DOORS @6PM/8:30PM, SHOWTIMES @7PM/9PM
Recipient of three Detroit Music Awards, Tumbao Bravo emerges as a vibrant Latin Jazz ensemble from Ann Arbor, MI, since 2004. Under the leadership of multi-instrumentalist and composer Paul Vornhagen, their performances incorporate Cuban rhythms like mambo, cha cha, rumba, and bolero, fused with rich jazz harmonics. With a lineup including saxophone, flute, percussion, trumpet, congas, timbales, keyboard, and electric bass, expect nothing short of top-tier musicianship and professionalism on stage as they deliver fiery renditions of original compositions. Their acclaimed releases on PKO Records have hit top NPR Latin Jazz programs and film soundtracks, while their dynamic presence has entertained jazz clubs and festivals across Michigan and beyond, earning praise from LATIN JAZZ CORNER for their vibrant repertoire and deeply rooted grooves. Explore more about their captivating sounds at Tumbao Bravo | Cuban Jazz Combo.
Bandleader Paul Vornhagen composes most of the songs for the band that draws upon jazz harmonies and the authentic rhythms of Cuba. He has personally won six Detroit Music Awards as TDWR, best jazz reed, best jazz recording, best world music recording (2), best instrumentalist. In 2002, he traveled to Havana, Cuba, where he performed with members of the Buena Vista Social Club. He has shared the stage with such greats as Freddie Hubbard, Charles Earland, the Temptations and Four Tops, Marcus Belgrave, Tito Puente, Jr. and more. He has recorded over ten recordings in his own name and has traveled the world performing in such places as France, England, Hawaii, Cuba, Mexico, Canada and throughout the U.S. especially California.
Conga drummer Armando Vega is a well know salsa band leader and vocalist with world class recordings to his merit, performing as a young man with all the top latin bands in Detroit for many years. He has performed with Tito Puente, Jr and Elias Lopes. Timbalero Olman Piedra comes to the band via Costa Rica and the University of Michigan School of Music. He is presently the director of the Percussion Department at the University of Toledo. A first call musician in the Detroit area for many ensembles with grammy winning recording credits to his name.
Pianist Kurt Schreitmueller brings his diverse talents to the band as a veteran of the jazz and blues scene in Detroit for decades with a background in classical piano (Hillsdale College) and jazz study with Matt Michaels and Gary Schunk.
Bassist Pat Prouty received his masters degree in improvisation from the University of Michigan in 2007. He has won numerous Detroit Music Awards and toured the world with soul legend Betty Lavette. A wonderful composer, he has contributed several compositions to the Tumbao Bravo songbook as well a his own recordings for his Quartet.
Trumpeter Dave Rajewski is the newest member of the band. He has performed and recorded with a diverse list of greats including the Temptations, Four Tops, David Liebman, Arturo Sandoval and James Carter to name a few. He is the founder of Legacy Jazz Orchestra and Welton Street Players. He continues to compose and perform with many of the top bands in Detroit.
THE BAND:
Paul Vornhagen - Saxophone/flute/piccolo/latin percussion
Armando Vega - Congas
Olman Piedra - Timbales
Kurt Schreitmueller - Piano
Dave Rajewski - Trumpet and Flugelhorn
Pat Prouty - Electric Bass