theband

The Band

Pianist and Musical Director for the Tony "Ham" Guerrero Band - Benjamin Irom is active as a keyboardist in countless groups in the Austin area. Prior to joining Guerrero's salsa project, Benjamin played piano for two years in Con Rumba Son, a nine-piece band focusing on traditional Cuban music from the early 20th Century. He was the main writer and co-founder of the jazz quartet The Jazzaholics. The group's CD, Who?, features original fusion of jazz and popular music genres, and was featured on local radio stations, most notably KJAZ (93.3 FM). Benjamin also performed with One O'Clock Jump, a successful swing band in Austin. He is currently the pianist in the Paul White Quintet, a progressive jazz ensemble featuring several original compositions by the group's members. Benjamin has performed alongside numerous Latin and jazz greats, including Paquito D'Rivera, Poncho Sanchez, Louis Gasca, Pedro Eustache, Christian McBride, Wynton Marsalis, Bobby Shew, Jim Pugh, James Moody, Roy Hargrove, Kenny Burrell, John Fedchock, and Kevyn Letteau. Such greats as Michael Brecker and Austin's own Mitch Watkins have performed Benjamin's compositions and arrangements. Benjamin received his B.A. in Music from The University of California-Santa Cruz in 1992, M.A. in Music from UCLA in 1995, and is completing his DMA in composition/jazz emphasis at the University of Texas at Austin. He was the Director of Jazz Studies at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Benjamin also taught at UT Austin, Riverside Community College in Riverside, California, and most recently at Temple College in Temple, TX.

Trumpeter - Paul Stephens is a freelance lead trumpet player that has performed with such notable artists as: Chicago, Maynard Ferguson, Nicholas Payton, Maureen McGovern, John Pizzarelli, Vicki Carr, Louie Bellson, Bob Hope, Sammy Nestico, and many others. Paul can be heard on Nicholas Payton's new CD entitled "Dear Louis" on Verve Records. Paul resides in San Antonio, Texas.

Paul is a UMI artist and endorses the new C.G. Conn "Vintage One" trumpet and flugel horn.

Click here for more info about Paul.

Trumpeter - Rich Haering is a recording artist who has played with Stevie Wonder, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin. Arturo Sandoval, the National Symphony Orchestra, Doc Severinsen, Dizzy Gillespie, Wynton & Branford Marsalis & numerous other world class musicians. Rich and his lovely wife Kim reside in Austin, Texas.

Rich is a UMI artist and endorses the new C.G. Conn "Vintage One" trumpet and flugel horn.

Trombonist/Composer/Arranger - Randy Zimmerman began his professional playing career as the lead trombonist with North Texas State University's famous One O'Clock Lab Band. Randy then went on to perform with such notable artists as: Tito Puente, La India, El Cano, Estermera, Tito Allen, Eddie Santiago, Lalo Rodriguez, Luisito Carrion, Hector Tricoche, The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, and many others. Randy and family reside in Austin, Texas.

Photo coming soon!

Trombonist - Charles D. Farmer, Jr. has a Master of Music Performance from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina and is currently working toward a Doctor of Music Performance at The University of Texas in Austin, Texas. As a professional musician, Chuck has performed with Four Tops, Temptations, Frankie Valli, the Four Seasons, Louie Bellson, Clark Terry, Ben E. King, Boots Randolph, Roy Clark, Joe Williams, Glen Campbell, Charley Pride and others.

Saxophonist - Paul G. White, originally from Miami, Florida, received his Bachelor of Music in Composition/Performance/Theory from Appalachian State University and his Master of Music from The University of Texas at Austin. Paul is currently working on a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Jazz Composition at The University of Texas in Austin, and is currently playing lead tenor in the UT Jazz Orchestra. Since coming to Austin, Texas Paul has performed with many Austin musicians in many different Austin venues.

Bassist - Tom Machalek made All State Jazz Band in Philadelphia, played with the U.T. Jazz Band, The Swing Band, the One O'Clock Jump, Jazzaholic and The Paul White Quintet. He Has performed in the Prague Czech Republic and in Costa Rica.

Percussionist - Tito comes to us from Santiago, Cuba. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and expertise in performing latin music. Tito is a specialist in latin percussion and is at home with all the different percussion instruments. Tito now resides in Austin, Texas and is in high demand for his skills.

Percussionist - Tony Edwards is a versatile classical music recording artist. he is currently the co-principal percussionist for the Austin Symphony Orchestra and assistant principal for the Austin Lyric Opera. He teaches at Southwest Texas University.

Congas - Ceasar Martinez is a "rumbero" from Puerto Rico whose personality & musicianship add an authentic flavor and precision to the latin music. Ceasar resides in Killeen, Texas.

Guitarist - Joe Romano has been a recording artist for many years in the Tejeno industry for name bands such as Tortillla Factory, Latin Breed and Adalberto Gallegos. He plays acoustic and electric guitar as well as the Cuban Trés.

tonyhamguerrero@sbcglobal.net