The Vibe Tribe is Here!!                        **********Page Under Construction**********
Abrazos Music is an adventurous group of entertaining musicians,lyricists,and DJ's. Our artists evoke many influences from around the world. "Beingglobal" is our natural thing. Along with that, we inject the "BigApple" soundsof NYC. We pride ourselves on being an experienced ensemblethat exudes positiveenergy. Be it a band performance or a DJ working the decks,rest assured, ourcollective of artists are driven to provide you a satisfyingmusical experience.We simply love what we do!

Herman Jimenez | Musical Director, Trombone
	A New York City product with Ecuadorian roots, Herman has been a performing, professional trombonist for the past eleven years and counting. After being trained in classical and jazz music, he went into Latin music where he really asserted himself. Herman has performed in many top venues with some of the biggest names in Latin music. He has shared the stage with artists such as Frankie Negron, Son by Four, George Lamond, Brenda K. Starr, Raulin Rosendo and Roberto Blades to name a few. In addition to working with Abrazos music, Herman’s a member of the internationally known Latin rock band Salvador. “I love what I do because of the joy music brings into people’s lives. A great live music performance can quickly lift a person’s spirits.” Well said “Herm”!
Jesse Wallace | Drums
	Born In Los Angeles, CA and raised in Sussex County, NJ, Jesse is virtually a self-taught drummer. Brought up by a musical family, he was consumed by music playing drums at the early age of seven. Since then, life has been a pursuit of music and drumming for Jesse. After graduating with a BA in Music Performance from UMass Lowell, Jesse’s path led him to NYC in 1999. Since landing in the Big Apple, Jesse has thrived on his musical diversity. He’s been involved with a variety of groups with varied styles. Projects like the elctro-synth pop band The Negatones, the Spanish rock opera “La Batutera”, the seventeen piece Ambitious Orchestra, the avant improvisational group Izititiz, the power trio Loud Owls, the critically acclaimed rock n roll puppet show about pirates “Jollyship The Whiz-Bang and of course, Abrazos! Jesse also has collaborated on film and theater and has toured internationally. Besides always being a student of the game, he continues to teach drumming, music production and conduct workshops.
Uma Karkala        | Flute, Sax, Violin, Piano & Vocals
	Uma Karkala comes to the New York City music scene as a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and composer. Being involved in the jazz scene she has had the privilege to perform and/or record with various jazz greats including Benny Powell, Junior Mance, Reggie Workman, and the Ellington Band. As a versatile musician she has performed outside her world of jazz. These artists include Michael Bolton,Kim Sozzi N’Dea Davenport (of the Brand New Heavies) and M’schell N’Dengocello. Uma has also worked on various commercials and studio recordings both in the US and in Europe. She is currently working on a 2nd album with her guitarist, PJ Cotroneo. Uma received her Bachelor of Jazz Performance from the new School University in May 2001. Uma’s commitment to education has kept her very bust teaching in and out of schools. She has taught for the New York Archdiocese for numerous years. In addition to teaching, she is planning to attend Lehman College in the fall to pursue a Master’s in Music Education. Because of her diversity both instrumentally and musically, Uma has become an astounding musician that brings a new and exciting energy to any music scene.
Ricardo Ortiz | Musical Director, vocals & guitar
	Ricardo Ortiz has been writing and performing music for the past twenty years in Puerto Rico, New Orleans, and New York City. Born and raised in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, he is an accomplished artist who, since the age of seven, has been playing and composing music while experimenting with different styles and rhythms including Rock, Latin, Funk, Blues, and Bossa Nova. Mr. Ortiz has been performing and musically directing throughout New York City for the past ten years. He has also taken his poetry and music a step further by writing and directing a 16mm short film entitled "Young Man in Manhattan". He conducted, arranged and produced the music for the rock opera called, "The Eggmobile" which has been performed at various Off-Broadway venues and was presented at the Teatro Raul Julia del Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico. He has performed one of the leading roles for the SEA produced ACE & HOLA Award Winning Show for Best Musical, A TRES VOCES. Most recently, he wrote La Batutera, a Spanish opera in pre-production and has been performing it throughout New York City and Puerto Rico.
Milton Ruiz | Guitar & Cuatro
	Back home in Puerto Rico where he was born and raised, Milton knew he wanted to play guitar after he saw a video of Jimi Hendrix playing the national anthem at Woodstock. Other idols like Clapton, David Gilmor, The Edge and classic performances by Pete Townsend tearing through a set of Tommy are what inspired Milton. Quickly he became a genuine “Rockero”. Later, after working two year’s at Puerto Rico’s Ochoa Studios, Milton moved stateside and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance and Audio Engineering from UMass Lowell in 1999. Latin music became more of an influence where in particular, he became fascinated with the marriage of electric guitar and the syncopated energy of latin percussion. Carlos Santana made that “magnetic force” very clear to him. Doors opened to the music of The Fania All-Stars, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Irakere, Batacumbele and Ruben Blades. Besides wonderful musicianship, Milton has extensive experience working in recording studios, musical theater and film shoots in both NYC and P.R. He played the dual role of lead guitarist and recording engineer for the rock opera “EggMobile” from 1999 to 2004. For the past three summer tours, he’s engineered sound at The Pregones Theater working productions like “Migrants!” and “Game Over” (in which he also performed). He’s also a Certified Pro-Tools Operator. Currently, Milton’s plays lead guitar for Ricky Ortiz’s upcoming Spanish musical, “La Batutera”. He’s a credited musician at Johnny Cruz’s Tiffany Studios (working with Tato Torres & Yerba Buena among others.) Milton is the transfer engineer/sound editor for Wolfgang’s Vault.
	Bio coming soon!
	Bio coming soon!
Tommie Nibbs | Vocalist
	Infused with music since he could remember, Tommie was singing songs since day one. A Dominican-American born in Washington Heights, NYC, Tommie was surrounded by music all the time. It began at home where his dad turned him on to 70’s and 80’s classics. Later, his brother Frank got him into New Wave, R&B, Salsa, Merengue, Hip Hop and House music. In particular, he embraced latin and soul music singing to Stevie Wonder, Hector Lavoe, Fausto Rey and Earth, Wind & Fire. Tommie later took off under the tutelage of Boris Buriev, Troy Randall and Marvin Aikens. He grew from a novice singer to becoming a bona-fide professional. Tommie recently released his first single, the dance club hit “All We Need Is Love” produced by the Groove Doctors for Soultrenz Records. His first album is set to release in 2009. Tommie strives to live by example. “Do in life what you love. It will always give you the strength. Pa’lante como un elefante!”
Crystal Vargas | Percussion
	Born in Hoboken, NJ, Crystal started playing percussion at age 4. Just a couple years later, she’s featured in the latin television show “Sabado Gigante” at age six! Crystal grew up listening to quite a bit of salsa music thanks to her dad Glen Vargas and his orchestra. Glen allowed Crystal to play with the band so she quickly developed her skills with confidence. She’s a Rutgers University graduate where also she played division 1 softball for four years. During same span, she was a member of the Puerto Rican National softball team from 2003-2007. Crystal continues to pursue her musical career through study and performance. She’s played with Wyclef Jean and currently works under the musical direction of Wyclef’s keyboardist/sax player Robert Aaron with pop star Kat Deluna. Today, Crystal’s juggling a colorful life of music, teaching and softball!