Alma Villegas Latin Band Latin Band from Seattle, WA

Alma Villegas’ lustful voice brings you an exquisite and passionate selection of Latin styles and flavors. From the bouncy feel of “Perfidia” and “Quizas” to the passionate tango version of “Besame Mucho”, the sultry bossa nova “Waters of March” and the salsa sound of “Bemba Colorá” or “Oye Como Va”, these tunes have captured hearts and entertained internationally for decades. Alma Villegas started her professional music career performing with two of Seattle’s most popular Latin salsa music ensembles. Her experiences led her to create a band that offered a more diverse selection focusing on the traditional bolero (Latin ballad), cha-chas, mid-tempo Latin jazz standards, a variety of Cuban rhythms, salsa and bossa novas. In June of 2006, Alma Villegas recorded her first CD sending audiences on an excursion of Latin soul and tradition. The CD entitled simply Alma Villegas highlights the beauty that exists within each country’s interpretation of their Latino culture and sabor through the magic of music. The Alma Villegas Quintet’s new CD Alma y Azucar was recently released and features additional instrumentation including violin, trumpet and tres (Cuban guitar). Alma y Azucar features Alma Villegas on vocals, Ben Verdier on keyboard, Ricardo Guity on Congas and Bongo, Ernesto Pediangco on Timbales and Steve Okimoto on bass. Additional artist include Irene Mitri (violin), Fred Hoadley (tres) & Steve Motsovoy (trumpet). Alma Villegas y Azucar has performed at top Seattle venues including: The Bohemian, Dulces Latin Bistro, Egan’s Jam house in Ballard, Serafina on Eastlake, Mixtura in Kirkland, St. Clouds, Crossroads Bellevue, The Tractor Tavern, The Triple Door’s Musicquarium and Jazz Alley. In addition, the band performs annually in festivals across Washington State including the Northwest Folklife Festival, Jazz in the Valley in Central Washington, Allied Arts at the Blue Heron on Vashon Island, Edmonds Arts Festival, The Tacoma Ethnic Fest, Pike Street Music Festival, the Spokane Opera Music Series at Lincoln Center and Summer Concerts at the Clearwater Casino to name a few. Alma Villegas has also performed in California, Oregon, Idaho, Montana & New York.