Grupo Esperanza profile picture

Grupo Esperanza

Siempre gozando

About Me

Grupo Esperanza is a 7-piece afro-cuban band out of Portland, Maine. The band consists of Congas, Drum Set, Upright Bass, Fender Rhodes and a 3-piece horn section. You can find Grupo Esperanza playing different clubs around Portland as well as many places throughout New England. The music is a mix of originals and traditional Cuban standards, all of which will bring you helplessly to the dance floor.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 10/27/2005
Band Website: esperanzaband.com
Band Members: Adam Montminy: Upright Bass.Dylan Blanchard: Congas, Bongo, Percussion.Joe Parra: Alto and Baritone Saxophones, Vocals.Eric Ambrose: Trombone, Vocals.John Maclaine: Trombone, Vocals.Gary Gemmiti: Drum set, percussion.Jacob Cooley: Rhodes.
Influences: Fania All Stars, Irakere, Cachao, Ibrahim Ferrer, Hector Lavoe, Willie Colon, Eddie Palmieri, Afro Cuban All Stars, Tito Puente, Compay Segundo, Celia Cruz, Charles Mingus, Perez Prado, Mongo Santamaria,Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Sabu, Chucho Valdes, Jimmy Bosch.......
Sounds Like: Salsa Jazz!!
Record Label: http://cdbaby.com/cd/grupoesperanza
Type of Label: None

My Blog

Thank you!

Hello Friends! We'd like to thank everyone that voted for us this year in the Phoenix Best Music Poll. We were awarded, for the 3rd year in a row, Best World Music Act! We are happy that you guys cont...
Posted by Grupo Esperanza on Thu, 08 May 2008 08:33:00 PST

Best Music Poll 2007!!!!

Hey everyone, We just wanted to let you know that you can now vote for us in The Portland Phoenix's Best Music Poll 2007!!! We have been nominated for Best Live Act and once again for Best World ...
Posted by Grupo Esperanza on Thu, 05 Apr 2007 12:47:00 PST

Bets Latin Jazz Album 2006 in Italy!!!

Hey Everyone, We wanted to let you know that we have been named Best Latin Jazz Album of 2006 in a place in Italy called Vinilemania!! We're very excited and are happy to see our music is spreading. ...
Posted by Grupo Esperanza on Sat, 06 Jan 2007 10:54:00 PST

Grupo Esperanza in Peru!!

Hello Friends,  Sunday night (11/26) from 9-11pm, you can hear some of our music on a radio station in Peru called "Rumba y Son". The link to the show is below: www.alsolnet.com/stream/radioplani...
Posted by Grupo Esperanza on Thu, 23 Nov 2006 10:03:00 PST

CD Release at SPACE!!

The night everyone has been waiting for is finally near!!! This Saturday at The SPACE Gallery in Portland Maine is our CD Release Party!!! so come on out and get your copy!! and to add more good news,...
Posted by Grupo Esperanza on Thu, 13 Jul 2006 03:47:00 PST

Best World Music Act Article

ESPERANZA BEST WORLD-MUSIC ACT ESPERANZA For Esperanza, the big achievement is not the accolades bestowed on them by the voters in the Best Music Poll, but the energy of the dancers when they per...
Posted by Grupo Esperanza on Thu, 18 May 2006 02:46:00 PST

No Salsa

Hey everyone, We are not playing any public shows for about a month and some change. So if you notice a lack of dancing in your schedule, that is why. Don't worry, we'll be back for our CD Release par...
Posted by Grupo Esperanza on Mon, 13 Mar 2006 07:08:00 PST

Hometown Love

A quote from Amy Martin's 8 Days a Week, in the Portland Phoenix, from Feb. 9th, 2006: "Before we get started on the usual "8 days" business, we must apologize to anyone who went to the Queen trib...
Posted by Grupo Esperanza on Mon, 13 Feb 2006 08:43:00 PST

FINALLY!

Finally! This Friday and Saturday (Feb. 3rd and 4th) we are going into the The Studio and we're recording a new album! This album is going to be great. We have some great feelings about this. Its...
Posted by Grupo Esperanza on Tue, 31 Jan 2006 07:54:00 PST