ROBERTO FONSECA

Javier R. Zalba Suárez (flautist, saxophonist, clarinetist)

Javier was graduated from the Cuban National School of Arts (ENA) as a clarinettist in 1976 and in as a flautist from the Professional Studies School “Ignacio Cervantes” in 1984. At the end of the 70s he started his professional career as a clarinet teacher at the ENA. During the 80s he took part of the “Orquesta Cubana de Musica Moderna”, and he became a member of the ensemble of the pianist and composer Jose Maria Vitier. He participated in different projects with Chucho Valdés, with Bobby Carcassés in the orchestra of the Tropicana Cabaret, or with the group “Oru”. In 1997 he created with his own Latin jazz ensemble called “Temperamento”. In 2000 he joined the orchestra. Several times he has been invited as a member and soloist by the Cuban National Symphony Orchestra and many other chamber ensembles as well. He participated in diverse international tours including the most important Jazz Festivals around the world. Moreover he wrote three books, two of them about Cuban music; “Sax Soneando” and “Flute Soneando”, and a didactic one, “Technique for the Saxophone”.

Joel Hierrezuelo Balart (percussionist)

Joel was born in Habana in 1972. During his childhood he was surrounded by all kinds of musical instruments. When he was 12 he started singing and playing percussions in amateur bands. In the mid 90s he graduated as a music professor and started touring with Ricoson in France. Back in he began playing percussions in the band “Temperamento” with Roberto Fonseca. In 1997 he moved to France and played in various bands. He shared stage with well-known artists such as Tito Allen, Celia Cruz, Jimmy Bosh, or Jose Mangual Junior. At the end of the 90s he took part in numerous musical adventures as a percussionist. He recorded with Enma Baya, Salome de Bahia or Bob Sinclair. In 2001, he founded Mambi with Carlos Miguel Hernandez, Luis Manresa and Fino Gomez among others. In 2006, he re-entered Roberto Fonseca band as a percussionist and they started performing in major international tours.

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He participated in Zamazu and played in important festivals such as the Montreal Jazz Festival (Canada), Umbria Jazz (Italy) or Jazz in Marciac (France). On November 2008 he recorded the new album from Roberto Fonseca “Akokan”. At the same time Joel continued to perform in formations such as Sabor, and his own group Mambi.

Omar González Sánchez (bass player)

Omar González Sánchez was born in 1971 in Cuba. He was graduated as a musical director by the National School of Instructors of Arts in 1990. Since then he started his professional career and he had the chance to play with musicians like Sergio Vitier, Mario Morejón or Giraldo Piloto Barreto, and he joined musical groups like “Oru”, “Oye como va” or “Giraldo Pilto and friends”. From 2000, Omar joined other projects; Habana Report, Hernán López Nussa trio, or the Cuban artist Yusa, with whom he had the chance to tour in renewed festivals such as Jazz Festival of Martinica, Jazz Spectacular festival from Vancouver in Canada, or Sous les pommiers de Coutance festival in France, apart from that he played in places all around the world. From 2000 he joined the group of the pianist Roberto Fonseca “Temperamento”. With them he carried out amazing tours in all kind of jazz festivals in Russia, Spain, Turkey, Germany, Lebanon, Italy, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Australia or New Zealand. Together with Roberto he recorded “No Limit”, “Elengo”, “Zamazú” and “Akokan”. At the same time, Omar had played also with Santiago Feliú, Francis del Río, Sexto Sentido, Bobby Carcasés and he also participated as a bass player in the soundtrack of Benny Moréʼs film.

Ramsés Manuel Rodríguez Baralt ( guitarist)

Ramsés was born in 1971 in Cuba. He started his musical career when he was only 11 years old. In 1995 he worked together with Ernán Lopez Nussa for four years and he had the opportunity to play in festivals all over the world, like the Festival World Music in Copenhagen or the International Festival Jazz in Paris.

Montuno Producciones y Eventos Tel +34 93 363 3600 – Fax +34 93 363 3450 Email [email protected] Web www.montuno.com

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Afterwards he started his own musical career and he had the fantastic opportunity to share stage with Silvio Rodríguez, Eduardo Aute or Chucho Valdés. In 2006 he joined Roberto Fonseca on his tour in Europe, presenting his album Zamazu. After that he became one of the most important figures accompanying Roberto until now. Moreover, he participated in the recording of the CD “Gracias” by which is the winner of a Latin Grammy 2009 and it is nominee for the Grammy award 2010. He also participated in the recordings of “La Flor” by Omara Portuondo, “Song Book” by , “Bossacubana” by Sexto Sentido.

Montuno Producciones y Eventos Tel +34 93 363 3600 – Fax +34 93 363 3450 Email [email protected] Web www.montuno.com

www.robertofonsecacom www.myspace.com/robertofonseca