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Hugo Ochoa
Bass Guitar
Hugo Ochoa was born and raised in the heart of San Francisco's Mission District in the 70's - at the height of the Latin salsa explosion. Hugo was Greatly influenced by the melting pot of Latino diversity found in San Francisco at the time. He was also molded by the New York Salsa styles of Sal Cuevas, Oscar De Leon and Bobby Valentine. Hugo has performed with various bay area show bands such as Vicio, Combo Universitario, Los Ruddys, La Movida and Fiesta Brava. Hugo brings with him the Tumbao that keeps the Sapo Guapo drive alive.
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Mike Cherry
Trombone, Vocals, Percussion
Mike has been playing trombone for over 25 years and has performed with The Paul Martin Big Band, Alive Music Orchestra and Billy Browning Big Band. Mike's low-end superior tones adds the final touch to the Sapo Guapo horn section.
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Juan Alejandro
Composer and Lead Vocals, Co-Founder
Juan has been in the entertainment buissenss since 1980, doing everything from competing in the international competition for composers, O.T.I., creating jingles for various companies, and lead vocals for Israfel Records. Juan's talent and truly enlightened spirit are here with Sapo Guapo on thier musical Journey for all to enjoy.
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JB Ramirez
Lead and Backup Vocals
A laid-back style and natural soul are all hallmarks of JB Ramirez's vocal sound. Born the twelfth of fifteen children in Fairfield, California, JB grew up listening to all kinds of music. As such he has performed in a variety of musical situations since high school and has fronted some of the area's most noteable bands, such as Section G, and the Time Bandits. He brings his experience and enthusiasm to Sapo Guapo to continue on his musical journey.
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Ron Mesina
Percussion
Ron is a self-taught musician that grew up in the Mission District of San Francisco playing music with the likes of Raul Rekow and John Santos in Dalores Park in the mid 70's. Ron has performed with various groups such as George Santana, Mystique, Latin Safari, and, now, Sapo Guapo.
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Eddie Diaz
Percussion
Eddie Diaz grew up listening and playing salsa music and Afro Cuban based music in "The Bronx", New York. He studied with the likes of Eddie Montalvo, John Alemandra, Julio Acosta and Joe Circus. Having performed with some of the great musicians of Salsa such as Ray Colon, Bobbie Rodriguez, Yomo Toro, Larry Harlow, Tito Allen to name a few, Eddie was also a percussionist for the Alvin Alley American Dance School. After moving to Sacramento, Eddie continues to perform with numerous local Salsa and Latin Jazz groups.
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Melvin Brito
Composer,Producer, Saxophonist, Keyboardist
Having studied classical saxophone in high school, Melvin went on to Berklee College of Music in Boston with the intention of mastering the saxophone. While at Berklee, he pursued a different path and studied composition. After receiving his Degree in Music, Melvin then continued to write and arrange various materials for indie films, commercials, Pop and R&B bands, church bands, dance companies and local talents. Along with being a talented musician, Melvin also freelances as an Audio/Video Editor for the newly established
SALSA KEYS PRODUCTIONS.
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Stan Johnson
Saxophone, Flute
Multi-instrumentalist Stan Johnson earned his BS Degree in music at the University of Nebraska and a Master's Degree in music at VanderCook College of Music in Chicago. A retired music educator of 33 years, Stan taught music in Montana, Japan, Wisconsin and England before beginning a 19 year tenure at Will C. Wood High School in Vacaville. Stan has performed with The Four Tops, Norton Buffalo, saxophonist Pete Chistilleb from the Tonight Show, Mary Fettig and Sonia Jason, trombonist Dave Eshelman, trumpeters Mike Vax and Marvin McFadden, percussionist Pete Escovedo, Sierra Brass & Electric from Nevada City and Slick & the Sliders from Winters, and Gray Daze from Fairfield. He is currently performing with Rocky and the Revellettes from Woodland, the big band High Class Brass from Sacramento and the Latin band Sapo Guapo from Vacaville. He also performs with his own groups J. Harrison B. and the John Stanson Band. Rolling Stone Magazine gave a glowing review of Stan's performance with Magellan on a Jethro Tull tribute CD produced by Magna Carta Records. He can also be heard on Blues Sky's 707 CD, with his two sons on their CD "Johnson, Johnson, & Johnson" and the album by J. Harrison B. titled "You Can't Get There From Here". He is currently working on a new CD that should be released sometime this spring.
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Rolando Paredes
Drummer/Timbale
Born in Panama City, Panama, Rolando was drawn to music from an early age as he mostly taught himself how to play multiple instruments. He wrote, arranged and produced music for a variety of applications, most notably Jingles for Panama's advertising industry, before heading to the US to attend school. Once in the US, Rolando continued his music activities as he collaborated and produced records for both new and established artists with Sony Records, Mexico. After a long break from music, he is active in music again but now as a drummer/timbale player, a new musical challenge he is fully embracing and enjoying. Rolando became a member of Sapo Guapo in October, 2009.
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