ABOUT

A Mexican Affair celebrates the relationship between Mexico and the United States and the beautiful cultural influence between both countries. The fusion of boleros, Latin rhythms and jazz makes the perfect entertainment for an evening of delicious live music, candid stories, and spicy romance. The show features popular tunes written by Mexican composers and by American composers who found inspiration in Mexican themes. The thrilling fusion of rhythms and musical influences adds a delightful spice to the influence of Mexico in The Great American Songbook.

Created and performed by Rafa Reyes, the show features songs by Agustín Lara, María Grever, Pablo Beltrán, Consuelo Velázquez, Frederick Loewe and Alan J. Lerner, Jimmy Kennedy and Michael Carr, Ben Weisman and Sid Wayne, and others. New arrangements are by Musical Director - Latin Grammy winner - Felipe Fournier, featuring Dan Martínez on bass, Hugo Moreno on trumpet, Jonathan Gómez on percussion, and Joel Mateo on drums. Directed by Gabriela García.

THE BAND

Rafa Reyes (Creator/Frontman) is an awarded Cultural Representative from Veracruz, born and raised in Cordoba, Mexico. He is a graduate from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. He was most recently seen in the national tour of Sugar Skull, a Día de Muertos Musical Adventure where he played the title role. Other theater credits include West Side Story, Joseph…, Man of La Mancha, Once on this Island, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel, and Romeo and Juliet. Dance credits include Calpulli Mexican Dance, Jazz Roots Dance, Teatro LATEA's La Llorona, BABEL, Public Works’ The Tempest, and Ballet Nepantla. He received a special award from the mayor of Cordoba, Mexico in 2011 for his efforts in the promotion of Mexican culture in the United States. His own productions include “Fiesta” (2015) - a musical short film directed by Robbie Vicencio, in tribute to Ricardo Montalbán and Cyd Charisse - and A Mexican Affair (2016). Rafa wants to become a stronger cultural link between Mexico and the United States, and continue to bring a positive impact to the hispanic community through the performing arts, on both sides of the border and beyond. @rafareyeshdez www.rafareyes.com

Felipe Fournier (Musical Director/Arranger/Vibraphone) was born in Costa Rica. He is a vibist/percussionist and composer who graduated from the Puerto Rico Music Conservatory, concentrating in Jazz and Caribbean Music. Felipe is a Latin Grammy winner as the producer of Mariachi Flor de Toloache's "Las Caras Lindas", awarded Best Ranchero Music Album in 2017. He has been nominated previously for a Latin Grammy with Charlie Sepúlveda & The Turnaround; and nominated for a Grammy with Nestor Torres; and Ruben Blades & Cheo Feliciano on his latest album, “Eba Say Aja.” Based in NYC since 2013, Felipe is the MD of "Supermambo! A Vibes Tribute to Tito Puente,” Luba Mason’s MIXTURA, A Mexican Affair, and Ballet Nepantla, among others. He also plays as a sideman with Miguel Zenon’s SUR, Luisito Quintero’s 3rd Element, Guillermo Klein, Jaranta Beat, Williamsburg Salsa Orchestra, Axel Laugart, and Tres del Solar.

Dan Martínez (Bass) was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He started playing music at the age of 12 at Escuela Libre de Música. He later continued his studies at the Conservatory of Music in Puerto Rico, where he also started playing the upright bass, studying with bass legend Eddie Gómez. During his time, he performed in a wide variety of bands of different genres, including jazz, pop/rock, salsa and Latin jazz, and folkloric music. Based in NYC since 2011, he pursued his studies in the Aaron Copland School of Music, receiving a Master's degree in Jazz Performance. He performs regularly with Luba Mason, Jan Kus, Richard Padron, Supermambo! and many others.

Joel Mateo (Drums) is a drummer and percussionist from Puerto Rico. He began his musical studies at an early age at the Escuela Libre de Música Juan Morell Campos in Ponce, PR. He continued his music studies completing a BA in the Interamercian University in PR, and then an MA at the Aaron Copland School of Music in NYC. His musical range has led him to play live and record with international artists such as Papo Vázquez, Miguel Zenón, Manuel Valera, Andy González, Tego Calderón, Elio Villafranca, John Benítez, La Mala Rodríguez, and Paoli Mejias, among others. Joel currently resides in NYC, where he continues to play, record and travel with different artists and groups.

Hugo Moreno (Trumpet) has performed in several Broadway shows, symphony orchestras, Big Bands, salsa bands and Latin jazz groups since moving to New York City. He has also appeared onstage with Paquito d'Rivera, Gustavo Santaolalla, Gloria Estefan, Carlos Santana, and John Legend. Hugo is currently the trumpet player for Grammy and Latin Grammy winner Lila Downs. He is a founding member of New York based groups The Filmharmonic Brass, Jarana Beat, The Gregorio Uribe Big Band, and Le Train Bleu. He is an ongoing participant at the Marlboro Music Festival.

Jonathan Gómez (Percussion) has successfully taken traditional Colombian sounds all around the US. Born in Bogota, Colombia, he started his musical career at the age of five at “Orquesta Sinfonica Juvenil de Colombia” where he first received classical training in violin before he began training in classical percussion. His musical development continued at the “Pontificia Universidad Javeriana” where he reached a better understanding of world music. He was later inspired to move to the Big Apple. It didn’t take long until he was involved with bands from all over the world in NYC, always bringing the Colombian flavor to the mix. He has performed in many festivals such as Globalfest, Music of Colors (Detroit) and SXSW (Austin, TX) Lincoln Center’s Mid Summer Nights Swing (NYC), and Medellin Vive La Musica (Colombia) to name a few. He is a current member of Pablo Mayor’s Folklore Urbano, Gregorio Uribe Big Band, Gregorio Uribe (Trio) and Alejandro Zuleta Vallenato Collective. He performs with artists from all over the U.S and Colombia such as Luisito Carrión, Mariano Civico, David Pabon, Luis Felipe Gonzalez, Paquito Guzman, among others. Jonathan has also been part of numerous theatrical acts such as “La Gloria” and “Romance” at Teatro SEA as well as “La Mas Grande Historia Jamas Cantada”, the first Colombian musical presented at Lincoln Center. Jonathan has an extensive career in the salsa scene beginning in Colombia as part of “La Real Charanga” and recording two productions that took first place in festivals such as “Salsa al Parque” and "Jazz al Parque”. Jonathan currently resides in New York City.

Gabriela García (Director) is an artist dividing her time between the TV/Film, theater, dance, commercial and education industries with an extensive international career. She has worked as Movement Director in shows such as Sweeney Todd at the Barrow Street Theater, Associate Choreographer for Public Works’ Twelfth Night and Dance Associate for CHICAGO Düsseldorf. Her love and respect for the Fosse® style brought her to Peru where she choreographed a production of Sweet Charity and CHICAGO. In 2019 she participated as guest dramaturge and choreographer for Calpulli Mexican Dance Company’s production of NAVIDAD, a project she holds close to her heart paying tribute to her Mexican roots. In the cabaret world she directed the solo shows “Solo Pido” and “Do You Dream in Spanish” at The Green Room 42. As an actress she has appeared in the films In The Heights, Enchanted and Whatever Lola Wants. Her television credits include “Succession” and “Jessica Jones.” She has been the voice for numerous voice-overs for TV and radio for the US national Hispanic market and has recorded over 100 audio-book titles. As a dancer she dedicated 12 years of her life as dance captain and ensemble for CHICAGO The Musical on Broadway, National Tours and the Vienna and Mexico City companies where she performed the role of Velma Kelly. Other Musical theater credits include: Half Time the musical, Roman Holiday, Carousel, West Side Story, Joseph and the Amazing...Dreamcoat. Gabriela is Co-Founder of R.Evolución Latina and serves on the board of HOLA (Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors). Her ballet and theater dance classes have reached schools across the world. She is a passionate teacher inspiring, mentoring and instilling her values and work ethic to her students and her projects. Gabriela holds a BA in Performing Arts from Saint Mary’s College of California and is a recipient of El Diario’s Mujeres Destacadas Award. @dancinvida www.Gabriela-Garcia.com

ALTERNATING MUSICIANS AND OTHER ARTISTS

Guillermo Barrón (Percussion), Rubén Coca (Drums), Juan Felipe Mayorga (Drums), Julie Acosta (Trumpet), Nash Guillermo (Trumpet)

Kathi E.B. Elis, Zacil “Sassy Nash”, David Preciado (Dramaturges). Jeremy Williams (Director of Incubation)

Photography by Julieta Cervantes, Lloyd Mulvey, Ben Gabbe, and Convergences Theatre Collective.