Victor Aranas - Keyboards is an accomplished, classically-trained pianist and keyboardist with more than 20 years' experience in live performance and studio recording. He has played in and directed off-Broadway productions and has opened for Tower of Power and Confunkshun. Victor has also toured overseas and throughout the U.S. His extensive background is illustrated in his tasteful artistry and skillful performance.
Eric Burnyea Burnett - Lead Vocals/Hand Percussion is a studied and accomplished entertainer who has traveled extensively performing throughout the United States and abroad. He is also a recording artist and has had two Billboard Top Fifty record releases on the R/B, Hip Hop and Popular music charts. He has written songs, recorded, performed and appeared in television, stage and movies. Eric has studied and performed theatre/acting. Currently, Eric is a recording artist and working on his current CD project. Eric really enjoys performing with the Amigos Santana Tribute Band and is positive everyone will enjoy this tribute to Santana. Sabor!
Joe Garcia - Congas/Percussion grew up listening to Latin music that played from a Mexican club behind his home. At familia gatherings his dad and uncles would sing and play guitar to old Mexican songs. The love of Latin music especially the introduction of "Santana" inspired Joe to master the art of the Conga. Joe has performed with many local bands at many venues all over California and Nevada. While performing Joe met a talented musician and now best friend Frank Nieto. With Frank they created the Amigos. At a recent performance at Harrah's Reno Joe and Frank decided to start working on a new original CD.
Jose "Carlos" Marin - Timables was born and raised in Sacramento California. A self-taught drummer/timbale musician began playing at age 15 in his father's Norteno band. Carlos performed with numerous local bands throughout the city. Most recently, with a local Latin band who in 2000 and 2002 toured in Japan, Korea, Singapore, and the island Diego Garcia. Carlos' musical Influences are Santana, El Chicano, Poncho Sanchez, Tower of Power, and old school music.
Frank "Paco" Nieto - Lead Guitar & Vocals began writing music at the age of eleven and started playing guitar at the age of twelve. He began playing at parties for money when he was thirteen. Paco has performed in various bands throughout California and Nevada. He follows in the footsteps of his father who was a bandleader and a versatile musician. He grew up listening to his parents Mexican and Flamenco music. The mixture of those forms of music with the American music of the 50's 60's and 70's played a major role in the development of his unique musical style. Paco sites his main guitar influences as Carlos Santana, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page and Gabor Szabo. He credits his good friend and the Amigos' conguero, Joe Garcia for helping him form the band the Amigos. Their mutual admiration of Carlos Santana makes it an honor for them to perform the music of the band, Santana.
Luis Salazar - Bass Guitar, was born and raised in Sacramento, California. Luis is a veteran of the local Latin music scene. Luis started playing bass at the age of 15. Luis also plays guitar, piano and writes, arranges, directs and sings. Over the span of 30 years with four different Latin bands, Luis has had the pleasure of sharing the bill with such Latin music luminaries as Azteca, Chepito Areas, Jorge Santana, and Ray Barretto. Some of Luis' musical influences are Tower of Power's Bassist Francis Riccoco, Earth Wind and Fire, Santana, Tito Puente, Willie Colon and Israel Lopez "Cachao". There is no question that Luis brings a wealth of talent, skills and experience to the Amigos Santana tribute.
Delano "Dee" Saunders - Drummer is based in Northern California. His musical roots are drawn from Gospel, Funk, Jazz, and R&B styles. Delano has performed with musical groups and trios throughout the United States and abroad. Dee feels he's like a "chameleon", able to blend into any musical environment.
