RAMON FLORES (TRUMPETER)

Ramon Flores, was born on August the 22nd in Mazatlan Sinaloa, Mexico. At age 10, Flores began his musical studies at the institute of Bellas Artes (Fine Arts). At age 12 he began his career as a musician playing in the Banda Municipal de Mazatlan (concert band), under the direction of Maestro Jose Medina Peña. Later, he played with local Big Bands, then with various jazz groups at the piano bar “El Navegante” at the Hotel de Cima, also at one of the most prestigious night clubs of those years “La Copa de Leche”. At the age of 19, Ramon went to Mexico City where he played with the most famous orchestras of those times such as (Luis Arcaraz, Pablo Beltran Ruiz, Perez Prado, etc). He also was part of jazz ensambles such as Tino Contreras, Mario Patrón, Hector Hallal (el Arabe), etc. In 1967 Ramon started doing recordings as a new activity. He quickly became an important studio musician. He accompanied many artists such as Jose Jose, Juan Gabriel, Marco Antonio Muñíz, Angelica María, Pedro Vargas, Mona Bell, Carlos Lico, Cesar Costa, Enrique Guzman, Lupita D’alessio, Armando Manzanero and many others. He was the first trumpet player for the Paul Mauriat orchestra for 16 world tours and as a soloist trumpeter for the Quincy Jones orchestra in 1975. As a musical arranger Ramon wrote for Jose Jose, Marco Antonio Muniz, Pedro Vargas, Mona Bell, Carlos Lico, Armando Manzanero, Roberto Cantoral, Cepillin, Luis(Vivi)Hernandez. Later he wrote music for commercials, “Tobilleras Casfer” being the most succesfull one. In 1973, Ramon was awarded best arranger and First place in the International music festival “Onda Nueva” in Caracas Venezuela. In 1974, Ramon was awarded First place in the OTI Festival in Mexico city with the song titled “Quijote” composed by Roberto Cantoral. In 1985, Ramón moved to Los Angeles California and since then, he also participated with many local Big Bands such as Ray Anthony, Ray Charles, Les Brown, Bob Florence, Bill Holman, Mike Barone, Jack Sheldon, Roger Neumann, Lalo Schifrin. He also participated with many Latin Jazz ensembles such as Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Sheila E, Poncho Sanchez, Pete Escovedo, Rudy Regalado “Chevere”. Ramon has participated in many recordings for Linda Ronstadt, Vikki Carr, Placido Domingo, Mana, Juan Gabriel, Jose Jose, Luis Miguel, Bryan Setzer, Roberto Carlos, Rocio Durcal, Raphael, Engelbert Humperdinck, Quincy Jones, Santana (super natural), Molotov, Alejandro Fernandez, Pedro Fernandez, Alicia Villarreal, Pandora, Angeles Ochoa, Joan Sebastian, Marco Antonio Solis, Lucero, Mijares, Daniela Romo, Ricardo Arjona, Café Tacuba, Akwid, Louise Baranger, etc. Some of Ramon’s trumpet solos appear on recordings for Daniela Romo (La cita), Luis Miguel (Romances), Linda Ronstadt (Frenesi), Mana (Donde jugaran los niños), Café Tacuba, Larry Elgart (Latin Obsession), Rocio Durcal (Para toda la vida), Santana (Super natural-Grammy), Placido Domingo (De Mi Alma Latina),(100 años de Mariachi) (Grammy). His trumpet solos can be heard on soundtrack movies such as: The Mask, Flubber, Geronimo, To sleep with anger, The Vegas vacation, The Perez family, Second honey moon, and also “The single guy” (television series). His recordings for cartoons are: Timon & Pumba, Histeria, Jungle cubs, etc. As an arranger, he has writen for George Graham’s Big Band: (La virgen de la Macarena and My Marylin), and arrangements for Vikki Carr’s special T.V. Show “Memories/Memorias”. Brass arrangements for Joan Sebastian: Secreto de amor (Grammy), etc. Ramon for many years was the musical director for the OTI Festival in Los Angeles California, being awarded best arranger in 1990. In 1993 he recorded his first solo album titled “Latin Sunset”. Ramon has received many awards such as “The Golden Lira” given by the Musician’s Union in Mexico city in 1974, a tribute to pay Homage to Ramon in 1998, and a Star in Hall of Fame in 1999, both received in his home town (Mazatlán). A recognition from the Musician’s Union in Mexico city in 2000. World tours with: Cock Robin 1990, Brian Setzer 1994, Don Henley (Eagles) 2000, Yanni 2003-2005.

VIDEOS

RAMON FLORES - PARA TI (2007)

Latin Jazz from an award-winning trumpeter

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