stage with such jazz moguls as Clark Terry, Quincy Jones, Agustín Díaz de los Muñeuqitos de Matanza, Jon Faddis, Antonio Hart, and George Bohannan.
broderick@rionegrojazz.com
Broderick Santiago (31), a native of New York, is one of this generation's most talented and versatile entertainers. As a percussionist, Santiago has shared the stage with several great musicians including Jimmy Delgado and Jonathan Butler. As a music educator and dance instructor, Santiago strives to educate people about the African roots prevalent in Latin music.
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