..
Myspace Layout Generator by LayoutGeneratorMyspace.com
Philip "Cachi" Velez, Percussionist/Recording Engineer. Cachi’s family comes from Mayaguez, P.R. Cachi was born in New York City on Sept. 2, 19?, and has been playing percussions for most of his life. Cachi was taught the art of percussions by a great percussionist, his father, Phil "Pipo" Velez. Pipo played with Saoco and The TNT Band and is even credited with his own band in the 60's called Pipo y su Combo. The lead singer of his band was the legendary Ismael Miranda who is also Cachi’s Godfather. Pipo’s playing style attributed to a hit song with The TNT Band called "The Meditation" and a string of hits recorded with Saoco, who has played around the world and in the world's most famous arena Madison Square Garden. Now before realizing the significance of what he was taught, Cachi started in the music industry by singing back-up vocals and dancing/choreography for Lagosa Records, whose artists, to name a few were Monet, George Lamond and Nu-flex. Realizing how much he loved music, Cachi decided to make it his life and obtain a Degree in Audio Engineering/Sound Recording from Mercy College/CMA. Since then, Cachi has produced two albums Sonido Bestial Feat. DJ Dynamite (recorded in P.R.) and Rude Boyz NY, which was recorded at Mucha Madness Recording Studio Inc., located in the Bronx. Mucha Madness Recording Studio Inc. is owned by Cachi and his younger sister, Lailany "Mucha" Ruiz-Betancourt. Cachi came to the realization that something in his life was missing besides his father, and that was the feel and sound of playing percussions. Since then, Cachi has worked hard on becoming the percussionist that he is today. Playing Congas, Bongos and Timbales, Cachi has been fortunate enough to play venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center's Merkin Concert Hall Theatre, Cami Hall, Palladium, Studio 54, Roxy's, CBGB's, SOB’s, The Copacabana, 116th Street Festival, Univision Television, Telemundo Television, The Knitting Factory, The Laugh Factory, Nuyorican Poets Cafe NY/PR and many other clubs and lounges throughout the Tri-State area. Cachi has also played and recorded with very exciting bands and singers such as Willie Colon, Yomo Toro, Frankie Negron, Angel Lopez, Alfredo De La Fe, Joey Williams (Blind Boys of Alabama), Ayanna Del Valle, Cynthia Castro, Mental Notes, Den of Wolves, Richard Holly, Roberto Vazquez, Emergency Service, and occasionally sits in on some sets with Grupo Latin Vibe. Cachi is currently playing with Edwin Vazquez, Lily Vazquez, Dirty Boogaloo, and has even been signed to the record label, CueZone Records.
