Paul De Castro y su Orquesta Dengue

LATIN JAZZ-SALSA-MUSICA Latina

Orquesta Dengue is the outgrowth of the successful Paul De Castro Afro Latin Sextet tour of Hungary and Romania in the summer of 2006.

At his return from Europe, Paul De Castro dedicated most of his time to writing new music and new arrangements of some of the original compositions that were already in the repertoire. Incorporating influences from Afro-Cuban jazz, Timba, Funk, and Brazilian music, Paul De Castro has created a new way of interpreting Latin Jazz that is more danceable yet at the same time will satisfy the most demanding jazz aficionado.

Paul De Castro has years of experience as a musician and educator. He has performed or given master classes in many countries including Cuba, Canada, Taiwan, Hungary, Romania, and of course, the USA where he resides.

Orquesta Dengue is truly an international band with members form many different countries: Peru, Romania, Venezuela, Mexico, and the USA. Each member brings with them a variety of experiences and styles.

The backbone of Orquesta Dengue is the percussion section led by Joaquin Arteaga and Tony Shogren, who, alongside De Castro, create irresistible grooves that are equally suitable for hot improvisations or for dancing.

Paul De Castro (Peru): Pianist, composer, arranger. Paul De Castro was born in Lima Peru. Started piano lessons at age 5 and continued studying throughout his life at diverse institutions including the Conservatorio Nacional de Musica (Peru), Pasadena City College, California State University, and University of Texas at Austin. He holds a doctoral degree in music from that institution.

Among his musical experiences are performances with Gary Foster, Bobby Shew, Airto Moreira, Larry Harlow, Frank Emilio, among many others. He was the founder and musical director of the Latin jazz group Rhubumba. Besides playing the piano, Paul De Castro also plays the Corneta China (Suona) in both Afro Cuban and Chinese settings. He directs the Afro Latin Music masters degree program at California State University, Los Angeles where he is a Professor of Music.

Orquesta Dengue's latest CD Bueno Pá Gozar is an exciting collection of Paul De Castro original compositions, which feature the Dengue musicians and guest artists in a variety of settings. There is something for every taste: from a traditional descarga such as Maestro Frank, to an uplifting dance song in Una Miradita

Buy the CD:
from CDbaby
from iTunes

Paul De Castro: piano, musical director
Iris Sandra Cepeda, Nicholas Roman: vocals
Danilo Lozano: flute
Dan Fornero, Sal Cracchiolo, Gabriel Rosati, Giovanni Siveroni: trumpet
Lucian Nagy, Justo Almario, James King: saxophones
Jose Arellano, David Goodwin: trombone
Rigoberto Lopez, David Goodwin, Laszlo Studicky: bass
Tony Shogren, Csaba Pusztai: drum set
Joaquin Arteaga, Juan Karlos, Andres Renteria: percussion
* personnel will change according to availability