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Gustavo arrived in Brisbane from Sydney in 2005, where, for the past twenty years, he has dedicated his life to pursuing and perfecting all genres of Latin music, ranging from Afro Cuban to Central and South American rhythms. Having the privilege of touring and playing with international artists such as the Afro-Cuban All Stars, Buena Vista Social Club, Jimmy Bosh, Gypsy Kings and Oscar De Leon, just to name a few, enhanced and developed Gustavo’s experience in co-ordinating and directing three major Salsa Bands in Sydney. These bands have been the supporting acts for major international artists playing at the Sydney Barcardi Festival, as well as numerous, high-profile corporate events. Touring intensively around Australia for four years from 2001-2005 with Drum Beat, a show incorporating the art and origin of drumming and percussion (the art of hitting things), sponsored by Billy Hydes and Latin Percussion. The purpose of this tour was not only to teach primary and secondary students how to drum, but to expose them to authentic World music and cultures. Before leaving Sydney, Gustavo performed on the TV hit Australian Idol 1, Now in Brisbane, he has formed the 9-piece Afro Cuban Salsa / Latin Jazz Band “Chukale“, whose dynamic presence will ensure a world class standard to continue. |
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Coming from a family of Greek musicians, Christo, a multi-instrumentalist, has grown up with ethnic music all throughout his life, particularly Greek and Latin music. Despite his age, Christo is an experienced and travelled musician and has supported acts like Celine Dion and The Eagles, while also performing with Chris Andre and other well known artists and bands throughout the Greek and Latin communities in Australia, Asia, and Europe. While his main instrument is Piano/Keyboard, Christo also has studied Klarino, Lyra, Accordion, Congas, Timbales and Brazilian percussion. Christo has always had a hunger to learn all the fundamentals of Afro-Cuban music (percussively and melodically), which has earned him the nickname “El Pulpo” (Octopus), given to him by his Puerto Rican mentor. If Christo had eight arms, he could have himself a one man live salsa band. |
Osmar Salazar Hernánez |
Osmar studied classical guitar at the E.V.A. (Vocational School for the Arts) because, at the time, they lacked a bass teacher. Consequently Osmar striped a nylon-string guitar and installed four E-strings; essentially a self-assembled four-string bass. At the age of 17 he is asked to join Diákara, an established latin jazz group. He participates in a jazz competition (Festival de Jovenes Jazzistas) and wins a top prize for virtuosity and popularity. Recently he traveled to France with singer William Vivanco. He is also the musical director for Yulién Oviedo's new band: a up-and-coming powerhouse of cuban timba, and performs in the internationally acclaimed Cuban show 'Lady Salsa'.
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Sacha is one of Australia's premier all-rounder drum kit artists. Whether burning with a jazz quartet, grooving with a funk or rock band, or lighting up the dance floor with a Cuban salsa ensemble, Sacha has proven his mettle with the best of them, and continues to break new ground with his delicate, yet explosive drumming. Sacha enjoyed a rich, fulfilling introduction to the drum kit; his earliest mentor Bob Peele schooling him in rudimentary drumming, as well as encouraging him to explore the plethora of styles and approaches available to the modern drummer. After several memorable lessons discovering the secrets behind vinyl recordings from Chick Corea, Lee Ritenour, Steely Dan & others, Sacha discovered a particular interest in jazz/fusion and the drumming heavyweights early on - Steve Gadd, Billy Cobham, Dave Weckl, Vinnie Colaiuta and so on - the usual suspects in a line up of drumming heros.
During high school, Sacha's sister loaned him a compilation disc entitled simply 'Latin Jazz'. Featuring explosive recordings of Chucho Valdez' legendary group Irakere, this material became extremely influential to Sacha, perhaps the lead cause of his next obsession - Latin music and Afro-Cuban Jazz. Notable influences during this time were Cuban drummers Ignacio Berroa and Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez, whose translations of traditional Cuban rhythms onto the modern drum kit were nothing short of a revelation to Sacha. Enrolling at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music in 2002, Sacha began study under Paul Hudson, who was instrumental in honing his technical approach, as well as expanding his knowledge of Jazz styles. In 2004, under instruction from Ken Edie, Sacha engaged in advanced rhythm studies during what was to be another turning point in developing his musical voice. While still studying at university, Sacha began performing professionally with fellow students and teachers alike, and established himself as a musician flexible enough to cater to any musical situation - from pub rock nights to salsa club sessions to small combo and big-band jazz concerts.
Now an experienced teacher in his own right, Sacha teaches privately in Brisbane, and also hosts video drum lessons with School Of Music Online.
Sacha currently holds the drum chair in numerous groups including Afro-Cuban salsa ensemble ‘Chukale’, big band ‘Enthusiastic Musicians Orchestra’, and latin-jazz combo ‘The Louise Denson Group’. Over the years he has performed with a vast array of Brisbane's most esteemed artists and groups and performed at some of Australia's biggest music events, such as the Woodford Folk Festival, Bellingen Global Carnival, Darling Harbour Jazz Festival, York Jazz Festival and the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz.
see:
www.sachakloostra.com
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Shane holds a Bachelor of Music (Contemporary Performance) at the QLD Conservatorium of Music. He is a proficient reader and improviser, and performs regularly in many different and diverse bands. Some of the bands he has worked with include "QLD Youth Orchestra Big Band", "Con Artists(QLD Conservatorium Jazz Orchestra)", "Decahedron", "Max Miller Big Band", "Chancellor Big Band", "Lush", "The Accidents", "Andrew Garton's Abbreviations Orchestra", "The Super Fun Happy Slide Experience", "Damian Sim Quartet", "Chukale", as well as performing regularly with his own band .. He has also performed with national and international acclaimed artists such as Jim Pugh (New York), James Morrison, Don Burrows, Steve Newcomb, James Sherlock, Eugene Romaniuk, and many more.
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Robert began his professional career at the age of 13 performing at the wrest point casino Hobart with the late John Sidney. In 2001 he began working with the Tasmanian Philharmonic orchestra in various musical theatre shows including Sweet Charity, The Sound of Music and West side story. During this time Robert worked as a session musician on various recordings and as a highly sort after freelance musician throughout the state. In 2005 after some thought Robert decided to move to Brisbane and study with trumpet legend John Hoffman at the Queensland Conservatorium. During 2007 Robert performed with the infamous band ‘The Saints’ as the headline act at the Queensland music festival sell out concert ‘Pig City’ this was a very rare concert as this was the first time The Saint’s had performed together in almost 30 years. Robert has also performed with the likes of Joe Camillari and the Black Sorrows, Tom Burlinson, James Morrison, Don Burrows, The TSO Brass and Graeme Lyall. As of at the moment Robert is working heavily in Brisbane and through out Australia with a diverse stylistic range from Latin, jazz, reggae, classical and hip/hop. |
Daniel Gonzales |
Hailing from Uruguay, Daniel has been influenced heavily through his South American roots, which have helped him realise his passion for drumming. His parents, both classically trained, tried to sway him to classical Music but it was street drumming that had him in its grips. In 1996, Daniel began studying under the great Cuban musician Bernardo Alvarez.
Daniel has been the preferred percussionist in Gold Coast club & lounge venues over the past 5 years & has worked with the Coast’s known DJs as well as Internationals such as Carl Kennedy & Derrick Carter.
After spending 3 months of musical study once again on the musically rich island of Cuba, Daniel has returned to Australia to share his highly developed knowledge of Afro-Cuban rhythms. Whilst in Havana Gonzalez met with Jorge Suarez (El Nino) and undertook intense studies of Congas, Bongos, Timbales, & Drum kit. Having also performed with Jorge Suarez’s (El Nino) ensemble, Gonzalez has been offered a permanent spot within the band should he choose to take this honour on board.
Since arriving back on the sunny shores of Queensland he has now been snapped up as percussionist by Tijuana Cartel, Rubber Johnson, No Siesta and of course, Chukale.
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