Papo Vazquez Biography

Papo Vazquez, trombonist, composer and arranger continues to write for his big
band orchestra when not performing with Pirates Troubadours. Vazquez,
originally from Philadelphia, received a grant in 2007 from
The Painted Bride Art Center, in Philadelphia. Papo was asked to
expand his small group to "The Brides" XL series project, and was
commissioned to compose new music for a 19 piece Afro Puerto Rican Jazz
Orchestra. The event was performed and recorded the orchestra live and is
titled "Papo Vazquez The Mighty Pirates Marooned/Aislado. Recordy by
Picaro Records, his own independent label. Now a 2009 Grammy Nominated cd.

Most recently, Papo premiered a composition "Oasis" performed with the
Bronx Arts Ensemble [The Bronx Symphony] at its Annual Memorial Day
Concert 2009. This is his seventh year writing for this annual concert.
Held yearly in Vancortland Park, Bronx NY, led by Mr. Bill Scribner

His first classical composition was premiered in 2004, at Hostos Performing
Arts Center, in the Bronx, NYC. Additionaly, the first artist to receive a
composers commission for the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. A once resident band
at Jazz at Lincoln Center, NY. Papo composed "Iron Jungle."

The newly created The Mighty Pirates Orchestra continues to allow Vazquez to
Blend multi-faceted compositions and trombone style with rhythms of
Afro-Caribbean origins and Jazz. It is sometimes joined by folklore dancers that
enhance the music and has garnered rave reviews.

As a leader, Papo's unique writing style can be heard on several of his prior
five recordings: Pirates Troubadours from The Badlands, Breakout,
At The Point Vol. 1 & Vol. 2 and Carnival in San Juan.

Born in 1958, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA . Papo grew up in the heart of
North Philadelphia's Puerto Rican community and lived his earlier years in
Puerto Rico. At the age of 14, while in Philadelphia, his uncle Dagoberto a
guitar and cuatro player, recommended him as trombonist for a local salsa
band. That is when he met trumpet player Jimmy Purvis, who gave him his
first two jazz records J.J. Johnson's Blue Trombone and John Coltrane
Live at the Village Vanguard. Jazz became a big part of Papo's life at an
early age. At the age of 15, Vazquez began performing at church dances in
Philadelphia and alternated with New York bands such as, Willie
Colon and Eddie Palmieri.

By 1975, at the tender age of 17 he moved to NYC from Philadelphia and
auditioned for trumpet player Chocolate Armentero's band.
Chocolate hired Papo and he began working in NYC

Soon, he became a hot item and was solicited for recordings and
performances with other top artists in the Salsa scene like The Fania All
Stars, Ray Barretto, Willie Colon, Grupo Folklorico Nuyorquino, Eddie
Palmieri, Larry Harlow, Conjunto Libre, Hector La Voe.

Vazquez has always been deeply moved by Jazz and specifically cites the
music of John Coltrane and J.J. Johnson as having the most influenced him.
In 1979, he began studying with Slide Hampton, recorded and performed for
Slide Hampton's World of Trombones.

Eventually, Vazquez would tour Europe with the Ray Charles Orchestra and
perform in New York with Jazz luminaries Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Foster, Mel
Lewis, Mario Rivera, Hilton Ruiz and Milton Cardona. Papo is also a founding
member of Jerry Gonzalez' Fort Apache and Conjunto Libre. Vazquez
became a key player in the burgeoning Latin Jazz genre of the late 70's.

By 1980, at the age of 22 Vazquez had traveled the globe. In 1981 he moved
to Puerto Rico and became a founding member of Puerto Rico's
Batacumbele, a popular Latin fusion band. He performed with Batacumbele
from 1981 to 1985., then in 1985 moved back to New York and joined Tito
Puente's Latin Jazz Ensemble. He traveled as principal trombonist. During
that period, he also toured Europe with Dizzy Gillespie's United Nations
Orchestra.

Vazquez' ability to fuse Afro-Caribbean rhythms, specifically those from
Puerto Rico, with freer melodic and harmonic elements of progressive Jazz
has insured his popularity on many fronts. Papo Vazquez showcased his
writing talent on the soundtrack for the movie Free Enterprise, a
Star Trek spoof with his song "Baila Plena" from At The Point Vol I. recording.

Vazquez has also shared his compositions with Ruben Blades
"Tengan Fe/Antecedente," Hilton Ruiz' "Manhattan Mambo," Dave Valentin's "Tropic
Heat" and Batacumbele's "En Aquellos Tiempos" among other songs.
He's also performed on the soundtrack to Spike Lee's "Mo' Better Blues," "The
Mambo Kings," Wayne Shorter's grammy winning cd "Alegria" and Be bo
Valdes [grammy winning cd] "Bebo de Cuba."

Papo Vazquez Pirates Troubadours and now Grammy Nominated Papo
Vazquez Mighty Pirate Orchestra is a fierce band with twisted variations of
traditional themes like Yuba' Jazz, Holande Pirata, Jibaro Waltz, Plena Funk,
Mapeye Jazz to help describe his music.