Solsa
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Solsa

Band Latin R&B

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Press


"CSD concert to feature SOLSA"

The Elk Grove Community Services District will host an all ages concert by one of the area’s premiere bands, Solsa.
The Fun in the Sun Concert will be held at the Strauss Island Amphitheater at Elk Grove
Regional Park, 9950 Elk Grove-Florin Road, on Friday, July 21, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Admission
is free.
Concertgoers are invited to bring a blanket and a picnic dinner and attend the concert under the
stars at the picturesque Strauss Island Amphitheater.
The evening’s show will showcase the talents of the band, which has drawn much attention due
to its latin and R&B sounds.
The band features a special blend of ethnic backgrounds and a professional musicianship that is
consistent when it comes to dancing, the band’s renditions of the music of Santana is rich with Latin percussion, superb guitar work and rhythmic vocals, which draw many to their feet when the
band plays in the Sacramento area or elsewhere.
In addition to encouraging dancing, the band also encourages its audiences to participate in other activities during the show. On many occasions, members of the band hand out rhythm instruments to be played during their performances of songs. On other occasions, audience members are invited to join the band on stage.
But the band’s encouragement of audience participation is only an additive to the core of what makes the band so appealing to its audiences.
The music it plays is certainly Solsa most powerful asset. But the development of the band’s talented performances most definitely did not happen overnight and this is thoroughly apparent through a brief glance at its members’ resumes. Keyboardist Victor Aranas is a classicaly-trained pianist, who has played throughout the world and has opened for Tower of Power and Confunkshun.
Pablo Benavidez, guest lead and background vocals, was an all-state tenor in New Mexico and was a member of the legendary Latin-rock group Malo.
Guitarist Rick Kraft was inspired to play guitar at the age of 10, when he heard Carlos Santana in 1978. Kraft has been playing guitar ever since. And these are just a few of The Solsa band members, who have the type of musical biographies that turn heads.
As a band that attracts fans both young and old, Solsa are known to add a bit of a modern twist to their music with performances by rappers Hawk and Garcia, who provide a bit of hip-hop to the band’s music.
- Elk Grove Citizen


Discography

Still working on that hot first release.

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Bio

Solsa was the brainchild of JOE GARCIA, manager of Solsa. Although there were many Latin bands and many R&B bands in the Sacramento Valley, there were very few, if any, that performed music from both of these genres. From that idea, Solsa was formed. Solsa’s music consists of standard and original Latin and R&B tunes, all performed with the signature Latin percussion and flair. Solsa is also a melting pot for some of the Sacramento Valley’s most talented musicians:

Past performances include
Black Oak Casino: Tuolumne, CA
Cache Creek Casino: Brooks, CA
Colusa Casino: Colusa, CA
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: Sacramento, CA
Diamond Mountain Casino: Susanville, California
El Dorado County Fair: Placerville, CA
Elk Grove Family Sports Grill: Elk Grove, CA
Elk Grove Park (Red White & Blue 4th of July Celebration and Harvest Festival): Elk Grove CA
Festival de la Familia Cal Expo: Sacramento, CA
Gold Country Resort and Casino, Oroville, CA
Harrah’s Casino: Reno, Nevada
Harrah's Casino: South Lake Tahoe, NV
Laguna Town Hall: Elk Grove, CA
Gold Country Casino
Muir Park: Sacramento, CA
Pala Casino, Pala, CA
Placer County Fair: Roseville, CA
Political Events for Assemblyman Manny Hernandez: Sacramento, CA
Political events for Mayor Oscar Villegas : West Sacramento, CA
Power House Pub: Folsom, CA
Robinson Rancheria Casino: Nice, CA
Roseville Downtown: Roseville, CA
Sacramento Kings, Arco Arena: Sacramento, CA
Salmon Festival: Folsom, CA
Yuba County Fair: Yuba City, CA

JOE GARCIA – MANAGER: Also a talented percussionist in the AMIGOS SANTANA TRIBUTE BAND, Joe has chosen to take on a management role with Solsa, handling booking and contract negotiations.

BRANDI JAUREGUI – LEAD VOCALS is a relative newcomer to the Sacramento music scene. Although she has been singing since as early as she can remember, she started her professional career as a vocalist in 2002 and has been featured as a lead female vocalist in several Sacramento R&B bands; opening for such acts as MALO, TIERRA, WAR, and EL CHICANO. Her powerful, brassy voice adds soulful components to Latin and R&B standards and will be sure to leave a lasting impression on audiences everywhere. Brandi also plays a role in the management of Solsa as the logistical coordinator.

DAVID ENGLISH – LEAD VOCALS is one of Sacramento's most talented young local recording artists and songwriters. He is currently working on his debut CD and has been a lead male vocalist for several local bands such as Undivided and The Midnight Players, opening for acts such as TIERRA. His contemporary sound adds a modern twist to Old School R&B favorites, and flair to the hits of today.

EDDIE DIAZ – CONGAS hails from Spanish Harlem in New York. He began playing the congas in 1974. In the mid 80s he migrated to the San Francisco Bay Area where he quickly established himself as one of the most sought after congueros in Northern California. He is now a Sacramento resident and has amassed an incredible musical resume including performances with TONY ORLANDO, CHARRO, YOMO TORO, BOBBY RODRIGUEZ Y LA COMPANIA, LATIN CREATION, CARLOS SANTANA, AZABACHE, and the ALIVN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER COMPANY. He is also currently a member of the legendary Chicano group MALO.

RICK KRAFT – LEAD GUITAR AND BACKGROUND VOCALS was first inspired to play guitar in 1978 at the age of 10 when he heard Carlos Santana's "Open Invitation". He picked up his first guitar at age 15 and has been dazzling audiences ever since. A recent transplant from Hollywood, California, Rick has performed in successful original and cover bands that have opened for such legendary rock & roll acts such as PAT BENATAR, KANSAS, EDDIE MONEY, and JOE WALSH. Since moving from Southern California, Rick has performed with several local acts, adding a "kick" to R&B classics. His musical influences are Carlos Santana, Joe Walsh, and Doug Aldrich (guitarist for Whitesnake, and his former teacher).

JOSE “CARLOS” MARIN – TIMBALES was born and raised in Sacramento California. A self-taught drummer/timbale musician began playing at age 15 in his father's Norteno band. Carlos performed with numerous local bands throughout the city. Most recently, with a local Latin band who in 2000 and 2002 toured in Japan, Korea, Singapore, and the island Diego Garcia. Carlos' musical Influences are Santana, El Chicano, Poncho Sanchez, Tower of Power, and old school music.

DELANO “DEE” SANDERS - DRUMS is based in Northern California and has earned his stripes as one of Sacramento’s funkiest drummers with his hard-hitting, in-the-pocket style. His musical roots are drawn from Gospel, Funk, Jazz, and R&B styles. Delano has performed with musical groups and trios throughout the United States and abroad and has the unique ability to adapt his rhythms to almost any musical style with ease.

DANNY SANDOVAL – SAXOPHONE was born and raised in the greater San Francisco bay area and has been playing the saxophone since the age of ei