LOUIE CRUZ BELTRAN (PERCUSSIONIST, COMPOSER)

Louie Cruz Beltran was born in Bakersfield, California and now resides in Los Angeles. He has crafted a musical career upon the soulful sounds of his ethnic American background and flavored it with contemporary R&B, Jazz, Latin Jazz and Salsa. Steeped in music from early childhood, Beltran's first memories recall his mother singing gospel music, Mexican and Caribbean folk tunes. As early as the third grade, Beltran was playing bongos and learning the guitar. The early recordings of artists such as Ray Barretto, Mongo Santamaria, Tito Puente, Ray Armando, Poncho Sanchez, Francisco Aquabella and Jorge Claudio sparked Louie's interest. Captivated by the Afro-Cuban and Puerto Rican rhythms of these artists, he chose to pursue the art of percussion, specializing in the timbales, congas, bongos and Bata. "The beauty of Afro-Cuban music stole my heart," Beltran said. "I was born to play congas. I am a rumbero." It has been an honor for him to have shared the stage with most of these great artists. A prolific songwriter and lyricist, Louie was honored with the placement of his composition "Pan Con Dignidad (Bread with Dignity)" in the compilation series "Who's Who of Composers." Beltran also toured the United States, Europe, Scandinavia, the Middle East and Africa with the group Starrfire – an R&B/Latin Jazz ensemble. In addition to performing regularly at popular venues such as Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood and the Ford Amphitheatre Hollywood, the Louie Cruz Beltran Latin Jazz/Salsa Orchestra has headlined many music festivals throughout the West Coast including the Beverly Hills and Pasadena Playboy Jazz Festivals. He also had a guest appearance with Santana at the Gibson (Universal) Amphitheatre and headlined Santana’s VIP show. He recently performed at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas. Louie continues to work as a composer, recording artist and instructor. His CD, entitled “It’s My Time " is available on his website www.louiecruzbeltran.com , iTunes, Napster and CD Baby . He has two additional CDs of live performances with his Latin Jazz/Salsa Orchestra.

LOUIE CRUZ BELTRAN  - LIVE AT THE FORD (2007)

Latin jazz that will captivate your soul and move your feet. Louie doing one of the things he does best - entertaining a sold out crowd in an exciting live outdoor venue

Louie Cruz Beltran - Lead Vocals, timbales

Mongo Ricardo Smith - congas

JC Lara - Bongos and percussion

Miguel Barrera - drums

David Amper - Piano

Garth Rodriguez - Vibes

Jose Blackman - upright bass

Sal Cracchiolo - Trumpet

more tracks can be heard on Vinilemania's Radio Channels

LOUIE CRUZ BELTRAN  - IT'S MY TIME (2001)

This CD combines English and Spanish and Latin and R&B and may be the greatest accomplishment in today's musical scene bringing together the Caribbean and Urban rhythms which will touch your soul and leave you hungry for more

more tracks can be heard on Vinilemania's Radio Channels