Our current spotlight artist Blue Mambo brings a fresh, modern approach to Latin Jazz that pulls together blues, jazz, timba, and traditional rhythms. There’s an addictive energy to the recording that keeps you coming back for more. The group members have a solid foundation that informs their playing, while their creative spirit takes the music in new and interesting directions. It’s an exciting ride that’s both full of artistic depth and a commercially accessible appeal.

There’s a lot to like on Blue Mambo, but why take my word for it - check it out yourself in this live performance video of the track “Cafe Sin Leche.”

You can find Blue Mambo and its various members in several different spots around the internet. The Blue Mambo website has lots of great pictures, news, and more. Blue Mambo co-leader Victor Rendon has a great website that includes information about his various projects, including a wonderful series of instructional materials. Rendon also performs regularly with the fantastic vibes-based salsa band Grupo Latin Vibes - you can check out their website HERE. If you want to buy the album, jump over to their CDBaby page.

DON’T FORGET! You can download a FREE SAMPLE MP3 from Blue Mambo’s self-titled album at the LJC Listening Center. Download the track, take a listen, and then support this group with a purchase!

Here’s some background information on Blue Mambo’s group members. Enjoy . . .

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Charles Alletto - co-leader, guitar / tres / composer

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Charles teaches guitar at the Allen-Stevenson School. Charles is a versatile player in many styles having worked and/or recorded with Barbara Harris and the Toys, Sam & Dave, Wilson Pickett, Mambo Negro, Nelson Rodríguez, New Swing Sextet, and The Lehman College Latin Jazz Ensemble. In addition, Charles has had a successful career as a professional chef in addition to his music activities.

Victor Rendon - co-leader, drums/percussion/arranger/composer

Drummer/percussionist Victor Rendón, is a sought after New York City musician who has co-lead The Latin Jazz Orchestra and has worked with Mongo Santamaria, Chico O’Farrill, Carlos “Patato” Valdés, Ray Santos, Grupo Caribe, The Latin Jazz Coalition, The “New” Xavier Cugat Orchestra, Los Más Valientes, Grupo Latin Vibe, Annette Aguilar’s Stringbeans, Rudy Calzado’s Cubarama, Henry Brun and the Latin Playerz, and many others. As an educator, Rendón currently conducts the Latin Jazz Ensemble at Lehman College. He holds a Bachelor of Music from The University of North Texas and has taught instrumental music and Latin percussion classes in the New York Public School system and at the Boy’s Harbor Performing Arts Center. As an author/transcriber, Rendon’s work has appeared in Modern Drummer, DRUM!, Percussive Notes, Drumfiles, DCI Music Video, and Warner Bros. Publications. He is author of The Art of Playing Timbales published by Music in Motion Films and was also publisher of his own semi-annual magazine called the Latin Percussionist.

Al Acosta - sax / flute

Born in the Bronx, Al has worked and recorded with Tito Puente, Machito Orchestra, The “New” Xavier Cugat Orchestra, Tito Rodriguez, Jaki Bayard, Lynn Oliver and the Harlem Renaissanco Orchestra. He also has done work on the oldies circuit including Jay Black, The Earls, Lenny Coco and the Chimes. Mr. Acosta holds a master’s degree and currently teaches music in the New York City public school system and has also taught at the Boys Harbor Performing Arts Center in Spanish Harlem.

Joe Mannozzi - piano

Born in the Bronx, Mr. Mannozzi has had a long and fruitful career in music. During the 1970’s and 80’s, he recorded several “classic” albums with Típica 73, Los Kimbos and Conjunto Libre. In addition, he has worked with Nelson Gonzalez, The New Swing Sextet, and Mambo Negro. Joe is also a prolific arranger having written arrangements for the Bronx Horns and many other groups in the NYC area.

Guido Gonzalez - trumpet

Guido Gonzalez was born in Havana, Cuba on November 4, 1966 and immigrated to Hialeah, Florida on December 11, 1967. He began studying the trumpet at age 12, and has since been actively involved in the study, performance, and teaching of the trumpet.
He has lived in New York City since 1985. Guido has performed and traveled extensively with artists such as Ben E. King, Bebo Valdez, La Sonora Matancera, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz,, Ray Barretto, The Big 3 Palladium Orchestra, The Latin Giants of Jazz, Candido Camero, Ray Mantilla, Tito Nieves, and Frankie Morales.
He is currently teaching trumpet at the Harbor Conservatory, Midori & Friends, American Composer’s Orchestra, the New York POPS, and the Mozartina Conservatory.

Solo Rodriguez - bass

Born in Lares, Puerto Rico, Solo studied at the Escuela Libre de Musica. He has worked with Ismael Miranda and also did some local TV productions. He came to New York and played with Noel Pointer, Charlie Persip, Roberta Flack and the Latin Jazz Coalition. Has also done some work with Gospel Music including The Clouds of Joy and The Blind Boys of Alabama.

Yasuyo Kimura - congas/percussion

Yasuyo Kimura holds a Bachelor of Music from Mukogawa Women’s University in Osaka, Japan. Originally a dancer, Yasuyo moved from her native Japan to New York City in 1993 to study the Jennifer Muller and José Limón modern dance technique. It was in these classes that she became attracted to the sounds of percussion. This led to studies at the renowned Boy’s Harbor Performing Arts Center in Spanish Harlem. Her instructors included Greg Askew, Johnny Almendra, and Victor Rendón. She also studied with Bobby Sanabria and Duduka Da Fonseca at Drummer’s Collective in NYC. Since then, Yasuyo has performed and recorded with various groups, which include: El Shabazz Djembe Orchestra, Los Más Valientes, Pasión, Grupo Latin Vibes, Adela Dalto’s “Mujeres Latinas”, Andrea Brachfeld’s “Son Charanga”, the Lehman College Latin Jazz Ensemble, Henry Brun and the Latin Playerz, and the Rodríguez/Rendón Latin Jazz Orchestra, among others. As an instructor, Yasuyo has also been involved in private lessons, workshop/presentations at PASIC 2000 (Percussive Arts Society International Convention) and the Eddie Ming Drum School in Bermuda.

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Check Out These Related Posts:
Spotlight: In The Middle, The Craig Russo Latin Jazz Project
The Ongoing Path of Discovery: Chiemi Nakai and Carlos del Pino On Video
Spotlight: Drummers Speak, Brian Andres and the Afro-Cuban Jazz Cartel
5 Latin Jazz Guitarists on Video

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