Charlie's Biography
| Charlie Barreda Keyboardist, Vibraphonist - Marimbist, Drummer - Percussionist, Arranger and Composer.Charlie Barreda is a man dedicated to his art. Freelancing with many bands in the San Francisco Bay Area and booking his own bands "CORCOVADO", "THE MARIMBA CONNECTION"and now "Charlie Barreda SF Latin Jazz", he is a well regarded and much in demand band leader, sideman, and producer for music projects (currently producing the 4th CD for steel drummer Patrick Prescod from Trinidad - Tobago). Since moving to San Francisco - California in 1973, Charles has performed and recorded with many of the SF Bay Area well known musicians and groups. Among them: Jules Broussard, E.W. Weinwright (African Roots of Jazz), George Cables, Si Perkoff, Tony Menjivar (Malo, Angela Bofil), Leo Rosales (Malo), Chalo Eduardo (perc.Sergio Mendez), David Rokeach (drums - Ray Charles), Orestes Vilato (Fania All Stars, Ray Barreto, Santana), Louie Romero (Willie Colon), Abel Figueroa (trb.Sonora Poncena, Santana), Carl Perazzo (currently with Santana), Pete Escobedo, The Cal Tjader Rhythm Section: Mark Levine (piano), Rob Fisher (bass), Vince Lateano (drums),Willy T. Colon (congas). Tito Garcia y Orquesta Intenacional, Pepe y su Orquesta, Safari, Kimbombo, Orquesta Kache, Actualidad, Classax, Radcliff, Sky Blue Waters, Montenegro Jazz Trio etc... Charles musical career started at the early age of twelve in his native Peru; where he played, recorded and toured Peru with several of the well known Rock and R&B bands (among them: Los Shain's, The Pepper Smelter, Los Belkings, The Vips, The Telegraph, Dr.Wheat, Richie Zellon Blues Band, Catharsis and others). His formal training began in San Francisco - California at the Music & Arts Institute of San Francisco, where he studied classical percussion with Jack Van Der Wyck. He obtained a Masters Degree in Percussion and taught at the institute until 1988 when it closed. |
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In 1982 Charlie was ready to study more Jazz theory and improvisation on the Vibraphone. He asked SF
Bay Area Latin Jazz Vibraphone legend Cal Tjader for private lessons, but at the time Cal was very busy
touring. His album "La Onda Va Bien" had won the 1981 Grammy Latin Jazz category.
Cal highly recommended vibraphonist - percussionist John Rae, who had played vibes for George
Shearing, Mongo Santamaria and others, and was the principal percussionist for the Broadway shows
that came to San Francisco. Charles took private lessons with John for about a year and a half.
Charlie says that he has enjoyed a variety of different types of situations that music keeps bringing
to his life. It could be a Solo piano or a Marimba Duo performance; or a Jam Session with the
members of the Santana Band; or a Latin Jazz gig with the Cal Tjader Rhythm Section playing
mambo, cha-cha or straight ahead jazz.
It could also be a performance for the president of Peru or a visit to the Inca's ruins of Macchu Picchu
(after doing shows in Cuzco) or the Amazon River in Peru - Brasil.+
Recently Charlie performed at Twins Jazz in Washington DC and at the Peruvian Embassy also in DC,
with musicians from the DC area. He was very well received and is invited back at both places.
Bay Area Latin Jazz Vibraphone legend Cal Tjader for private lessons, but at the time Cal was very busy
touring. His album "La Onda Va Bien" had won the 1981 Grammy Latin Jazz category.
Cal highly recommended vibraphonist - percussionist John Rae, who had played vibes for George
Shearing, Mongo Santamaria and others, and was the principal percussionist for the Broadway shows
that came to San Francisco. Charles took private lessons with John for about a year and a half.
Charlie says that he has enjoyed a variety of different types of situations that music keeps bringing
to his life. It could be a Solo piano or a Marimba Duo performance; or a Jam Session with the
members of the Santana Band; or a Latin Jazz gig with the Cal Tjader Rhythm Section playing
mambo, cha-cha or straight ahead jazz.
It could also be a performance for the president of Peru or a visit to the Inca's ruins of Macchu Picchu
(after doing shows in Cuzco) or the Amazon River in Peru - Brasil.+
Recently Charlie performed at Twins Jazz in Washington DC and at the Peruvian Embassy also in DC,
with musicians from the DC area. He was very well received and is invited back at both places.
