Rolando Morales, Carlos Reyes and Omar Ledezma at Pairing Cellars Saturday, August 13, 2016

Rolando Morales, Carlos Reyes and Omar Ledezma together at Pairings Cellars August 13, 2016
Rolando Morales, Carlos Reyes and Omar Ledezma together at Pairings Cellars August 13, 2016World Class Musician appear on local stage
Three World-Class Musicians appear on local stage

Rolando Morales has performed throughout Spain, England, Italy, Ireland, Mexico, and Hawaii. In Los Angeles, he largely played electric guitars. Just out of college, he played with a 9 piece casual band comprised of members who backed such stars as Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, and Poncho Sanchez.  He regularly plays with world-class musicians who work with luminaries as Airto, Flora Purim, Steve Winwood, Tower of Power, Spearhead, Ruben Blades, Carlos Santana, Pete Escovedo, and performed with Dizzy Gillespie and many others. Rolando Morales studied law and graduated.  He decided for Music his first love and we all thank him.

Carlos Reyes learned to play many different instruments including Guitar, Bass, Mandolin, Keyboards, as well as mastering the use of a variety of electronic devices and special effects. He made his debut on harp with the Oakland Symphony and his debut on the violin with the Oakland Youth Symphony at just fourteen years of age. He has worked in the professional recording industry for commercials, solo artist and instrumental background music for the acclaimed children’s shows “Sesame Street” and “Villa Alegre” when he was still in his teens. He has backed such artist as Chuck Mangione, Bill Evans, Clark Terry, Pat Travers, MC Hammer, Craig Chaquico, The Crusaders, The Rippingtons, Roy Rogers to Charlie Daniels, Wynona Judd, Clint Black, Willie Nelson, John Handy, The Doobie Brothers, Rocker Steve Miller and many more.

From Caracas, Venezuela, GRAMMY Award Winner Omar Ledezma Jr. has been playing professionally since the age of 13. At the age of 17, he found him performing in every corner of his native country. National musical acclaim rested light on the shoulders of Ledezma as 1995 found him a graduate of one of the most prestigious Law Schools in Caracas, Venezuela. In 1998 Omar packed one bag and one drum to begin his move to Boston, Massachusetts after making a passionate commitment to study at Berklee College of Music, Boston and then New York City held many challenges and provided many opportunities. Moving to the Bay Area in 2005, Omar has committed himself not to “bring the music back” or “take the music forward” but thrive upon embracing “the existing”.

Three men, three world class talents we are so spoiled in the Bay Area

 

Rolando Morales Trio to perform at Pairings Cellars in Pleasanton, Saturday July 23rd.

Rolando Morales , Estaire Godinez and David Belove will perform on Saturday July 23rd at Pairings Cellars in downtown Pleasanton.
Rolando Morales , Estaire Godinez and David Belove will perform on Saturday July 23rd at Pairings Cellars in downtown Pleasanton.

Saturday July 23, Pairings Cellars, 310 Main Street, Suite B, Pleasanton CA 94566, 8-11pm.  Rolando debuts at this brand new, exciting social hotspot in downtown Pleasanton.  This new wine bar will feature fine wines, tapas and the Rolando Morales Trio, featuring from Prince and George Benson, the charismatic Latin percussionist/vocalist    Estaire Godinez; from Pete Escovedo and Tito Puente, bassist David Belove; and Rolando Morales leading the way on guitar, guitar synth and voice.  Free! www.pairingscellars.com(925) 398-8846.

Rolando Morales adds “Love’s in Need of Love Today” by Stevie Wonder to his repertoire.

Rolando Morales  will perform Saturday July 23, Pairings Cellars, 310 Main Street, Suite B, Pleasanton CA 94566, 8-11pm with Estaire Godinez and David Belove.
Rolando Morales will perform Saturday July 23, Pairings Cellars, 310 Main Street, Suite B, Pleasanton CA 94566, 8-11pm with Estaire Godinez and David Belove.

Hola, Mi Gente!

If there has ever been a time for us to collectively channel our inner Martin Luther King, that time is now.  Too many times now, listening to the radio while driving to or from a gig, I’ve heard heart-rending, breaking news of the latest violence inflicted in another American city.

One of the songs I’ve added to my repertoire of late, sadly, has been Stevie Wonder’s “Love’s In Need Of Love Today.”   One of the lines goes: “Hate’s goin’ round breaking many hearts.  Stop it please before it’s gone too far.”

I’ve had some special moments performing these kinds of songs for receptive audiences at Wente Vineyard, The Vineand even Maria, Maria in Walnut Creek.  Some spoke to me with tears in their eyes on the breaks of how they were moved by the songs or appreciated what I wrote in these newsletters.  It seems we all want the madness to stop.  But the few with the demented will and the means to act perpetuate the violence. Better to remember Dr. King’s words:

“We must learn to live together as brothers, or perish together as fools.” March on Washington-1964

If you’re looking for healing energy and a fun escape from the news, remember that my Trio debuts  this Saturdaynight, July 23 at a brand new Wine Bar, Pairings Cellars on Main Street in downtown Pleasanton, as part of theirGrand Opening month.  We’ll have a ball playing in this intimate space with my great trio featuring the percussionist/vocalist from Prince, Estaire Godinez; the great bassist from Pete Escovedo, David Belove; and I’ll be there on guitar, guitar synth and voice.  Details below.  Don’t miss it!

The beautiful Estaire Godinez and David Belove
The beautiful Estaire Godinez and David Belove

There’s still much more left in this second half of the calendar. Make your reservations and I’ll  see you at the show!

Ciao,

Rolando