Like a multi-ethnic gathering of friends, this seven member band has created a sound that evokes the early days of Latin Funk (Santana, War, etc.), while adding their own blend of Rock and Funk grooves. This addictive combination of Nuyorican Boogaloo, West Coast Funk and the ever present Cuban grooves engulfs the stage with monstrous horns and bass, funky breaks, polyrhythmic beats and furious lyrics in English and Spanish.

In 2001, Santa Lucia recorded their first five song EP with producer Darryl Nuedorf (Sarah McLachian, Neko Case).

2005 brought a Western Canada Music Awards nomination for Best Children’s Recording for the song “The Hero Inside” (2004) penned for the TV cartoon series Cackleberries.

In 2006, Santa Lucia released their first full length album, “The Streets/Las Calles” with legendary producer Larry Anschell (Nickleback, Pearl Jam) from Turtle Recording Studios in White Rock, BC, Canada. Santa Lucia successfully supported “The Streets/Las Calles” in 2007-2008 with countless west coast dates and major open air festivals including: Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival, as well as many out of town dates including The Ness Creek Music Festival in Saskatchewan, Folk on the Rocks Festival in Yellowknife NWT, Victoria Ska Festival and many more.

Music Video - Lupita


Summer 07 Tour Video

CBC Radio gave the first single “Lupita” heavy rotation including the filming of a live performance recorded in the Vancouver CBC studios for  broadcast across Canada.

Recently, Santa Lucia LFR has refined its stage skills opening for many USA and international touring acts such as Ozomatli, Yerba Buena, Los Mococos, The Skatalites and Maxi Priest.

2009 brings with it countless tour dates with bigger audiences, a greater following of fans, and a return to the studio to record the follow up to 2006’s “The Streets/Las Calles.”




SANTA LUCIA IS:

German Cantillo (guitar/vocals) began as an unknown but charismatic Nicaraguan singer/songwriter in San Francisco’s “La Mision” district: a Latino barrio known as the hot bed of Latin rock artists. In 1989 German formed a Latin alternative/rock group called Amor y Odio (love and hate). Shortly after, he created a group called The Gman Funk Ensemble by blending funk and blues. He moved to Canada in ‘91 and toured throughout the Canadian prairies with a group called Sanzibar - the biggest cumbia-rock band in Winnipeg in the early 90s. He has now been involved in the Vancouver Latin music scene for over eleven years. During this time he has played alongside other bands performing traditional Latin music such as Cumbias, Salsa, norteñas, etc.! His tireless writing and vision produced Santa Lucia LFR (Latin Funk Rock) - a Latin sound unlike any other in the city.

Anthony “chiko” Misomali (drums) was born in Malawi, Africa. He describes himself as being bit by “the rock the roll bug” after seeing the legendary rock band KISS as a child. He started the band Dying To Be Violett with three friends who, after years of practicing, would eventually change their name to Bif Naked and make a splash in the Vancouver music scene. Since leaving Bif Naked, Chiko has worked with many artists including Avril Lavigne, members of Prism, Bryan Adams, Def Leppard and Kick Axe. 2008 brings a new chapter to Chiko’s drumming world…back on the road with booty-shakin’ Latin Funk Rock band Santa Lucia

Mario Zetina (Latin percussion) was born in Guatemala near the famous Mayan ruins of Tikal.  He attended the national conservatory of music, and played in a pop/rock band, Opus 3, which won an award as the best Guatemalan band of the year 1975. After immigrating to Canada in 1982, he co-founded Salsa Brava, Flamenco Heresy and a dance band El Combito (with fellow Santa Lucia member German). He also played on Charlotte Diamond's Juno-award-winning children's album, Ten Carrot Diamond.  Mario has performed at most of Vancouver's festivals, including Expo 86, the Vancouver Folk Festival and The Vancouver International Jazz Festival.

Ryan Conroy (bass) is a Montreal born bassist/songwriter. He studied upright bass at the University of Alberta, but in an exploration of the urban music and the funk sound of the 70s, he shifted to electric bass. He moved to the west coast in 2001 and played as a sideman in various local bands before founding the Vancouver hip-hop/funk outfit West Coast Funk Mob. As a bass player he is known for his mighty deep pocket, his old-school grooves, and his variety of techniques and effects. As a songwriter/producer he crafts cutting edge urban music: combining old-school vibes with modern formats.

Byron Russell (saxophone) was born in Richmond, BC where he began his musical training at a young age. He is an accomplished martial artist in a traditional style of Karate known as “KyokushinKai.” Byron is now a multi-talent player, and plays piano and clarinet with his jazz ensemble Third Stage. He has been a longtime member of Santa Lucia where he leads the horn section and adds a punch to the music.

Brad Muirhead (trombone) is well known in Canada and Europe for his powerful sound and inventive improvisation. As a composer and arranger since the early 80s, he has recorded and toured extensively with his own groups Primal Orbit and Brass Root as well as Vancouver's three most eminent large-scale jazz ensembles (the NOW Orchestra, Hugh Fraser's VEJI, and the Hard Rubber Orchestra). Brad has also enjoyed producing/coordinating Jazz workshops in Banff and Vancouver. He co-leads the East Van Jazz Orchestra and worked with many other original music projects, including Santa Lucia.

Miguelito Valdes (trumpet) began studying music in his native home of Cuba when he was just eleven years old. He has participated in the award-winning recording "La Rumba Soy Yo" which won a Latin Grammy in 2001. In 2000, he began playing with Omara Portuondo (Diva of Buena Vista Social Club) with whom he toured the world with for six years. Around this time, he was also invited to play in the Mexico venues of the Buena Vista Social Club: venues that welcome musicians such as Ibrahim Ferrer and Juan de Marcos Gonzalez. In 2005, he participated in the latest European tour of Ibrahim Ferrer. Miguelito has participated in the recording of more than fifty CDs in Cuba. He joined Santa Lucia in 2008 because he loves the energy and diversity the band’s members.