class charanga music CCSF 2013-14

A track from a class performance from fall semester 2013 CCSF  " BONITO Y SABROSO"

Hola everyone...just checking in to thank the newest subscribers to our band link. We are pushing forward for an upcoming party for late August. Meanwhile, I have been working on finalizing a new band DVD promo for some local club venues. Hopefully, we will secure a few club gigs soon. Thanks for your patience...
Hola a todos...aqui estoy pasando por la pagina de Conjunto Buena Mezcla. Quiero agradecer los nuevos aficionados de nuestro perfil.
Recientamente, estamos preparando ensayando para una fiesta en el final de Agosto. Tambien, estoy finalizando in nuevo promo DVD, para que podriamos conseguir mas shows en los clubs de bailar, local..gracias por tu paciensia..abrazos!!


Band Bio:

Our personnel includes:
1) Yanill Nario ( vocals/ bass/ percussion/ direction), originally from Santiago de Cuba, has recently joined Buena Mezcla. Our band was in need of an experienced talented male lead vocal/ director/ instrumentalist, that could take the reigns of that responsibility. Marvin Berrios, Sr., held this position for 6 years, but was tragically killed in a car collision.
Yanill has worked with many bands here in the S.F. Bay Area, including Fito Reynoso y Su Combo, Mission Varrio Project, as well as others in venues such as Yoshi's, The Cigar bar. Yanill , Knows his country's music , it's "son", and every level from "timba/ songo" to charanga. WQe are happy to have him on board.
2) Al Conde (piano/ keyboard co-director). Al is a very experienced keyboardist/ "montunero". He has been playing with us since 2011 and brings a wealth of talent & direction" to our band , from playing solid montunos and solos to our "Musica Latina" to his sensibility in his style of adapting to Latin jazz. He also is currently playing with Sol Band from San Francisco as well as an additional role as pianist in a Prince cover band.
3) David Somers (bass) is one of the original core members with our band. He has been playing bass with us since Sept. 2006, when we were just experimenting with Latin jazz on Sunday afternoon sessions. David is a multi- instrumentalist playing saxophone and flute with Los Boleros, another musica Latina Cuban son cover band  from the San Francisco/ North peninsula. David is versatile, knowledgeable and very much comfortable playing in "clave y tumbao". We are happy to have David playing whenever possible, when he is available, because of his many skills, is an "in demand" musician.
4) Myrna  Farias (female lead vocals/ coro/ percussion). Myrna is a very talented soprano and has a good range for singing the demands of salsa and Latin crossover. Myrna has been working with Yanill on harmonies and has adapted to playing maracas/ guiro while dancing and singing. She is a natural stage "presence" and is very comfortable singing in large audiences and small audiences alike. She came into working with Buena Mezcla since 2011, through her musical partner Al Conde in the Sol Band.
5) Don Q. Martin (trumpet/ fleugelhorn). Don has been working with our band since 2006 as well. He also brings a wealth of talent and experience to our conjunto. Don wrote our only "original" Latin jazz suave cha cha, "Simpatico". Don's solos and melodies, grace our promo audio selections. Don has worked with Boz Skaggs R&B / rock/ blues band for a few years and has been performing with Pacifica's Sanchez Concert Hall jazz ensemble for many years. We are so happy to have Don's transposing on the spot, abilities in a pinch. He has come through so many times.
6) Jerry Henderson ( soprano/ alto/ tenor/ baritone saxophone). Jerry is a fixture in the Skyline Community College Jazz Big Band. He is a great sight reader and has a natural feel for jazz. Jerry is learning and adapting to playing Latin style in "clave". He has been a great side man and inspires the group with his positive energy and support.
7) Robertito Thumas (timbales/ percussion) has been playing with Buena Mezcla since 2010 and has really energized the band with his exceptional timing and creativity holding the percussion section and playing some awesome solos in "live" sessions & gigs. Tito, 32 yrs. old, has been playing since he was a little guy of ten yrs. old, blowing minds of salsa/ son Cubano bands ( sitting in with the Afro Cuban All Stars/ Chuchito Valdez). Tito is an "in demand" timablero / conguero. Tito also plays bass/ guitar and some keyboard, composing some of his original pieces and recording at home. Tito is a good friend and is well liked and respected by everyone he meets.
8) Frank Thude` (congas/ percussion/ band leader). Frank has been in love with "musica Latina" since the very early 70's. Having done quite a bit of jamming with local percussionists "back in the day" in San Francisco's early Latin rock days. He converted to appreciation and exposure to Brazilian bossa/ Latin Jazz at 23 yrs and took the opportunity as a student at S.F. City College, paying with Dave Hardiman's Jazz Stage band for a few semesters. Having married into a musical family. His brother in laws, Marvin, Carlos & Jose brought him into playing with their band, Los Volcanes on occasion during the 80's. After taking a 20 year hiatus from playing, he started taking up clinics and ensembles with various local Latin musicians. Since 2006, he and his deceased brother in law, Marvin Berrios Sr., collaborated in forming Conjunto Buena Mezcla. 

** NOTE: Additional musicians that work with our band:
9) Tom Kyrimis (trombone) & Ricardo Cardoza (trumpet) are both  much "in demand" , playing with quite a few Latin, and R&B, Jazz bands. Tom is best known for his talents in HOT solos, smart sense and reading skills, perfectionist and lively at gigs. He & Ricardo, also add the element of singing backup "coro"  and are respected in the Musica Latina community. Tom also plays with Manicato, Conjunto Picante, as well as Ricardo.
Buena Mezcla has  had the fortune to play Street Festivals (Carnaval SF 2008, Arbor day SF DPW 2009, Half Moon Bay Summer Music Festivals 2008-09, and various fundraisers, private parties, quincean~eras, and some club gigs, Casa Sanchez S.F.(2010) and The Wedge north peninsula (2010). The Alameda County San Leandro School District Latin Student Achievement awards (2010) and the Redwood City School District Latin Students Program concert.
Our band will be looking to work more club gigs and hope to secure a regular spot in one of the venues in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Our motto "translation" is "good mixture".. holds to be true... as we are a good blend of experience, cultures, styles and the best attribute of our band is the versatility and flexibilty in playing so many danceable styles in the Musica Latina genre