BIOGRAPHY
Michael, left and David above, entertain the crowds on the Santa Fe Plaza.
"2006 13th Annual Billboard World Song Contest" Winner! Placed in the top 3 Latin songs worldwide.
"2006 Independent Music Awards" winning artist for "Latin Album of the year"!
MANZANARES is hot Spanish guitar, sizzling Latin percussion, and soulful vocals; a high-energy and fiery sound with a dazzling repertoire that ranges from Spanish and Middle Eastern guitar melodies to Flamenco to Pop to Latin Rock.
Led by brothers David and Michael Manzanares and accompanied by some of the best musicians in the industry, MANZANARES has been labeled one of the hottest latin acts to hit the music scene and has gained both national and international attention. They continue to expand their already extensive fan base all over the U.S., Europe, South America, Japan and Australia. Sharing their music with the world is what the brothers like best. Born with a passion for music, they grew up the youngest two of six children on a century-old Spanish ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico. Steeped in strong family traditions, they were raised with a deep respect for their culture, their land and their family.
The earliest memory for the brothers is music. As small children, they began their musical journey and education by capturing the essence of Northern New Mexican and Spanish music on many occasions at the family ranch. Their father and uncles played guitar while the family danced and sang the rancheras, corridos, huapangos, boleros and valses of another time. This early musical influence is a big source of their inspiration.
The band is comprised of some of the most prolific and talented musicians in the music industry and includes the explosive percussion of:
Mark Clark, a native New Mexican. His musical career includes performances, tours or recordings with renowned musical acts including James Taylor, Natalie Cole, Kip Winger, Ottmar Liebert, and Jono Manson.
Kevin Miller, a native Santa Fean and cousin of Michael and David, has also had a rich musical history. His multi-musical talent adds an exciting percussive texture to MANZANARES. He plays congas and percussion as well as lending a hand on guitar and vocals.
Kanoa Kaluhiwa joins the band on tenor saxophone. His silky smooth jazz infusions add yet another dimension to the music of MANZANARES and his sax riffs stand out on their award winning CD, Nuevo Latino. He has also recorded and toured with Ottmar Liebert and the popular latin group "Sparx".
Bjorn Hamre, a native Santa Fean, has been on the music scene for the past 10 years playing with the alternative rock band, Standing Wave. He is also currently playing with Santa Fe blues guitarist Alex Maryol. Bjorn brings his outstanding talent and varied musical background to the group! He is a percussive powerhouse and adds his own fire to the already combustable MANZANARES sound.
Jose Romero has been a part of the Santa Fe music scene ever since he could hold a guitar. This multi-talented musician rocks on keys, guitar, bass, and just about every musical instrument he picks up. He holds down the big bass sound for MANZANARES.
The infectious rhythmic sound of MANZANARES continues to make it's way to the ears of the music industry... Legendary music producer/manager Miles Copeland recently included the group in an upcoming documentary. They were the featured entertainment for the feature film "The Flock" starring Richard Gere and Claire Danes. They also performed for the wrap party of the Steven Spielberg DreamWork's / TNT epic "Into the West".
MANZANARES’ latest award winning CD Nuevo Latino, delivers their evolved sound complete with the “hip-displacing” Latin rhythms they have become famous for. Nuevo Latino won four NM Music Association awards - including “Album of the Year” for 2003. Their first CD “Vivir” featured David, Michael and Mark Clark and lends itself to the softer, more romantic side of their music. “Vivir” won two NM Music Industry Coalition awards - one for best Latino musical production and one for best vocal performance.
"Nuevo Latino is solid from start to finish, a nonstop romp through the the vibrant territory that Manzanares has staked out as its own." Silja Talvi for the Pasatiempo/Santa Fe New Mexican
Their music has been featured on ABC's Primetime Live and is currently being featured on the Food Network’s Food Nation with Bobby Flay, is also currently featured on the European entertainment program; Voxtours, as well as the soundtracks of several shows including Knowledge TV and The Trail of the Painted Ponies.
Their performances have included Headlining the Oscar de la Hoya post-fight party at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, opening for Los Lobos at the Oscar de la Hoya vs. Mosely pre-fight festivities at the MGM Grand, the Taos Solar Music Festival (opening for Los Lobos), South by Southwest (BMI Songwriter’s Showcase), The Knitting Factory Hollywood, Santa Fe's renowned Spanish Market, The Temple Bar in Santa Monica, concerts for the United Way and Endowment for Youth (Santa Barbara), SohO in Santa Barbara, EAT’M Las Vegas (showcasing the best unsigned artists from across the nation), The Buckaroo Ball (Santa Fe’s largest charity event), Palm Springs Nortel Film Festival, New Mexico State Fair, Santa Fe Opera Guild, American Indians for Opportunity, Santa Fe Film Festival, Columbia Pictures and NBC to name a few.
The electricity and raw energy of their performances continue to push this exciting Nuevo Latino act into the forefront of Latin Music.
According to the Palm Spring’s Desert Sun,
“MANZANARES is explosive latin music!”.
This stellar band is making their mark on the Latin music world with their latest release "NUEVO LATINO", and with the recent national exposure and international attention, MANZANARES is poised to take their music global!
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2442 Cerrillos Rd. #325
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505 USA
Tel: 505.470.2495
manz65@earthlink.net
