MANZANARES is hot Spanish guitar, sizzling Latin percussion,
and soulful vocals; a high-energy and fiery sound with a dazzling
repertoire that ranges from Spanish and Middle Eastern guitar
melodies to Flamenco to Pop to Latin Rock.
Led by brothers David and Michael Manzanares and accompanied
by some of the best musicians in the industry, MANZANARES has
been labeled one of the hottest latin acts to hit the music scene
and has gained both national and international attention. They
continue to expand their already extensive fan base all over
the U.S., Europe, South America, Japan and Australia. Sharing
their music with the world is what the brothers like best. Born
with a passion for music, they grew up the youngest two of six
children on a century-old Spanish ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico.
Steeped in strong family traditions, they were raised with a
deep respect for their culture, their land and their family.
The earliest memory for the brothers is music. As small children,
they began their musical journey and education by capturing the
essence of Northern New Mexican and Spanish music on many occasions
at the family ranch. Their father and uncles played guitar while
the family danced and sang the rancheras, corridos, huapangos,
boleros and valses of another time. This early musical influence
is a big source of their inspiration.
The band is comprised of some of the most prolific and talented
musicians in the music industry and includes the explosive percussion
of Mark Clark, a native New Mexican. His musical career includes
performances, tours or recordings with renowned musical acts
including James Taylor, Natalie Cole, Kip Winger, Ottmar Liebert,
and Jono Manson.
Jeff Nelson dazzles the audience on bass and adds a whole new
funky sensibility to the music of MANZANARES. Jeff grew up in
Santa Fe and has won numerous awards throughout his musical career
for producing and arranging. He recorded and toured with the
Funk group Cameo. He has performed, recorded and toured with
a myriad of artists including Buff Love, Juan Gabriel, Jose Jose,
Busy McCarroll, Jack Clift, and Carlos Lomas.
Kevin Miller, a native Santa Fean and cousin of Michael and
David, has also had a rich musical history. His multi-musical
talent adds an exciting percussive texture to MANZANARES. He
plays congas and percussion as well as lending a hand on guitar
and vocals.
Kanoa Kaluhiwa joins the band on tenor saxophone. His silky
smooth jazz infusions add yet another dimension to the music
of MANZANARES and his sax riffs stand out on their award winning
CD, Nuevo Latino. He has also recorded and toured with Ottmar
Liebert.
Bjorn Hamre, a native Santa Fean, has been on the music scene
for the past 9 years playing with the alternative rock band,
Standing Wave. Bjorn brings his outstanding talent and varied
musical background to the group! He is a percussive powerhouse
and adds his own fire to the already combustable MANZANARES sound.
Jose Romero has been a part of the Santa Fe music scene ever
since he could hold a guitar. This multi-talented musician rocks
on keys, guitar, bass, and just about every musical instrument
he picks up. He switches out with Jeff on bass and keys for MANZANARES.
MANZANARES' latest CD Nuevo Latino delivers
their evolved sound complete with the "hip-displacing" Latin rhythms they have become
famous for. Nuevo Latino won four NM Music Association awards
- including "Album of the Year" for 2003. Their first CD "Vivir" featured
David, Michael and Mark Clark and lends itself to the softer,
more romantic side of their music. "Vivir" won two NM Music Industry
Coalition awards - one for best Latino musical production and
one for best vocal performance.
"Nuevo Latino is solid from start to finish, a nonstop romp
through the the vibrant territory that Manzanares has staked
out as its own." Silja Talvi for the Pasatiempo/Santa Fe New
Mexican
Their music was recently featured on ABC's Primetime Live (March
2004) and is currently being featured on the Food Network's Food
Nation with Bobby Flay, is also currently featured on the European
entertainment program; Voxtours, as well as the soundtracks of
several shows including Knowledge TV and The Trail of the Painted
Ponies.
Their performances have included Headlining the Oscar de la
Hoya post-fight party at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, opening
for Los Lobos at the Oscar de la Hoya vs. Mosely pre-fight festivities
at the MGM Grand, the Taos Solar Music Festival (opening for
Los Lobos), South by Southwest (BMI Songwriter's Showcase), The
Knitting Factory Hollywood, Santa Fe's renowned Spanish Market,
The Temple Bar in Santa Monica, concerts for the United Way and
Endowment for Youth (Santa Barbara), SohO in Santa Barbara, EAT'M
Las Vegas (showcasing the best unsigned artists from across the
nation), The Buckaroo Ball (Santa Fe's largest charity event),
Palm Springs Nortel Film Festival, New Mexico State Fair, Santa
Fe Opera Guild, American Indians for Opportunity, Santa Fe Film
Festival, Columbia Pictures and NBC to name a few.
The electricity and raw energy of their performances continue
to push this exciting Nuevo Latino act into the forefront of
Latin Music.
According to the Palm Spring's Desert Sun,
"MANZANARES is explosive latin music!".
This stellar band is making their mark
on the Latin music world with their latest release "NUEVO LATINO",
and with the recent national exposure and international attention,
MANZANARES is poised to take their music global!
