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Orquesta Impacto - Musician's Bios !!!
Here we offer a sum of the musical background of Orquesta Impacto for your reading pleasure. As you can see many of the musicians have a diverse background and interest. We hope you enjoy learning a little more about our musicians.
Eddie Perez
Band leader, Bass, Coro
Born in San Sebastian, P.R.. At the age of two, I got my first plane ride to New Jersey. I was raised in Perth Amboy and still reside there . My father sang with many of the local Trios in the social clubs that he frequently visited. Because of the love he had for singing, my father would buy the latest tape recorders of the time so that he could record himself. That was the start of my love for music.
I started to play acoustic guitar at about the age of 10 and learned to play "aguinaldos" and "baladas" so that I could accompany him. As a teenager in the late 60’s, I joined local rock bands playing rhythm guitar. Some of the bands that I played in were "The Young Beats’ and "The Diamonds". After seeing NYC Latin bands perform at local festivals and dances, I was bit by the "SALSA BUG".
The guitar was quickly tossed and I bought an electric bass guitar. Bobby Valentine was a huge influence early on in my playing style. In the seventies, I frequented La Sonica’s rehearsal sessions to the point that I got a break and did some gigs. That band had Herman Olivera, Jimmy Bosch, Edwin Bonilla, Roberto Carrero and Alex Velez, pianist and leader. In 1977, I formed "Impacto Sensual", featuring a "vibraphone" . We performed many Joe Cuba and Cal Tjader tunes. At the time ,this was a unique combination in the area. Later, a baritone sax was added . For 1979, 2 trombones were added, Nelson Moreno and Freddy "Igor" Morales. What a combination! This new sound got us a lot of work. In 1981, because of health reasons, the vibe player, Eddie Waddy, quit the band and Nelson left to front his brother’s band and became "Los Hermanos Moreno. In transition, the band now consisted of 2 trumpets, trombone and a baritone sax. "Orq. Impacto" was born! The band worked the TRI-STATE area under the management of Landy Soba (NY) and Joel Suarez/John Cardona (NJ). The band disbanded in 1993. Besides performing, I loved recording and sound engineering. I worked in many local clubs and festivals as a sound engineer during the nineties. I also studied recording engineering and partnered with Joel Suarez and opened "2 TONE STUDIOS" in Linden. N.J. There we gave the young local bands and musicians on a budget, an opportunity to record demos and projects. I currently have my own project studio, Sound Trax Studio .
In 1998, I joined Jazz Y Clave, a latin Jazz Band.. The band played at many small venues and was a staple at Nova Terra. It was something different. The band disbanded after about 5 years. I regrouped with some of the same musicians and Orq. Impacto was reborn. The big "salsa" band had disappeared and I wanted to bring it back, with a fresh
sound and new material!
I want to thank the fans of Orq. Impacto for supporting us and hope that every one enjoys our music. We are all about YOU!, without you we can’t survive!
Que Viva La Musica!!!
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Frank Villafañe
Keyboards, Coro
Frank Villafañe is a Latin-Jazz pianist, composer and arranger. He plays piano "con clave" in the styles of Eddie Palmieri, Peruchin and Sergio Mendes. Born in Bremerhaven, Germany, son of Mike and Elfriede Villafañe, Frank grew up all over the United States and Europe. He began studying the piano at the tender age of 8.
At twelve, Frank moved to Puerto Rico, and was quickly exposed to that infectious music known as "Salsa". Moving back to the States, at Whiteman AFB, Missouri, Frank quickly acquired and studied the musical form, Ragtime, and earned his first paying "gig" as a professional musician at the age of 14. In college, at Rutgers University, Frank began playing piano for a number of Jazz & Latin "conjunto" style bands and orchestras, while studying piano with no less than the great Kenny Barron.
Later, Frank formed Jazz Y Clave, an 8 piece conjunto. Performing his own arrangements of many Jazz standards, Jazz Y Clave soon became a staple at New Brunswick's number one hot-spot, Nova Terra. Frank has appeared at the prestigious Red Bank Riverfest Jazz Festival in 2001 (and again in 2005), and opened for no less than Eddie Palmieri at the Expo Theater at Fort Monmouth (and again at Red Bank in 2005).
Frank is currently performing with Orquesta Impacto, and in between gigs finds time to compose and arrange on his software studio at home. More information is available at Frank's website, www.frankmv.com.
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Ivan Burgos
Lead Vocals, Guiro, Maracas
Ivan (IvanIvan) Burgos was born November 10th, 1965 in Puerto Rico and was raised in the city of Newark NJ. He began his musical career at the age of 18 when he met Herman Oliveras, a singer, who gave Ivan the opportunity to sing with "Sanmiguel 77". He quickly moved on to other bands like "Orchestra la Progresiva" de Juan Carlos Oliva and recorded 4 CD's. During their tour in 1989, in Lima Peru, they received an "Inca de Oro" award for their outstanding sound.
In 1994 IvanIvan and "La Orquesta Elemento 10" hit the charts with two songs "Caliantame" and "La Negrita". Under the Poly Gram record label, together with his friend Frankie Ruiz, two tours of Europe and three tours of California were realized. Ivan received the "Ace Award" for a Radio and Music event in California that same year.
In 2004, Ivan did a tour of Columbia and had major record sales in Barranquilla, Santa Marta, and Cartajena.
Ivan has been produced by Isidro Infante, Lucho Gueto, Keko Hernandez, Diago Tabares, and Willie Sotelo.
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Efrain Cruz
Vocals, Coro, Congas, Guiro
Efrain was a late bloomer in his musical career. He started playing percussion at the age of 16 In Puerto Rico. His brother was very influential in Efrain’s development as a percussionist.
At the age of 18 years old, he got the opportunity to perform with Rafi Miranda’s Orq. He later joined
Orq. La Reforma.where he flourished as a conga player. In 1974, he became a member of EXODUS 74 where he performed for a year before leaving his native Puerto Rico for New Jersey. Playing in the Metro Area with various salsa and latin jazz bands, including JAZZ Y CLAVE, he is now a member of ORQ. IMPACTO! Efrain also sings lead vocals on some of the tunes, giving Impacto a different and distinct "flavor" to our repertoire.
Efrain Cruz was born April 5th ,1952 in Vega Baja, P.R.
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Flavio "Chic" Rivera
Bongo
Born Flavio Ivan "chic" Rivera on October 8, 1951 in Mayaguez P.R, my parents moved to N.Y.C. 10 months later. My father was a lyricist. My brother played congas with the likes of Carlos Pizzarro, Johnny Colon and Mon Rivera. I had two uncles who also played professionally. At the age of 14, I got my first set of timbales for x-mas. At 17, After practicing diligently, I got my first break with Mon Rivera. After playing the NY/NJ circuit for several years, I moved to New Jersey. I am now a proud member of ORQUESTA IMPACTO! |
Carmelo "Papote" Rios
Timbales
Listening to classic salsa and jazz at an early age, I knew that I wanted to be a musician. Timbales was the instrument that I fell in love with. On my 15th birthday, I received a set of timbales from my parents. I spent many hours practicing. Los Juveniles, a local band, gave me my first break and I stayed on for 4 years. I went to NYC and took timbales lessons with Manny Oquendo and Jose Madera for about a year. Staying in the local scene, I played with Shorty y Su Conjunto Colonial, Tuto Feliciano and bass player & singer Victor "vitito" Rivera's Conjunto. After a short break, I joined Victor Quesada's band, a small muti-talented merengue band. I joined Eddie Perez's Impacto Sensual, a vibe band. Later on, the band became Orq. Impacto. I performed with Orq. Impacto for about 5 years . When the band broke up, I joined another local band, Combo Latino, where I played for 8 years! Ray Rodriguez gave me a break with his band and I performed for a year.
AS fate would have it, I am back again with Orq. Impacto!
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Jerry Wells
Trombone
Born in Bayonne N.J. and raised in Matawan N.J., Gerard "Jerry" Wells has been a music teacher in the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School district since 1995. Jerry holds a B.M. degree in Music Education and a M.M. degree in Euphonium Performance from Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of Arts. Jerry has recorded several CDs as a member of the Rutgers University Wind Ensemble and the Imperial Brass.
Jerry has worked with The New York Philharmonic Orchestra in their Traveling Artist and Young Peoples Concerts Program. He has also worked with the great Ray Charles, The Lobster Big Band and Jazz Y Clave Latin jazz band. Jerry currently performs with Imperial Brass and the American Federation of Musicians local #399 with the summer concert band. As a member of Orq. Impacto, Jerry plays trombone like the true professional that he is! |
Jim Cavazzoni
Trumpet
Jim was born in the Bronx and raised in Central Jersey. He resides in Belmar. Other than music, his other passions include martial arts and science. A cool dip in the ocean is another pass time. Jim has a M.S. in Physics from Rutgers and a Ph.D. in Applied Science from N.Y.U.. He was also a research scientist at both Rutgers and N.Y.U..
Jim is a freelance trumpet player in the Jersey area with an enthusiasm for a wide range of musical styles. Before becoming a member of ORQ IMPACTO, he performed in the orchestra for a variety of local musical theater groups, as well as with several big bands. Playing challenging literature with an all-brass band, with British instrumentation, has allowed him the opportunity to perform and record with world-class soloists such as Joe Alessi , Chris Jaudes, Phil Smith and Warren Vache. Jimmy has developed a great passion for SALSA....
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Eddie Mendez
Trumpet
Born in Brooklyn N.Y.,Eddie was raised in Howell N.J.. He began playing the trumpet in 1970, the same year his father passed away. He was a native Puerto Rican . Through out his primary education, he played in various All-State and National Bands. He continued his music education at Jersey City State College. Eddie has worked and recorded with the New Jersey Symphonic Orchestra, Jah Love, Nobody's Buisness, Fresh, Dejavu, The Movers, Doctor Cheeko, The Mango Bros., Waterfront, LineDrive, Cashmere, Jazz Y Clave, Copious Jive, Kirk and the Jerks, Mission Dance and Holiday Express. Eddie has been collaborating with Eddie Perez for 7+ years, 3 years with
ORQ. IMPACTO, as he proudly carries the tradition of Salsa. |
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