Bobby Rice
Bobby Rice – Bobby Rice & Sandunga – aka ‘Bob Rice’ – Trumpeter/ Composer/ Arranger – Bobby Rice was born in Canada in 1967, and has resided in Canada ever since. He has an honors diploma in music from Humber College and a B.A. in jazz studies from TRU and has taught in the Humber College music program. He is currently working on a Masters in Jazz Composition at York University and has been a professional musician since 1987. He has done extensive work in the jazz and Latin scenes in Toronto, including: touring with Eliana Cuevas as a soloist and touring and recording with the Juno nominated Diego Marulanda & Pacande. Bobby has now put together an incredible Latin jazz band full of Canada’s finest musicians and has just completed is his first solo CD after receiving an Ontario Arts Council recording grant. The CD is entitled “BOBBY RICE & SANDUNGA” and is a powerhouse combination of original Jazz, Salsa, and Mambo inspired by the likes of Tito Puente, Poncho Sanchez, Michel Camilo and Irakere. In addition to Bobby Rice on trumpet, Sandunga includes Mark Kelso on drums, Hilario Duran/David Virelles on piano, William Carn on trombone, Luisito Orbegoso on congas, Paco Luviano on bass, and Fritz Kraai on tenor saxophone. BOBBY RICE & SANDUGA have performed at such venues as: The Beaches International Jazz Festival (with Hilario Duran), The Downtown Oakville Jazz Festival (with Hilario Duran), The Rex Jazz Bar – Toronto, and The JVC Jazz Festival. Bobby has also performed live and/or recorded with groups such as: The Drifters, Gary Morgan & Panamericana, Diego Marulanda & Pacande, Njacko Backo, Energia Latina, NOJO, Whitney Smith’s ‘Big Steam Band’ & John Cheesman Orchestra as well as many others.
