Mambo Combo
T

he band, Mambo Combo, was named "Best Party Band" in the 1999 Baltimore Magazine "Best of" edition. For more than twenty years, the band has been entertaining in the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond, from the Caribbean to New England.

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New "Live" CD is now available!

In the recent past they played an "everything in white" corporate party at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, several shows for the Bluemont Concert Series in Northern Virginia, a wedding at the Airlie compound in Virginia and one at Great Oak Manor in Chestertown, MD. From the Maidstone Club in East Hampton, Long Island to the Merion Tribute House in Bryn Mawr, PA, to the White House Easter Egg Hunt, Mambo Combo has brought its blend of Latin and Caribbean dance music to thousands of fans in the Mid-Atlantic region. In April of 1998, Mambo Combo led a parade including MD Governor Parris Glendening, US Senator Paul Sarbanes and other dignitaries through Harborplace at the opening of the Baltimore Waterfront Festival to meet the Whitbread around-the-world yacht race. For the Millenium New Years Eve they played the ballroom of the Belvedere Hotel with Gumbo Junkyard. Mambo Combo has recorded two CDs, "Mr. Happy" and the newest CD, "Live."

Few people can resist dancing to the infectious soca and samba, and those who tango will be motivated to do this dramatic and passionate dance. In the July 1996 issue of Baltimore Magazine reported, "... crowds moving to the seductive rhythms of Island sound are a pretty good tip-off that the group is nearby." Check out the article John Lewis wrote about Mambo Combo in the Baltimore City Paper

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Creating a tropical appearance, the band provides palm trees on stage and typically dress in island wear. They can also dress in "black tie" or whatever is appropriate for the event. The band members have taken on nicknames which they use to refer to each other during the show: Hoppy Hopkins ("Rudy") is the percussionist and front-man. Rudy's frenetic energy and stylish outfits have drawn the crowds as much as his unique drumming style. Other founding member Robert Friedman ("Vito") prefers to stay in the background playing keyboard and guitar. His lovely compositions featuring guitar have added a depth to the Mambo sound. Steve Bloom ("Bungy") brings authentic Cuban and African rhythms to the band. Steve has traveled to Havana and the Ivory Coast to study these and other beats. Didier Prossaird ("Doo-Wah") hails from France by way of St. Barths and brings an impassioned virtuosity and deep understanding of Caribbean and Latin grooves. Completing this five-piece ensemble is Larry Melton ("Akimbo"). Years of playing in many bands on both coasts have honed his unique fretless- and Jazz-bass style.

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Mambo Combo is now booking weddings, parties and shows into 2007 and beyond.

Demo CDs and a list of songs in the repertoire are available. For more information and booking availability please call Robert J. Friedman: (410) 889-4228; (888) 218-4240.

Send us an e-mail at list@mambocombo.com if you want to be on the Monthly Mambo e-mail distribution list.

Copyright © 1998 - 2006 Robert J. Friedman
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