 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Picante! is available for wedding receptions, concerts, parties and festivals as well as, school concerts and workshops in and outside the Western North Carolina area. When the band performs their music they attract huge crowds! Picante's latin rhythm's are contagious so the entire audience can't help but move! Several of the band members are teachers in the Asheville area so Picante! is available to teach the history of latin, jazz and rock music for school workshops. The band performs selections from each type of music and then engages the students with hand-held rhythm instruments. |
| Meet Picante! (left to right) |
| Dave de la Rosa guitar and vocals Spencer Bolejack percussion Ronnie Delerme latin percussion Warren Gaughan piano Sid Heilbraun bass Ruben Orengo acoustic and electric violin |
| Spencer Bolejack has recording and performance experience in many musical styles including fusion, jazz, funk, progressive rock, and latin. As a teenager he was first in the state honors band for four years consecutive, won the 1994 Drum Off with Kenny Aronoff of John Cougar, and has authored 4 solo cd's. He currently teaches 7th grade, runs a martial arts school, and plays with Picante! in Asheville, NC. |
| David De la rosa first started playing guitar at the age of ten. Over the years he played with a variety of bands and developed the skill and talent for songwriting. In 2000, Dave met Ruben in and he began his journey into his rich heritage. Since his family roots lie in Spain, Dave enjoys playing the music from his own ancestors' history. |
| Ronnie Delerme is from Vieques, Puerto Rico and has been playing different forms of Latin music almost his whole life. At eight years old he first started playing the Congas and his love for percussion grew from there. In 1990 he moved to Asheville and now he enjoys playing a whole variety of percussion instruments with Picante!. |
| Warren Gaughan is Chairman of the Music Department at Warren Wilson College where he teaches courses in classical and jazz music. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Maryville College, a Masters of Music degree from UNC-Greensboro, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Arizona State University. He enjoys teaching, as well as performing classical and jazz music. Currently he performs with 'Picante!' as well as the swing group 'The Asheville Gentleman'. |
| Sid Heilbraun's musical background is quite diverse. In his 26 years in Asheville, Sid has played banjo, guitar, and mandolin in a variety of bluegrass as well as country bands. He has played piano in everything from contra dance to Chicago blues. "I have always been attracted to Latin music, from Afro-Cuban to Flamenco, I love it all! Playing bass in Picante! has been a blast musically. To be able to perform the music I love is very satisfying. "Muchas gracias por la musica latina caliente!" |
| Ruben Orengo has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and has studied and the renowned NC School of the Arts in Winston Salem and the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore during his musical career. He has proudly taught strings at Asheville High and Middle School for over 20 years as well as conducts the Asheville Junior Youth Orchestra. Currently he is a member of the Asheville Symphony Orchestra and after twelve years, continues to lead a latin jazz band. |