The release date for the new album Live in Pembroke Pines is now October 29, 2021. We will also be performing at the Dr. Phillips Center on November 6, 2021.
On March 10, 2021; the band traveled from their home base of Orlando south to Pembroke Pines Florida to film a live concert consisting of 18 songs at Century Village Theater; with no audience due to the ongoing Covid 19 restrictions. Unfortunately, their lead trumpet player and awesome human being, Elton Reyes tested positive for Covid 19 only a few days prior to the performance. Rico Monaco immediately connected Elton to his good friend, Dr. Ramon Nunez (Chief Of The Emergency Room at Advent Health Celebration FL). Elton appeared to be handling the virus fairly well and referred many possible substitute trumpet players to cover the gig. After a hard search, a player agreed to do the show with only one rehearsal and 2 days to prepare. The 9 piece band left very early in the morning on Wednesday March 10 and arrived after the 4 hour drive in 3 vehicles. It was a challenging day. Filming and recording live is always stressful for musicians because it’s the ultimate test of your abilities onstage. With no audience; the band had to self-motivate because good musicians feed off the energy of an audience. Overall, the performance was very good and had some spectacular moments. But only minutes after load out and getting on the road to head back to Orlando the band received devastating news: their great trumpet player and friend Elton Reyes passed away due to complications from Covid 19….. He was supposed to be on the gig and the band sorely missed his presence musically. But his support for RMB and for Rico Monaco in particular made this performance that is to be released more difficult. Elton was not only a “first call” trumpet; he was a great rare individual. He worked with the best Latin acts out of Central Florida and also other national acts such as Tito Nieves and Elvis Crespo. He had been very supportive of RMB and was to be featured prominently on this live recording. And Rico had planned to feature him in a “battle of guitar and trumpet” on a song he was to produce in the near future. Elton appears on all of the songs released by RMB that include horns over the last 6 years. Including: Oye Como Va w/Classic Rock Medley, Hey Tito, In My Blood, El Cayuco, Florida Sunshine, The Torch, & 25 Or 6 to 4. He performed in concert with the band at the Dr. Phillips Center Orlando, Rams Head On Stage Annapolis MD, Freeman Stage Selbyville DE, SummerFest Shelton CT, Latin Jazz Festival Casselberry FL, among many others.
It was a great loss to RMB but also the Latin Orlando area music community.
Rico will be dedicating “Live In Pembroke Pines” to the memory of Elton and the first release including live video and audio will be on June 4, 2021.
God Bless Elton Reyes and his family. We will miss him for the rest of our days. Until we meet again Elton….
