Otto Granillo-Trombone/Director
Junko-Voice
Walter Diaz-Piano
Brian Akio Martinez-Double Bass
Josh Aguiar-Trumpet
Juan Karlos -Percussion
Jacob Danny Vera-Drum set
Otto Granillo -Trombone/Band Leader
Born and raised in East Los Angeles, Otto has been a freelance Trombonist in the Los Angeles area for over sixteen years performing in symphony orchestras, jazz bands to salsa groups and recording and touring with a vast array of artists including Marc Anthony, Juan Gabriel, Marco Antonio Solis, Tito Puente and Brian McNight to name a few. He holds a Bachelors of Music degree from California State University of Los Angeles and a Masters of Fine Arts degree in Music Performance from California Institute for the Arts. Otto’s musical ambitions serve not only in performing but also in education.
Junko -Voice
Born and raised in Japan, Junko started to express her musical talent at 2 years of age. Playing piano, electric organ and other musical instruments in her youth, her passion for music kept growing. With a Bachelors degree in Spanish in hand, Junko came to the U.S. in hopes of making her musical career come to fruition. While working at EPCOT Center, Orlando, Florida, she fell in love with mariachi music performed by Mariachi Cobre at Mexico Pavilion. They discovered Junko’s vocal talents after hearing her sing along with them during one of their sets. Soon after, Mariachi Cobre began inviting her as a guest soloist in concerts such as El Primer Encuentro de Mariachi in Guadalajara, Mexico, Tucson International Mariachi Conference, Hollywood Bowl Mariachi concerts, San Jose Concerts and Salinas Concert. She has shared the stage with Linda Ronstadt, Lalo Guerero and Viki Carr. Junko now resides in Los Angeles where she has performed several times with Mariachi Sol de Mexico while keeping busy as a versatile freelance singer and vocal teacher.
Juan Karlos-Percussion
Originally from Veracruz, Mexico, Latin Percussionist Juan Karlos grew up in a house filled with music at all hours of the day. Self taught he began playing in Guadalajara, Mexico with Cuban musicians who emigrated there bringing along with them their rich Latin styles. Some of his strongest influences were Karachi and Conjunto Son 14, where he met his mentor, bongosero William Viera Coba, one of the founding members. He would later share the stage with both groups. Along with being a sought after Latin percussionist, he also took on the role as band leader forming his own group Jazzsón, mixing Latin jazz with danzón and other dance rhythms. Jazzsón performed throughout Mexico. Since moving to Los Angeles his long roster of artists performed with include Cheo Feliciano, Tito Gomez, Andy Montanez, Yolandita Rivera, Pedro Brull, Luigi Texidor, Alquimia, Wilson Manyoma(of Latin Brothers), Rey Ruiz, Aleks Syntek, Ednita Nazareo, Joso Jose, Lucho Gatica, Luis Fonsi, Luis Damon, Luisito Carrion, Poncho Sanchez, Ruben Blades, Jose Feliciano, Victor Manuelle, Celia Cruz, Cuco Pena and famous Mexican Composers Vicente Garrido and Consuelo Velasquez who wrote “Besame Mucho.” He is currently freelancing in Los Angeles and educating the community and children about Latin music providing children’s concerts under the Henry Mancini Institute. Juan Karlos is endorsed by Toca Percussion.
Jacob D. Vera-Drum set
As a versatile drummer, Jacob is a highly sought after young talent easily moving from jazz to Latin rhythms. He has been playing for over fifteen years freelancing in Los Angeles on live music performances and recording dates. Currently a student at Pasadena City College, he has already performed with The Banda Brothers, East Los Angeles College Latin Jazz band, Dr. Bobby Rodriguez, Francisco Aguabella and Raul Piñeda. He is teaching privately, and gives workshops and clinics to students throughout Los Angeles.
Josh Aguiar-Trumpet
Josh Aguiar is one of LA’s up-and-coming trumpeters, pianists and composers in jazz and improvised music. While growing up in South Pasadena, CA, Aguiar studied with legendary jazz cornetist Bob Bradford. Later he ventured out to Indiana University, Bloomington for undergraduate studies in jazz, graduating in 2000. At IU, he minored in Chinese, and subsequently spent the next 3 ½ years studying and eventually working in Taiwan. Returning to Los Angeles in 2004, Aguiar focused his attention on the local scene, and has been involved in a number of worthy projects. He recently completed his MFA in jazz studies at CalArts in Valencia, where he studied with Charlie Haden, David Roitstein, Vinny Golia, Larry Koonse, and many other fine musician instructors.