Jose Gonzalez and Criollo Clasico / Banda Criolla

Guitarist, composer and virtuoso Cuatro player, Jose Gonzalez, is one of the top contemporary performers of Latin music. Acclaimed for his original compositions featuring “the Cuatro”, (Puerto Rico’s national instrument), his fourteen self-produced recordings have become bestsellers. His music has been featured on NBC, PBS, CNN, cable TV, as well as four “Putumayo World Music” CDs and the Bose Corp. “World Music”CD. Jose has participated as invited artist with the Hartford and Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestras as well as the Bronx Arts Ensemble and New Jersey Chamber Music Society among many others..
Jose has performed in Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Mexico, Martinique, Curacao, USA and concerts with major Latin artists- Danny Rivera, Andres Jimenez, Roy Brown, Lucecita Benitez, Giovanni Hidalgo, Tito Auger, Haciendo Punto en Otro Son, El Topo, Libertad Lamarque, Sandro, Braulio, Ruben Blades, Willie Colon.
“Jose Gonzalez and the NEW Banda Criolla” -
New England’s hottest Latin music ensemble!

”An explosive Caribbean Fiesta! ”

You mix top Puerto Rican and Cuban musicians together onstage and you get Banda Criolla!- Puerto Rican Guitarist/Cuatro master Jose Gonzalez and Latin jazz virtuoso Ahmed Gonzalez lead this new and exciting 2016 line up of top rated Latin musicians . The legendary “Banda Criolla” returns to the concert stage and touring circuit with renewed energy and vitality as well as a new repertoire of the best contemporary music from Puerto Rico, Cuba and Latin America. “The New Banda Criolla’s” recent debut at the “Springfield Jazz and Roots Festival” brought the entire audience to it’s feet for an appreciative standing ovation encore. The band combines the explosive rhythmic energy of Afro Boricua and Afro Cuban drumming traditions with the very best of today’s festive Latin music.
Banda Criolla was originally founded by Jose Gonzalez -(Music Director/composer/arranger) and Ahmed Gonzalez (Latin jazz flute virtuoso ). With 17 award winning CD recordings (three times selected among the top CD’s of Puerto Rico!) and numerous music awards this is one musical powerhouse of a band. Banda Criolla’s was originally discovered by Putumayo World Music CEO Dan Storper, who heard their music on a trip to Old San Juan and called the band to invite them to appear on four Putumayo World music CD compilations. (Including “Best of World Music” and “Best of World Instrumental”).
Jose Gonzalez and Banda Criolla have performed concerts at:

1- World Guitar Festival - (Martinique
2- Heineken Jazz Jam Series (Puerto Rico)
3-Springfield Jazz and Roots Festival (Springfield , MA)
4- Guitar Under the Stars (Hartford ,CT)
5- Arts and Ideas Festival (New Haven , Ct)
6- Bright Moments Jazz Festival (UMass, Amherst)
7 -Green River Festival (Greenfield , MA)
8- Falls Fest ( South Hadley, MA)
9- Hartford Symphony Otchestra Gala
10- Boston Fine Arts Museum
11- Princeton University Concerts
12- Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music
13- University of Puerto Rico Concert series
14 -University of Massachusetts- Fine Arts Center Gala
15 -Hartford Latin Jazz Festival
16 -First Nights - (Hartford/ Worcester / Northampton, Providence)
17- Berklee Performance Center
18- Chicago Arts and Science Museum
19 -Connecticut Science Center
20- OAS - Washington DC
21- Painted Bride Arts Center Philadelphia
22- Philadelphia Museum of Art
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What presenters are saying!!!!..about Jose Gonzalez and Banda Criolla in Concert!

Top reasons to bring the music of Jose Gonzalez and Banda Criolla to your event!
1-“I really loved the music I heard from you.  It was the right stuff at the right time.. Very alive, very refreshing!! Thank you!”  George N. Parks, Professor of Music, Director, UMass Minuteman (link hidden)ching Band, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
2- Many people have told me how much they appreciated your performance. Your appearance generated a lot of interest and the artistic director of Princeton University Concerts, Nate Randall, whom you met briefly backstage, also sends his thanks. Feel free to refer anyone to us who's considering hiring Jose Gonzalez and Criollo Clasico in the future. Michael Stone, Princeton University Concerts  
3--"Our audience that evening, myself included, was enthralled by the beauty and  sophistication of your musical compositions and the outstanding talent of all the musicians. Your performance unquestionably ranks at the very top among the many events we have produced over the past 20 years." -Valeriano Ramos – Asst. Dean of Yale College, CT

4--“The audience that evening enjoyed one of the most beautiful concerts presented in San Juan in recent years. The genius of Gonzalez  performing on our national instrument ,the Cuatro, and as musical director and arranger make this one of the most prestigious music ensembles of Puerto Rico.”
Marisa Rosado / President Casa Aboy Cultural Center/San Juan, Puerto Rico“

5- Jose, 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- Maplewood Music Series, Amherst , MA

6-"Over 5,500 audience members in attendance concurred with me through their enthusiastic ovations..Our office has received numerous positive messages complimenting the band for their artistry, professionalism, punctuality, and congeniality." -Roberta Uno – New World Theater- (U-Mass, Amherst)
7--“Your performance was a rousing success! In the history of our “Ovations” program, we have never received so many notes and e-mail messages expressing gratitude and enthusiasm for a concert. The student response was one of irrepresible joy. Thank you so much for such a wonderful program” - Gail Dunn co-chair of “Ovations”- STCC, MA
8-From the opening bars Criollo Clasico captured the enchanted audience of over 1,000 listeners complete and rapt attention. Jose, we adored hosting you! ...we are eager to invite these terrifically exciting musicians back to our stage! Alison Meyers/Director, Hill-Stead Museum, Farmington, CT
9-“Your music was magnificent, and undoubtedly one of the finest events we have presented in recent years. Your ensemble was especially impressive, as were your high professional standards and ability to communicate so effectively with everyone.  Thank you for your wonderful concert!” “Dr. Terry Jenoure- Director “Augusta Savage Gallery” UMASS, Amherst, MA
10-Criollo Clasico wins loud applause in Ashfield. A very enthusiastic audience just wouldn’t let Criollo Clasico leave.  Even after two encore pieces the applause in Ashfield Town Hall was as loud as ever! – The Recorder, Greenfield.,MA
11-"I'm happy to report that the concert was a huge success, and everyone loved the wonderful artistry of your performance. I look forward to another collaboration!" - William Scribner –Artistic Director “Bronx Arts Ensemble, New York
12-  I’d like to thank you for the incredible performance by Jose Gonzalez and BANDA CRIOLLA! Gil  Martinez, President & CEO Hispanic Professional Network, Inc.Hartford,CT
13-" the very warm and appreciative reaction of the audience expressed  how pleased they were with the excellence of the performance. We will gladly present you here again!" Paquita Vivo  (Organization of American States, Washington, DC)
14- “What an excellent performance by Banda Criolla! Everyone on campus thought you were fabulous and enjoyed the concert. It was the best performance the Culture House has ever had!  Ross Firsenbaum – Culture House /Amherst College
15-“ The music was absolutely wonderful and people could not stop dancing the entire night!  We have gotten HUGE numbers of compliments  about the music,  I have to thank you for exceeding all of our expectations .” Abigail Warshaw/Mass General Hospital, Boston,MA
16-José González/ Criollo Clásico were the stars of our January Term this year .. Our audience demanded an encore performance! Margaret Schramm - Hartwick College, Oneonta, NY
 17-  “Awesome! The best music we have ever had!,.. for any event!” Steve Mutti Historic Wayside Inn,
Sudbury,MA

 18-. Jose Gonzalez and Banda Criolla mesmerized all!”" Amparo Ochoa/ Intl Festival/ Wheaton
College,MA
19-_"Gonzalez highlighted his musicality and virtuosism as a soloist with expressive phrasing and awesome technique!"    – Jaime Torres Torres - El Nuevo Dia (University of Puerto Rico)
20 - Jose,  You and your quartet are incredible musicians, . it was a real pleasure working with you and listening to you. - David Kidwell-Conductor - Holyoke Civic Symphony Orchestra
21- If you are interested in a band, I would recommend José González,   I have heard them perform in various settings for mixed audiences: they are hot! Luis Melendez WFCR Radio/UMASS -Amherst-MA
22- Jose, We all had a great time and very much enjoyed your music!!! Thank you for your hard work and contribution to our event!!! Ashley Malcolm –Artistic Operations - Hartford Symphony Orchestra
23- You and the group were so wonderful!  You set the bar so high and really kicked off the
festival for us. Thank you.  We are so happy to partner with you on these important events in
Springfield- Eileen McCaffery – Director- Community Music School of Springfield
 24-Jose, Thanks for a great performance! Joyce Magee- CT Classical Guitar Society
 25 -"Spectacular;"  "the best program at Holyoke Community College in a long time;"..  "a real treat!;..
"Jose's music is a gift to the soul! Orlando Isaza/ Senior Special Programs Coordinator//HCC

26-“The concert at the Hill-stead Museum on Wednesday was fabulous!”Antonio Marrero- Eastern Connecticut State University.
 27-“Awesome!- The best music we have ever had!,.. for any event!”Steve Mutti - Historic Wayside Inn, Sudbury,MA
 28-“Thank you for a wonderful performance,  judging from the reactions of the students, you killed! (in my   estimation you did, too!)”.  Caroline Gear-- Hampshire College-
 29-“ Your outstanding performance on Saturday made for one of the finest concerts we’ve held at the library. Carol Luers Eymen/ Nashua Public Library, NH
 30- We are extremely pleased and delighted by the many compliments we received from staff and visitors alike about your wonderful performance at “MFA for the Holidays” celebration. Catherine East – Museum of Fine Arts , Boston.
31- "The dynamic sound of Jose Gonzalez's Criollo Clasico resonated throughout the Leslie Phelps Forum  and brought a full house to its  feet". Natalia E Arbulu- Union News Newspaper/ MA
“Your performance was stellar; you crushed it!! -Yvonne Mendez “Springfield Jazz and Roots Festival”