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Born in Lima, Peru 1968 with the name of Roberto Carlos Maldonado Bolanos, musically known as
Roberto "Chino" Bolaños. Chino immigrated the United States in June of 1981 when he
was only 13 years old. His musical background came from grandfather Pepe Bolaños and his
brother from Chino's mother's side of the family. Since a kid, Chino was always interested in
percussion, always liking the sound of the drums.
In 1984, he started playing with a Peruvian trio
called Elegancia Peruana in restaurants and night
clubs in New York. Chino was only 15 years old, playing the Peruvian
Cajon with the trio for a couple of years. In 1986 he joined a Salsa
band, playing congas.
The band used to play every weekend at restaurant
called Tibiri Tabara in Queens, NY. The musical director was Lucho Cuerto,
pianist and arranger. Sometimes
Jose
Mangual Jr.
and Junior Gonzalez used to come and sit in with
the band. Also around that time, Chino used to play cajon
with Peruvian singers that promoters would bring
from Peru to perform in the USA, such as Eva Ayllon, Lucia De la Cruz,
Lucila Campos (one of our best singers of Afro Peruvian music in the world),
Pepe Vasquez and many others.
In 1990, Chino was called to accompany Lalo Rodriguez and Paquito Guzman and thereafter,
has played with Nacho Sanabria, Marvin Santiago, Luisito Carrion, Pedro Arroyo, Tito Allen,
Tito Gomes, Santiago Ceron, Hector Casanova, Miosotis, Ray Ruiz, Kevin Ceballo, Adalberto Santiago,
Miosotis, Miles Pena, Charlie Cardona (Grupo Niche), Los Titanes de Colombia & Cano Estremera.
Chino then played at the ACE awards for a couple of years. In 2001, went on a tour with Henry
Threadgill and his 23-piece fusion band: Vinnie Jazz Festival in France, North Sea Jazz Festival
in Holland and Verona Jazz festival in Italy. Since then, Chino has played with Orlando Rios
Puntilla, gone to Switzerland with Orlando's group conducted by Tania Leon (Cuban composer) and
played at the Kennedy center in Washington, DC, conducted by Michael Camilo.
He also recorded with local bands and Jose Alberto "El Canario".
Chino is now working on Alfredo De La Fé's latest CD, recording on
cajon. Chino freelances now, working with his two groups.
Kambalache Negro Negro is a Afro Peruvian Group, appearing on a couple of Spanish TV shows Like
El Show de las 12 and Mi Tierra y Mis Costumbres. Son Con Timba is a salsa band
which he will also be working on his future CD's.
Chino & Kambalache Negro Negro visited the LP® studio in May of 2004 for several
photo and video shoots. Click to see the
event info,
photos and a
music video from these visits.
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