As an entertainer and musician, Rolando cannot be denied. A multi-talented percussionist and harmonica player, Rolando has traveled the U.S. playing in a wide variety of groups, performing everything from the blues to latin rock. A self-taught musician, Rolando, seeking perfection , has sought out the greats during his travels in order to perfect his technique. Rolando started playing percussion at a young age in Cupey Alto, at the local "Bembes" of the neighborhood. "Bembe" is a gathering of "Salseros" jamming and improvising together. "We started with percussion grooves, pretty soon a trombone player joined in, a trumpeter and all of a sudden the place was kicking, it was a great scene." His performances range from the playful to the passionate making this powerful Puerto Rican presence a pleasure worth watching. Rolando has performed with the likes of Mimmi Fox, David Sanchez, Carlos Malta, Pam Williams, Pharez Whitted, Derek Gardner, Bill Summers, Jim Savitt, Hector Martignon, Greg Abate, Andy Gonzalez, Adela Dalto, Kim Pencyl, The Navigators among others.

Widely admired for his talent both as a piano player, singer, composer and arranger, Mauricio brings high energy to the Ensemble, with his aggresive style and energy. A native Colombian, Mauricio has a classical musical training. His passion for latin music, salsa, and other styles native to his Country, has made Mauricio an avid student of the great piano players in latin music. The likes of Papo Lucas, Larry Harlow, the Palmieri brothers, and Bebo Valdez are his biggest influences. Mauricio originality and his deep understanding of the "montunos" enhances the original and progressive sound of the Ensemble. Mauricio performs from Tuesday to Thursday at EL Meson in Dayton and in Cincinnati with Salsa Caliente, on his days off from the Ensemble.

Paul Levy was born in Buffalo, N,Y. There he attended the Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts. His diverse music background consist of styles from Jazz, Hip-Hop, Salsa and Blues. While still in Buffalo, Paul had the opportunity to perform with bands that work with such great artist as David Sanborn and Celia Cruz. He is currently living in Columbus, Ohio. Here he graduated from The Ohio State University, School of Music. He was a member of The Ohio State University Jazz Ensemble. Also, he co-leads the Jazz Quintet E.S.P. As well as Hip-Hop band On Point. Paul music and playing have been influence by the likes of Gene Walker, Derek Garner and Ted McDaniels. Paul have become one of the great youngbloods players in the midwest.

Paul plays Selmer Saxophones.

Ted is graduate from The Ohio State University, School of Music, in Jazz Studies. Ted brings to the group a cool and melodic sound, influenced by Pharez Whitted, Derek Gardner, Kenny Dorhan, Jerry Gonzalez and Miles Davis. As a member of The Ohio State University Jazz Ensemble, he was featured as part of the OSU Jazz Ensemble horns at the Montreaux Jazz Festival Ensemble's performance in 2001. Ted, along with Paul, are the founding members of the avant jazz-funk group-ESP.

Pure fire in motion best describes Cecilio Valdez. A master percussionist of the afro-latin and cuban style. Cecilio is a self-taught musician. Cecilio at a young age learned on his own how to play bongos on Crisco cans, which gained him the nickname of "Crisco," which he shed very rapidly with his quick mastering of the congas, bongos and timbales. He learned techniques from master drummers Baba David, Chief Bey and Johnnie Rodriquez. Cecilio is a regular member of Dr. Nathan Davies Jazz Ensemble, which has performed with Jon Faddis, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davies, Nat Adderly, Herbie Hancock, Hank Crawford, to name a few. Cecilio has performed with many of the giants of music, among them Benny Golson, Larry Coryell, James Moody, Monty Alexander, Ron Carter, Clark Terry, The Lettermen, Tony Bennett, Nancy Wilson, and The Modern Jazz Quartet, and has hand drummed for the Pittsburgh Ballet, Martha Millers Dancers, and several master African dance classes. Valdez regularly performed in the USO shows with the famous bassist Eddie "Gua Gua" Rivera during his tour of duty in Vietnam. "...Master Conga-thumper..." Lee Brown-The Other Paper.

Rapidly becoming one of the most diverse drummers in the Midwest, Willis has become a master on Afro-Caribbean drumming. A devoted student of the Deep Rhumba rhythms from Cuba and the African rooted rhythms from Puerto Rico. Willis attended Capitol University Conservatory of Music, specializing on percussive arts. Willis also writes and arranges for the Ensemble. Shane has become the rhythmical backbone of the Ensemble. Willis has performed from straight ahead jazz to the heavy rhythms of funk. You can also find Shane performing around town with his Jazz Trio, or his power Funk Trio with funky Jesse Lucas. Shane performed with Mimmi Fox, Carlos Malta, Yumbambe, Bill Foley, and David Sanchez among others.