Ralph Irizarry Ralph Irizarry, recognized worldwide as an excellent percussionist, first fell in love with the timbal at an early age when his father coincidentally brought home a set received as payment for a debt. A self- taught musician, Irizarry has developed a highly efficient and personalized style of playing while leaving an enduring mark on the artists with whom he has collaborated. His love for the instrument evolved into a full- fledged passion that has fueled his career since 1970. Irizarry admits, without reservation, that this passion has been all consuming since he was a youngster, and is the same passion that he infuses now into his music. Born in New York’s Spanish Harlem, Ralph Irizarry’s family first moved to Brooklyn and then briefly to Queens, before finally relocating in Puerto Rico in 1970. There, he spent three years immersed in music and gained the knowledge and experience that eventually granted him the opportunity to join Ponce’s La Terrífica, as well as sitting in with such prestigious aggregations as El Gran Combo and Sonora Ponceña. In 1974, Ralph Irizarry returned to New York City to pursue a career as a professional musician. After playing and recording with local groups for almost four years, his big break finally came when Ray Barretto invited him to join his top-ranked orchestra and shortly afterward, they were in studio recording the first of six productions. In April of 1983, Rubén Blades sought out Irizarry to join in the formation of Seís Del Solar. This association lasted for fourteen years and consisted of intense performing and traveling as well as the production of eight recordings. After Blades left and with his encouragement, the group continued performing and recorded two Latin jazz albums. Ralph Irizarry has performed, recorded and toured with the likes of Bebo Valdés, Harry Belafonte, David Byrne, Celia Cruz, Paquito D’Rivera, Juan Luis Guerra, Earl Klug, Israel López “Cachao”, Wynton Marsalis, Paul Simon and many others. He has appeared on the Johnny Carson Show and the David Letterman Show, as well as Don Francisco’s Sábado Gigante and Raul Velasco’s Siempre en Domingo. Irizarry has been featured in the major motion film The Mambo Kings and documentaries such as Belafonte’s Routes of Rhythm, Cachao’s Como Mi Rítmo No Hay Dos and The Life of Rubén Blades. Timbalaye In 1996, Ralph Irizarry created his own Latin jazz project, Timbalaye, a septet with a different instrumental format: Latin percussion instruments instead of the typical drum set, as well as a fresh innovative sound. Timbalaye’s repertoire combines contemporary jazz sounds with rhythmic elements from all over Latin America and Africa, as well as Cuba and Puerto Rico. Timbalaye latest exciting release is entitled It’s Time! SonCafé SonCafé is Ralph Irizarry’s son and salsa ensemble structured in the typical conjunto fashion. The group is still making an impact on New York City’s Latin music scene. Evolved from his former ‘Son Criollo’ sextet, the eight-piece powerhouse is integrated by seasoned musicians and outstanding vocalists. SonCafé’s exciting novel sound and powerful delivery encompasses a blend of diverse influences pleasing to listening and dance audiences alike. SonCafé currently has two CDs in the marketplace, the debut CD entitled Bailando con Azucar and the all medley’s CD Tributo. As well as a Live Performance DVD entitled En Grande y En Vivo! Los Viejos de la Salsa After producing and recording three projects on his own BKS label, veteran timbalero Ralph Irizarry returns to the arena with an absolute powerful aggregation and, of course, a new recorded product. The CD, entitled ‘Viejos pero sabrosos,’ packs 12 incredible tunes, 9 of which are original compositions, all arranged by the best arrangers you can find anywhere. The band Los Viejos de la Salsa is made of seasoned musicians, like Eddie Montalvo, Elias Lopes, Reynaldo Jorge, Edy Martinez and a host of others, who have shared stages with Irizarry for over 40 years and have nothing to prove any longer, as they’ve kicked butt so many times in the past. Here, within this brand new aggregation, they sound like if they were playing exclusively for the love of music. And yes, they kick butt once again! Bruce Polin of descarga.com says, “Viejos Pero Sabrosos is a relentless barrage of fist-in-the-air salsa. It’s a statement about salsa musicians transcending age/time and, like a fine wine, can actually distill into something greater than its younger, less seasoned counterparts. It’s homage to the players of the past (Reunión Celestial sings the praises of the Fania All Stars) and an affirmation of the potency of the elder generation (Como El VIno).” Indeed, the concept behind the CD is to showcase and emphasize the continued level of excellence and experience achieved throughout the years by these veteran musicians. Their contributions have laid the foundation for younger generations who follow in their footsteps. Short of needing oxygen tanks, wheelchairs and canes, they deliver in an unparalleled fashioned. And, guess what? Like aging wine they’re better than ever! “I’ve seen so many trends come and go; and what I want to achieve with Los Viejos de la Salsa is to maintain the traditions and roots of the music we originally fell in love with,” states Irizarry. “ Since record labels appear to be a thing of the past and (we) musicians continue to have the necessity and creative drive to produce recorded material, it is a true blessing to once again connect with the public and deliver what I believe is a highly dynamic project.” By Pete Nater Video Links: Credits: Executive Producer, Leader, 2007 Bailando Con Azucar Soncafe Liner Notes, Producer, Timbales Main Personnel, 2007 Borrowed Time Steve Khan Timbales Claves, Group Member, Leader, Ralph 2007 It’s Time Mixing, Primary Irizarry Artist, Producer, Timbales Sammy 2007 The Magician Guest Artist Figueroa Executive Producer, Leader, 2007 Tributo Soncafe Liner Notes, Producer, Timbales 2007 ¡Gracias Joe Cuba! Nils Fischer Quotation Author 2006 The Green Field Steve Khan Timbales Soncafé…Bailando con Ralph 2005 Primary Artist Azúcar Irizarry 2003 Hawaiian Style, Vol. 2 Composer Issac 2003 Versos en el Cielo Drums, Timbales Delgado Gerardo 2002 La Salsa Es Mi Vida Timbales Rosales Latin Jazz: La 2002 Timbales Combinación Perfecta 2001 Cruz Control Cruz Control Composer Claves, Primary Ralph 2000 Best Kept Secret Artist, Producer, Irizarry Timbales En Vivo Desde el Lucecita 2000 Timba Carnegie Hall Benitez Latin Beat Magazine: Real Latin Jazz: Performer, Primary 2000 Percussion, Piano & Artist Strings Salsa, Sweat & Soul: Percussion, 2000 The Best of New York’s Primary Artist Latin Scene Today Live at Birdland: Primary Artist, 1999 Cookin’ at Midtown Timbales Paquito 1999 Tropicana Nights Timbales d’Rivera Larry Harlow’s Latin Timbales, Unknown 1998 Larry Harlow Legends Band 1998 Contributor Role 1998 Mis Ideas Miles Peña Timbales Claves, Composer, Ralph Mixing, Primary Ralph Irizarry & 1998 Irizarry & Artist, Producer, Timbalaye Timbalaye Timbales, Unknown Contributor Role 1998 Summer Solstice, Vol. 2 Timbales Latin Jazz Highlights: 1997 Messidor’s Finest, Vol. Timbales 5 1997 Old Devil Moon Carmen Lundy Timbales 1996 Celebremos Navidad Yomo Toro Timbales 1996 New Spirits in Jazz Timbales United Nations of 1996 Timbales, Timpani Messidor World Christmas 1996 Timbales [Capitol] A Testimonial Dinner: 1995 Timbales The Songs of XTC Member of Seis Del 1995 Alternate Roots Attributed Artist, Solar Timbales Cuba… Mi Corazon Te 1994 Candi Sosa Timbales Llama 1994 Frio Robi Rosa Percussion United Rhythms of 1994 Timbales Messidor 1994 Venus Richie Cabo Timbales United Artists of Composer, Rap, 1993 Messidor Timbales Rubén Blades 1992 Amor y Control y Son del Timbales Solar Juan Luis 1992 Areito Timbales Guerra y 440 Composer, Seis Del 1992 Decision Percussion, Rap, Solar Timbales Rubén Blades Guest Artist, 1991 Caminando y Son del Timbales Solar Hermanos 1991 Together Timbales Moreno 1990 Midnight in San Juan Earl Klugh Percussion Routes of Rhythm, Vol. 1990 Timbales 1: Carnival of Cuba Rubén Blades y Son del Guest Artist, 1990 Rubén Blades Solar…Live! Timbales Rubén Blades Guest Artist, 1988 Antecedente y Son del Percussion, Solar Timbales Do the Right Thing 1988 Percussion [Soundtrack] 1988 Nothing But the Truth Rubén Blades Bata, Timbales Guest Artist, 1986 Agua de Luna Rubén Blades Timbales, Unknown Contributor Role Guest Artist, 1985 Escenas Rubén Blades Percussion, Timbales Guest Artist, 1984 Buscando América Rubén Blades Percussion, Timbales Tremendo Trio: Celia, Main Personnel, 1983 Celia Cruz Ray, Adalberto Timbales 1982 Rhythm of Life Ray Barretto Timbales Main Personnel, 1980 Giant Force Ray Barretto Timbales Cymbals, Drums (Bass), Drums (Snare), Floor 1979 Rican/Struction Ray Barretto Tom, Main Personnel, Timbales, Tma, Tom-Tom Latin Jazz [Nascente] Timbales Ralph Irizarry & Ralph Primary Artist Timbalaye Irizarry Composer, Lider, Ralph Viejos Pero Sabrosos Primary Artist, Irizarry Producer, Timbales Samuel Yaounde Soloist, Timbales Torres Source: http://zildjian.com/Artists/I/Ralph-Irizarry.