Robert Navarro was born in New York City where he started his career as a pianist, arranger, producer, and therapeutic recreation specialist.  Robert graduated from City College with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Music.  Robert attended Manners College of Music (Extension Division for Jazz Studies), and Manhattan School of Music (Classical Studies) during his undergraduate years.  He later received a Master of Arts (MA) from New York University.                                                            
 
Robert studied privately with jazz great, Jackie Byrd (jazz piano and Big Band arranging), as well as Harold Danko, John Lewis, Valerie Caper, Ed Summerlin (jazz arranging), Ron Carter (jazz improvisation).  He studied classical piano with “Ms. Bagger” where he learned the repertoire of piano composer “Liszt”. Robert’s engineering education was achieved by studying under two of the most respected engineers in the music business, John Fausty and Kurt Upper.
 
In 1982, Robert formed the band Grupo Fascinacion featuring Johnny Rivera and Tito Gonzales as lead singers. Grupo Fascinacion recorded three LP’s under Rico Records.  Robert had two productions for Tipica 88 singers Jorge Maldonado, and Tito Gonzalez, recorded under Cotona Records.  Robert negotiated a mechanical license with the Tipica 88 “Feria de la Salsa” production with record company Sonoluz for distribution in Columbia and Ecuador. 
 
Robert co-produced two records for Charanga America where he did most of the arrangements and has produced three records for Santiago Ceron, a Dominican artist under three different labels: Combo, Leomar and Exclusivo Records.  Robert worked with Luis Ramirez in a production where he served as musical director for Fania record titled “Onda Tipica” with Tony Fuentes and Papy Roman.  Robert participated in arrangements and piano duets with Oscar Hernandez.  He has produced a song for Jose Mangual Jr. LP  Que Lo Diga El Tiempo, for the song titled “Dos Amigos”. 
 
In 1997 Robert decided to start his own production company, RNR Productions, Inc. and produced  “Cathy Navedo” for Exclusivo Records.  He recorded and co-produced for Eddie Palmieri a project for “The Ballet Hispanico Puertorriqueno” and did studio work with Larry Harlow. Robert also recorded and co-produced for Angelo Pagan actor in the movie “Starfish,” this was Angelo’s first record production for Morrowland Records in California. Other recorded artists were Tipica 88 and Conjunto Clasico: “Quiereme” and “The 25 Anniversary” featuring Tito Nieves. This production was under the Warner Latina label and was nominated for a Latin American Grammy in 2004.  On December 2007 he received a Grammy as an arranger with Bobby Cruz “Romanticos de Ayer, Hoy y Siempre” Song “Envidia”
 
Robert has performed with legendary artists Johnny Pacheco, Conjunto Clasico, Jose Mangual Jr., Pete “Conde” Rodriguez, Charanga America, Angel Canales, Azuquita, Machito and Orquesta, Mon Rivera, and Willie Colon.  He has toured with Celia Cruz (South America) Ray Barreto (European tour 1989), Grupo Fascinacion, Frankie Ruiz (South America tour), Eddie Santiago (European tour 2004), Santiago Ceron, and local orchestra groups. 
 
Robert relocated to Port Saint Lucie 2007.  He teaches guitar, piano, violin and music technology. Robert spends most of his time composing, producing, mixing and mastering recordings. 

WILSON "CHEMBO" CORNIEL

PERCUSSIONIST, BANDLEADER

Final Liner notes for “Things I Wanted To Do”: WILSON "CHEMBO" CORNIEL Rare is the percussionist who can play with the authoritative control illustrated by this young giant. His masterful technique and skill as a leader have been greatly emphasized by his three previous productions, while his credits as a stable and reliable sideman are a virtual encyclopedia. Staying very much in the here and now, Chembo (the leader) once again comes to the fore, as he takes pride in presenting his latest musical endeavor, "Things I Wanted To Do" (a great title by the way, for a recording by someone that has practically done it all). Even the slower paced tunes have that certain edge; a certain soulfulness and dedication to the art form and an ineffable, enchanting quality that is quite present throughout this production, and which might best be encapsulated in a single word, duende. For those of us who have witnessed any of his past performances, well, all the more impressed we are, for Chembo is not one to sit back and rest on his laurels, opting instead to build upon that which he has already created, actively pursuing a lifelong dream in bridging the musically rich past with the new and uncharted future. At this point in his career, Chembo (the recording artist) is totally in control of his art (not to mention his financial affairs), and is quite intent on staying in the game, pushing his limits each and every time he steps up to the plate, meeting the many challenges of a constantly changing market, and making a new statement with every project that he gets involved with. To some, this type of high stakes diversity can be suicidal, but for Chembo (the warrior), it's par for the course. Win some, lose some, but play the game he will, and what he ultimately brings to the table is an all encompassing view of what modern Latin jazz should be. The days of simple jazz overtones floating over the old ballroom dance rhythms are over, and Chembo (the visionary) knows this all too well. As he has so often illustrated in the past, Chembo (the innovator) unequivocally refuses to allow any restrictions to infringe upon the complete and total offertory of candid and exhilarating jazz, issuing forth his craft with great determination, with a complete and definite brilliance that is his alone. My first encounter with him in the studio was when we both recorded with Andrea Brachfeld, and I've admired his zeal ever since. He is one of those talented artists whose skills by far surpass his fame, and as a result he is quite modest for it. As a percussionist, he is able to fluctuate between the many distinct Caribbean folkloric styles, the very modal and strictly-for-dancing Cuban salsa groove, plus the bluesy and very up-swinging jazz tinged styles that are available in most modern American music; all without losing site of the African element in each, which is why all of these elements, collectively or individually are so dominant in his music. In his tuning, Chembo prefers a peculiarly dry sound, while showing a remarkable ability in transforming harmonical structures and melodic lines into rhythmic patterns and riffs. To be sure, Chembo is first and foremost a drummer, and one helluva soloist at that; yet rock-steady when he has to be. Personal prowess notwithstanding, here is someone who is undeniably a team member, and in such a good understanding with his mates that the result is a most enjoyable combination of moods and sounds, all locked into the whole. A carefully woven tapestry of sounds that can delight the listener as well as the dancer in all of us. "Things I Wanted To Do" would have certainly been less than perfect if drummer Vince Cherico, bassist Carlo Derosa and pianist Elio Villafranca had not all marked the rhythm as assertively and inventively as they did. Saxophonist Ivan Renta is in top form throughout this recording, and no session would be complete without at least a few invited guests.

ALLEN SPATZ

PHOTOGRAPHER