Orquesta Dengue is the outgrowth of the Paul De Castro Afro Latin Sextet tour of Hungary and Romania in the summer of 2006. Paul De Castro (piano), Andres Renteria (percussion), Csaba Pusztai (drum set), and Lucian Nagy (saxophones), wanted to continue making music together after the success of the 2006 tour. They also wanted the music to be funkier, jazzier, and more energetic.
Joining the veterans of the 2006 tour are three amazing musicians: Laszlo Studniczky (bass), Gabriel Rosati (trumpet), and David Goodwin (trombone). Orquesta Dengue is truly an international band, with members from Peru, Hungary, Romania, Italy, and the USA. Each member brings with him a variety of experiences and styles.
Upon his return from Europe, Paul De Castro dedicated most of his time to writing new music as well as new arrangements of some of the original compositions already in his repertoire. Incorporating influences from Afro-Cuban jazz, Timba, Funk, and Brazilian music, Paul and Orquesta Dengue have created a new way of interpreting Latin Jazz that is more danceable, yet at the same time will satisfy the most demanding jazz aficionado.
Starting September 2007 and due to the demand Orquesta Dengue band members have as professional musicians, we have included new members to the dengue roster. Joining us in our 2007 Hungary-Romania tour are two incredibly talented musicians: trumpet player Giovanni Siveroni (Peru) and percussionist Joaquin Arteaga (Venezuela). Also joining Orquesta Dengue are two musicians who already have collaborated in our recording sessions: vocalist Nick Roman (Dominican Republic) and percussionist Tony Shogren (USA).
Last but not least, but definitely younger than the rest of us, is Celso "Pitu" Campillo. Celso is a young and talented Cuban-American drum set player who is currently living in Miami, Fl. and who has joined the Dengue family in the past few months.
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. At Cal State University Los Angeles, Paul founded and directs the first Afro Latin Masters of Music degree program in the United States, now in its sixth year.
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