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The Miami Big Sound Orchestra is downtown Miami’s resident professional contemporary Latin Jazz Orchestra, a project formed as a collaboration of musicians from Miami’s jazz and Latin music communities. This 18-piece powerhouse group is comprised of Miami-based musicians who have performed and toured with the likes of Celia Cruz, Ray Barretto, Jon Secada, K.C. and the Sunshine Band, Chayanne, Ray Ruiz, Tito Nieves, Chaka Khan, and the Funk Brothers among many other artists.

Led by trumpeter/flugelhornist Pete Francis and bassist/composer Rafael Valencia, and featuring vocal artist Lourdes Valentin, the band delivers its own blend of Afro-Cuban and Brazilian music, contemporary Jazz, and Soul.

PERFORMER BIOS:

Pete Francis – Trumpet/LeaderBorn in Sacramento, California. While studying at the University of Miami’s Studio Music and Jazz program, Francis played in the bands of Sammy “Timbalon” Pagan, former percussionist with the Machito orchestra, backing up many Salsa artists. Francis’s credits: recorded on two Grammy winning albums, multiple tours with Sony Discos artist Chayanne, as well as performances with Celia Cruz, Tito Nieves, Jerry Rivera, Larry Harlow, Cheo Feliciano, Rey Ruiz, Luis Enrique, Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz, the Manhattan Transfer, the Four Tops, the Temptations, the O’Jay’s, Chaka Kahn, Natalie Cole, Bobby Caldwell, Dionne Warwick, Ed Calle, Maelo, Hector Tricoche, Lalo Rodriguez, Issac Delgado, and Andy Montanez.

Rafael Valencia – Bassist/Composer/Arranger30 year member of the Sabado Gigante TV show band with Univision. Performances, recordings and tours with Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D’Rivera, Carl Fontana, Bill Watrous, Joe Williams, Ed Calle, Nestor Torres (This Side of Paradise: Grammy winner for best Latin jazz album, bass and arranger), Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Luis Enrique, Ismael Miranda, Willie Chirino, Jose Luis Rodriguez, Julio Iglesias, and “Lo Nuestro” Billboard Magazine Latin music awards TV show.

Lourdes Valentin – Featured VocalistA Jazz singer, songwriter, guitarist and painter, Lourdes Valentin was born in the Bronx, NY, to Puerto Rican parents and traveled the globe as a professional model for six years before moving to Miami. Having studied the guitar from the age of fifteen, Ms. Valentin began her singing career while in church in Miami Beach. She has since performed in South Florida’s most prestigious jazz venues and festivals, including back-to-back performances at the Sunny Isles Jazz Festival. She co-produced and released her second single, “Crossroads” in 2017, and has been an audience-favorite featured vocalist with the Miami Big Sound Orchestra since 2016.

Tom McCormick – Tenor SaxophoneLegendary South Florida Jazz artist and the MBSO’s featured soloist. Performed with Celia Cruz, Luis Enrique, Mongo Santamaria, Joe Henderson, Arturo Sandoval, Cab Calloway, Phil Woods, Pete Escovedo, Milt Hinton, Roy Ayers, KC & the Sunshine Band, Donna Summers, Jimmy Buffet, the Temptations, the O’Jays among many other artists.

Ismael Vergara – Alto SaxophoneFrom Lima, Peru. Recordings on more than 10 Grammy and Latin Grammy winning albums and many more Grammy nominated albums, including Ricky Martin, Victor Manuelle, Luis Enrique, Issac Delgado, Mario Ortiz All Stars, Alejandro Sanz, Dyango, Ricardo Arjona, and many others. Performances with Gino Vannelli, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Ruben Blades, Gloria Gaynor, Franco De Vita, Dudu Fisher, Ricardo Montaner, Jennifer Lopez and many others.

Erick Castaneda – PercussionWorking as a Latin percussionist and musical director for many major artists in the music industry, Erick Castaneda has performed in over 26 countries and most of the U.S.A. He has been a part of two albums nominated for the Latin Grammy “Album of the Year” award, in addition to his own well-received album “Chico De La Gracia.”

George Mazzeo – DrumsTop call big band, combo, and show drummer and percussionist in South Florida. Mr. Mazzeo has performed in hundreds of shows at the Arsht, Broward, and Kravis performing arts centers.

BAND MEMBERS:Pete Francis – Trumpet/LeaderRafael Valencia – Bassist/Composer/ArrangerLourdes Valentin – Featured VocalistTom McCormick – Tenor SaxophoneIsmael Vergara – Alto SaxophoneErick Castaneda – PercussionGeorge Mazzeo – DrumsFelix GomezRay ChicaloSeth MerlinRodrigo GallardoJulio AndradeLuis AmatRuben CabanPatrick ConverseSeth InnesJason PyleTom WarfelRamces Marsilli

 The Miami Big Sound Orchestra with Lourdes Valentin - Arts Garage