Salsamba Intro

Salsamba is a latin jazz quintet with a recipe for musical excitement which blends the traditions of American jazz with the spicy rhythms of Cuba, Brazil, and the Caribbean. the result is tasty music which delights the listener with its originality. Much of their music is written and arranged by their guitarist and leader, Eric Susoeff.

Based in Pittsburgh, Salsamba performs at clubs, festivals and colleges throughout the United States. Club dates have included El Caney del Barrio (NYC), St. Moritz (Harrisburg, PA), Ethel's Place ( Baltimore, MD), The Shire (Cape May, NJ), The Balcony (Pgh., PA).

Festival appearances have included the Mellon Jazz Festival, Bethlehem Musikfest, Music Festival of Arkansas, Afro-Latin- Indian Festival at Waterbury CT, Eureka Springs Jazz Festival, Stifel Performing Arts Series, Wheeling WV, Charleston Jazz Series, WV. The many colleges that have featured Salsamba include Cornell University, Penn State University and S.U.N.Y. Oswego, to name a few.

In 1989 the group was featured in a broadcast of National Public Radio's American Jazz Radio Festival program, which aired nationwide to over 125 member stations.

The group has opened for the late latin jazz king, Tito Puente, guitarist John Scofield and Stanley Jordan, steel pan player Andy Narell as well as flutist Dave Valentin.

Salsamba released their debut album in 1988 on Clave Records titled MAMBO IN BLUE. The recording has garnered the praise of jazz critics and reviewers alike.

The groups' second recording, titled MAMBO DEL SOL, was released in April on 1994 and has been receiving considerable airplay nationwide. It is available on CD and cassette.

Just recently released is Salsamba's third recording entitled "LATINVENTIONS" Salsamba's spicy palette of colors and textures is complimented by superb performances on the cello, vocals, piano, trombone and flugelhorn. These fresh arrangements by the band showcase the talents of several special guests, including vocalist Maureen Budway, Steve Hawk on flugelhorn, Duquesne University Director of Jazz Studies Mike Tomaro, pianist Max Leake, trombonist Jay Ashby and Pittsburgh Symphony cellist Lou Lowenstein. Salsamba is a latin jazz quintet with a recipe for musical excitement which blends the traditions of American jazz with the spicy rhythms of Cuba, Brazil and the Caribbean. The result is tasty music which delights the listener with its originality. Much of their music is written and arranged by their guitarist and leader Eric Susoeff.

In 1999 Salsamba released their third recording, LATINVENTIONS, which features more of the fiery rhythms, lyrical melodies and sensational improvisation that has made the bands previous work so popular. The Group just released their 4th CD titled THE TRAVELER.

Salsamba is Eric Susoeff, guitar; George Jones (co-leader), congas: Paul Thompson, bass; Eric DeFade, sax & flute and John Rampolla on Drums.