THE CHICANO ALL STARS BAND BIOGRAPHY

The Chicano All Stars Band consists of six extremely talented, energetic and pro-musicians out of Monterey County. All of the band members have years of expertise in the music business both as music entertainers and dedicated veteran musicians. The band ‘s most noted style is  Latin Rock, Rhythm & Blues, Classic Rock & Roll and excels in performing Santana material like no other band!  As quoted by Andrew Gilhooley of “Monterey Herald’s Go” magazine: “The Chicano All Stars have established themselves as one of Monterey’s top bands and most arguably the top Latin Rock band in the area.”  The Chicano All Stars Band is sure to please a variety of audiences whether it be a private or local event and is guaranteed to keep you on the dance floor!

The band has had the pleasure of performing and sharing the stage with such names such as Maria Muldaur, Sista Monica, Lydia Pense & Cold Blood, Eddie Money, Tierra, Malo, El Chicano, Tower of Power and Jorge Santana with Suave.

MUSIC FESTIVALS AND EVENTS TO INCLUDE:

Monterey Red, White, Blues Festival

Monterey Seafood Festival

Monterey County Fair,

Downtown Monterey 4th of July Celebration

City of Seaside Sunday Blues in the Park

Monterey Bay Strawberry Festival

Hollister 4th of July Motorcycle Bike Rally

Cherry’s Jubilee Passport to Old Town Salinas

Salinas Air Show

Sand City West End Festival

Carmel Mission Fiesta

Pacific Grove Good Ole Days Festival

Soledad Wind & Wine Festival

City of Modesto Downtown Association

City of Palo Alto 4th of July Celebration

City of El Centro Music Festival (Opening Band for Eddie Money)

LOCAL CLUBS AND RESTAURANTS INCLUDE:

Sly McFly’s on Cannery Row in Monterey

Kula Ranch Island Restaurant

Hullaballoo’s Martini Bay in Old Town Salinas

Monterey Live downtown Monterey

The Blue Fin on Cannery Row in Monterey

Nepenthe’s Restaurant in Big Sur

Baja Cantina Bar & Grill in Carmel

The Chicano All Stars have entertained and help raise funds for various non-profit organizations, schools, scholarship funds. To name a few: American Cancer Society - Relay for Life, Gateway Center of Monterey County, Inc., The Alisal Center for Fine Arts, Sacred Heart School Parent’s Club, Women’s Crisis Center, Monterey County Special Education PTA, Soledad Police Officer’s Association, Salinas Police Activities League, Monterey County Latino Peace Officer’s Association, Monterey County Sheriff’s Dept., Monterey County Deputy’s Association, Salinas United Business Association, LULAC Council #2055, NMC LULAC Council #2907, CSU Monterey Bay, King City Cruise 4 Kids, American GI Forum Modesto Chapter and the Hawthorne Art Gallery in Big Sur, CA.

As for band history, the Chicano All Stars was formed in 2000 by Salinas native and veteran pro-musician, Sam Martinez (lead vocalist, guitar, drums and percussionist). In addition to owning his own recording studio (Sam’s Lab Recording) and helping out local young talented musicians, Sam spent some 20 years fronting his band “Kachabeat” performing his original Reggae and Ska material in San Diego, CA.  His band Kachabeat was awarded “One of San Diego’s Top Original Bands” and recorded a hit single “Jah Beat the Devil” on the “Musician’s Who Care” album by BMI Productions out of Los Angeles. Kachabeat received television airplay on the local San Diego channel and performed live at clubs such as The Bachanal, Winston’s in Ocean Beach and the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach. In raising his family and two sons he returned to his home town of Salinas where he was constantly asked to integrate Latin Rock with his original music. Ideally, the Chicano All Stars Band was formed with the best musicians he could find in the Monterey County area. Soon the band gained astounding popularity with a variety of all age groups and audiences in the surrounding area from San Luis Obispo to Sacramento. The band performed live music venues, outdoor festivals, and a great amount of corporate and private events. Among the band’s greatest experiences has been performing live as the “Grand Finale” headliner band for the New Year’s Eve celebrations for “First Night Monterey.” So popular was the band they were chosen as the Grand Finale band for New Year’s Eve from 2004 through 2007. The band continuously gathered a large dancing fan base inside the Serra Ballroom at the Portola Plaza Hotel in Monterey and outdoors at the Custom House Plaza main stage for over 20,000 attendees.

In striving to evolve with an appeal to a variety of audiences, Sam Martinez, band leader of the Chicano All Stars has begun to incorporate a variety of his original material with the current R & B favorites. . In March 2007, the band released their second CD “The Time of Our Life” (recorded at Sam’s Lab Recording). The current CD covers ten popular tunes such as “Mas Zacate” by El Chicano, “Cumbia del Sol”, “I’ll Be Around“ by The Spinners, and “Come and Get Your Love” by Redbone. The CD’s versatility is a result of the Chicano All Stars’ fan base requests for entertaining and danceable music. The CD is available for sale at the band’s public events.

CHICANO ALL STARS BAND MEMBERS ARE:

Sam Martinez, Lead Vocals, Timbales, Percussion

Cortez Flores, Drums and back up vocals

Albert Cervantes, Bass Guitar

John Mallare, Lead Guitar, Vocals

Jorge Espinoza, Congas, Percussion

Brandon Wedel, Keyboards

For Event Scheduling Contact: Band Representative, Sam Martinez @ (831) 675-1302 or

Event Calendar Mgr. Celia Martinez @ (831) 235-9588 or Sam
@ 235-9589

Email: Samsallstarsband@ yahoo.com

Music Website: myspace.com/chicanoallstars