Fernandez, Enrique
Multi-instrumentalist, composer, and arranger, Enrique Fernandez, began musical studies at age 7 on piano and later, clarinet. His growing love for jazz lead Enrique to study with acclaimed jazz saxophonists; Hadley Caliman, Joe Henderson, and John Handy, while attending SF State University as a music major in the mid 1970s. Enrique was one of the founding members of The Mission Cultural Center's Music Program in San Francisco, California directing and teaching various ensembles and woodwind classes. After a two-year return to the Dominican Republic in 1978, Enrique toured Europe in the 1980s settling in Paris performing, composing and arranging for a variety of ensembles, most notably Henri Guedon. Since his arrival in NYC in 1987 he has performed, recorded, and toured extensively in the genres of jazz, Latin jazz, salsa, and merengue. Among the many artists and ensembles that Enrique has performed with are: Mario Bauza, Duke Ellington Orch, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Machito, Mongo Santamaria, Chico O'Farrill, Bebo Valdes, Cachao, Ray Santos, The Conga Kings, Ray Mantilla, Celia Cruz, Pete 'El Conde' Rodriguez, Rafael Solano, Juan Luis Guerra, Spanish Harlem Orch. David Murray, Nancy Banks Orch., Muhal Richard Abrams, Hammiet Bluiett, and Barry Harris.