Calle 66 at The Cooperage

Calle 66, a native New Mexican salsa band, was formed in 2005. Originally conceived as a six-piece ensemble, the founding members were Vivian Fernandez (bass), Rafael Arredondo (drums), René Navarro (congas), Ramon (vocals), Federico (piano), and Chris Allen (vibraphone). 2006 saw the departure of some of the original members and the arrival of some new members. The current lineup consists of Jackie Zamora (lead vocals), Steve Figueroa (piano, musical director), Paul Gonzales (trumpet), Brad Dubbs (trumpet), Vivian Fernandez (bass), Rafael Arredondo (drums), and Ramsés Fernandez (congas). The mission of Calle 66 is to play contemporary salsa with a unique style and flavor, and to perform the music with the integrity and respect that the salsa art form deserves. Calle 66 can frequently be seen and heard at the house of salsa: the Cooperage Restaurant in Albuquerque. You can also see them at Salsa Under the Stars at the Albuquerque Museum and other venues. Calle 66 is also available for weddings and other private or corporate events. The individual band member bios are as follows: JACKIE ZAMORA (lead vocals) - Born and raised in Lima, Perú, Jackie began studying arias with her mother, a former opera singer, at the age of 13. Upon arrival in the United States at the age of 15, she continued to study choral enesmble singing and was a member of the Western New Mexico Chamber singers and the University of New Mexico Concert Choir. Inspired by her Latin roots, she joined the salsa band Casablanca and began to explore salsa, latin-jazz and bossa nova idioms. Her 2002 recording with Casablanca, entitled Peregrinos, received the best tropical/salsa song of the year award and the female vocalist of the year award from the New Mexico Hispano Entertainers Association. Jackie has also played with the salsa band Encanto and the Afro-Peruvian band Concepto Tambor. STEVE FIGUEROA (piano, musical director) - Born into a musical family, Albuquerque native Steve Figueroa began playing the drums at age 9, receiving private instruction from Jesse Sawyer and Ken Battat. He then switched to the piano at age 17 and has been playing it ever since. Steve has studied piano privately with Pat Rhoads as well as at the University of New Mexico. Steve has become adept at playing many different styles, but his primary focus is on jazz and latin music. In the last twenty years, Steve has become very active on the local New Mexico music scene, playing with groups such as Tetragon, Milo and Friends, Ritmo Caliente, Salsa Suite, Encanto, Calle 66, The New Shtetl Band, Sparx, and the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra. He has also been fortunate enough to perform with jazz luminaries such as Clark Terry, Frank Morgan, Doug Lawrence, James Newton, and David Murray. RAFAEL ARREDONDO (drums) - Born in Havana, Cuba into an artistic family, Rafael began playing music at the age of 15 and played in his first band at the age of 23. However, due of political reasons, he could not study music formally in Cuba. He wasn't able to do that until he moved to the United States. Since moving to New Mexico from his native Cuba, Rafael has played timbales with Albuquerque's first salsa band, Salsa Picosa, and continued on with other bands such as Pretto Y Parranda and Son Como Son. Rafael has also studied other genres such as bossa nova and latin-jazz. VIVIAN FERNANDEZ (bass) - Born in Cárdenas, Cuba, Vivian emigrated to the U.S. as a child. She is one of the founding members of Calle 66. Vivian began playing and performing music at the age of 15. Classically trained on the cello, she then taught herself the guitar and the bass. She is also the musical director for Las Meganenas, a Latina theatre and mixed media performance group. She has performed throughout the Southwest with them, as well as with other numerous musical groups. Her musical palette is wide and eclectic; from the Beatles to jazz to the sacred orisha music of Cuba. RAMSÉS FERNANDEZ (congas) - Born in Havana, Cuba, Ramsés has been playing congas since the age of 16. Since arriving in New Mexico, he has played with numerous salsa bands in Albuquerque. Among those bands are Cafe Mocha, Encanto, and Son Como Son. Has has also sat in with bands such as Son De Cali and Havana NRG. He has studied with César Bauvallet and continues to experiment with other traditional Latin rhythms. PAUL GONZALES (Trumpet) An Albuquerque native began studying trumpet at the age of 9. He studied music at the Armed Forces School of Music in Norfolk, VA. Paul has studied with Bobby Shew, Bob Barnes and former New York City Opera trumpeter, John Trujillo. He has been a member of John Trentacosta's Santa Fe-based jazz group, Straight Up, for 12 years. Paul co-led the jazz group, Tetragon, was a member of Salsa Suite, and appeared at the 1992 Telluride Jazz Celebration with Caribe. In 2003, Paul Gonzales recorded "Warm Valley", his first CD as a leader. In 2005, Paul served as curator for the Outpost Performance Space's "Summer Thursday Jazz Nights" series. Currently teaching trumpet, jazz improvisation, and serves as a clinician with various middle and high school bands. He is also a member of the popular salsa band Son Como Son. BRAD DUBBS (TRUMPET) Albuquerque native, Brad Dubbs, has been an active trumpet player and music educator in and around the Albuquerque area the past 15 years. Having earned a degree in Music Education at the University of New Mexico, he has taught at several middle schools and high schools in the area including his current position as Director of Bands at Manzano High School. His bands have consistently earned superior ratings at jazz, concert, and marching festivals throughout the country. He has performed with such artists as Louie Bellson, Clark Terry, Randy Brecker, James Moody, John Fedchock, Wayne Bergeron, and Bobby Shew to name a few. He also plays lead and jazz trumpet for the Albuquerque Jazz Orchestra and has performed with the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra.