RICO MONACO & SOL SONS
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Awards
2011 Best Latin Act-
2010 Best Latin Act-
2010 Gibson Opening Act Winner-
Opened the show for Tears
For Fears! (Highest
voted original act)
2008 Best Latin Act-
(with an original release)
2004 Best Latin Act
2003 Best Latin Act
As voted by the readers of the
Orlando Weekly
2002 National Battle Of The Bands Champion
(as chosen by
Musician Of The Year - Rico Monaco
CD Of The Year – Rico Monaco & Sol Sons
Band Of The Year - Rico Monaco & Sol Sons
Song Of The Year – “Tell Me” by Rico Monaco
& Sol Sons
The Gibson Showroom 11-18-11 (photo by Scott Tucker)
Rico Monaco - guitar, vocals, musical
director, has performed with national acts, platinum producers and has gained
international notoriety as a stellar guitarist out of Florida. He has produced all
of RMSS recordings and is the main songwriter of the band. His leadership and
vision for RMSS has helped the band win many accolades and awards in the music
business. Rico won "Musician Of The Year" honors in 2002 at the JINO
Awards. The band has a won a national battle of the bands sponsored by Hard Rock
Cafe & Cabo Wabo Tequila, won Best Latin Act 5 of the last 8 years in Orlando, won
song of the year, CD of they year, etc. Many superstar musicians and producers have
praised him for his outstanding emotionally driven guitar work, showmanship, songwriting,
and strong leadership of RMSS. His cultivation of his bands' great reputation,
sound, and "following" have led to major shows and exposure around the
world.
Page Quintana -lead vocals, is an excellent showman with a unique voice that combines Latin salsa with R & B stylings. He performed with RMSS around the world and has been a big contributor to the band by drawing large numbers to shows. He is a classic lead vocalist who gets your attention and put's on a show. He has toured with Puerto Rican merengue singer Giselle as well as had his own succesful CD release.
Carlos "Clos" Hernandez-
congas, timbales- Carlos is a talented percussionist and
writer from the funky streets of the Bronx New York. Coming from such a competitive
environment has made Carlos that much better. He co-wrote the RMSS Song Of The Year
with Rico and Pete Buddenbaum, "Tell Me" and he continues to be a valuable
member of RMSS.
Robert "The Polish-Siciliano" Butkowski- drums. This Mississippian graduated from Middle
Tennessee University music program studies and work under the instruction of a world class
drummer, Keith Carlock. He has shown the rock solid demeanor and focus to help bring
the band to the next level. He has toured nationally and is the type of model
professional that band needs to compete on the highest level.
Brian "88 Fingers" Giarraffa- keyboards, vocals. An excellent keyboard player raised in Queens, New York City which helped give him the musical edge he has developed. He studied music in Manhattan, NY and he carries on his father's legacy in the music business along with his brothers. He has a firm handle on jazz fusion, pop, rock, and of course, Latin styles.
Pablo Rodriguez - bass, backing vocals. Pablo is from Mexico City, Mexico and
has a vast amount of performance experience from his days in Mexico. He has a great
feel for the Latin rhythms but also plays the rock styles with knowledge and conviction.
His attitude and musical integrity make him a perfect fit for RMSS.
SUBS/Additional musicians- take over when needed!
Luis Rojas - bass, backing vocals,
he is an accomplished musician who is very professional and always prepared. His
Latin roots from Costa Rica give him a unique perspective and style. Luis is a great
musician that has a great feel and is very proficient in many different styles of music.
Jessie Caraballo - drums, percussion- Jessie is the main
percussionist for world famous Salsa/Pop vocalist Marc Anthony & Jennifer Lopez!
Jessie is an amazing talent and has a tremendously positive attitude as well. He
and Rico really ROCK OUT when they are onstage together. Whenever he is off the
road, he loves performing & recording with Rico and his projects (RMSS & The New
Centurions).
Tony Miceli- vocals. Tony is a multi-instrumentalist producer who has worked with the band on and off since 2004. He had major success with his company Sound Deluxe recording sound tracks for major films and engineered/recorded every sound track at the Universal Studios Orlando resort among many other credits.
Zoraida - lead and backing vocals. Zoraida has great experience from her last group Mpress which toured with national acts, performed on national TV, and released a record. She is an excellent onstage performer and brings a much appreciated exciting female presence to the stage. Her work ethic is undeniable
Eddie "Gua-Gua" Rivera - bass, one of the most respected bass players in Latin music in the world from NYC! He is a member of the "Latin Legends" world traveling famous group. He has performed with Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Larry Harlow, etc.... He has recorded on over 500 CDs! He is simply a legend in the latin music world. (PERIOD). RMSS is proud to say that Eddie loves what the band is doing and where we are heading.
Dimas "Professor" Sanchez - drums, timbales, bongos & percussion, studied with the best percussionist in Puerto Rico. His abilities and approach have earned him the moniker, "Professor Of Latin Rhythms." He has been with Rico since RMSS was formed in Orlando in 1998. He is a great musician and powerful player. His brother David Sanchez is a Latin Grammy winning saxophonist and is world reknowned. Dimas obviously had a powerful influence on his brother.
Betsy Landin Martinez
- vocals. Betsy is a great female triple threat: vocalist, performer, and
actress. She has performed with RMSS and is now in Hollywood, California after
scoring roles in such major motion pictures as "Dolphin Tale" featuring Morgan
Freeman and Ashley Judd.
Jose Rosa - congas, bongos, percussion &
vocals. from Puerto Rico. Toured with the legendary trumpet player Arturo
Sandoval for 2 years! A well studied, disciplined percussionist with great ability and
decication to the band.
Horns - Trombones- Dean
Dukes, James Hosmer, Corey Powell,
Trumpets- Bill Carmichael, John "JR" Ritchey, Mark Zauss, John "JD"
Castleman
Tuba-Josh Parsons, among others....
Press & Quotes
“Rico Monaco
& his band are serious musicians who won a National Battle Of The Bands in 2002
sponsored by Cabo Wabo & Hard Rock Café. I
personally chose them & have had the pleasure of jamming with Rico on many occasions
at the Cabo Wabo Cantina. From Van Halen
to Santana Rico Rocks!……
Jen Coffman: Quote from article: "There is no doubt that musician Rico Monaco is Central Florida's best-kept secret. He is perhaps the best-kept secret in the music industry." Here is the link to read the entire article.http://www.examiner.com/contemporary-arts-in-orlando/guitarist-rico-monaco-rocks-central-florida-and-beyond
Rico Monaco and Sol
sons, what can I say. Hands down the best band I have worked with in years. A sound very
unique and can truly play the great music from Santana to Tito Puente. I get great
pleasure every time we hit the stage together and jam. "Es un Descarga
Tremenda!"
“featuring Rico Monaco, easily one of the best guitarists in the area. The collective basks in the glory of outstanding musicianship. The results are documented on a stunning, self-titled album released this year. Orlando Weekly Music Awards Issue
"You may know their music already. If not, get to know it because he’s the guy just described ... an amazing and talented guitarist who plays great shows consistently, puts all of his energy into delivering entertainment, is professional, has good business sense, works hard, and appreciates his listeners and fans." September, 2002 - Jazz in Orlando