La Evolución Salsa Band
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La Evolución (pronounced [la ‘eh-boh-loo-syohn], Spanish for "the Evolution") is an Latin American salsa band from Bridgeport, Connecticut. The band members were only interested in creating original Latin Salsa music; which were a fusion of the following influences from Latin Salsa, Jazz, R&B, and Disco music. Established in 1969 by Ozzie Muniz, band will go on to have many players over the years.
La Evolución’s ultimate goal was to bring their musical productions on vinyl. In the band’s later years, they had collaborated with Fania All-Star member and Cautro legend Yomo Toro to record their first LP album, titled “Musica Para El Mundo Entero” in 1982; (album will be re-released in 2011 in CD format).[1] Playing with Yomo Toro helped La Evolución bring their dream into a reality.
The band have played at numerous musical venues around Bridgeport Metro area (local Radio Station WCUM Radio Cumbre, Seaside bandshell, ABCD hosted music festival, etc.) and throughout the state of Connecticut (Hartford, UConn, Radio Stations, etc.). Some performances included the 1982 Arts Alive Festival in downtown Bridgeport.[2] In 1984, the band would give their last performance and was honored to perform next to one of the best Salsa bands of Puerto Rico, El Gran Combo.
In 2013, La Evolución would hold a reunion performance, celebrating 30 year anniversary of their album release and it was also a tribute to their dear friend the legendary Yomo Toro, who passed away the year prior (June 30, 2012)[3].
History[edit]
1969–71: Formation[edit]
| Name | Role | Notes |
| Walberto “Robert” Malines | Timbales | |
| Freddy Cuzman | Piano | |
| Nelson Rivera | Bass | |
| Johnny Castro | Bongos | |
| Milton Martinez | Timbales | |
| Frankie Castro | Trumpet | |
| Willie Castro | Trombone | |
| Tito Camacho | Trombone | |
| Fredrico | Coro/Vocals | |
| Ozzie Muniz | Coro/Vocals | Founder & Manager |
| Willie Ortega | Lead Vocals | |
| Edwin Rivera | Lead Vocals | |
| Jamie | Congas |
1972–74: Changes[edit]
| Name | Role | Notes |
| Walberto “Robert” Malines | Timbales | |
| Edwin Hernandez | Piano | |
| Nelson Rivera | Bass | |
| Eddie Menendez | Congas | |
| Johnny Castro | Bongos | |
| Nelson Alicea | Trumpet | |
| Hector Mendoza | Trumpet | |
| Tito Camacho | Trumpet | |
| Willie Castro | Trombone | |
| Victor “Bird” Sanchez | Trombone | |
| Ozzie Muniz | Coro/Vocals | Founder & Manager |
| Efrain Irizarry | Lead Vocals | |
| Edwin Rivera | Lead Vocals | |
| Jose Rivera | Lead Vocals | |
| Ishmael Pomales | Sax |
1975–77: Changes[edit]
| Name | Role | Notes |
| Walberto “Robert” Malines | Timbales | |
| Edwin Hernandez | Piano | |
| Nelson Rivera | Bass | |
| Johnny Rios | Congas | |
| Peter Baez | Bongos | |
| Nelson Alicea | Trumpet | |
| Hector Mendoza | Trumpet | |
| Tito Camacho | Trumpet | |
| Willie Castro | Trombone | |
| Peter Perez | Trombone | |
| Ozzie Muniz | Coro/Vocals | Founder & Manager |
| Edwin Rivera | Lead Vocals | |
| Tony Napoli | Flute | |
| Mike Roach | Sax | |
| Bill Cox | Trombone |
1978–80: Changes[edit]
| Name | Role | Notes |
| Walberto “Robert” Malines | Timbales | |
| Rafael “Red” Rosado | Piano | |
| Nelson Rivera | Bass | |
| Louis Carrasquillio | Congas | |
| Peter Baez | Bongos | |
| George Brown | Trumpet | |
| Mike Roach | Sax/Flute | |
| Bill Cox | Trombone | |
| Jimmy “Brizo” Garcia | Trombone | |
| Peter Perez | Trombone | |
| Edwin Olivieri | Coro/Guitarra | |
| Edwin Rivera | Lead Vocals | |
| Adrian Perez | Manager | *Coro |
| Mike Alyala | Agent |
1981–84: Changes & Recording[edit]
| Name | Role | Notes |
| Walberto “Robert” Malines | Timbales | |
| Rafael “Red” Rosado | Piano | |
| Nelson Rivera | Bass | |
| Louis Carrasquillio | Congas | |
| Peter Baez | Bongos | |
| Mark Richardson | Trumpet | |
| Jimmy “Brizo” Garcia | Trombone | |
| Peter Perez | Trombone | |
| Adrian Perez | Manager | *Coro |
| Edwin Olivieri | Coro/Guitarra | |
| Edwin Rivera | Lead Vocals | |
| Edgar Velazquez | Coro | Joined after album recording |
| Pedro Reyes | Trombone | Joined after album recording |
| Ray | Trumpet | Joined after album recording |
| Victor | Piano | Joined after album recording |
Band Members during album recording[edit]
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Walberto “Robert” Malines | Timbales |
| Rafael “Red” Rosado | Piano |
| Nelson Rivera | Bass |
| Louis Carrasquillio | Congas |
| Peter Baez | Bongos |
| Mark Richardson | Trumpet |
| Jimmy “Brizo” Garcia | Trombone |
| Peter Perez | Trombone |
| Edwin Olivieri | Coro/Vocals |
| Edwin Rivera | Lead Vocals |
| Adrian Perez | Manager |
| Featuring Yomo Toro | Legendary Cuatro player |
Discography[edit]
Album[4]
Yomo Toro con La Evolución: Musica Para El Mundo Entero[edit]
· Track 1 > Música Para El Mundo Entero
· Track 2 > Yomo Y La Evolución
· Track 3 > La Vi Por Primera Vez
· Track 4 > Just The Way You Are
· Track 5 > La Cuesta De Josefina
· Track 6 > Popurri Sentimental
· Track 7 > Sangre Latina
· Track 8 > Alma Llanera
· Track 9 > Virgencita
· Track10 > A Nuestro Señor
| La Evolución | |
| Also known as | La Orquesta Evolución (1969–1970) |
| Origin | Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Years active |
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| Past members |
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This article "La Evolución Salsa Band" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:La Evolución Salsa Band. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
- ↑ Música Para El Mundo Entero, 4 June 2020, retrieved 2023-12-09
- ↑ "Orquesta Evolucion: Bpt Ct Arts Festival 1982". Bridgeport Connecticut Arts Festival 1982. May 14, 2012.
- ↑ "Yomo Toro, King of the Cuatro, Dead at 78". July 2, 2012. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
- ↑ Música Para El Mundo Entero, 4 June 2020, retrieved 2023-12-09
