Orquesta Universal

Formed and led by trumpeter Richard Vitale and guitarist/dancer/choreographer Carlos Konig, this orchestra was conceived with the main purpose of interpreting classic Latin dance scores that chronologically show the conception of the mambo, extending to the present day's hot rhythms of salsa. A native of Santiago de Chile, Konig is a trained classical guitarist who fell in love with mambo dancing and has been teaching it since the early 1990s throughout New York City.

His style is well known among the Big Apple's dance aficionados for translating mambo music into creative and energetic dance motions.
The sidemen in Orquesta Universal have performed and recorded with such greats as Charlie and Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente, Ray Barreto, Cedar Walton, Freddie Hubbard, Manny Oquendo, Johnny Pacheco, El Gran Combo, "Changuito," Willie Chirino, Marc Anthony, Candido, Patato Valdez, Gato Barbieri, Arturo Sandoval, Graciela, Chico O'Farril, Louis Ramirez, Hector Lavoe, Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Rodriquez, Celia Cruz, Mongo Santamaria, Israel ?Cachao? Lopez and the ?Fania All Stars.?