South Beach by Frank Villafañe

Moving back to the States, at Whiteman AFB, MO, Frank quickly acquired and studied the musical form, Ragtime, and earned his first paying "gig" as a professional musician at the age of 14, when he performed many Ragtime favorites by Scott Joplin and other Ragtime greats, for the WAFB Officers Club at a Roaring 20's theme party. Meanwhile, Frank's father continued his influence by encouraging him to listen and emulate several great latin pianists, notably Sergio Mendes (of Brasil 66 fame) and the Cuban legend Pedro "Peruchin" Justiz.

In college, at Rutgers University, Frank began playing piano for a number of Jazz & Latin conjunto style bands and orchestras, while studying piano with no less than the great Kenny Barron. He was immersed in theory and keyboard harmony classes at Rutgers and studied at the feet of Walter Bishop Jr, Ted Dunbar, Frank Foster, and Larry Ridley.

Since, Frank has performed with many Latin-Jazz and salsa conjuntos, including a number of his own groups. Frank has opened twice (2000 & 2005) for Eddie Palmieri (one of his aforementioned influences), and appeared twice (2001 & 2005) at the prestigious Red Bank RiverFest Jazz Festival, and has recorded a number of projects.

In between performing and recording, Frank composes all his music on his home studio.

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South Beach CD Reviews

Rebeca Mauleon, Musician/Composer/Educator

Author, "Salsa Guidebook" (www.rebecamauleon.com)...

"Frank’s passion for the wealth of Latin rhythms is clear; his music takes the listener on a journey to Cuba, Brazil and back, and he does it all himself – from the performing to the production. A one-man band, Villafañe shows it doesn’t necessarily take two (or more) to tango, or in this case, to mambo!"

Rafe Gomez, spinmeister at The Groove Boutique

Smooth Jazz CD 101.9 NYC (www.cd1019.com/grooveboutique)...

"If you're looking to be transported from your workaday grind into a lush, sensual domain where your mind and ears will be gently massaged, indulge yourself by experiencing the tasty Latin-Jazz vibe of Frank Villafañe.

His gorgeous EP South Beach will instantly transport you to your favorite tropical vacation destination. His production, playing, and sense of melody will impress you with each listen.

Frank's music will be the most inexpensive - yet thoroughly satisfying - vacation you've ever taken!"

Francesco Emmanuel, Associate Music Reviewer at

The Muses Muse (www.musesmuse.com)...

"South Beach is a 5-song instrumental masterpiece by Frank Villafañe. The songs are well crafted, superbly produced and if they don’t get you off your chair and dancing, well, something is wrong with you! Seriously!

On this EP, Frank composed, arranged and played all the parts to every single song, he also recorded this lil gem in his home studio. The feel from each song gives the impression that this is a live recording, straight off-the-floor, it’s that good! Each track has a great flow to it...

There are some albums you like immediately, and this was one that got me going right away. If you’ve never taken a trip to South Beach, Frank Villafañe’s latest will take you there...only problem is, you may not wanna leave."

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South Beach

The title track; it captures the eclectic nuance and essence that is South Beach, Miami. Recently featured as a "Track Of The Day" on MusicTech Magazine's web page(www.myspace.com/musictechmagazine).

Antojos De Mi Tierra (Yearning For Home)

Dedicated to my paternal grandmother, Carmen Rivera Lugo de Villafañe, who emigrated to this country from Puerto Rico in 1950. Although she lived here much of her life, she always missed her homeland and traveled there frequently. This song portrays the sad, poignant nostalgia she must have felt whenever she thought of her beloved island. Of course, it includes latin percussion,

particularly in the forms of Mambo (a Cuban rhythm) and Bomba (a Puerto Rican rhythm). Note the bass solo as it opens with strains of "Lamento Borincano", a famous song from Puerto Rico's most prolific composer, Rafael Hernandez. Pa' ti, Abuela...

Deco Drive

A "driving" song, depicting a jaunt down the famous Deco Drive in Miami. The Rhodes electric piano and the acoustic grand trade-off riffs in a give-and-take over an ever-changing percussive bed, not unlike 2 vehicles cruising down the street as the scenery unfolds; complete with police (actually, Samba) whistles.

Can't Find Love

The song depicts the fruitless search for love in a soul-mate, and never quite finding it. It begins hopeful, soon becoming desperate and frantic, then resolute finding the search empty; finally, hope is renewed, and the search continues. For all those who long for love...this is their song. Also featured on the Drums On Demand web site (www.drumsondemand.com).

I Heard The Bells

A mid-tempo, latin-jazz version of the Christmas carol I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day, originally penned by Longfellow. Vibes actually simulate the bells.

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