Jose Gonzalez and
Criollo Clasico/Banda Criolla have vast international performing
credentials ranging from hundreds of live concert presentations at
major venues
to small intimate concerts. "One of Puerto Rico's finest music
ensembles" they
represent the very best of the contemporary San Juan music scene. They
have also
collaborated with the Hartford and Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestras, as
well as top
Latin music artists Giovanni Hidalgo, Roy Brown, Tito Auger
etc.(see list on our Artist Biographies page)
To book the artist please call 413-253-9639 or e-mail jose@criolloclasico.com
Major Programs Now Available
1. "Criollo Clasico" – Quartet – (acoustic / instrumental) Puerto Rican Cuatro, Spanish guitars, Flute and Latin Percussion. World Class Ensemble!
2. "Banda Criolla" – (vocal / Latin Dance) 7-piece festive Latin Band performing the hot dance rhythms of top Latino artists and Banda Criolla
3. "Feliz Navidad Boricua" – The Best Latin Xmas! - Parranda Navidena
4. "Carribbean Fiesta for Kids" – Unique Puerto Rican music kids show!
Planning a great Wedding event?
Jose Gonzalez and Criollo Clasico have performed successfully at hundreds of wedding ceremonies, receptions and dances in Puerto Rico and throughout New England...from passionate Spanish guitars to classical, jazz World/Latin music and beyond. Criollo Clasico is a 1st rate choice of outstanding musicianship and elegance. Call us at 413-253-9639 and let us know of any questions you may have. Demo CD available!
Instrumental Combinations available:
1. Two Guitars or Guitar and Flute
2. Guitars, Flute, percussion trio/quartet
3. Latin Jazz Quintet
4. 8 piece Latin Dance Band
2. Guitars, Flute, percussion trio/quartet
3. Latin Jazz Quintet
4. 8 piece Latin Dance Band
SAMPLE proposal of music program
for wedding festivities
Jose Gonzalez and Banda Criolla
This package includes complete wedding music program:
A) Classical Guitarist and Flute for elegant wedding ceremony music
B) one
set (1 hour) of acoustic music
(spanish guitar, flute and light Percussion) for reception/dinner
activities. Music
will include a selection of flamenco, brazilian, jazz, pop classical
and caribbean instrumental pieces performed by The
Criollo Clasico Trio from their three CD
recordings.
C) 3 sets (45 minutes each) of latin/caribbean dance music performed by 8 piece Jose Gonzalez and Banda Criolla.
Dance
repertoire will include festive dance music from Banda Criolla
recordings “Fiesta en San Juan” ,“Celebracion”
and Bomba Le Lé as well as
songs by Santana (Oye Como Va, Smooth, Guajira,
Samba Pa Ti), Juan Luis Guerra (Costo de la Vida,
Guavaberry, Amor del Conuco), Strunz and Farrah
(Americas, Azure, Bola) The Gypsy Kings (Bamboleo Vamos a
Bailar, Un Amor) and Buen Vista Social Club (El Cuarto de
Tula classic Latin standards such as Guantanamera, Alma Llanera,
Moliendo Cafe, etc..
Banda
Criolla will arrive in time to set up equipment in both acoustic and
dance sections. We provide all our own sound reinforcement
technicians and equipment.
This
proposal is for planning purposes and can be revised to better serve
your event. We are flexible and appreciate your ideas and suggestions
to help make this a complete success! See past reviews and
recomendation letters! Call for more information.
Wedding Reviews!
“ The music was
absolutely wonderful and people could not stop dancing the entire
night! We have gotten HUGE numbers of compliments from guests about
the music, I have to thank you for exceeding all of our expectations
and creating a mood that was EXACTLY what we wanted.”-Abigail
Warshaw/Mass General Hospital, Boston,MA/(Wedding)
"You are amazing! We knew you were fabulous musicians but had no idea how joyfully passionate and energetic your performance would be. You are an incredibly talented group!- Amanda Rappaport / Cape Cod, MA/(Wedding)
“The pre-wedding
classical concert
added elegance and grace, your talents as
musicians just shone....
irresistible, one just has to dance. Thank you from the bottom of
our hearts.” Steve Schwartz
-Schatz/
Schwartz/Fenton ,Springfield,MA /(Wedding)
“What an evening!. Thank you again
for
performing at our function. Each time
we hear your music you
seem to top yourself. Not only were all our guests enthralled, but
even the wait staff was dazzled! You helped make a special evening
even more special. Thanks!” Terry
O'Connor/
Roster Associates,Holyoke, MA/(Wedding)
“You guys did a
fantastic job and
made our wedding magical! Everyone loved your
music. As Diana and
I entered the Wayside Inn, we heard people not in our wedding state,
"Oh, the fantastic music must be part of the wedding upstairs." Thanks
again for a fabulous performance!” Donald
King, Senior Manager, General Electric/(Wedding)
-" The music
was absolutely
wonderful and people could not stop dancing the entire night! We
have gotten HUGE numbers of compliments from our guests about the
music, I have to thank you for exceeding all of our expectations and
creating a mood that was EXACTLY what we wanted." Abigail Warshaw/Mass General Hospital,
Boston,MA (Wedding)
- Jose, it is an honor and a pleasure
to write a recommendation for you and your incredible band. You
contributed so much to our daughter's wedding. The pre-wedding
classical concert
added elegance and grace, your talents as musicians just shone. Our
ceremony
music, "Campo", which you suggested and sent us to preview was perfect.
It
seemed as if it had been written for the wedding couple. It was so
tender, romantic, and upbeat all at the same time. We also thank your
for the "
Hora" and for "Mazel Tov" which are the traditional Jewish pieces
played at
weddings and which you performed with such gusto. Finally, the salsa,
the
dance music. I saw people dancing who had not been on a dance floor in
years. Your music is irresistible, one just has to
dance. Thank you again
from the bottom of our hearts. -
Steven and Rita Schwarts.
- We would like to thank you for
providing us such nice music for our wedding. Over all, our wedding
was successful, but the music was definitely the best of it!. We have
received a lot of compliments about our choice of music from our
guests. Yoko and Kevin Mertes - Hotel
Northampton (Wedding)
- Dear Jose,
Thank you for providing such
beautiful and festive music at our wedding, We heard many complements
and know that our guests truly enjoyed your music...thanks again!
Jay and Alissa
Haksan/Ranjanaa Devi
Amherst, MA
- Jose,
Thank you so much for playing at our
wedding ceremony. We feel lucky to have such a wonderful romantic
sound for our ceremony..
Jen Silva and Brian
Rodrigues,
Amherst,MA
- Jose,
You guys did a fantastic job and made
our wedding magical. Everyone loved your music, probably based on how
many people I heard asked you to buy your CD's. As Diana and I
entered the Wayside Inn (which has both a function room and public
restaurant area), we heard people not in our wedding state, "Oh, the
fantastic music must be part of the wedding upstairs." Thanks again for
a
fabulous performance, Diana and I would be happy to give personal
references. -Donald J.
King/Senior Account Manager
Commercial & Industrial
Sales
Department/GE LIGHTING
- “Jose, Thank you and Criollo
Clasico for a
dazzling performance during our Wadsworth Atheneum event. Your
energy, talent, and music was enjoyed by all and I received many calls of
thanks and
praise for an evening of truly great music.
Thanks!”
-Debbie Gaudet,
Wadsworth Atheneum Museum ,
Hartford, CT.
- “What
can I say? Your
music made the Maplewood come alive in a way that no other musician
has been able to do in the whole year that I've been booking there -
numerous acts....just can't touch the beauty and energy of your
music... know that you touched many peoples hearts and souls that
night, including mine. Truly unforgettable! Thank you so much!” -
Laura Wood- Director-Maplewood
Music Series,
Amherst , MA
- “Awesome!-
The best
music we have ever had!,.. for any event!”
- Steve
Mutti, Banquet Manager -
Historic Wayside
Inn, Sudbury,MA (Wedding)