George Balmaseda, vocals
Balmaseda is widely known as a skilled sonero. His stunning soneos and his powerful voice put dancers in the mood for a great night of salsa. George was born in Camaguey, Cuba and immigrated with his parents to the US as a child. He has sung and toured worldwide with many of the greats, including Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, La Lupe, Oscar de Leon, Cheo Feliciano, Tito Nieves, Jose Alberto "El Canario", Ray De La Paz, Ismael Miranda, Camilo Azuquita, and Tony Vega. His voice has been utilized in film, TV, and radio commercials and he is also an accomplished songwriter and composer.
Rene Camacho, bass
Rene has many production and arranging credits, and has performed for musical theater and television. He has worked with such outstanding national acts and local artists as Celia Cruz, Dizzy Gillespie, the Pointer Sisters, Marylin McCoo, Poncho Sanchez, Luis Conte, Buddy Collette, Francisco Aguabella, Bobby Matos, Conte Condoli, Bob Mintzer, Jose Rizo's Jazz on the Latin Side All-Stars, Warren Vache, Lew Tabacken and Billy Davis, Jr., Ray Sepulveda, and the Tucson Symphony.
Joey De Leon, Jr., percussion
Percussionist JOEY DE LEON, JR graduated from the Manhattan School of Music, where he received a B.M. in classical percussion and the George Shick Award for outstanding musicianship. Joey has performed with Dave Valentin, Tito Puente, Sheila E., Orquesta Broadway, Roland Vazquez, Francisco Aguabella, Tupac Shakur, Giovanni Hidalgo, Jose Luis "Changuito" Quintana, Raphael, Luis Conte, Rudy Regalado, Marcos Loya, the Estrada Brothers, Jose Mangual, and many others.
Craig Fundyga, vibraphone
There was never a time when percussionist Craig Fundyga did
not know exactly what he wanted to do.
Self-taught since the age of 5, he immersed himself into learning the
rhythmic, and harmonic aspects of
music. Being from a small Pennsylvania town, he felt the need to expand
into a bigger city. He moved to Los
Angeles in 1984, and honed his skills at the Grove School of Music. Since
then he has performed in many live
concerts and recorded music for the hit FOX television show Malcom
in the Middle, the NBC prime-time show Friends and also
many major theatrical releases including Die Hard, Wedding Crashers,
Labor Pains and Swingers among others.. Craig has performed for
many celebrities including Barbara Streisand, Elizabeth Taylor, Quincy
Jones, and numerous others. He has also recorded with such noteworthy
legends as Plas Johnson, Micky Dolenz, and Jim Gentry. Craig is
fluent in all styles of music.
Kevin Ricard, percussion
Kevin has been busy adding his unique talents to new releases by Gerald Albright, Everett Harp, Shelby Lynne, Van Hunt, Yolanda Adams, and Norman Brown. Recently, he joined the house band for the Fourth Annual "BET Celebration of Gospel", and in played on the pre-record for Beyonce’s Grammy Award performance. He joined the house band for Clive Davis’s annual pre-Grammy party. His busy schedule has also included a recent appearance on the Tonight Show with Shelby Lynne, accompanying vocalist, Rhian Benson, for whom he is Musical Director. Kevin also just wrapped his fourth season of recording the underscore for the hit CBS sitcom "King of Queens". Kevin’s newest gig is with Fox’s "American Idol". He has also performed with Patti Labelle, Gladys Knight, Joss Stone, Cyndi Lauper, Jessica Simpson and Ashanti.
Angel Rodriguez, percussion
Angelo Rodriguez was born on July 16, 1974 in Downey, California, to Puerto Rica parents Maria and Angel Rodriguez Sr.. Angelo started performing at the age of nine at a local church where his family attended. The first band Angelo had the chance to perform with was New Creation, directed Andrew Crouchs’ musical director, Alberto Salas. At the age of 16 Angelo began his early career as a musician performing at all the local nightclub in Los Angeles. He attended rehearsals and performed five nights a week while attending High School. From then on Angelo has performed with the following artist: Joan Sabastian (Currently touring Mexico and the U.S.), Britney Spears (In the Zone promotional tour), Nelly Furtado (Area 1 Tour 2001), Jagged Edge (Jay Leno Tonight Show), Jennifer Lopez , Celia Cruz, Barry Manilow, The Long Beach Symphony, The Modesto Symphony, California State University in Long Beach Steel Drum Orchestra, The Ricky Minor Band, Tribute to Donny Hathaway,
The Temptations, Ozomatli, Obie Bermudez, Tito Nieves, and Pete Conde Rodriguez.
Joe Rotundi, piano
Joe has performed and recorded with many Latin Jazz greats in his musical career, including Herb Alpert, Pete Escovedo, Tolu, Vikki Carr, Linda Ronstadt, Arturo Sandoval, Doc Severinson, Alex Acuna, Justo Almario, the Estrada Brothers, Rudy Regalado and Chevere, Bongo Logic, John Pisano and Candi Sosa. Joe was featured on the recent Latin Jazz release of Herb Alpert, and the current Milestone CD of the Estrada Brothers. He was the pianist on the Paul Rodriguez's TV show, and played on the "Dirty Dancing" and "Mambo Kings" soundtracks.
Inspired by the multi-ethnic music-fusion of 1950s and 60s’ Spanish Harlem, Lucky 7 brings to the west coast the high energy sounds of the classic mambo. The band features the haunting harmonies of the vibraphone, an unlikely instrument now as much as it was in the 50s and 60s. Featuring some of the hardest-working musicians in LA, the band is inspired by old-school greats like Jimmy Sabater, Cheo Feliciano, and Joe Cuba. This uniquely American-made style draws the best of the Cuban son, African-American jazz and Puerto Rican soul. It incorporates both English and Spanish lyrics flowing in and out of the same tune and offers up not just a swingin’ dance beat, but a thoughtful account of love lost, Latin pride, and clever double-entendres. Lucky 7 band members, united by their love of mambo, bring to the stage the flavor of the past with the intensity of the present.
For booking, e-mail lucky7mambo@gmail.com.
Lucky 7 live at the Autry National Center in Los Angeles. July 24th 2008
Great performance last night! Though I love dancing to your music, it was great to not have so many dancers and just watch the performance! Look forward to the next show.
this is the l.a. band that makes me realize that our nyc style of old school salsa will never die and reading joe cuba charts that i performed a long time ago brings so much joy to my heart, if you only knew how that feels for me. tremenda banda con salsa y sabor, y con un swing sabroso, keep up your great work fellas, this world needs you.. tu pana, eddie
Hey congrats guys on all of your success.People in N.Y. are talking about the hottest group in L.A. right now.From an original member of 6 del Solar and now with the Black Sugar sextet keep up the good vibe sound with your wonderful group.
We watched you guys perform at the Grenada last night and were extremely impressed with what we saw and heard. You will definitely see us at one of your shows again. Keep up the amazing work!
You guys were great last night, I really enjoy listening and dancing while you guys play. I had a great time. Thank You again for making it a great one. : ) Please keep me posted. God Bless You Guys
Great, I can wait to see and hear you guys tonight. I'm looking forward to it. I'm sorry I was not able to make it to the congress I had to work that day alittle later then usual so I was not able to make it, sorry papa but I'm glad the congress went well. I will be there tonight. Los quiero mucho a todos. Un Beso..........
Hello Angel, I spoke with Ana and Conchita about going to see ur band soon and well I think Steven's will work for them Aug 8. but if something closer and intimate like Steven's comes up before then, just let me know. ok? Cuidate y Hablamos
