Bio
Guitarist and Composer Stefano is a former child prodigy who comes from a Musical Family. As a performer Stefano is known for his Dynamic Stage Presence and Brilliant Technique. He has appeared across the US and Europe as Solo Recitalist, Concerto Soloist,Chamber Musician, and as Half of the Renown “Edwards-Simmons Guitar Duo”.
A Chicago native of Ecuadorian descent, Guitarra Azul’s David Chiriboga began playing guitar as a teenager. Originally trained on the guitar in both classical and folk styles, David’s passion for music was truly ignited when he discovered Flamenco. His love for Flamenco brought him to Spain to study with master flamenco guitarists in Granada, Madrid, and Seville.
Guitarra Azul’s show-stopping virtuoso percussionist Javier Saume-Mazzei hails originally from Caracas, Venezuela. Javier’s fiery intensity and exhilarating rhythmic drive captivates audiences and propels Guitarra Azul’s intoxicating Latin groove. Javier began playing percussion at the tender age of eight, studying classical percussion and drum set with his uncle, Edgar Saume.
Rafe Bradford – born in Chicago, Illinois Rafe started playing bass at age 11. Professional gigs started at age 16 with a Soul/Funk band whose members were twice his age. They played Night Clubs and Lounges where Rafe had to sit in a corner by himself at break time to keep the club owner from […]
Many people recognize Osvaldo “Ozzie” Aviles for his recent work with the renown World Music Group Guitarra Azul. But his Passion for Percussion began long before then. Some say it began with his Puerto Rican Mother who was an award winning dancer, Others believe his passion links directly to his Father, a percussionist in New […]
Howie Kantoff has been playing drums and writing music since he was a teenager growing up in the Chicago area. After receiving a psychology degree from University of Michigan, he immediately embarked on his career as a professional musician. Throughout the 1990s, Howie was the drummer for Reprise recording artists Poster Children, with whom he […]
Flamenco dancer and percussionist, born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He began his artistic formation on April 2006, with Antonio Santaella, dancer and choreographer from Granada, Spain. Since December 2006, Monge worked in various “tablaos” of the capital city; including “Barrachina”, “El Chotis”, “Divino Bocadito”, “Casa BotÃn”, “Bar Gitano” and “El Mesón La […]
Brilliant Latin percussionist Jose Montejano has brought a new fire to the rhythm section of Guitarra Azul with his dynamic Percussion skills on the congas, bongos, and especially on the timbales Jose’s percussion mastery and dynamic stage presence has added quite a bit of spice to the Guitarra Azul mix on stage and in the […]
