PAUL STEWART – Guitars
Paul Stewart has been a professional musician for more than 40 years. He is an amazingly diverse guitarist who can play in almost any genre of music. Although guitar is his main instrument, he also plays the electric bass, keyboards, and just about anything that has strings.
As a band leader in New York City, he performed at the Plaza Hotel, the Waldorf Astoria, the Pierre Hotel, the St. Regis Hotel, The 21 Club, and Windows of the World. In New York City, he appeared with some well-known names in the jazz world such as; Jo Jones Jr., John Scofield, Bob Berg, Marcus Miller, and played in nightclubs such as; The Brass Rail, The Village Gate, CBGB’s, Limelight, The Village Corner, S.N.A.F.U, etc.
Now living in South Florida, he has performed in venues such as; The Breakers, The Four Seasons, The Biltmore, The Van Dyke, The Ritz Carlton, The Mandarin Oriental, and The Versace Mansion. He has played at events such as the SunTrust Jazz Festival, Las Olas Art Festival, Delray Art Festival, and more. Some of the nightclubs Paul has performed at include; O’Hara’s, The Button South, Blue Jean Blues, The Hemisphere Lounge at The Loews Miami Beach, etc.
FELIX GOMEZ – Piano, Keyboards
Felix Gomez graduated from the University of Miami with a Masters of Music in 2008. He has won several awards including; The National Dean’s List, Best Soloist, and Best Composition at the North Texas Jazz Festival, and Outstanding Band Performance in the Downbeat Student Music Award. Felix has performed with artists such as; Gloria Gaynor and Julio Iglesias. In the jazz world, he has shared the stage with saxophonist Ed Calle, flutist Nestor Torres, violinist Federico Britos, saxophonist Carlos Averhoff, drummer Duffy Jackson, saxophonist Paquito D’ Rivera, saxophonist Ira Sullivan, guitarist Simon Salz, percussionist Sammy Figueroa, flutist Dave Valentin, and trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, among others.
In the field of music education, Felix has taught jazz studies at three accredited colleges and universities in South Florida such as; Miami Dade Community College, Florida International University, and lastly, the University of Miami.
Felix is presently teaching Jazz Piano lessons at Broward College, and is the Musical Director of The Vocal Jazz Ensemble at Florida International University.
RAFAEL VALENCIA – Bass
Rafael Valencia is an electric bass instructor and conductor of the salsa ensemble at Miami Dade College (Kendall Campus). He was the bass player at Univisión television network from 1987 to 2015 performing on hit shows including;
• Sabado Gigante – #1 rated TV show for more than 30 years
• Don Francisco Presenta – Late night talk show
Rafael has recorded and performed with Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D’Rivera, Carl Fontana, Bill Watrous, Joe Williams, Ed Calle, and Néstor Torres (This Side of Paradise). He was the musical arranger and bass player on two Grammy award winning albums in the category of “Best Latin Jazz Album”, No Te Enamoras and Dazon de Amor.
Rafael has performed with a wide variety of Latin artists including; Celia Cruz, Marisela Verena, Tito Puente, Luis Enrique, Ismael Miranda, Willie Chirino, Lissette, Raul DiBlasio, Olga Guillot, Jose Luis Rodriguez, Maria Marta Serralima, Nelson Ned, Braulio, Angela Carrasco, Suzi Lemans, Carlos Oliva, Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, Lucero, and Julio Iglesias.
GOETZ KUJACK – Drums, Percussion
Originally from Bremen, Germany, Goetz studied at University of North Texas and started his career as a studio/ live drummer and percussionist in Germany before relocating to South Florida in 1992. He quickly became embedded in several camps of the South Florida music scene, from Jazz to Blues as well as Latin and Pop music styles. He received a Grammy nomination playing with Sammy Figueroa in 2005 as well as in 2007 and has since then supported a variety of artists like, Raul Midon, Randy Brecker, Toots Thielemann, Bobby Lee Rodgers, Clarence Clemmons, Claudio Roditi and Rose Max to name a few.
Previously an adjunct faculty member of the Jazz Department at FIU. He enjoys teaching drums as well as Latin percussion.
RON FATTORUSSO – Saxophones, Flute
Ron studied music at the University of Miami playing in jazz and concert bands as well as classical ensembles & groups. He started his professional career in 1974 as a multi-instrumentalist (Alto, Tenor and Soprano saxes, flute and clarinet). By 1979 he had played for and performed with such stars as Bing Crosby, Shirley Bassey, Steve Lawrence, Edie Gorme, Hal Linden, Joan Rivers, Mitzi Gaynor, Julio Iglesias, Celia Cruz, Rodney Dangerfield, Milton Berle, Henny Youngman, Olga Guillo, Willie Chirino, Lissette, Lola Flores, Iris Chacon, Susy Leman, Robert Carlos, Tony Orlando & Dawn, Vicki Carr, Peter Allen and Eddie Arnold. By the 1980’s he backed up Desi Arnez, The Temptations and jazz giants Ira Sullivan, Joe Dirorio and Eddie Daniels. From 1981-83 Ron went on a ‘sold out’ concert tour’s with El Puma.
In 1980, while working as a musician, he opened a recording studio in South Florida (Star Track Recording). Having recorded countless talented musicians over a 20 year span, he has been able to use his experience and knowledge and apply it to his first solo jazz cd, Up All Night. Since the early 1990’s Ron has been working with pianist and founder of Secret Formula Records Gary Farr, performing and recording various jazz and commercial CD’s. Ron had 12 songs on NBC’s Weather Channel, international radio airplay and performed in front of thousands of fans at festivals and jazz clubs.
His new CD ‘Spirit’ was officially released in March 2013 however the record label pre-released two of his tracks in 2011 to NBC’s Weather channel for airing. “You’re Always Around’ and the title track ‘Spirit’ aired for several months.