Top row: Byron Russell - Saxophone | Brad Muirhead - Trombone | Mario Zetina - Percussion Bottom row: Ryan Conroy - Bass Guitar | German Cantillo - Guitar & Vocals | Chiko Misomali - Drums
(Not pictured) : Miguelito Valdes - Trumpet | Malcolm Aiken - Trumpet
About Santa Lucia LFR
Like a multi-ethnic gathering of friends, this seven member band has created a sound that evokes the early days of Latin Funk (Santana, War, etc.), while adding their own blend of Rock and Funk grooves. This addictive combination of Nuyorican Boogaloo, West Coast Funk and the ever present Cuban grooves engulfs the stage with monstrous horns and bass, funky breaks, polyrhythmic beats and furious lyrics in English and Spanish.
In 2001, Santa Lucia recorded their first 5 song EP with producer Darryl Nuedorf (Sarah McLachlan, Neko Case).
2005 brought a Western Canada Music Awards nomination for Best Children’s Recording, for the song “The Hero Inside” (2004) penned for the TV cartoon series Cackleberries.
In 2006, Santa Lucia released their first full length album, “The Streets / Las Calles” with legendary producer Larry Anschell (Nickelback, Pearl Jam) from Turtle Recording Studios in White Rock, BC Canada. Santa Lucia successfully supported “The Streets / Las Calles” in 2007-2008 with countless west coast dates and major open air festivals including; Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival, as well as many out of town dates including The Ness Creek Music Festival in Saskatchewan, Folk on the Rocks Festival in Yellowknife NWT, Victoria Ska Festival and many more.
CBC Radio gave the first single “Lupita” heavy rotation, with the band performing a live show across Canada; hosted by one of Canada’s best known news personalities Gloria Makarenko and “On the Coast” radio host Prya Ramu.
Recently, Santa Lucia LFR has refined its stage skills opening for many USA and International touring acts such as Ozomatli, Yerba Buena, Los Mococos, The Skatalites and Maxi Priest.
2009 brings with it countless tour dates with bigger audiences, a greater following of fans, and a return to the studio to record the follow up to 2006’s “The Streets / Las Calles”