ANGEL RIVERA Band Manager/Vocals/Keyboards Angel has been playing keyboards and Hammond Organ for about 24 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 14 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. Back to Top
	JINEANNE COLUMNAS Lead Vocals             Back to Top
	MIKE CODERRE 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       Back to Top
	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. Back to Top
	DAVE SKINNER Guitar  Dave hails from the United Kingdom and moved to the Central Coast when he married his wife Natalia. Dave has been playing since a young age and studied at the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford, England graduating in 2007 with a Bachelors Degree in popular music. While studying at the ACM, he gained a knowledge of many different styles of music making him a versatile player. Dave is thrilled to be a part of such a talented group of musicians and playing music that he loves!           Back to Top
	VICTOR VEGA Lead Vocals/Percussion  Victor is the lead vocalist and manager of Santa Barbara's own "The Bomb".  "The Bomb" began 12 years ago as a four piece R&B band and has expanded to whatever the demand calls for. The versatility of the band makes it stand alone as it appeals to a wide audience. "The Bomb" can do anything from jazz, rock, blues, funk, to a big band sound.  Victor is thrilled to ocassionally join Soulamente and perform the music he truly enjoys!         Back to Top
Photos Courtesy of Steve Howard:  stevehoward.smumug.com
	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.
	JUSTIN CLAVERIA Sax Justin has played with many artists, most recently Kenny Loggins, Les McCann, EMI Higher Octave artists Shahin & Sepehr, Nate Birkey, Flora Purim, jazz composer Maria Schneider, Jana Anderson, Michael McDonald, The Coasters, Warner Brothers artist Robert Shimmel, 70s funk sensation Funk Inc., and the list goes on and on. Justin's influences have been heavily drawn from the great John Coltrane, Bob Minter, and mostly, the late great Michael Brecker. These influences are evident in Justin's tenor sax sound. He plays with an authority and harmonic sense and with a sense of time that captivates and excites all who listen. Justin began on alto sax, his then influences were Brandon Fields, Marc Russo, Gerald Albright, and Everett Harp, but Justin now makes his mark as a tenor and soprano saxophonist. The fusion of soul, gospel, funk, and pop alto sax playing, combined with his now found traditional jazz Brecker tenor sax influenced sound makes Justin's style very much his own; very exciting, intense, interesting, and intriguing.  Soulamente has the pleasure of having him onboard bringing an edge of phenomenal creativity!
	RON McCARLEY Sax Ron McCarley, Director of Jazz Studies is a graduate of CalArts and Westmont College. Before teaching at Cuesta, Ron was directing professional and collegiate big bands and small groups in the Santa Barbara area. He has had many students go on to successful music careers and many years of experience in jazz performance and education. As a performer, he doubles on all saxophones, flute and other woodwinds and plays a wide variety of music locally and throughout Southern California. When he is not playing music or teaching, he spends his time with his wife, Laura, and their two children.
	MYCHAL LOMAS Bass Guitar
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