Updated on 05/11/07.
Born and raised in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, Michael is a North California Bay Area based music professional with recording, touring and teaching experience who specializes in Caribbean music. After moving to California in 1996, he made the transition to a full-time music career in 2001.
Born and raised in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, Michael is a North California Bay Area based music professional with recording, touring and teaching experience who specializes in Caribbean music. After moving to California in 1996, he made the transition to a full-time music career in 2001.
Michael is a versatile player currently focusing on various salsa-timba orchestras and original music projects. See news for the current list.Currently the Advanced Bass Instructor at Sylvan Music in Santa Cruz, as an educator he
is dedicated to the traditions
of afro-caribbean and folkloric Puerto-Rican music. He also teaches privately at Secret Studios in San Francisco. See the lessons page for more information.
Lakland 55-94 Deluxe 5-String --the best 5 on the planet!
Ampeg SVT-400T --yes I still haul this tank of an amp
Ampeg PB-212H --kickass portabass series 2x12 cabinet
Korg ToneWorks Tuner --rackmount w/ mute footpedal
Boss GEB-7 Bass Equalizer --stomp box
Festivals & Shows
Please see my schedule for the current show list.
w/ Danny Lozada (El Charanguero Mayor) - concert review
w/ Fito Reinoso con su Ritmo y Armonia
- Karibbean City club - opening for JIMMY BOSCH - Fiesta on the Hill www.fiestaonthehill.com
w/ Orquesta d'Soul
- Auburn Black & White Ball www.partyauburn.com
- First Night Santa Cruz @ the Civic Auditorium
- North Beach Festival (SF) www.northbeachfestival.com
- Oakland Art & Soul Festival www.artandsouloakland.com
- Reno Cinco de Mayo www.cincodemayoreno.com
w/ Quimbombó
- Festival De La Familia www.festivaldelafamilia.com
- San Jose Jazz Festival www.sanjosejazz.org/festival.html
Tours
Completed a four month tour of Europe, Western Canada, and the Western U.S. with Los Mocosos (June - September 2002). European shows included the Open Tropen Festival (Belgium), Coninxpop (Holland), Traenenplalast (Germany), Cat 24 (France), and the Parque Alamnse Auditorium (Spain). North American shows covered Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Washington (Bumbershoots Arts Festival in Seattle), plus Victoria and Vancouver in Canada.
Records
See the records page to listen to some sound samples..
Cominucación by Fito Reinoso con su Ritmo y Armonia (2007)
Bass on all tracks. Arranger.
Rum & Smoke by John Ulloa y su Misión (2007)
Bass on tracks 8, 9 & 10 (bonus tracks)
Soy Filipina by Raquel & Alexey Berlind (2006)
Bass on tracks 6, 9 & 10. (Tomás Cruz on congas)
Money Money by Orquesta d'Soul (2003)
Bass on all tracks, co-producer and arranger
Caribbean Cruz by Broken English (2002)
Bass on tracks 3 & 13.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Cum Laude
Florida Atlantic University - Class of '96
Bachelor of Music in Music Industry, Electric Bass Principal
University of Miami - Class of '90
Affiliations
ASCAP - American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers
NARAS - National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (Grammys)
LARAS - Latin Recording Academy (Latin Grammys)
*voting member for both NARAS & LARAS
Voice:831.440.1900Email: michael@puracepa.comSee ya at theNAMM Show! * Latin Bassist -- Michael P. Lazarus Figarella -- Bajista de Pura Cepa
* Timba -- Salsa -- Latin Funk -- Bomba -- Plena -- Música Tropical
