Selected by Bay Area KCSM DJ/Latin Beat Magazine Writer, Jesse "Chuy" Varela, as one of the Top 10 Recordings of 2002 -11/27/2002 East Bay Express Accepted by GRAMMY committee for nomination vote in the Latin-Jazz category! Cuarteto Sonando "One of San Franciscos's best kept secrets is about to be a secret no more. Cuarteto Sonando, a young Latin Jazz ensemble who has been making a name for themselves at the 850 Cigar Bar (thus the CD title) has released this, their debut CD, which just happens to be a work of intensity and vision..." -Bruce Polin, descarga.com "...As they reveal on this self-produced debut album, they've worked up a repertoire of standards and originals that serve as improvisational vehicles for their significant musical talents. With a groove aesthetic that allows for the drums to get equal footing with the piano and bass as soloists, the group has an upbeat energy with imaginative interplay..." -Jesse Varela, Latin Beat Magazine October 2002 Artist Description Cuarteto Sonando is a latin jazz quartet based in the San Francisco Bay Area*. The San Francisco Bay Area based ensemble consists of Piano, Bass, Percussion and Traps, occasionally augmented by guest percussionists. Ensemble members have performed in the Bay Area and New York, Jazz and Latin scenes with such artists as Louis Ramirez, Pete Escovedo, Conjunto Cespedes and La Moderna Tradicion. Cuarteto Sonando's repertoire is a varied and unique blend of contemporary Jazz and Afro-Cuban tradition, including, original arrangements fusing Jazz Standards and Afro-Cuban rhythms, Cuban Standards, Afro-Cuban folkloric songs, and original compositions and descargas. On stage the group traverses a musical landscape from introspective and improvisational contemporary jazz to rumba and 20 minute long timbaesque dance grooves. *Not associated with the Seattle based group, Sonando. History Cuarteto Sonando was formed in 1999 by Patricio Angulo. The group has performed at a variety of venues in the San Francisco Bay Area including, Yoshi's, The San Jose Jazz Festival, The North Beach Jazz Festival, The Jazz School, The Blue Bar at the Black Cat, The Butterfly, Cafe Claude, Circadia, Harry's on Fillmore, Jupiter, The Ramp, Rassela's Jazz Club, Top of the Mark (Mark Hopkins Intercontinental Hotel), and has become a fixture at the 850 Montgomery (Cigar Bar) in San Francisco since 2000. Group members Patricio Angulo - Congas, Chekere, Bata Bill Friedman - Piano Steve Senft-Herrera - Electric and Baby Bass Phil Thompson - Drums Contact Info: Bill Friedman - 510-508-5539, info@sonando.com http://www.sonando.com - See Cuarteto Sonando's Page in the Artists Section