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Victor
“Café”
August
 Biography
 ictor
“Café” August born in Oakland, California came from a musically rich and
vibrant Puerto Rican neighborhood. He started playing percussion at the
age of twelve when he played “bembes” (improvised compositions) on the
streets of Oakland.
Café is a master percussionist on “timbales” where he blends Caribbean
rhythms, jazz and blues to create a danceable eclectic sound that would
please most music lovers. In his early teens he composed for the likes
of Carmelito Velez, Junior Santiago and Ramito, all renowned artists in
the Puertorican “jibaro” music genre.
Since 1979, Café has performed with countless San Francisco and Bay area
musicians, like Franco Brothers, Benny Velades, Gregoro Gomez, Coke
Escoevedo, and with the great Pedrito Pelegrin. His demonstrated musical
talents give him the flexibility to perform with musically diverse
bands. In 1992, Café and his musical colleague, Papo Ruiz formed their
own salsa band called “Orquesta Sensual”. Later, Café broke out as
soloist and created a new sound with the debut of Orquesta Romance—now
recognized as “Avance”.
Most recently, Café performs with Orquesta Boriquen in the San Francisco Bay
Area, and will soon be releasing their first commercial compact disc.
In 2003, Café and his wife Linda launched an even more risky venture
called Festival de La Isla to engage their diverse community into the
acceptance and the celebration of Puerto Rican cultural. The annual
festival brings together, in one place, an array of Latin music ranging
from salsa, merenge to Plena ( Puertorican traditional rhythms). This
event is an opportunity for family and community unity.
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