Biography

Noel Quintana

Percussionist, band leader, teacher, Latin music researcher, and collector, New York City native Noel Quintana has lived in Cleveland, Ohio since 1991. His formal education started at the Harbour Performing Arts Center in Museo del Barrio where he studied Afro-Cuban and Afro-Puerto Rican as well as contemporary urban salsa with "Little" Ray Romero, Johnny Almendra, Luis "Timbalito" Romero, and Pedro Fernandez.

Mr. Quintana has performed and shared the stage with a "who's who" list of Latin music's giants; Tito Puente, Johnny Almendra and los Jovenes del Barrio, Luis Romero and Mazacote, Richie Ray, Pedro Jesus, Anthony Cruz, Andy Montanez, and Tommy Olivencia. Mr. Quintana has taught for Northeast Ohio Jazz Society's Banda Hispana Cultural and currently teaches for Julia de Burgos Community Center.

Another member of the Cleveland Salsa All Stars, Noel also performs with numerous other local bands including Grupo K-Non and Ernie Krivda when the need arises.

Nelson Orta

Nelson Orta was one of the founding members of Impacto Nuevo, the leading salsa band in Cleveland for several years and remains one of the top-call Latin percussionists in the Cleveland area. We are fortunate to have his dynamic sound on bongos and other Latin percussion. He also teaches at Julia de Burgos Community Center with Noel. He also was selected to play bongos for the Cleveland Salsa All Stars to back up Richie Ray at the 2004 Puerto Rican Parade.

Alex Hoyt

Alex burst onto the scene around 2004 with Leyito's Old School Neighborhood Orchestra. He later joined the Latin Crew, and has performed with Sammy DeLeon and Grupo K-Non as well.

Frankie Lopez

Frankie has a long history in the Cleveland salsa scene and has run several of his own bands in the past including Ahi-Nama. Besides bass, he is also an accomplished tres player.

Hector Torres

Hector originally started with Leyito's Old School Neighborhood Orchestra. When our usual timbale player is unavailable, he can be counted on to fill in. Some of the charts in the Crew's repertiore are also arranged by him.

Jason Smith

Jason Smith joined the Crew in 2004 and brings a strong sound to the trombone position. Jason began playing trombone at the age of eleven. He studied at Florida State University for two years, and finished his undergraduate studies at the University of South Florida, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in jazz performance. In Cleveland he has quickly established himself, having performed with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, and the Blossom Festival Band. He has also performed in various shows at Cleveland’s Playhouse Square, including the Nutcracker, and renowned artists such as Johnny Mathis and Michael W. Smith. Jason is on adjunct faculty at Cleveland State University, teaching trombone and euphonium. He was appointed to CSU in 2006.

Cheo Hernandez - Alumnus

Musical director, arranger, and outstanding bass player has added a lot to the growth of The Latin Crew over the last few years. Cheo has also played with Sammy DeLeon, Impacto Nuevo, and Grupo Kanon. Cheo is one of the top Latin bass players in Cleveland, and we were fortunate to have him in the group.

Mike Marks

Mike first came onto the Cleveland Latin scene in 1996 starting with Orquesta Creativa. He then joined with Orchesta Nabori and remained with them until late 2001, at which point he joined up with The Latin Crew. The experience gained with The Crew has made him one of the more popular Latin trumpet players on the Cleveland scene, and he has also played with Son Alegre, Grupo Fuego, Invacion Secreta, Conjunto Kawakan, Grupo K-Non, Leyito y Su Orchesta, Orquesta Nissi, Conjunto Carnaval, and Sammy De Leon. On a trip to Cancun in 2003, he had the honor of performing with Grammy Award winner Aramis Galindo and was selected as lead trumpet player for the "Salsa All Stars" band to back up Richie Ray at the 2004 Cleveland Puerto Rican Parade. Due to a job change, he temporarily relocated to the Raleigh, NC area and performed with local bands Color Latino and Samecumba as well as with Atlanta-based TamBoricua but has now returned to Cleveland and resumed his spot with the Latin Crew. Additional stars he has played with include Andy Montanez, Pedro Jesus, Anthony Cruz, Tommy Olivencia, and Hector Tricoche.

By day, he is a software engineer with NDI Medical and also reviews video equipment for Widescreen Review Magazine. Click here for Mike's music schedule and availability.

William "Baby" Guzman

Baby comes from a musical family with a long history in Lorain and Cleveland going back to the days of Orquesta Charambo. His first performance was at the age of 6 with El Gran Combo in Puerto Rico. His brother Rafael played congas with Sammy DeLeon for a number of years, while his sister is an accomplished piano player in Florida. He is a longtime veteran of Lorain's Orquesta Nabori where he played with Mike and Manny for several years. His fine timbale playing brings finesse and style.

Papo Ruiz

Papo Ruiz adds his deep voice to the soneos and coros when he is not busy performing with his own band, Grupo K-Non. Another veteran of the Cleveland salsa scene, he has performed with Sammy DeLeon before making the move to join The Latin Crew and stepping up to the role of lead singer. For Grupo K-Non bookings, contact Papo directly at 216-401-9670.

Mario Gant

Mario Gant a native of Cleveland, Ohio began playing the alto saxophone in the fifth grade. He starting taking private lessons in the classical arena, but was not quite satisfied until he was introduced to jazz. All throughout his high school years Mario participated in various ensembles. He was a member of the Cleveland Music School Settlement Jazz Band, the Cuyahoga Community College High School Jazz All-Stars, and the OMEA All-State Jazz Band. He has worked with artists like Sean Jones, Dominic Farinacci, The Clayton Brothers, Danilo Perez, Larry Coryell and Christian McBride just to name a few. Mario is currently working toward his degree in Jazz Performance. As a member of Noel Quintana & his Latin Crew, Mario plays the Baritone Sax, Alto Sax, and flute.

Nathan Heath

Nathan Heath is a free-lance professional trumpet player from the Akron area who joined the Crew in 2002. He performs in many venues throughout the greater cleveland area and holds a Master's degree in trumpet performance from The University of Akron, where he operates as recording engineer for Guzzetta Recital Hall. In addition to his professional playing, Nathan is also a devoted music educator. Before coming to Akron, he attending Bowling Green State University where received a Bachelor's degree in Music Education. Currently he is a part-time lecturer at Case Western Reserve University, operates a private trumpet studio, and conducts clinics/master classes for high school students within the Akron area. When Nathan is not performing or teaching, he is working at Indorf Instrument Repair, where he repairs band instruments and does his favorite thing, custom brass design and repair.

Macer Diaz - Roadie

Macer can always be counted on to lend a hand for equipment setup and loading. We are grateful for his help.