Rumba Calzada

Latin Jazz, Salsa & Afro-Cuban

This Vancouver Septet, led by Philippino – Canadian Raphael Geronimo, shares a common bond; passion for Afro-Cuban rhythms. Individually the players reflect Vancouver’s cultural mosaic, sprouting from a diversity of cultural backgrounds. Rumba Calzada’s take on Latin music is also reflective of its locale. The equatorial heat of their percussion-driven sound simmers with the “cool” of West Coast jazz.

Each member of Rumba Calzada is a true student of the form. Raphael himself learned the intricacies of Afro-Cuban percussion at the “Foclorico Nacional de Cuba”. The vibes, keys and horn arrangements defy the percussive pull beneath and seem to float breezily above.

Nominated for the 2002 West Coast Music Award: Best Roots – Traditional Release and for the 2002 Canadian Independent Music Award: World Album of the Year, Rumba Calzada’s third release “Volume 3” is a fantastic combination of Afro-Cuban rhythms and Latin grooves. ȁNena Baila” closes out the disc and provides an opportunity to witness a live performance captured by CBC’s mobile recorders at the “Sounds Like Summer” festival at Blue Mountain Park, Coquitlam, BC. If you are ready to rumba, jump at any opportunity to catch the amazing Rumba Calzada live!

“guaranteed to move your feet and reach your soul”
Latin Beat Magazine (Los Angeles)

It is perfect for dancing…it is great for listening.”
Taipan Magazine (Asia)

this is the real deal salsa”
MUZIK ETC. (Montreal)

….a world class Latin Band.”
The Province (Vancouver)

…Rumba Calzada lives on and grows from strength to strength.”
The Georgia Straight (Vancouver)


Rumba Calzada is:

Raphael Geronimo – Percussionist, Composer, Instructor, Band Leader
Vancouver’s interest and enthusiasm for Afro-Latin music can be linked directly to a handful of dedicated artists. Raphael Geronimo has been an integral part of the Vancouver Latin and Jazz scene for more than ten years, performing, teaching, writing and directing for many of the city’s best loved groups. Third generation in a family of professional musicians and dancers, he committed himself at age seventeen to serious musical studies under the direction of his father Boying Geronimo, and made his professional debut one year later. Continuing his training he studied in Cuba at the Laboratorio Internacional de Folklore en la Habana and in New York at the Boys Harbour Center of Performing Arts. Some highlights of his career include performances with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Winnipeg Philharmonic, Windsor Symphony, Montreal Jazz Festival with Oscar Lopez, and the Vancouver international Jazz Festival with Cracchiola and the Juno nominee Chris Tarry Collective. Other groups he has performed and recorded with include Crash, Alma Libre, Meta 4 Collective, Vince Mai, Gay Delorem, Millennium Project and Soul Stream. Raphael has become known for a vibrant and original sound, which energizes any group he is associated with.

Lou Mastroianni – Pianist
Lou received a scholarship at the Banff School for the Arts where he studied with Don Thompson, Dave Holland, Kenny Wheeler and John Abercombie. He continued education in Latin Jazz and Cuban Music in Cuba studying with Emilio Morales from the group NG LaBanda, percussionist Anga Diaz from the group Irakere and tres player Papi from Orquesta Reve. Lou now performs and arranges music for West Coast Music Award Nominees, Shango Ashe, The Hard Rubber Orchestra, and, of course, Rumba Calzada. Lou has performed and recorded with Grammy Award winner Poncho Sanchez, Los Munequitos de Cuba, Grupo Jazz Tumbao and Juno Nominee Karin Plato.

Rolo Preza – Vocalist, Percussionist
Born in El Salvador, Rolo began his career at the age of twelve as a Latin American Folk Ballet Dancer. His career as a musician began in Mexico where he performed with groups such as Nequepio, Guazapa and Yolocamba I’ta. With theses groups he has toured throughout Latin America, Mexico, Europe, the US and Canada. His career also extended into television and the movie industry. He has contributed to the creation of the soundtracks to the movies, “Salvador” by Oliver Stone and “Romero|” by John Duighan.

Nicholas Apivor – Multi-instrumentalist
Nick is known throughout Vancouver as “the” multi-instrumentalist. He specializes in the vibraphone and Marimba. He has achieved a Bachelor of Music Degree at the University of Victoria studying with Sal Ferreras. Nick was the percussionist for the Vancouver Playhouse Productions of “Guys and Dolls” and “The Music Man”. Aside from performing with Rumba Calzada, Nick also plays with the high-action group, Ache Brazil.

Rod Murray – Trombone
Since coming to Vancouver in 1995, young trombonist, Rod Murray has become a player in demand for both Jazz and Latin music. He performs with bands such as the Jill Townsend Big Band, The Now Orchestra and The Hard Rubber Orchestra. Rod has appeared on recordings by YES, Collin James, Fred Stride and Hugh Fraser’s, “Veggie”.

Allan Johnston – Bass
Al has played with most of Vancouver’s finest Latin and Jazz groups. He has played or recorded with Orquesta La Clave, Grammy winner, Lalo Rodriguez, NY Salsa legend and Fania All-Star, Larry Harlow, Ernan Lopez-Nussa, winner of the 2002 Cubadisco Award (Cuba’s Grammy) for Latin Jazz (with Oquesta Goma Dura), Alma Libre, Shango Ashe, Rumba Calzada and many others. He has traveled extensively throughout the Latin world developing his style, including Cuba, Puerto Rico and New York.