Dance until your
feet hurt. All the Caribbean salsa and merengue
with this fabulous band every Friday from 9:30pm to
all the way until 1:30am
To those of you that
are not familiar with our music we invite you to listen and
enjoy, but most importantly, to let your body feel free to move
to the rhythm that we call
"SALSA"
Orquesta Tropicante is a unique and creative eleven-member Salsa
and Latin Jazz band. The name "Trop-Picante" is comprised of two
words: tropic and picante, meaning "tropics" and "spicy hot."
This name represents their musical style, which features a blend
of Afro-Caribbean dance rhythms, along with contemporary jazz.
The result is an exciting dance orchestra with a unique style
and music that is both traditional and original. The group
consists of professional musicians living in San Antonio,
brining together a multitude of cultural influences. Orquesta
Tropicante, since its inception, has worked in most of the top
nightclubs of San Antonio, Austin and Corpus Christi. The band
was also featured in the 2nd Annual San Antonio Salsa Fest and
San Antonio Fiesta Parade. The band backed-up renowned
international singers such as:
Lalo Rodríguez, El
Cano Estremera, Luigui Texidor, Guianko, Hector Tricoche,
Luisito Carrion, Marvin Santiago, Ray Sepulveda and Paquito
Acosta.
van Carlos Pacheco
"Singer Ivan was born in
Santurce Puerto Rico. He grew up in Trujillo Alto and Caparra
Terrace with his family of musicians and singers. In 1994 he started
singing with many bands like Sr. Sergio Hernandez, Uby Roy (Los
Hijos de Puerto Rico) and Concepto Pachan. In October 1996 Olga
Tañon gave him the opportunity to be part of her enterprise (La
Tañon Band) as one of the singer. Three years later he decided to
enjoy in the army. He was station in Germany for three years.
He came to San Antonio Texas in December 2003 and became part of
this professional band La Orquesta Tropicante.
Felix
H. Rodriguez "Singer/Bongo/Composer"
Felix grew up in Ponce, Puerto Rico, where he learned to play
"Rumba" from the street scene. By the early age of nine he performed
with different "Salsa Groups" . Felix went on from there to play,
compose and record with La Predilecta Band in San Antonio Texas.
Felix participate in "Battle of the bands" in 1995, 1996, and 1997
representing the Fort Sam Houston BOSS Program with this band. He
has performed as percussionist and singer backing some of Salsa's
great singers such Cano Estremera, Hector Tricoche, Luigui Texidor,
Marvin Santiago, Junior Gonzales and others with Orquesta
Tropicante. It is my pleasure been part of this Orquestra and
continue bringing the best of Salsa.
Orlando
Medina
"Timbales" Born in Rio Piedras, P.R. I started to listening and playing timbales when I was
9 years old. I moved to Bayamon P.R. in 1977. I played many
different parties around the area. I enrolled into the Army in 1982.
I played with different orchestras as well, such as "La Fuerza
latina" in Hawaii (1985-1989), "Latin Fire" in Virginia (1990),
Willie Crespo "Latin Sound" and "Latin Power" in Ft Campbell
(1996-1998), "La Clave Tropical" in Korea (1999). I competed with
this band in "The Army Battle of The Bands" in Fort Eustis, VA. I
won first place as the best percussionist. I recorded a CD with "La
Clave tropical in Korea. I returned to Ft Campbell in 2000. I played
with "Al Delory y su Mambo 98 Orchestra" (2000-2001). Mr. Al Delory
have many Gold records and 2 Grammy's. I recorded with his band. I
came to San Antonio in August 2001 and started "Orchestra Tropicante".
Music is my life and I'm planning to play until the day I die.
Alberto Martinez
"Conga" Born and raised in
Ponce, Puerto Rico. Playing Experience: Began playing percussion at
the early age of 10 listening to his favorite salseros on the radio.
I has played with various salsa groups in san Antonio Texas. Impacto
Latino, Orquesta Predilecta, La Esencia Band and others. I had the
pressure to back up many famous salsa singers with Orquesta
Tropicante. I'm very happy to be part of this team. Arriba la Salsa.
Paul Valero
"Piano" Born in San
Antonio, TX. Began playing at a very young age and was educated at
the University of Texas at Austin in music. Paul has been playing
professionally for over ten years and is one of the most sought
after piano players in So. Texas. He also has an extensive
experience in a number of musical styles from country to Latin jazz.
Robert Perez
"Bass" Born and raised in
New York City, began playing bass guitar at a very young age. Was
heavily influenced by the salsa sounds emanating from the large
Puerto Rican community where he was raised and has since been a
highly requested and sought after salsa musician.
Edward David
"Saxophones/Flute" Born in
Denver Colorado. Attended Colorado State University and received
numerous jazz performance awards and has been playing professionally
with various jazz groups ever since.
RicardoVega "Trombone"
Larry Dean "1st Trumpet" Larry Dean
is from Copperas Cove, Texas where he began playing trumpet at age
10. He attended Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, TX
and studied with both Jack Laumer and Dr. Keith Winking. Also, he
studied with the late Armando Ghitalla (Rice University and former
principal trumpet of the Boston Symphony) in 1998. He has performed
with The Austin Symphony, Austin Lyric Opera, and the Mid-Texas
Symphony. Larry is also called on to play in brass quintets, jazz,
and Latin ensembles throughout the Austin/San Antonio corridor.
Since, 1998, he has been a founding member of the rock band
Inda’groove (formerly Blu Funk Junction). Currently, Larry is a
musician in the 323rd Army Band, Ft. Sam Houston, TX. In
1997, he was a finalist in the International Trumpet Guild’s Mock
Orchestra Audition competition in Goteberg, Sweden.
Steve Watkins
"1er Trumpet" Lead
trumpeter Steve Watkins is from Portland, Oregon. He started his
trumpet studies at the age of 10, and was soon performing with some
of Portland's finest bands. After high school he was awarded a jazz
scholarship to attend North Texas State University. In 1981 he
performed as lead trumpet for the New York touring company of the
musical "Jesus Christ Superstar". As a member of the United States
Air Force Band, Steve has served as musical director and trumpeter
for the Air Force Band of the Pacific and is currently musical
director for the jazz ensemble of the Air Force Band of the West. He
has performed throughout the USA andoverseas with numerous salsa,
rock, blues, reggae and jazz groups.
