Band Bio

"The Roots of Latin American Music ..."

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Carlos Elizalde - Lead Vocals / Songwriter

At age 22 Carlos was fronting a band called Tulsa and at this early age was recognized for his abilities to captivate the audiences with his singing, dancing and stage demeanor. At 36, Carlos needed to be back on stage and jumped into the Latin scene which was starting to boom. In the last few years Carlos has showcased himself with some top local bands, The Yardies, Mirage, Bautista, and Cantera. Also in 2002 he met up with John De La Cruz, and a partnership with some incredible song writing was born. What evolved was the heart and soul from two top bands (Cantera and Bautista) using the top members to form the new project "la Ventana". Carlos is writing more than ever, and is excited about this new project. If you haven't experienced the excitement of Carlos entertaining an audience then you need to!

Gary DiGrazia - Congas / Bongos / Manager:

Gary has been around music for 40 years, starting out as a Bass player with the Golden State Recording Artist "Rear Exit". He co-wrote the band's hit "Excitation" and has shared the stage with Neil Diamond, Sons of Chaplin, THEM, Roger Collins and many others during the 60's and 70's. His love for percussion led him to the congas and bongos while studying under Michael Carrabello (Santana) and Edgardo Cambon (Candela). Since 2001 he has played with "Double Take", "Cantera" and "Bautista". Gary has always remembered what Michael Carabello told him, "Keep the Beat. It Counts".

Blaine Hoopes - Hammond B-3 Organ / Sax / Flute / Vocals

Blaine studied Jazz at Westminister College in Salt Lake City, Utah, and has performed, impromptu with Bobby McFaren, Charlie Daniels, Pure Prairie League, Johnny Taylor, Sergio Mendez and Stephen Stills. Blaine has recently settled in the Bay Area following a successful tour of the South Pacific with the New Zealand based Ska band "The Managers". Blaine brings many talents to "la Ventana."

Jose Angel Amador - Piano / Vocals

Jose is a 2O year Latin Piano veteran, he studied at Casa De La Cultura, Mexico. While in Mexico he played with top Mexican bands (Aguas, Calientes Mexico, La Raza Band, La Tropicalisma, and Organization Musical). Formally trained at Casa De La Cultura, Jose also has production credits for the Mexican band, Guerreros Tel Amore. Jose is adding the Latin punch to la Ventana.

Bobby Gaviola - Drummer

Bobby began his musical career as an artist in the 1968. Since then, playing with numerous groups through the 70's and 80's, he was discovered by musicians in the S.F Bay Area looking to form a "super group." With the explosion of Santana, Malo, Azteca, Tower of Power, another super group was being formed; "SAPO."With the likes of Richard Bean (suavecito), Raul Renkow (SANTANA) Kincaid Miller (PABLO CRUISE) Wayne Wallace (PETE ESCOVEDO) Dave Liebman (JAZZ LEGEND) John Santos(MACHETE ENSEMBLE)the band was formed with top players from the S.F. Bay Area and signed a record with arista records and the rest was history. Bobby toured, met and shared the stage with some of the biggest names in the business, Stevie Wonder, Average White Band, Herbie Hancock, Roy Ayers, Paul Simon, Blood Sweat and Tears and a list to long to mention. Bobby finally had a chance to meet his mentor David Garibaldi from Tower of Power and studied with him and the late great jazz legend Tony Williams. Bobby is doing drum clinics for high schools and colleges to inspire students to "pursue their dreams."He is currently working with 4 time grammy nominee Greg Landau on a new cd prodect with La Ventana Band. Bobby is endorsed by "D.C Drums" and "Soultone" cybmals, voted "best in show" by namm 09.

Ray Uribes- Bass

Ray was born and raised in the Bay Area and was drawn to music at a very early age. After developing his skills as a Bass Player with a variety of Bay Area bands he moved to the Los Angeles area. Ray then spent a couple of years touring the country with several cover bands, returning to the Bay Area in 1992. He has played with numerous local acts including Carmen Milagro, The Zarate-Pollace Project, Native Sons, Roadside Attraction, Caravanserai-A Santana Tribute and toured with recording artist Michelle Shocked.

Oscar Estrella- Guitar

As a child growing up, Oscar was raised on the rhythms of Afro-Cuban music listening to his uncle’s band and others in his hometown of Matanzas, Cuba. Oscar started playing with local groups while in high school, but his early band experiences were cut short when, at 19, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. When he returned home to San Francisco in 1970, the Latin Rock scene was in full swing. Oscar threw himself into that scene and began gigging with many members of the San Francisco Latin All-Stars. Oscar was an original member of 70’s Latin Rock band, SAPO. Over the years, Oscar has played with many San Francisco Bay Area bands and opened for the likes of B. B. King, the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Jr. Walker and the All-Stars, Ray Manzarek (Doors), Sheila E, Average White Band, and Sly and the Family Stone. Oscar's style blends perfectly with the LV Boyz and he looks forward to a rewarding collaboration with the Musicians in LV. Oscar will share Musical Director duties with LV Sax/Organ musician Blaine Hoope.

Victor Nolasco:Timbales Victor Nolasco has been performing in the SF Bay Area for the last 30 years and is a self-taught musician who began playing timbales while in high school. He has preformed with a large variety of groups and musicians in many genres, opening up for Celia Cruz, Arturo Sandavol, War and Playing with: El Chicano, Sapo (w/Richard Bean of "Suavecito"fame), Jorge Santana Band, Raul Rekow (Santana), Pete Escovedo, Armando Peraza, Ray Vega, Chepito Areas, Gregg Rollie & Michael Carabello(Santana). Victor also leads his own band Safari and now is combining his unique style of percussion to La Ventana.