Session Musician

Jhair Sala is an endorser of the following brands:Jhair SalaPercussionist, Producer, Arranger, Background vocalist Experience: 20+ years Specialization: Percussion, background vocals. When Peru-born Jhair Salas was barely three years old, he sat with his father beating on wooden boxes known as cajons. Even at that tender age, Jhair Sala was displaying signs of percussive talent. Sala matured and left Peru for New Jersey, where he has become a skillful percussionist. Jhair Sala playing represents a new school approach to Afro-Peruvian and Afro-Cuban musical styles. Since age six, Sala has been honing his technique with formal studies. First, his parents brought him to Lucho Gomez, who taught him proper finger, hand, and palm techniques for cajon. Jhair quickly embraced the cajon and other indigenous percussion instruments. During his teens he performed with his mother's band, The Mariela Valencia Show, who he travel at a early age to diferents parts of the world. The family immigrated to America where work was more plentiful. For Jhair, however, the lure was the opportunity to study percussion with his idol, Pedro Martinez, the young Cuban percussionist who combined melody and rhythm in an unprecedented fashion. Under Pedro's guidance, Jhair absorbed Cuban music and gained fluency on congas, bongos, timbales, and Bata. Subsequent lessons with Roberto Chino Bolaños readied him for his first significant American appearance. Performing with group Kambalache Negro, Jhair Sala revealed a unique slant on soloing and grooving. His career took off and he received gigs with vocalists and instrumentalists from the likes of Eric Clapton, Bill Cosby, Desmond Child & Rouge, Patience Dabany,Ruben Blades, Ibboru,Steve Gadd,Issac Delgado, Andy Montañez,Oscar De Leon, Michael Stuart, Pedro "Pedrito" Martinez, Justo Betancourt, Xiomara Laugart, Osmany Paredes, John benitez,Jimmy Bosch, Frankie Vasquez, Ileana Santamaria, La Creacion, La Tematica, Adalberto Santiago and Ismael Miranda, Raulin Rosendo, Paquito Guzman and many others. Jhair gained a reputation as a sensitive accompanist. One of his first collaborations was with Mongo Santamaria's oldest daughter, Ileana, who cut the album I Know What I Want. Jhair's session tally includes, Eric Clapton, Patience Dabany, Cándido Camero,Steve Gadd, Osmany Paredes, Edmar Castañeda,Oscar De Leon, Mariela [...]

Listen to Papa Mambo on SpotifyRodrigo MuñozSession musician, arranger. Experience: 30+ years Specialization: Session musician (Classical Guitar, Latin Percussion), composing, arranging. Composer, arranger, guitarist, percussionist, and bassist Rodrigo Muñoz has been active in Winnipegʼs music scene for over 30 years. He is the leader of the popular Latin Jazz ensemble Papa Mambo, and as a percussionist, he has performed with Latin legends Tito Puente and Jose Luis "Changuito" Quintana and Canadian jazz star Jane Bunnett and Hilario Duran. Rodrigo studied Classical Guitar under Harold Micay at the University of Manitoba, and Afro Latin Percussion in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He has taught at the Manitoba Music Conservatory, University of Manitoba Prep Studies Department, and presented clinics at the University of Manitoba, Canadian Mennonite University, Norway House, Long & McQuade Music, and numerous high schools in the province. Rodrigo has been a member of The Manitoba Chamber Orchestraʼs outreach ensemble for the past 12 years and has served on music-related juries for The Manitoba Arts Council, The Canada Arts Council, and The Canadian Juno Awards. Besides his solo guitar recitals, he has performed with numerous ensembles and soloists, including the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, The Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra, the Brandon University Choir, the Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir, and the Winnipeg Contemporary Dancers. Recently Rodrigoʼs three-movement work “Marejada” was premiered at a Groundswell Concert in Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall and two of his symphonic arrangements were premiered by the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra at three sold-out concerts in 2010 (“Afro Cuban Nights”). One of his latest instrumental works “Latin American Suite for guitar, cello and violin” was premiered at a Winnipeg Classical Guitar Society concert. Rodrigoʼs arrangements, as well as some of his compositions, were featured at a sold-out concert with the WJO. As a member of Trio Bembe Rodrigo won a Western Canadian Music Award for Best World Music Recording. His latest recording with his band Papa Mambo is titled “El Swing de Papa Mambo” and features all of Rodrigoʼs compositions and arrangements. His recordings include: Papa Mambo--Papa Mambo (1992--Indie) Soy La Mulata--Irazu (2002--Urtext Digital Classics) A [...]

Listen to Amber Epp on SpotifyAmber EppSession Musician Experience: 10+ years Specialization: Piano, Voice. Amber Epp is a vocalist and pianist, specializing in jazz and Latin music (Cuban, Brazilian). Amber sings in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. She sings and plays piano for her own jazz groups, as well as salsa orchestra Papa Mambo. She has performed at the Winnipeg Folk Festival, a regular with the Winnipeg Jazz Festival, has performed with the Winnipeg and Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestras, and has played across Canada on various tours.

Listen to Ernesto's trumpet recordings with world top artists:Ernesto Núñez own records on Spotify!Kitipun, by Juan Luis Guerra 4.40La Calle, by Juan Luis Guerra 4.40 and JuanesCookies and Cream, by Juan Luis Guerra 4.40Dominicano, by Chi Chi PeraltaDios El Más Grande, by Juan Carlos AlvaradoPirata de Amor, by Yanfourd7 Días, by Elvis CrespoErnesto NuñezSession Musician Experience: 30+ years Specialization: Trumpet. Ernesto Núñez is one of the most requested musicians in Latin America for tours and recordings, working with many of the great exponents of music with a versatility that ranges from classical to jazz, to contemporary and Latin music. In the classical field he has worked with Andrea Bocelli, Placído Domingo, Los Angeles Phillarmonic, Sinfónica Orchestra of Guatemala, Orquesta Filarmónica de Guatemala, Orquesta Sinfónica de Maracaibo and the National Symphony Orchestra of the Dominican Republic, among others. In jazz with Dave Weckl, Chris Botti, Justo Almario, Nestor Torres, Arturo Sandoval, Ed Calle, Walfredo de los Reyes Sr, Poncho Sánchez, Víctor Mendoza, and Abraham Laboriel. In the popular music scene with Juan Luis Guerra and 440, Chichi Peralta and Son Familia, Juanes, Alejandro Sanz, Luis Fonsi, Wilfrido Vargas, Danny Rivera, Rey Ruiz, Richy Rey and Bobby Cruz, Milliy Quezada, Eddy Herrera, Tito Rojas, Oscar D León, Elvis Crespo, Andy Montañes, Cheo Feliciano, Ismael Miranda, Ilegales, Tercer Cielo, Juan Carlos Alvarado, Doris Machin, Redimidos. He has made a lot of recordings, both with artists, film music and commercials. He has also participated in shows such as Latin Grammy, Viña del Mar and Premios Lo Nuestro among others. He is currently part of Juan Luis Guerra and 440, one of the most acclaimed Latin artists, Yamaha Artist for Latin America and has just released his solo album "Belucity".

Jeffrey AcostaSession Musician Experience: 7+ years Specialization: Trombone Jeffrey is a trombonist working in the Winnipeg area, with a Bachelor of Music Performance from Brandon University. He specializes in a variety of styles such as Funk, Jazz and Pop, and much more. Being no stranger to the sessional musician world, Jeffrey can often be found in many diverse ensembles. He has performed with a broad list of artists and groups such as the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra, Ron Paley Big Band, The Solutions, Dirty Catfish Brass Band, The Royal Canadian Air Force Band “Jet Stream”, Karrnnel Sawitsky, The Mariachi Ghost and others. Playing in different formations has led to performance opportunities at the Winnipeg Jazz Festival, the Ottawa Jazz Festival, tours across Canada and other venues within Manitoba. Outside of being a sessional musician, Jeffrey works as an arts administrator for the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, as well as running the Sistema Winnipeg program, a free after-school program for students.

Victor Hugo LopezSession Musician Experience: 4 years Specialization: Guitar, Bongo, Cuban Tres Having trained in Cuba, Argentina and earning a Bachelor of Jazz Degree at the University of Manitoba, Victor Hugo Lopez has become a staple in the Winnipeg music scene going on 20 years. Victor draws on all of his musical DNA in order to deliver musical authenticity to any group that hires him. It's through his experience playing Cuban music, Argentine Tango, South-American Folklore, Jazz, Funk, R&B/Soul, Hip-Hop that Victor has been able to maintain a regular spot in some of Winnipeg's established bands and up-and-comers such as Papa Mambo, Chuck Copenace Band, Dr. Henry Band, Trio Bembe, Jupiter Storm, and others.

Listen to marco Castillo on SpotifyMarco CastilloSession Musician, Multi-instrumentalist - Producer - Composer - Arranger Experience: 35+ years Specialization: Brazilian Guitar - Latin Music Marco was born in the capital of Samba, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music at Estácio de Sá University in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1994. As an educator he has presented several Brazilian music workshops at the University of Manitoba for the faculty of music, Long and Mquade as well as teaching music, coaching for Spanish and Portuguese. Castillo has 35+ years of experience in the music industry, have toured and performed in many festivals in North America and around the globe, recorded and produced many musical projects, collaborated with great names locally and abroad such as the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Orquestra do Maestro Guio de Moraes, Ron Paley Big band, Trio Irakitan, Rosa Marya, Claudya (Evita), Luiz Carlos Batera (Banda Black Rio), Marcio Montarroyos (Ney Matogrosso, Elis Regina, Jobim), George Coligan (American Jazz Pianist), Rubão Sabino (Gilberto Gil) and Kiko Freitas (João Bosco) among others. In 2015 Marco was a finalist with his original “Forró no Canadá” for the Viña del Mar music festival in Chile, one of the most important music festivals in Latin America, which is broadcasted and seen by over millions of fans around the world. Some of his recordings as a side musician: Trio Irakitan - Voce é muito mais - 1984 Barclay Trio Irakitan - Quantos momentos bonitos - 1985 Barclay Irakitan - Porque me amou assim - 1989 Desperta Brasil Rosa Marya - Rosa que encanta - 2002 Big Field Erin Propp - Courage, my love - 2012 lndependent (WCMA, Juno nominated) Solo Music Work Full Albums: Brazilian Season - 2008 Uncontrollable records Trip to Brazil. - 2012 Brazilian Beats Records (World Recording of the Year WCMA) Zabelê. - 2014 Brazilian Beats Records (nominated WCMA) Singles: Maria - 2016 Brazilian Beats Records Pensamento - 2016 Brazilian Beats Records Bob - 2016 Brazilian Beats Records

Roy McGrathSession Musician Experience: 15+ years Specialization: Saxophone. ROY MCGRATH Roy McGrath is a Chicago-based tenor saxophonist, composer and bandleader. Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico and educated in Boston, New Orleans and Chicago, Roy brings to bear these diverse influences in his playing and composing. In addition to leading and recording with his own jazz ensembles, he is a member of several others and an in-demand player in the city’s jazz, funk, Latin jazz and salsa scenes. He has led international tours to Mexico, Singapore, Korea and China. Roy sang in school choirs before picking up the saxophone at age 16. After attending the Berklee College of Music Summer Workshop, he earned a full scholarship to attend Berklee’s five-week Summer Performance Program. Back in Puerto Rico, he honed his improvisational skills performing with jazz pianist and Beach Boys alumni Carli Muñoz. Roy studied at Northwestern University in Chicago, where he graduated with a master’s degree in Music, studying under Victor Goines, saxophonist for Jazz at Lincoln Center and Director of Jazz Studies at Northwestern University. Graduating in 2014, McGrath decided to put down roots in Chicago because of both its historic role in the development of jazz and the presence of large and vibrant jazz & Latin music community in which he could continue to pursue his vision. He returned to Northwestern’s Pick-Staiger Concert Hall in 2016 to perform with Victor Goines and Branford Marsalis in Goines’ orchestral composition Crescent City. He released his debut CD as a leader, Martha, in 2014 with a quartet formed of fellow Northwestern grads Gustavo Cortiñas, Kitt Lyles and Joaquin Garcia, all bandleaders in their own right, and returned the favour by joining their ensembles: Snapshot (Cortiñas), Real Talk Collective (Lyles) and Rhythm Convergence (Garcia). The Roy McGrath Quartet was featured in the Jazz Institute of Chicago’s NextGEN concert series in 2015. Later that year, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) awarded McGrath a grant to take the quartet on a month-long tour of Mexico. Also in 2015, The Roy McGrath Latin Jazz Quintet performed at the [...]

Gonzalo's feature on NO TREBLE, a bassist specialized blog: GO TO ARTICLEGonzalo GodioSession Musician Experience: 10+ years Specialization: Bass. Gonzalo Godio is a freelance Argentinean Bass Player and educator based in Winnipeg, MB. He has studied Bass in Argentina and Canada with renowned musicians. With more than 15 years of experience, Gonzalo is versatile bass player who has performed and recorded a variety of styles ranging from Rock/Pop, Argentinean folklore and Neo Soul to Latin and Jazz. Heavily influenced by bass players James Jamerson and Pino Palladino among others, Gonzalo plays and thinks like a composer, giving each song he plays specifically what it needs.

Listen to Shannon's own music and some of her recordings as a session musician:Original MusicAs a Saxophone playerAs a vocalistShannon's WebsiteShannon ChapmanSession Musician Experience: 10+ years Specialization: Horns, Vocals, Writing, and Arranging. Shannon is a vocalist, instrumentalist and producer based in Toronto, Canada. Originally from northern Manitoba, Shannon obtained a Masters of Jazz Performance specializing in Saxophone from Brandon University in 2014. Shortly after, she moved to Toronto where she has been nurturing her individual voice as a songwriter and producer ever since. Shannon self-recorded and produced her debut solo EP Ebb & Flow in 2020. Best described as alternative R&B or neo-soul, the EP winds introspective lyrics around warm Rhodes piano grooves and jazz-influenced horn melodies. Though her current musical focus is jazz and R&B-oriented, Shannon’s musical experience and passions include jazz big band and chamber group, Latin orchestra, singer-songwriter, and more. Her strengths include vocal and horn arrangements, session work, and improvisation.

InstagramListen to Yoser Rodriguez' albumYoser RodriguezSession Musician Experience: 20+ years Specialization: Bass and guitar. One of the premier bass players of Toronto’s burgeoning Latin and world music scenes, Cuban-Canadian musician Yoser Rodriguez has recently made the transition from in-demand bassist to singer/songwriter with the launch of his original project, the Yoser Rodriguez Trio. Originally trained as a classical guitarist at the renowned Guillermo Tomas Institute in Havana, Yoser studied bass with Carlos del Puerto and toured Cuba with Fiebre Latina before moving to Toronto in 2003. He wasted no time establishing his reputation as a go-to sideman and a versatile, communicative performer who is proficient on electric, upright, and baby basses. Specializing in salsa and Latin music (Hilario Duran, Adonis Puentes, Lula All-Stars, Willie Torres), Yoser has also recorded and toured with jazz and crossover artists such as Andy Narell, Alex Cuba, Jane Bunnett, Jesse Cook, Odessa-Havana, and Amanda Martinez.

Scott BrownSession Musician Experience: 10+ years Specialization: Guitar. Scott Brown is a freelance guitarist based in Winnipeg, Manitoba specializing in roots music and modern pop/rock styles. Heavily influenced by the work of jazz guitarists John Scofield and Bill Frisell, Scott attended the Jazz Studies program at Brandon University where he graduated in 2017. During that time, he played in a number of musical projects ranging from modern jazz fusion, traditional jazz combos and soul bands to modern country and Americana/roots groups. Through some of these projects, Scott has been fortunate to tour Western Canada and play several high-profile performances in the United Sates including the Blue Whale in Los Angeles, The Jazz Gallery in New York and the California Institute of the Arts. While completing his degree, Scott also performed in a large number of musical theatre pit bands for local schools and theatre companies, all of which had a large impact on his pursuit to be an extremely versatile guitarist with an emphasis on building an adaptable playing style.

Listen to Audrey's music on SpotifyAudrey OchoaSession Musician Experience: 10+ years Specialization: Trombone Classically trained but with a voracious appetite for honing her craft in any genre, Ochoa has shared stages with Hilario Duran, PJ Perry, and Tommy Banks; and with international greats Lew Tebackin, Marcus Miller, Chris Potter and the UNT One O’Clock Lab Band. A rising star in her own right and a fixture of the Canadian music scene, she is decidedly captivating and original, and her compositional skill and talent on her instrument is spectacular. “…here shows a musician with endless confidence and skill, with varying moods and tempi within a trio that is always in sync.” – (Keith Black, Winnipeg Free Press) Her debut album, “Trombone and Other Delights” (2013) , was widely acclaimed and spent 3 consecutive weeks as the number one Jazz album on the Earshot charts. Ochoa’s sophomore release, “Afterthought” (2017), is an extension of her consummate understanding of arrangement and dedication to her craft – leading to a No. 1 position on the Canadian jazz charts and breaking top 20 in the U.S. She is a decorated award nominee, having earned recognition at the Western Canadian Music Awards, the Global Music Awards and a recent recipient of the Edmonton Music Prize, noting an outstanding musical contribution to the local arts scene.

Luis Mojica is an endorser of Latin PercussionLuis MojicaSession Musician Experience: 30+ years Specialization: Percussion. Luis Alberto Mojica Almon, better known as Luis Mojica, from Santo Domingo started his studies of music at the age of 5. His professional career started in 1994 with Manuel Jimenez, whom he worked for 5 years. He then worked with several merengue groups such as "Los Potros del Caballo", Raffy Matias, Angelito Villalona, Ruby Perez, and renowned songwriter Jandy Feliz, composer of “Amor Narcótico". Luis also recorded for artists such as Juan Luis Guerra, Joseph Fonseca, Eddy Herrera, Daniel SantaCruz, Adalgisa Pantaleón, Gisselle, and Milly Quezada to name just a few. In 2001 he started his tenure with Juan Luis Guerra y 440 and continues to work with him. He also collaborates as a producer with Milly Quezada as well as recording with notable arrangers Manuel Tejada, Victor Waill, Juan Valdés, Leo Pimentel, Armando Oliveros, Ramón Orlando, Luis del Rosario, Junior Cabrera, and Richard Marcel. Luis is also a member of the Latin Recording Academy®, which produces the Latin Grammys awards each year.

Cody has recorded drums for countless projects. Here is a selection of clips from recent works: Cody's Audio Reel https://indestructiblemusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Soundbetter-Reel.mp3 Cody IwasiukSession Musician Experience: 10+ years Specialization: Drums Cody Iwasiuk is a drummer, engineer, and music educator from Winnipeg, Canada. He has been involved in many sessions and continues to engineer and play drums on projects at his studio, and at other studios in the city. Known as an in-demand session and live drummer in Canada. He works in a number of musical situations and is one of a few drummers that can be comfortable playing Americana, Country, Pop, Rock, Indie, Jazz, Funk, Hip-hop, soul, New Orleans 2nd Line, and many more! Cody has played and recorded with many notable artists including: Begonia / Ariel Posen/ Doc Walker / The Bros. Landreth / Yola Carter / Jess Moskaluke / Sierra Noble / Paul Brandt / JRDN / David James / The Dirty Catfish Brass Band / Okay Mann / Rayannah / Don Amero / Quinton Blair / Mitchell Schimnowski / FINN. Cody is also an avid educator doing many clinics and music camps in Manitoba and was a sessional instructor at Brandon University in 2018.

Carlos DelgadoSession Musician Experience: 20+ years Specialization: Producer, Engineer, Industry Consultant. Carlos studied with top guitar tutors in Cuba and Costa Rica and later at the LA Music Academy in Pasadena, California. Since 2000 he works as a session musician, with more than 200 records on his belt for artists of Costa Rica, México, Colombia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Estados Unidos, España, Argentina, etc. He is also a go to side man in the scene,having performed for the likes of Nito Mestre, Álvaro Torres, Perrozompopo, Lucho Muñoz, Mon Laferte, Fausto, Eduardo Dacuña, Marisela, Mario Maissonave, Pala, Rodrigo Rojas y Edgar Oceransky, Hernaldo Zúñiga, Elsa Basil, Ricardo Acosta, Francisco Terán, Braulio, Django, Juan Bau, Strunz y Farah, Tony McManus, Olga Basanta, Maxi Pardo, Ella baila sola, Debi Nova, Jean Michel Byron, , Alejandro Filio, Martin Valverde, Natalia Lafourcade, Lila Downs, Pedro Guerra, and many others.  Carlos also recorded for Raúl Abramzon on his first DVD. In 2015 he had the privilege of sharing the stage with Dominic Miller (Sting) during his show in Costa Rica. Carlos Delgado is an endorser of PRS Guitars, Púas Rigor (guitar picks) and Cables Bambú (Audio Cables). He also counts with one of the biggest guitar collections in Central American which he uses for his gigs and sessions.

Victor Daniel BustamanteSession Musician Experience: 30+ years Specialization: Session musician (Strings), composing, arranging. Victor Daniel Bustamante is a full-time violin player with Philharmonic State Orchestra of Mainz, Germany. Originally from Santiago, Chile he started playing from a very early age, enrolling in the University of Chile Music Conservatory at age 14.  He graduated from  Johannes Gutenberg University, in Mainz, Germany, where he specialized in orchestral music and violin performance.  He performs his instruments live and in sessions for a variety of ensembles, genres and styles including classical, Latin jazz, folk, and world.  Victor also works as a producer, composer and arranger for various ensembles in the city of Mainz. To learn more from Victor visit his website: https://www.victordanielviolin.com/

Photo by Alex Palma Photography Listen to Rafael's recordings with diverse artists:Susana - The Mariachi GhostPuro Dolor - The Mariachi GhostOne New Year's - TrinsicateI'm not 100% sure yet - Monday-Friday Idiot(s)Rafael ReyesSession Musician Experience: 15+ years Specialization: Guitar, Bass, Pedal/Lap Steel Guitar, Charango, Quena, Zampoña, and Cuatro Rafael Immigrated to Canada in 1998 from El Salvador and played in many outfits before joining The Mariachi Ghost in 2009. These outfits ranged from traditional Andean music to rock and punk, including reggae and tropical Latin combos, all of which have made him a well-rounded musician, well versed in many genres of music. These experiences have also made him quite adept at many instruments, including many stringed, percussive, and wind instruments. Joining The Mariachi Ghost in its very early stages of development, he helped to establish a sound and a more cohesive musical direction alongside Jorge, Timothy and Gabriel. Ready to record a small EP within a year as the band had developed the bulk of their first album by then as well. While tending to bring the heavy rock aspect to the band, and his love and knowledge of progressive rock Rafael found his new home quite comfortably within their sound. Since then, Rafael has participated in various recordings and live acts as Guitar/Bass player, pedal steel guitar player, and continues to write music for bands as well as soundtracks for film and theatre.

Ruddy BolañosSession musician Experience: 10+ years Specialization: Bass. Ruddy Bolanos was born in San Salvador, El Salvador and is a Toronto based bassist and guitarist. He studied classical guitar since age 12 at the Manuel Galvez Classical Guitar School in El Salvador.  Ruddy moved to Toronto, Canada in 1984 and started playing upright and electric bass. Ruddy Bolanos has recorded bass in various musical CD projects such as the Flamenco Guitarist virtuoso Miguel de La Bastide " El Cambio", Luis Mario Ochoa " La Fiesta" , Sommerset Entertainment salsa CD collections, Evaristo Machado “Luna del Barrio, Orquesta Fantasia, Yani Borrell "El uno para el otro", Zeynep Ozbilen "Zee" , Lacalu “Toronto Mambo” and others. Since moving to Canada he has been actively performing and collaborating with international salsa artists such as Jerry Rivera, Son de Cali, Eddy Santiago, Frankie Negron, Tony Vega, Tito Gomez, Tito Rojas, Maelo Ruiz, Luisito Carrion, Henry Fiol, Yan Collazo and many more. Currently, Ruddy Bolanos is very active in the Latin Toronto scene and involved and many new projects including his own Salsa group “La Borinqueña Orchestra”, which won the 2019 Canada Latin Award as best Salsa Group.