THE BEGINNINGMystique was formed in September of 1995 by bandleader Edward Villalba.His first intent was to start a salsa band, but his whole concept changed after looking into the music scene. He realized the potential for the type of music that he remembered from his days when weekends were about enjoying live bands at weddings, quinceneras and in local parks. These bands played a variety of musical styles - not just one.Edward began thinking about the music scene being wide open. As if a void needed to be filled, Edward used all of his energy to begin and form a band that would incorporate the sound that is now being created by his band....MYSTIQUE!The path that Edward Villalba walks in enriched with "sabor" of multi-talented influences - a kaleidoscope of ethnic and popular culture. The rich experience of the San Francisco Bay Area scene included bands such as...Tower of Power, Malo, Santana, Azteca, Sapo, Cold Blood, Sly and the Family Stone and Graham Central Station and includes many other bands from outside the Bay Area such as War, Tortilla Factory, Little Joe Y La Familia, The Midniters, Tierra, El Chicano, Earth Wind and Fire, The Commodores, and Kool and the Gang, just to mention a few.Soon, Edward began to see the realization of a band, recruiting top musicians from throughout the Bay Area, Mystique was formed. Over the course of six years, musicians came and went and every time a musician left, another musician of high caliber would join the group. With the most recent recruitment, Mystique has the energy and the professionalism to attract many well known and seasoned musicians who come out and sit in with Mystique at many of their performances including such Latino legends as...Steve Salas (Tierra, El Chicano), Marcos Reyes (WAR, El Chicano, Malo), Mic Gillette (Tower of Power, The Sons of Champlin, Santana, The Doobie Brothers), Pete Escovedo (Azteca, Santana, Pete Escovedo Orchestra), Karl Perazzo (Santana), Raul Recow (Santana, Malo, Sapo), Armando Perazza (Santana, Buena Vista Social Club), Jorge Santana (Malo, Jorge Santana Band, Santana), Mingo Lewis (Santana, Al Dimeola), Dale Villavicencio (Tierra), Gibby Ross (Malo, Journey, Sammy Hagar), Juan Escovedo (Pete Escovedo Orchestra, Confunction, Sheila E. Band), Leo Rosales (Malo, Jorge Santana Band, Pointer Sisters), Richard "Bandido" Segovia (Eddie Money, Bandido, Allman Bros), and Tony Menjivar (Malo, Bueno) just to name a few.As Mystique developed into a band, Edward realized that the group was taking on a life of it's own. San Francisco percussion legend Leo Rosales, upon seeing the band for the first time, deemed Mystique as "The Latin Earth, Wind and Fire."Edward was humbled and he reflected on his initial thoughts about just having another band. Calls started coming in and finally things started to jump. Appearances on local television networks, radio stations and live performances catapulted the band's popularity to heights he only dreamed about.With a four-piece horn section that echoes thoughts and images of Tower of Power, and a full percussion section with heavy Latino influences, Mystique attacks each song with high energy and versatility. Songs such as, Rick James' "Give It To Me Baby", Little Joe's "Las Nubes", Perez Prado's "Que Rico El Mambo", and Santana's "Corazon Espinado" have become favorites to Mystique's fans.The band also performs eclectic styles such as Santana, Malo, Azteca, Latin Rock and Salsa. With the ability of a chameleon, Mystique interprets musical style with ease and power. Through many influences, the band has developed a sound that reflects the passion referred to by their fans as "Musica Caliente."On November 1, 2003 Edward Villalba and Mystique were awarded a Proclamation from the City of San Jose Ca. for their many contributions to the community including awarding the "Mystique Scholarship" to Latino students and in recognition for being the first Latino band to ever do a halftime show in the History of the National Football League when Mystique performed the Halftime show in front of 60,000 fans along with the Raiderettes at The Oakland Coliseum for The Oakland Raider/Arizona Cardinal game in November of 2001.-------------------------------------------------------
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------------------------------------ Council Woman/Vice Mayor Cindy Chavez reads Commendation to be awarded to Edward Villalba and Mystique
California State Assembly man Simon Salinas Awards Commendation to Edward Villalba
Edward shows off Comendation Award
Commendation Awarded to Edward Villalba and Mystique from the City of San Jose Ca.
With the release of Mystique's first CD "Musica Caliente", and their Second CD/ First DVD "A Night of Enchantment with Mystique Live in Concert" and Their 2nd DVD "Mistique Live", Edward has accomplished, with a company of talented musicians, his idea, his desire and his commitment to live entertainment. It is with great appreciation, enthusiasm and gratitude that Mystique give to their fans, their interpretations of old standards.Mystique is currently working on their third CD that will feature original material as well as old standards. Mystique's goal is to entertain audiences with Peace, Love and Harmony through music. The distinct Mystique experience provides an intense musical and visual journey that brings back feel good memories, creates deja vu and supplies a good time. As Edward says, "It's not us that are important, it's the fans." Because of the fans, we are able to reach that high level of performance that brings them back for more!"Thanks to the fans.....We are MYSTIQUE!!!"------------------------------------------------
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