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Click on the Members NAME to access the Bio for that member:

Angel Rivera
-Vocals/Keys & Hammond Organ

Mike Arriola
- Lead Vocals & Sax

Lisa Renee
-Lead Vocals

Mark Murray
-Drums/Percussion

Joe Duran
-Bass

JR Juanich
-Lead Guitar/Vocal

 


 

More bios for:

SPECIAL GUESTS

MICHAEL NOCHE
MIKE CODERRE
KENNETH TISDALE
FRED MONSIBAIS
ROY DONKIN

JAMES CONVER
DAVID LACARO
 



Band Bios

ANGEL RIVERA
Band Leader/Vocals/Keyboards & Hammond Organ

Angel has been playing keyboards and Hammond Organ for about 23 yrs. He grew up in Coamo, Puerto Rico, were he learned and mastered the genres of Salsa, Merengue and Latin Jazz. He was the pianist for the Latin Jazz band of the University of Puerto Rico from 1992-1994. In 1995 he joined the US Air Force and then was exposed to the genres of Funk, Soul and R&B, what he truly enjoys to play! In 11 yrs in the US Air Force, he's played with numerous bands across the United States; Straight Up Jazz, Groove Line, All The Way Live, Soul Purpose, Delta 88s, Orquesta Sabroso, Taken Back, Unfinished Business and Del Soul Band to name a few. He has established and directed 2 bands during his time, Soul Purpose band in Colorado Springs, and his current band in the Central Coast of California, Soulamente. Angel has been influenced by long list of musicians. Some of most notable are, Michel Camilo, Eddie Palmieri, Chester Thompson, Gregg Rolie and Jimmy Smith.

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MIKE ARRIOLA Vocals/Tenor & Soprano Sax/Percussion

Mike was born and raised on the central coast in the small town of Guadalupe. His passion for playing instruments musically and performing started at the age of 5. Beginning in elementary school, through college, and on to the present, Mike has performed in numerous bands from marching to concert, classical to jazz, and latin to pop. His affiliation with groups known as "Carino", "Brown Illusion", "Class Action", "United", "Crossover", "Del Soul", "Taken Back", and currently "Soulamente", have all contributed to the experienced musician he is today. Mike has also written, produced, and recorded his own music. His favorite genres of music include Doo-Wop, Old Skool R&B, and Latin Rock of the 70's and 80's. The Soulamente Band, with its blend of Latin, Jazz, Funk and Soul has a serious groove other bands cannot compete with. Combined with the incredible individual talent and the camaraderie with everyone one of Mike's 'Soulamente' brothers is why he sincerely enjoys being a part of this musical experience. Mike also gives special thanks and attributes his current success to the number one fan and biggest supporter to his wife, Janet.

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LISA DURAN
Lead Vocals

Lisa is a powerful and soulful vocalist whose musical styles list included Motown, R&B, Pop, as well as, Jazz standards-Strong presence and style.  She has performed with numerous bands in the Central Coast of California.  More recently, Lisa has performed at The Radisson Hotel, The Royal Scandinavian Hotel, The Chumash Casino, Vandenberg AFB and several events and festivals just to name a few.  She has discoverd that singing R&B and event a little Jazz is reallly where her passion lies and it shows...because whe she performs, she can really knock the socks off of anybody...

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MARK MURRAY
Drums

Mark's sense of rhythm was evident at the earliest stages of life with stories of him rocking in the crib with perfect time. He soon graduated to wooden spoons with pots and pans. Mark's early influences came from his mother who exposed her son to a wide range of popular rock & roll music including the likes of Elvis and The Beatles. This eventually led to formal violin and percussion instruction through the California public school system. Mark finally received his first drum kit at age 12 as a gift from his father who was very impressed with his son's talent show-cased at junior high school performance. Entering high school, Mark joined his first rock band covering classic rock music from artists such as Led Zeppelin, Rush, and Jimi Hendrix and wood-shedded by studying the works of drummers John Bonham, Neil Peart, and Mitch Mitchell. Mark was also experimenting with jazz fusion and listening to Miles Davis, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Return to Forever, and The Dixie Dregs. Out of high school Mark changed musical direction and joined the popular Central California band, Minor Detail, covering classic Motown, R&B, and Soul. This experienced started his long love affair with groove and pocket oriented music. In 1990 Mark returned to college and eventually earned an Electrical Engineering degree at CalPoly San Luis Obispo. However, he kept in touch with music by playing drums as a hired gun covering country, pop, rock, and blues. While establishing a career outside of music, Mark joined the Santa Barbara rock band, The Riffzone, where he help the band complete their debut CD. Through this experience, Mark established his long relationship with Santa Barbara singer/song-writer Mark Roberts. He soon joined the Mark Roberts Band where he still holds the drumming seat today. This band's tasty blend of original melodic rock with clever lyrical content has been captured on three CDs to date. Mark also quenched his passion for soul music by joining the band Del Soul whose core members eventually evolved into Soulamente. Soulamente's contagious mix of Funk, Soul, and Latin was too much to resist and has taken Mark on a whole new musical adventure.

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JOE DURAN
Bass

Joe Duran is a dynamic, powerhouse bass player who brings a soulful new punch to the serious groove the Soulamente Band is already renowned for. Joe brings to the table a wide spectrum of influences including some spectacular soul-jazz fusion bass solos. For any music lover or bass player enthusiast, Joe Duran is fun to watch and listen to as he pulls some dazzling sounds out of his bass guitar.

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JR JUANICH
Lead Guitar/Vocals

JR Juanich, years ago was a marquee guitar player in his hometown of Santa Maria. Legend has it - he was a prominent lead guitarist in several bands at the time. After a long hiatus involving the building of a successful business and raising a wonderful family, JR decided to get back into the music scene. No doubt, Soulamente is very excited he decided to join us. JR lays out some sweet improvised guitar solos; adding that special touch that makes Soulamente-Soulamente!

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SPECIAL GUESTS
MICHAEL NOCHE
Guitar/Lead Vocals, Sacramento

Michael Noche is a major in the United States Air Force and a native of California. He started playing guitar at the age of 12. He began his music career as the youngest member and guitarist/vocalist of Top 40 and R & B band, "After Six" in 1985. After Six gigged throughout southern California and won the local Service Merchandise Battle of the Bands in 1986. He performed with After Six and did some side work as guitarist and vocalist for the easy listening/jazz band, "Reel to Real" from 1985-1988. Mike competed and won 1st place Instrumental Solo Category at Edwards Air Force Base, California Base Level Talent Contest in 1987 and 1988. He performed some spectacular guitar selections by Earl Klugh which captured the hearts of the judges two years in a row. He was selected as guitarist for the United States Air Force Tops In Blue Worldwide Tour in 1988. Upon his return, he was hired as lead guitarist for a jazz big band, "Jazz Test Center." He cut his first ever professional album with this group.

Shortly thereafter, he was picked up again as a guitarist and vocalist for the classic rock and oldies band, "At Random." He left that group in 1992 to pursue his love for jazz and formed the jazz combo, "Brass Ring." With this band, they brought the house down at several clubs in southern California. From there, he gigged with a blues band for a couple of years. He hungered for competition once again. In 2000, he competed and won 1st place in the USAF Worldwide Talent Contest held in Texas--he was the #1 instrumental soloist in the Air Force! He performed the song "Spain" by Chic Corea. He was selected again as guitarist for the USAF Tops In Blue Worldwide Tour in 2000. Upon his return, he was hired as guitarist and vocalist for band, "Black, White, Rhythm & Blues," one of the hottest bands in the Midwest. He excelled to another level. Mike not only played lead and rhythm guitar, he also performed on guitar synthesizer. He dazzled audiences with his horn and string lines as well as keyboard solos--all on guitar! Mike eventually moved on to the Central Coast and gigged with Soul/Latin band sensation, "Soulamente." This band performed everything from Steely Dan to Marvin Gaye. He still makes guest appearances with Soulamente. Mike is currently living in the Sacramento area and playing with smooth jazz/R & B band, "Smooth Groove."

Mike also produced, wrote, performed, and arranged his first solo CD, "My Dream." This CD is a brilliant mix of contemporary jazz and Latin rhythms. He also mixed and engineered this major project.

MIKE CODERRE aka YOUNGLBOOD/OL' SKOOL
4/5 String Electric Bass

Mike has been playing bass for approximately 14 years and is mostly a self taught musician. A native of the "East Coast," he grew up in a small town south of Boston where he spent a year at the University of Massachusetts studying upright bass and jazz studies with one of Boston's most notable. In between practicing electric and upright bass, he spent most of his days improvising over albums from genres like Jazz, Acid-Jazz, Soul, R&B, Funk, Hip Hop, Alternative, Classic Rock, Ska and Reggae. Mike has been influenced by these many styles and many musicians alike. Some of the most influential have been: Steely Dan, Miles Davis, Jamiroquai, Incognito, The Brand New Heavies, Groove Collective, Tower of Power, Soulive, Christian McBride, Victor Wooten and Jaco Pastorius. Mike has played in numerous small bands over the years to include The EO Project, The Lost Boys, Spanish Fly, Groove Line, and Soulamente

KENNETH TISDALE
Vocals/Bass, Santa Barbara

FRED MONSIBAIS
Vocals/Guitar, Santa Maria

ROY DONKIN
Guitar, Santa Barbara



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