William Mendoza was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico but was raised on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Because of the city’s’ cultural diversity, he surrounded himself with music that ranged from Doo Wop & R&B, to Rock and Latin. He was in the mix during the birth of Fania and the ever-evolving styles of Salsa which were blazing the airwaves back in the 70’s. He began playing bass guitar at age 14, but moved on to steel drums where he discovered his true love for percussion. After years of playing the NY Latin scene, with groups such as the Latin Rock Band Malo, Willie took a hiatus from the music business to raise a family and to concentrate on business. After years in the business sector, his love for music has brought him back. Applying both what he learned in music as well as in business he now brings to you – “The Latin Heartbeat Orchestra”.
Carlos Oliveras was born in 1956 in Manati, Puerto Rico. At the age of 10 he migrated to the United States, where he has lived in Hartford, CT ever since. Carlos began to explore his love for music at the age of 14 when he began to sing vocals for The Conjunto Inspiración Orchestra. Carlos' main inspirations and influences are Willie Rosario, Johnny Pacheco and José Feliciano. Throughout the years Olivera has done vocals with Kim de los Santos and Marvin Santiago. Carlos has had a successful and wonderful music career, and continues to enjoy the art of music which he continues to perform today for his fans.
Alving Gabby Santos was born in Chicago, Illinois. He is the son of Cesar "El Duque" Santos, who was the lead singer of 1960’s Chicago group Los Bravos del Ritmo. At age 10, alongside his brother Raul, Gabby sang with Salseritos del Barrio; at age 12 Santos sang with Orquesta Sensación and after he graduated from high school he performed with Conjunto Cachana. After high school, Gabby attended the University of Puerto Rico (UPR), where he received an Associate’s Degree in Management. While at UPR, Santos worked with Orquesta La Resistencia, as well as folkloric groups such as: Arawak, Viva la Gente de Dacamatun and Apolumi de Angel Olmos. After college Gabby settled in Connecticut, where he continued to sing and play percussion in various orchestras. Among others, Santos has performed with Playariquena, Komboloko, The Optima and Full Gold.
Ray was born in the Bronx, NY, and raised in Bridgeport, CT. At age nine, he began playing bass in church, continuing on the bass through high school. It was around that time that Ray was first introduced to salsa music when he was approached by his two brothers to play with their salsa band. From then on, Ray began his love for salsa music, setting out to learn as much as he could about salsa and to perform with the top salsa artists around. His big break came when he was asked to play with David Cedeño, who had a hit song called Lady in Red; Ray toured Germany with Cedeño, alongside Marc Anthony. After that, Ray’s music career took off as he traveled the world performing with music legends such as Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, José Alberto, Tony Vega and Miles Peña. Rodriguez then took to directing bands, assisting such groups such as Los Hermanos Moreno and Raulin Rosendo. Ray also currently runs a workshop at Beat the Street, a community center in Meriden, Connecticut where musicians from all over come to meet and share their music.
Coming from a family of world-class musicians, Damian Curtis began studying the piano at age four. He attended the Academy of Performing Arts, Artists Collectives and Guakia School for the Creative and Performing Arts. During high school was afforded a full scholarship to the University of Hartford (Hartt School of Music). He has had the opportunity to share the stage with many great musicians, such as Giovanni Hilgaldo, Patato Valdes, Andy Gonzales, David and Abraham, José Papo Rivera, Rubin Felix, Jackie Mclean, Nat Reeves, and Steve Davis, just to name a few.
Bobby was born in Hartford, CT. His innate musical abilities were part of a family legacy and an inherited gift. Since age 3, he has had a passion for percussion, specifically congas and bongos. During his youth, he remained committed to music and continued playing during his college carrier. He attended Blinn College in Brenham, TX where he continued to perform in a variety of settings, including academic and social. Bobby has thoroughly enjoyed playing percussion instruments and has always visualized himself playing professionally. He is currently playing with The Latin Heartbeat Orchestra, Conjunto Barrio, Herman Oliveras and Pete Valentin, and has performed with noted artists such as Luigi Texidor and Luisito Carrion. His perseverance has made him a successful performer and has deepened his musical aptitude. Que Viva la Musica Bobby!
Edgar "Papo" Jimmy grew up in in New York City. While listening and learning music in the barrio, Edgar started performing music at a very young age. Edgar's list of performance credits include: Bobby Rodriguez y La Compañia, Ray Rodriguez y Duro, Luisito Rey, Echiso, Jesus Pagan y Su Orquesta, Ray Reyes and many others. Jimmy now resides in Connecticut and can be seen performing with The Latin Heartbeat Orchestra, Afinke, Pete Valentin and Karibe Mambo, to name just a few.
Tony Gonzalez has been playing percussion for over forty-five years. A graduate of the Hartford Conservatory of Music, Tony has been a fixture in the professional Latin music scene for over four decades and has performed all over the world. As a master conga, timbales, bongos, campana and bata drummer, Tony has earned the reputation as one of the most versatile percussionists around. He has performed with such artists and ensembles as: Ray Rodriguez; Tony Peña y La Sabrosa;José Merino Y Su Orquesta; Yukiyu; Chavhanga New England; Roberto Lugo; Donald DePalma; and Paul Brown. Presently, Tony brings his expertise to The Latin Heartbeat Orchestra, offering to this ensemble his many years of of musical know-how.
Originally from New Britain Connecticut, Anthony Sisson is a professional trumpet player who has quickly become an in-demand lead trumpeter within the New England area. He studied music performance at Central Connecticut State University and has performed with numerous ensembles at the Hartt School of Music. Anthony has studied trumpet with the likes of Dr. Daniel Daddio, Larry Gareau, Seneca Black, Kevin Cobb and Gino Viarreal; he has also performed in master classes with trumpet legend, Dave Stahl. Some of Anthony’s performance credits include work with: The Latin Heartbeat Orchestra; Red Satin Band; The Bristol Reunion Orchestra; The Other Orchestra; The Connecticut Cabaret Theatre; and Playhouse on Park Theatre. In addition to being a sought-after musician, Anthony is a brass instrument repair technician, recently acquiring a position at the prestigious S.E. Shires Company in Hopedale Massachusetts.
Brian has been playing trumpet since the age of nine. In high school, Brian was selected as lead trumpet for the Massachusetts Northeast District Jazz Band, under the direction of Jazz legend Herb Pomeroy; he also was chosen for the MA All-State Jazz Group. Brian then went on to attend the Berklee College of Music, studying under such notable trumpet players as Wayne Naus, Lin Biviano, Tiger Okoshi and Jeff Stout. After college, Brian spent 4 years touring with original funk group, Rippopotamus, a group that has shared the stage with national acts such as Queen Latifah, Phish, Fishbone, De La Soul, and the Beastie Boys. Rippopotamus released five albums, wrote and performed the theme song for MTV's show, Singled Out, and were a featured act at the Montreal Jazz Festival. Brian currently performs with various groups, in a multitude of styles, gaining him credit as a versatile musician and a go-to guy for just about any musical setting.
Gil Boulé has been playing trombone on the Salsa scene throughout New England for about 15 years. Some of the well-known artists he performs with are: Viti Ruiz, Johnny Rivera, Paquito Guzman, Anthony Cruz, Raulin Rosendo, Hector Tricoche, Nino Segarra, Richie Ray/Bobby Cruz, Moncho Rivera and Giro. Married to a Peruvian woman, he is well connected to the Salsa scene in Lima, Peru as well. Gil is an accountant and farmer and lives in the backwoods of North Central Massachusetts.
