Pachangara's Big Band (aka Gerardo Araujo's Big Band) is Lead by Percussionist, Arranger, Singer/Songwriter Gerardo Araujo. Born In Canada to Venezuelan parents. Started his percussion studies in Venezuela trough his main influences Julio Rivera from grupo "Guaco"and Luis Quintero among others. Gerardo also lists as his main influences master percussionists Marc Quinones, Bobby Allende, Ralph Irizarry, Giraldo Piloto, Tito Puente and Jose Luis Quintana "Changuito" among others. Moved back to Montreal in 1996 to pursue his Music Degree in Concordia University and started playing with orchestras and groups developing his style and technique. Gerardo was then exposed to the Cuban Popular Music movements of the late 90's and fell in love with The Cuban Music and Culture. At that time Gerardo also started writing his compositions and making his own arrangements while being introduced to studio work trough Cuban Multi Instrumentalist and producer Jesus "El Nino" Alejandro that showed him the ropes of music recording and production. in the early 2000's Gerardo relocated to Houston, Texas where he took off in the years following touring with Grammy Award winners Oscar D' Leon, Gilberto Santa Rosa, India, Jose Alberto "El Canario" and more that 50 international artists in the Latin American Music World. After Two solo projects, Pachangara embarked on leading his Big Band. This new venture came to be when Pachangara found old music by a Cuban Singer, Dancer and actor Kiko Mendive who made life in Venezuela as and comedic actor and was indeed Cuban and left a legacy in the 40s, 50s and beyond trough music and film. This very ambitious project has an amazing lineup of Featured Artists that combine experience and talent to bring the vintage sound of the Mambo Era to life trough Gerardo "Pachangara" Araujo's arrangements and vision. As Of Now Artist such as Jose Alberto "El Canario", Alain Perez, Marcial Isturiz, Rodrigo Mendoza have collaborated. Other legends await to record in this amazing album that will indeed bring you to the mambo era of the dance halls of the 40s and 50s. " I believe this to be my calling in music; This Big Band really defines me as a writer and producer. As much as I love the modern Latin fusions that I grew up listening to and studying trough amazing producers, I believe this is ultimately what I will be pursuing as long as I can still play in write, with the utmost respect of course to the proven Arrangers of yesterday and today who's works withstand time and space". Gerardo "Pachangara" Araujo.