Cubano Be, Cubano Bop ignites their audiences with their Infectious use of Latin Rhythms and Exciting Arrangements!

About the Band – Cubano Be, Cubano Bop

Cubano Be, Cubano Bop (formerly known as “The Latin Jazz Express”) is a Latin Jazz group in the tradition of Tito Puente and Mongo Santamaria and was formed at William Paterson College in 1990. Soon after, this group was used for commercial recordings that featured legendary African artists such as the Ghanaian Highlife artist, C.K. Mann and Laud Addy from the highly esteemed Addy family (see Congo Square, Wynton Marsalis).

Over the years, the group has performed at countless universities, jazz venues and festivals.
Grammy nominee, Chico Mendoza, who mentored the group from it’s early days continues to use “Cubano Be, Cubano Bop” as his own for many of his live events.

Whether backing other artists for live or studio work, or performing under their own name, “Cubano Be, Cubano Bop” ignites their audiences with their infectious use of Latin rhythms and exciting arrangements.

For more information, please contact:
Nick Scheuble
(201) 874-8353
nickscheuble@gmail.com
http://www.nickscheuble.com

Take a Listen to Cubano Be, Cubano Bop

WPL Jazz Concert–Cubano Be, Cubano Bop

Band Members:

• Michael Vinas – Bass
• Emedin River – Percussion
• Leonieke Scheuble – Piano
• Nick Scheuble – Drums
• Mark Gross – Sax or Bruce Williams /
• Max Morden – Guitar
• Willie Miller – Congas

Emedin Rivera 

Emedin Rivera – Percussionist

Emedin is a 5 time Emmy Award percussionist and has performed live with Harry Belafante, Gregory Hines, Paquito De Rivera, Vicky Sue Robinson, Angela Bofill, Gloria Gaynor, Ben E King, Dave Samuels, Dave Valentine, Andy Narell, and Latoya Jackson just to name a few. He has recorded live with Larry Coryell, Bob James, Chuck Mangione, Nelson Rangell, Harry Belafonte, Maria Schneider, Rick Cua, Denise Williams and many others. Emedin has also played on a few movie soundtracks, such as Sixteen Blocks, Tough Turf, End of Night and more. Emedin’s commercial credits are Anheiser Bush, Mercedes Benz, Visa, Seven Up, Crest Tooth paste and more.

Emedin Rivera started playing the bongos at the age of 8, and his exposure and passion for music came from his father and uncle who both played in a trio in Puerto Rico. Emedin has a unique and creative ability to incorporate and blend his latin Caribbean african influences into a vast array of musical styles. Emedin has developed his own system of playing drums and congas simultaneously, (sounding like three people), calling it “Percussion Kit”. Emedin is well known for his sound effects, many of which are hand made by him. They can be heard on some of the National Geographic shows.

Mark Gross – Sax  

Mark Gross – Sax

Mark’s consistently professional musicianship has led to live and recorded efforts with many of his fellow pacesetters in jazz music. Mark has toured the world with the Mark Gross Quartet, Buster Williams ‘Something More’ Quartet, Delfeayo Marsalis, Dizzy Gillespie Big Band, Philip Harper, Nat Adderley, Dave Holland, Mulgrew Miller, Nicholas Payton, Dizzy Gillespie, Nancy Wilson, James Moody, Jimmy Heath, John Lee, Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Tom Harrell Big Band, Duke Ellington Orchestra, Frank Foster and the Loud Minority, Charles Mingus Big Band, Freddie Hubbard, Donald Harrison, Mark Whitfield, Joe Dukes, Captain Jack McDuff, Joe Chambers, Neal Smith, Cyrus Chestnut, Regina Carter, Lionel Hampton, Stephon Harris, Walter Booker, Jimmy Cobb, Don Braden, Vincent Gardner, Lenora ‘Zenzalai’ Helm, Marlon Saunders, SEPIA, Jann Parker to name a few. His professional relationships with these musicians and others have been long lasting and far-reaching.

Mark has performed on Broadway several times, as well. He performed in ‘FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE’ (1992-1993) based on the music of Louis Jordan. ‘KAT AND THE KINGS’ (1999-2000). This musical explores the joyous sounds that were born out of oppression during the 1950’s in Cape Town, South Africa; APARTHEID. This is a rollicking rock-‘n’-roll musical. Mark has also added to the exciting musical that showcased music of the same title, ‘SWING’ (2000-2001). Mark has also appeared in ‘Malcolm X’ (1992), Spike Lee’s major motion film. Mark also was the lead alto saxophonist with the Jazz @ Lincoln Center All Stars in the Broadway musical ‘AFTER MIDNIGHT’ (2013-2014). Mark Gross was also a featured musician on the HBO series ‘Boardwalk Empire’ season 4 (2013). Mark will also appear in the film ‘ANNIE’ (2014), to be released December 19, 2014.

Max Morden’s

Max Morden’s Sax

In addition to being an educator, Mr. Morden is an active professional musician. He serves as Concert Master, Conductor, and Arranger / Composer for Gramercy Brass Orchestra of New York, is the Principal Solo Trumpet for many area churches, Principal Trumpet for the Oratorio Society of New Jersey orchestra, trumpeter for Chico Mendoza Latin Jazztet, and the Latin Jazz Express. He also arranges music for Glen Burtnik and plays in the section known as Maximum Horns. Mr. Morden is a recording & arranging artist for E1 Music record label and has recorded with varied artists on other labels. Three E1 Music recordings available are American Anthems, Christmas Time Is Here, and Brubeck: Bold & Brassy. These recordings contain much of Mr. Morden’s arranging skills.

He has been heard on Broadway, with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Solid Brass, Princeton Symphony Orchestra, and many others. He has performed with Dizzy Gillespie, Steve Turre, Allen Vizzutti, Johna de Meij, Dena DeRose, Dave Brubeck, Johnny Mathis, Wycliffe Gordon, Christina Suh, and has been on National Public Radio broadcasts. Fanfare Trumpets of Gramercy Brass has given Mr. Morden the opportunity of heralding for such notables as Barbara Walters, Steve Martin, Tom Brokaw, Jack Klugman, Roz Abrams, Chuck Scarborough, Ronald McDonald, and Smokey the Bear. Mr. Morden holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Eastern Michigan University and Masters in Jazz/Commercial Music Performance from The Manhattan School of Music.

Leonieke Scheuble

Leonieke Scheuble – Pian0 / Organ

– (phonetically pronounced “lay-o-nee-ka”)

When Dr. Lonnie Smith, (one of the most famous jazz organists of all time), was shown a clip of Leonieke playing piano he said, “you’ve been here before!” When told of her interest in organ, he sent her a Hammond organ as a gift. She was just 10 years old. By age 11, she would win an award from the International Women in Jazz, do an hour long feature over radio station WBGO, and be recorded by legendary engineer, Rudy Van Gelder along with Miles Davis’ drummer, – Jimmy Cobb.

In the years to follow, Leonieke would go on to win a second International Women in Jazz award, the New Jersey Governor’s award and her most prestigious award to date, the Hot House Fan Decision Award for “Best Up and Coming Young Artist.” Leonieke also has become a guest lecturer of music, and a TEDx speaker. In July 2022, Leonieke signed an agreement with the Hammond organ company becoming a Hammond Artist!, a relationship that is bestowed upon very few.

Leonieke continues to be featured in numerous publications, and leads a Jazz Trio with legendary bassist, Bill Crow. Their group, “The 3 Generations of Jazz Trio”, was recently featured in the Neal Minor documentary entitled: “Bill Crow: Jazz Journeyman.” Leonieke is a frequent artist for the New Jersey Jazz Society, and maintains an extensive performance schedule.

Nick Scheuble

Nick Scheuble – Drummer

Nick Scheuble has established a reputation as both a highly respected Jazz drummer and Latin percussionist, and offers an impressive list of artists he has performed and/or recorded with in each genre. Additionally, his expertise in early New Orleans jazz, has enabled him to work with some of the most renowned exponents of this style as well.

Born in the Bronx, New York, Nick Scheuble moved to New Jersey shortly before his sixth birthday. By the age of thirteen, he began to take a serious interest in music. Subsequent studies followed in drums and piano under Carl Wolf and Dr. John Gorman, respectively. He enrolled in the prestigious Jazz Studies and Performance program at the William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey studying under the tutelage of renowned drummer/educator, John Riley.

Upon graduation, Nick began a distinguished career as both a sideman and a bandleader. He has performed or recorded with, among others, Wynton Marsalis, Ray Barretto, Dave Valentin, Chico Mendoza, David Berger, Bill Crow, Vince Giordano, Hilton Ruiz, Wycliffe Gordon and Eric Alexander. Nick is also the drummer with the “3 Generations of Jazz Trio” whose members are his pianist daughter, Leonieke (a Hammond organ Artist) and legendary bassist, Bill Crow. In recent years, they have garnered much positive attention and can be seen in the 2023 documentary Bill Crow: Jazz Journeyman, filmed and directed by Neil Minor.

Nick has toured much of the United States with The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra – a premiere American orchestra formed at The Juilliard School that has served as Ambassador of Good Will for the United States Government, and has performed state department tours in Moldova (2019) and Uzbekistan (2022).

He has led several very successful bands that have earned considerable praise from several noted Jazz critics including George Kanzler and David Orthmann, and has been the subject for feature articles in such prestigious publications as the New York Times,

Nick performs throughout the US, Eastern and Western Europe and Central Asia, and alternated residence between the Netherlands and The U.S. He currently resides in Rockaway, New Jersey with his wife and children.

Willie Miller’s association with Grammy nominee Chico Mendoza, started in 1987 when he began playing congas with William Paterson University’s Latin Jazz Ensemble directed by Mendoza. Performances followed with that ensemble at The John Harms Center and The Village Gate which featured among others, Dave Valentin, Hilton Ruiz, Daniel Ponce, and Paquito D’Rivera. At the same time, Miller co-founded The Latin Jazz Express and performed extensively throughout the Metropolitan area including, one of the earliest inaugural concerts for the newly formed NJPAC and S.O.B’s in Manhattan. Known for his “rock-solid” beat and musical taste, when Mendoza was asked by William Paterson University to present a full length concert commemorating his tenure there, Willie Miller was the first and only choice for that special event.