El Manisero Del Ritmo: Bobby Ramirez
Celebrating 25 years as a performing artist and bandleader

For many years, musician Bobby Ramirez has carefully crafted his artistic talent to mirror a colorful palate of distinct musical textures weaving effortlessly through a kaleidoscope of music and rhythm. While his musical roots stem from his birthplace Santa Clara, Cuba, having grown up in the United States (Miami, Florida) has enabled Bobby's talents to blossom within a grand multicultural environment. His style of playing music is equally rooted in Afro-Cuban rhythm, also reflecting a tremendous diversity of Latin music and American Jazz.

From very humble beginnings at age 14, he began learning how to play the saxophone at Brownsville Jr. High School. He then took an interest in playing the flute, guitar, as well as arranging and composing. At age 16, while attending Filler Jr. High School, he wrote his first full big band arrangement for an 18-piece orchestra. Ramirez also attended Miami Springs Sr. High where he was a featured soloist as well as leading various small Jazz combos and big Band ensemble at rehearsals and concerts. From there he continued his studies at Miami-Dade Community College, Florida International University, as well as individual private music lessons in a variety of styles from Jazz (Gary Campbell, Ed Meina, Tom McCormick) to classical flute (Althea Kaplan, Lisa LaCross). Other instructors included Don Chippinelli, Gene Greco and Richard Dumbscum. Since the late 1970's, Ramirez has performed in many music festivals for all kinds of audiences from around the world.

When it comes to Latin Jazz, Ramirez has maintained an unwavering vision and commitment to performing this music; thus, helping to define the Florida Latin Jazz sound, Ramirez was one of the first musicians to perform Latin Jazz North of Hollywood back when there were few Hispanics living in Broward. Since then, Ramirez has taken his Latin Jazz sound to many events throughout Florida.

As evident by his groundbreaking recordings "Ritmo Jazz Latino" and "Pan Con Bistec", Ramirez demonstrates that he is capable of taking his music to an extreme artistic expression, not only performing on the saxophone and flute, but also singing, scatting, composing, arranging as well as producing skills. Add to those talents: literary writer, dancer and painter, Ramirez is a multi-dimensional artist whose talents encompass a peripheral musical vision of the past, present and future.

For those that have been a witness to Bobby's talents on the concert stage or through his recordings, there's no doubt that he possesses a unique artistic quality. Ramirez has also performed as guest soloist and/or as an opening act for some of today's most notable musicians and past Latin Jazz legends--some of which include late great Tito Puente and Mario Bauza, also Patato Valdez, Cachao, Israel "Kantor", Gato Barbieri, Danilo Perez, Federico Britos Ruiz, Giovanni Hidalgo Arturo Sandoval and the Florida International University Concert Jazz Band. Ramirez can also be seen performing with one of the top Latin Showbands on the East coast RITMO! Caliente Del Caribe Orchestra & Dance Troupe as well as his LatinJazzClub 20-piece Big Band. Bobby has also pioneered the "RITMO! THEME" entertainment concept as part of RITMO!PALOOZA.

In September 25th, 2002, Ramirez broke ground in New York City where he performed a series of successfull concerts at the Triad Theater as well as the Blue Lounge (Gonzalez & Gonzalez Restaurant). Since then, he has returned to the Big Apple to perform at various venues including Nells and La Maganette as guest with the Chico Alvarez Orchestra, the Nuyorican Poets Cafe and Smoke as guest with trombonist Chris Washburrne's Latin Jazz ensemble. Bobby has also performed with a host of top NYC musicians including: drummer Dafnis Prieto, percussionist William "Chembo" Corniel, bassist Harvie S, pianist Daniel Kelly, percussionist Gene Golden, pianist Edy Martinez, bassist Ruben Gonzalez, percussionist Ralpth Iryzarry, vocalist Chico Alvarez (mentioned above), trombonist Chris Washburn (mentioned above), and many others.

Ramirez is also affectionately known by many music fans worldwide as "El Manisero Del Ritmo" (translation: the peanut vendor of rhythm) for his joyful entertainment charisma and his ability to perform a variety of flavorful rhythms from many countries in Latin America on the flute. Especially performing authentic Cuban popular music (cha cha, son montuno, charanga, rumba, bolero), Bobby Ramirez's style is a dancer's delight. While perhaps considered equally proficient on both the flute as well as the saxophone, Ramirez's performance as a flautist is said to be of much higher dimension. Some of his musical influences on flute include: Hubert Laws, Herbie Mann, Eric Dolphy, Jose Fajardo, Richard Egues, Mario Rivera, and Artie Webb, among others.

In recent years, Bobby's altruistic love for music has spilled onto the Internet. As the publisher of Latin JazzClub Magazine, Bobby pioneered a revolution of information about "Latin Jazz" by establishing the first serious web portal for this music in cyberspace. A giant literary cyber-emporium of related music news, articles, interviews, CD reviews and learning resource, LatinJazzClub.com is a virtual on-line magazine dedicated to the advancement, education and historical preservation of Latin Jazz. Today, LatinJazzClub Magazine remains as the most influential reliable source and guiding light for Latin Jazz music fans everywhere, as well as the home and voice for many Latin Jazz artists worldwide. LatinJazzClub Magazine is the result of Bobby's vision stemming from his passion to continuously honor the memory and work of many musicians from the past who gave their love and life for this music--some of which included: Tito Puente, Alberto Socarras, Mario Bauza, Stan Kenton, Dizzy Gillespie, Chano Pozo, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Joao Gilberto, and many others who gracefully contributed to the evolution of Latin Jazz.

While Ramirez keeps a busy schedule of performances throughout the year, he has always found time to help raise money for many local charities, as well as volunteering at homeless shelters--some of which have included: Camillus House, American Cancer Society, Association for Retarded Citizens of South Florida, Informed families of Dade County, the National Osteoporosis Foundation, as well as supporting local cultural organizations like The Sunshine Jazz Organization, WLRN Public Radio, WDNA Community Radio, The Cultural Council of South Dade and his LatinJazzClub Charities which benefits the Jazz Foundation of America and Share The Rhythm Charities.

Says Bobby Ramirez: "I'm fortunate and blessed to have been given the gift of music and share that gift with people. My primary purpose as an artist is to make an indelible and significant contribution that will have a positive impact on society.

Bobby's recordings are available for purchase on this website and at fine stores throughout the US. Stay tuned for news on upcoming performances and new recordings.