MUSICIAN'S BIOS

Carl Poposki- Trombone, arranger

Carl Poposki has had a diverse career as a freelance musician and educator in Michigan and Texas. Carl is currently active as trombonist and chief arranger for two Michigan salsa bands,
Orquesta Ritmo and Grupo AyÈ and also performs with his two trombone jazz quintet, The Slide Element. Carl is also the founder, leader and arranger of the trombone jazz septet, The Michigan Trombone Project. In addition, he is the lead trombonist with the Sailors/DeLancey Jazz Orchestra, a Lansing-based big band that exclusively performs original music. He also has worked as a conductor, performer and soloist in the greater Lansing area with groups including Brass + Electric, the Lansing Concert Band, the Meridian Concert Band, the Lansing Concert Big Band, and Tuxedo Junction.

As an arranger, Carl has written for a variety of ensembles and styles ranging from brass quintet, salsa band, marching band and jazz ensembles of all sizes and styles. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Instrumental Music Education from the University of Michigan and a Masters Degree in Music Education from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. A nine year teaching veteran of the public schools in Michigan, he is the former Director of Instrumental Music at Theodore Roosevelt High School in Wyandotte and Ovid-Elsie Area Schools. During his time in Wyandotte, Carl performed with the pit orchestra at the Croswell Opera House in Adrian, Michigan as well as the Metro Stars and Monroe Big Bands in the Detroit area. Carl is married and lives in St. Johns, Michigan with his wife Liz, his stepson Ted and their Boston Terrier, Kermit.

Michael Sailors- 2nd trumpet

B.M. 05, M.M. 07

Trumpeter, bandleader, composer and arranger Michael Sailors,originally from Charleston S.C., has accomplished much at young age. As a performer, he is noted by many for his "unique and intelligent" playing, as well as for his technical command of the instrument. He has appeared withthe Gerald Wilson Orchestra, Rodney Whitaker and his "Octsemble", Jon Faddis, Christian McBride, Marcus Belgrave, Don Braden, Byron Stripling, Benny Golson, Wess Anderson, Sean Jones, Ron Westray and many others. As a composer, Sailors is quickly becoming a leading voice in the arena of professional Jazz arranging. He has written or arranged compositions for Ryan Kisor, Mike Murley, Sean Jones, Tia Fuller, Ron Blake, Rodney Whitaker,the Voice's of Praise, Dennis Wilson, Dewey Redman, Byron Stripling, and many others. He has received commissions from the Mack Avenue Jazz label, Michigan State University, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, the North American Saxophone Alliance, as well as from the 2010 Lansing Jazz festival to premier a 4 movement work for Jazz Orchestra yet to be titled. He also co-leads the Sailors-DeLancey Jazz Orchestra, the only big band in MI that exclusively performs original music penned by Sailors and other members of the band. Michael earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, as well as a Master’s degree from Michigan State University.

Paul Lesinski- Pianist

Paul is currently a faculty member of Grand Valley State University's Music and Dance Department. He plays with several of the leading music groups in Michigan, including Groove Merchant, his original jazz-fusion ensemble, the Hip Pocket, a ten piece R&B horn band, and salsa bands Orquesta Ritmo and Grupo Aye. Paul also freelances, playing for the Grand Rapids Symphony, the Broadway Theater Guild, and many other local groups and performers. Paul is also a composer, arranger, and recording engineer. He records a variety of music at his home studio, everything from jazz albums to film scores. Paul resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Robert Mulligan -Congas

Is one of the most sought-after percussionists/educators in the Midwest. His career includes performing and/or recording with some of the top Latin, Jazz and Pop musicians in mid-America, including Marcos Cavalcante, Steve Talaga, Andrew Lázaro's Caribe Breeze, Aretha Franklin, Daniel Castro, Orquesta Sabrosa, Orquesta Ritmo, Terry Lower and many others.

Rob has been making music all his life, but his serious music training began with the drums. He studied Percussion at Interlochen Arts Academy, where his drum mentor was John Alfieri. He then attended University of Cincinnati, College Conservatory of Music, where he studied Jazz and percussion under John Von Olen. He earned his B.S. degree at Western Michigan University and a Master's Degree in Education from Indiana University. While at Indiana he performed with the IU Latin American Percussion Ensemble and Latin Big Band, led by maestro Andrew Lázaro.

Throughout his professional life he has continued to broaden his musical scope and expertise by studying with such groups as Teatro America in Havana, Cuba and the acclaimed Cuban folkloric group, Afro-Cuba de Matanzas. Rob's extensive travels in Latin America and Spain have not only enhanced his musical and cultural knowledge, but have contributed to his fluency in the Spanish language. The fact that Rob is completely bilingual has opened many musical doors for him and allowed him to perform and record with some of Latin America's finest musicians.

Tim Thelen – timbales/percussion

Tim has performed with Ritmo on and off for over 15 years and is now a regular member since 2001. In addition to his membership in Ritmo, Tim performs with a Swing Group and Jazz Trio/Quartet for various corporate and special events. Tim is also a first call drummer for a Lansing based studio where he has added his talent to numerous recording sessions. Notable recordings include a nationally released CD with classical recording artist Lance LaDuke and the movie “Lost In the Woods” which recently won the Wildscreen Panda’s award for the best children’s wildlife film world-wide. Tim studied in Los Angeles with Richard Garcia & Efrain Toro while attending the Musician’s Institute. Tim has gained a great amount of experience playing clubs and working on cruise ships performing 250 to 300 events a year for over 20 years.

Carmelo Sanchez

Percussionist

Carmelo was born in Maunabo, Puerto Rico. The sounds of congas and bongos fill his earliest memories. It was at the hands of his older brother, Osvaldo, that he received his first instructions on these instruments. He heard and began to play Rumba Caliente y Callejera on street corners and on the beach.

Carmelo began to play and while still in high school was sought out by musical director Eddie Delgado. His musical career was launched when he was accepted into Jerry Lopez’ band Orquesta Campesina. He was 16 years old. He played with them for six years. Carmelo moved to the USA in 1984. He lived in Connecticut and there played with local salsa bands. He arrived in Lansing, without any drums, and was invited by Edgar Leon to sit in on a bomba number with Ritmo. He played with Ritmo for a couple of years. Edgar formed his own group, Orquesta Tradicion Latina, and Carmelo became the group’s percussionist. He stayed with the group for five years. In 1994 they recorded “Vamos a Empezar” the first Salsa CD produced in Michigan. The group played extensively at festivals and opened for Jerry Rivera, Ismael Miranda, and others. Carmelo also played in the band Orquesta Cache with musical director Diego Melendez from Detroit, Michigan. Sanchez has also recorded with Fernando Ramirez and Luis Jose Silva. Their CD “Estilos” offers homage to Bobby Capo and features many different styles. Another Michigan band Carmelo has played with is Orquesta Sabrosa under the direction of Rob Killips. He played with Rob for three years.

Throughout his musical career in Lansing, Carmelo has played with Mike Eyia and Ritmo. Throughout his forays in and out of other groups, Carmelo has remained with Ritmo where he currently performs on an on-going basis. He is featured on congas, bongos, cow-bell and background vocals..

Michael A. Eyia- Director, guitar, percussion, lead vocals, arranger, composer

Born in Havana, Cuba, Michael (Mike) Eyia started classical guitar lessons at the age of 10 under the tutelage of world renowned Cuban guitarist and composer Dr. Leo Brower. After leaving Cuba due to the unstable political climate, Mike came to the U.S. and settled in Lansing, Mi. Mike studied music at Michigan State University and Lansing Community College. Later he became an instructor at LCC and taught various music courses over a period of about 10 years. Over time, his passion for Cuban style music persisted. In the late 70’s and in preparation for the U.S. Bicentennial Celebration, Mike formed RITMO to introduce and educate people in a different style of Latin music. The group at the time consisted of a six piece band, as well as a 24 piece dance troupe. Mike choreographed a number of Cuban pieces including a danzon, a guaracha, cha cha cha and a conga and backed the dance troupe with his live band. The troupe traveled around the Mid West and performed for venues all over Michigan and as far south as Dayton, Ohio. The group earned a number of accolades along the way including a Tribute from the Michigan State Legislature. In 1984, the group grew to it’s current 11 piece Orchestra. Throughout the years, the group has shared the stage with a number of recording artists such as Los Lobos, Salsa great Oscar D’Leon, and The Bangles among others. Mike Eyia is the director and sole active member from the original 6 piece group.

The versatility and ability of the current Salsa band is such that Mike can break it up into a smaller group to fit the occasion. Under the name of BRASS & ELECTRIC, the smaller band can cover a wide range of music which encompasses Top 40, Blues, Funk, Old Standards, Country and Jazz. Mike is also the President of MMALAC,(Mid-Michigan Association of Latin American Culture, which promotes Caribbean Style Latin music and culture) and a founding member of Jazz Jamm, a local organization founded to promote Jazz venues in the Mid-Michigan area.

Terry Lower ( website )
Juan Daniel Castro
Richey Kicklighter

Areatha Franklin

Steve Talaga

Evidence ( website )

Jim Cooper Quintet ( website )

Tom Prasada Rao

Orquesta Sabrosa

Marcos Cavalcante

Andrew Lázaro

Ricardo Larange

Homunculus

Mind's Eye

Orquesta Ayé

Ritmo ( website )

And many more.

Terry Lower ( website )
Juan Daniel Castro
Richey Kicklighter

Areatha Franklin

Steve Talaga

Evidence ( website )

Jim Cooper Quintet ( website )

Tom Prasada Rao

Orquesta Sabrosa

Marcos Cavalcante

Andrew Lázaro

Ricardo Larange

Homunculus

Mind's Eye

Orquesta Ayé

Ritmo ( website )

And many more.

Terry Lower ( website )
Juan Daniel Castro
Richey Kicklighter

Areatha Franklin

Steve Talaga

Evidence ( website )

Jim Cooper Quintet ( website )

Tom Prasada Rao

Orquesta Sabrosa

Marcos Cavalcante

Andrew Lázaro

Ricardo Larange

Homunculus

Mind's Eye

Orquesta Ayé

Ritmo ( website )

And many more.