Band Members

Gloria "La Niña" Rivera, daughter of the well-known Cuban tres player and composer of Cuban music, "El Niño" Rivera, hails from Havana, Cuba, and has performed and appeared on national and international stages with such artists and musical ensembles as Chuchito Valdéz, La Orquesta de Joseito Fernandez, Los Van Van, Orquesta Revé, Son 14, Irakere, and others.

Frank Rivery is Cuban musician, born and raised in Havana. He graduated with specialty in percussion from ENIA (National Academy of Instruction & Art) and began his professional music career playing for numerous professional bands of different music styles, tending towards traditional, danceable Cuban rhythms. “Frankie” has performed nationally and internationally, and has incorporated his vast percussion and singing talents to various bands and music ensembles in Minnesota as of 2005. In 2018, Frank joined Salsa del Soul as one of the lead singers, and he brings his rich musical talents and charismatic energy to each show.

Chryss Altamirano is a Twin Cities based singer and songwriter. She has written music, performed and recorded with regional artists including Three Soul Cry (a group in which she was a founding member), vocalist Sara Renner, and trumpeter Charles Lazarus of the Minnesota Orchestra. She has been a featured voice of local commercial jingles and has performed the National Anthem for both the Minnesota Twins and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Altamirano has also performed and worked with many nationally acclaimed artists such as Wynonna Judd, Ashley Cleveland, Terry Clark, and Billy Steele.

Bryan Rossi has been a professional musician and educator all his life. He has attended Washington University in St. Louis, the Sorbonne in Paris, and has a M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of St. Thomas and a Ph.D. in Education Policy and Administration from the University of Minnesota. He taught French for 15 years and was a school principal for 8 years before becoming a consultant and adjunct professor. Dr. Rossi is currently Program Director at High School for Recording Arts (HSRA) where he oversees both the academic and recording programs. Bryan has played with such groups as The Mary Jane Alm Band, Orquesta Sabroson, Bomba, Sabor Tropical, and The Latin Sounds Orchestra, all Minnesota Music Awards Recipients. In May 2008, he was inducted into the Mid-American Music Hall of Fame for his work with the Judd Group. He currently is performing with Salsa del Soul and his own group, the Latin Jazz Ensemble.

Patrick Smith moved to the Twin Cities in 2001 from Salt Lake City, UT where he was a prominent musician in the studio recording scene. He has recorded bass for numerous projects used by most national broadcast companies, as well as film trailers and soundtrack work for major film production studios. He is an extremely diverse musician and is currently in-demand across many musical styles, including Jazz, Blues, Contemporary Worship, R&B, and Country. His is known in the Twin Cities primarily for his abilities in Latin genres and is honored to cover the bass chair for Salsa Del Soul. Patrick has also shared stage with most of the popular Latin ensembles in MN.

Hailing from Cataño, Puerto Rico, José "Freddy" Reyes has been an important figure in the Twin Cities since the 1980s. Reyes has been an integral member of such groups/ensembles such as Sabrón, The Latin Sounds Orchestra, Sabor Tropical, Proyecto La Plena, and Sensación Latina. Reyes has shared the stage with many national artists such as Sheila E., Larry Harlow, and Andy Montañez, among others.

Scott Agster is a freelance trombonist, teacher, and arranger in the Twin Cities area. He also plays in other commercial genres such as jazz quintet (Snowblind), hip/hop (G8), New Orleans brass band (Jack Brass), and big band (Bellagala Big Band). He has had the opportunity to perform and work with many acclaimed artists like Jimmy Heath, Benny Golson, Dave Douglas, Phil Woods, Nicholas Payton, Stefan Karlsson, Slide Hampton, and Paul McKee. Scott also has performed internationally at venues such as the 2006 North Sea Jazz Festival, the 2005 Iwawa Jazz Festival and Sopot/Gdansk Festival in Poland, the King's Palace in Thailand (2004), the 2004 Vancouver Jazz Festival, and the 2003 International Trombone Festival in Helsinki, Finland.

Matt Hanzelka is a trombonist/educator/arranger based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He has been a member of the globetrotting Youngblood Brass Band since 2005, touring extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and the United Kingdom spanning their 20+ years of existence. In Minneapolis, Matt is currently a member of Salsa del Soul, The Belfast Cowboys, and the Bill Simenson Orchestra, and he frequently performs with Davina and the Vagabonds, Jack Brass Band, the Southside Aces, and Mama Digdown's Brass Band. Other notable artists that Matt has recorded or performed with include The New Standards, Dessa, Boom Forest, the Minnesota Orchestra, the Violent Femmes, and Carlos Santana.

Shai Hayo is a drummer-percussionist based out of the Twin Cities. He specializes in traditional and contemporary musical genres of the Spanish-speaking Caribbean and West Africa. He has peformed nationally and internationally with such groups and artists as Paul Anka, Ann-Margret, Viviana Pintado, Sheila E., Nachito Herrera, Sowah Mensah, Paracumbé, Shi-Daa Cultural Troupe, Salsa del Soul, the Macalester College African Music Ensemble, and Jazziroco.

Over the years, LeAnn has performed with numerous groups covering woodwinds and vocals. She may be best known in Latin circles, having spent several years performing with José Carrera's Latin Sounds Orchestra and others. From classical to rock, jazz and Latin, Lindgren enjoys it all. She earned her degree in Music Education from the University of Minnesota and is currently on staff at Macalester College as a private saxophone instructor. LeAnn is passionate about sharing her love of music and is thrilled to be a part of Salsa del Soul.

DescriKeith Hilson holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Master of Music in trombone performance from the University of Minnesota. For the past 20 years, Keith has been performing as a freelance musician and music educator. Now based in Minneapolis, MN, with his wife and two children, Keith has completed his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree (ABD) at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities under Professor Tom Ashworth and currently performs with jazz, Latin and classical ensembles throughout the Twin Cities. Keith began as Manager of the Trombone Shop at Schmitt Music in 2015, and has been Director of Low Brass Sales since 2019.