Commercial Music Ensemble MDC

Upcoming concerts (details coming shortly):
April 2 - Arts and Letters Day at the Kendall Campus. Morning time.
April 3 - Heroes Awards. Evening gala.
May 2 - North Campus graduation ceremony concert.

Students:
After many years of working together to create a terrific ensemble that has provided some of the proudest moments of my musical life, I am sorry to inform you that I will no longer be teaching this ensemble after this term. The way the ensemble and this professor have been treated by the lab personnel is shameful and has made the job unbearable. At no time did I sign up to be a roadie for this group and due to the failure of the department to address a wide variety of issues with which we are all aware, I choose to stop abusing myself and allowing self-serving individuals interested in treating public facilities as their own private production studio to abuse you. I wish all of you the best of luck and look forward to hearing about your triumphs in the future. Working with so many wonderful, generous, and talented people has truly been an honor and I will miss our times together.
Thank you all, PC

Student success stories

Albert Bade (drums)
Graduating from the University of Miami, working professionally.

Jorge Montañez (drums)
Working professionally. Has performed and recorded with numerous artists including Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D'Rivera, Cachao, Generoso Jimenez, Ed Calle

Daisy Muñoz (piano)
Composer whose songs are being recorded by Albita, Maria Elena Lopez, and others.

Karla Vega (Vocals and guitar)
Singer/songwriter whose songs are being recorded by a variety of artists; she is working on a solo project; and has appeared or recorded with artists including Arturo Sandoval, Andy Garcia, Paquito D'Rivera, Cachao, Generoso Jimmenez, Ed Calle, Urban Diversity, and countless others.

Roger Umana (trumpet)
Performed with Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D'Rivera, Cachao, Genroso Jimenez, Nestor Torres, Roberto Perera, The Fuego Caliente Big Band, Richard Bravo, Edwin Bonilla, Ed Calle, and countless others. Has recorded with Ed Calle, Madonna, Rapture, Rhianna, and Timbaland.

Cesare Turner (trumpet)
Performed with Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D'Rivera, Cachao, Genroso Jimenez, Nestor Torres, Roberto Perera, The Fuego Caliente Big Band, Richard Bravo, Edwin Bonilla, Ed Calle, and countless others. Has recorded with Ed Calle, Madonna, Rapture, Rhianna, and Timbaland.

Brian Quezada (trumpet)
Performed with Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D'Rivera, Cachao, Genroso Jimenez, Nestor Torres, Roberto Perera, The Fuego Caliente Big Band, Richard Bravo, Edwin Bonilla, Ed Calle, and countless others. Has recorded with Ed Calle, Madonna, Rapture, Rhianna, and Timbaland.

Jim Drury (saxophone)
Performed with Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D'Rivera, Cachao, Genroso Jimenez, Nestor Torres, Roberto Perera, The Fuego Caliente Big Band, Richard Bravo, Edwin Bonilla, Ed Calle, and countless others. Has recorded with Ed Calle, Madonna, Rapture, Rhianna, and Timbaland. Leader of the Urban Diversity band.

Javier Ramirez (saxophone)
Transfered to FIU where he plays lead tenor saxophone in the jazz band. Has performed with Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D'Rivera, Cachao, Genroso Jimenez, Ed Calle, and countless others. Currently recording, playing, and touring on cruise ships professionally.

Eric Falcon (saxophone)
Currently finishing an undergraduate degree in music production at the University of Miami. Has performed with Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D'Rivera, Cachao, Genroso Jimenez, Nestor Torres, Roberto Perera, The Fuego Caliente Big Band, Richard Bravo, Edwin Bonilla, Ed Calle, and countless others. Eric has served as a recording engineer/producer for Ed Calle and many other artists.

Ana Martinez (vocals)
Performed with Andy Garcia, Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D'Rivera, Cachao, Genroso Jimenez, Nestor Torres, Roberto Perera, Richard Bravo, Edwin Bonilla, Ed Calle, and countless others.

Marlene Prada (vocals)
Performed with Andy Garcia, Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D'Rivera, Cachao, Genroso Jimenez, Urban Diversity, The Fuego Caliente Big Band, Richard Bravo, Edwin Bonilla, Ed Calle, and countless others.

Carlos Carballo (percussion)
Performed with Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D'Rivera, Cachao, Genroso Jimenez, Nestor Torres, Roberto Perera, The Fuego Caliente Big Band, Richard Bravo, Edwin Bonilla, Ed Calle, and countless others. Carlos is currently working with an original band in addition to working for the U.S. government.

Sofy Romans (vocals)
Is the first in a long line of great CME singers. Sofy has worked with countless bands and artists and is enjoying success as a solo artist, singer, songwriter, and producer.

Freddy Presa (vocals and guitar)
A solo artist who has also performed with Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D'Rivera, Cachao, Genroso Jimenez, The Fuego Caliente Big Band, Richard Bravo, Edwin Bonilla, Ed Calle, and countless others. Freddy is a founding member of the CME.

Jerry Cogollo (vocals and percussion)
Has performed with Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D'Rivera, Cachao, Genroso Jimenez, The Fuego Caliente Big Band, Richard Bravo, Edwin Bonilla, Ed Calle, and countless others. Jerry is a founding member of the CME.

John Cogollo (vocals and percussion)
Transfered to Stetson University.
Has performed with Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D'Rivera, Cachao, Genroso Jimenez, The Fuego Caliente Big Band, Richard Bravo, Edwin Bonilla, Ed Calle, and countless others. John is a founding member of the CME.

Alan Carranza (bass)
Alan and his brother are working on an exciting original rock project.

Lina Arguelles (vocals and percussion)
Has performed with Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D'Rivera, Cachao, Genroso Jimenez, Richard Bravo, Edwin Bonilla, Ed Calle, and countless others. Lina currently owns a restaurant and is playing professionally.

Mike Morocco (saxophone and production)
Mike leads his own band and operates a full service production facility. Mike is a founding member of the CME.

Mike Ritch (trumpet)
Mike is a founding member of the CME who has gone on to become a City of Miami police officer.

Jose Contreras (guitar)
Has performed with Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D'Rivera, Cachao, Genroso Jimenez, The Fuego Caliente Big Band, Richard Bravo, Edwin Bonilla, Ed Calle, and countless others. Jerry is a founding member of the CME.

Yudeski Torres (vocals)
Has performed with Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D'Rivera, Cachao, Genroso Jimenez, The Fuego Caliente Big Band, Richard Bravo, Edwin Bonilla, Ed Calle, and countless others. Yudeski is working in the record industry and singing professionally.

Eduardo Sama (bass)
Has performed with Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D'Rivera, Cachao, Genroso Jimenez, The Fuego Caliente Big Band, Richard Bravo, Edwin Bonilla, Ed Calle, and countless others. Eduardo and Yudeski work in bands together and Eduardo serves as a producer, arranger, and bassist for countless artists.

PS For those of you who often turn to this site for free arrangements, the time has come to write your own.