Bio
Get to know Guitarra Azul Musicians.
Stefano
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 a solo recitalist, concerto soloist, chamber musician, and as half of the renowned “Edwards-Simmons Guitar Duo.”
David
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.
Javier
Guitarra Azul’s show-stopping virtuoso percussionist Javier Saume-Mazzei hails originally from Caracas, Venezuela. Javier’s fiery intensity and exhilarating rhythmic drive captivate audiences and propel 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
Rafe Bradford, born in Chicago, Illinois, 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 nightclubs and lounges where Rafe had to sit in a corner by himself at break time to keep the club owner from […]
Bio
Ozzie
Many people recognize Osvaldo “Ozzie” Aviles for his recent work with the renowned 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
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 the 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 […]
Ronaldo
Flamenco dancer and percussionist, born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He began his artistic formation in April 2006, with Antonio Santaella, a 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 Botín,” “Bar Gitano,” and “El Mesón La […]
Bio
Jose
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 […]