Solaz

Posted by: CorrienteLatina  Posted: 11-23-2009 Print Article Email to a friend RSS Twitter Facebook

SOLAZ (so-las) ...revitalization, invigoration, pleasure, fun! ...the name only begins to describe what this band is capable of. With a clear vision of their identity, SOLAZ's sonic boom is creative, imaginative and rebellious.

SOLAZ was founded by singer/guitarist/songwriter/producer Fabian, with the vision of bringing to the Latin American audiences an arena band that fulfilled his imagination's desires when it came to sound and image. At a very early age, Fabian was captivated by image conscious artists such as Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince, and Kiss. He was impressed with their take no prisoners attitude towards their spectacle, setting themselves apart from the masses.
Around the same time, Fabian picked up the guitar, and originally started emulating the sounds of long time guitar giants such as Yngwie Malmsteen, Paul Gilbert, George Lynch, Joe Satriani, and later Steve Vai. He practiced so intensely that, by age 19, he was featured in the International publication then called "Guitar for the Practicing Musician" now simply called "Guitar." In it, the editor and chief chose his demo tape describing Fabian's prodigious abilities as someone who..."had a guitar wizard's chops with a songwriter's sense of balance."

Even though Fabian was enamored with guitar legends, and spent countless hours honing his chops, he also complimented his studies listening to great songs. Songs from songwriting legends such as Billy Joel, The Police, Prince, as well as polished pop songs being released by many including ex -singer of Chicago, Peter Cetera. Interestingly, and almost ironically, Fabian's crossover to the Latin side came later in life when he accidentally bumped into some romantic salsa from an emerging artist by the name of Luis Enrique. "I could not believe my ears the first time I heard the clarity in sounds that came from such well crafted and brilliantly produced songs" says Fabian. Ultimately, it was these recordings that led him to discover a brand new world of music and artists on the Latin side.

After completing his studies in Classical Guitar with the help of some scholarship money, Fabian was convinced by his mother to switch over to Business Administration for his Bachelors Degree. This resulted in the perfect one, two punch for young Fabian who now holds an Associates of Arts Degree in Music Performance and a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from Broward Community College and Florida Atlantic University respectively.
The first incarnation of SOLAZ was a young Fabian finishing his debut album that he started producing during his college years titled "SOLAZ". As a solo multi instrumentalist, he wrote, produced, and performed all the instruments on the 10 song CD that launched 2 singles on the Adult Contemporary Charts. "Endless Summer" and "Beautiful Day" became radio darlings for months to come, and SOLAZ performed as a Trio in clubs, with his brother on bass guitar, and a newly recruited South Florida drummer, who later bailed on the group to become a school teacher.

This apparent short lived member trouble would be a harbinger of what was to come for SOLAZ, unfortunately. SOLAZ struggled to keep the promotions going without a drummer, and had to retreat from the campaign to find new members. Finally, after numerous failed attempts, after coming back from a short solo media tour in Peru, Fabian met coincidentally a young singer of Peruvian decent in South Florida, and the two hit it off instantaneously in the studio as they co-wrote what became SOLAZ's 2nd release "Nexo." Carlos and Fabian became partners, and created what would mark the first Spanish driven Latin Rock CD that was fully co-written by the two, and once again produced by Fabian. Even though their chemistry artistically was prolific, the new SOLAZ driven by the two came across the ailment of not finding fully committed members, therefore, keeping them in a constant search for freelance musicians to be able to perform live.

With the 11 song CD ready to be released along with 2 bonus Music videos produced in High Definition Cinematic Quality, SOLAZ's "Nexo" captured the attention of Peruvian Promoters, and amazingly was signed to perform a series of dates in Peru, South America, even before the CD was released. This was a dream come true for young Fabian, since it would mark SOLAZ's first international bookings after struggling so hard to find commitment from musicians to keep the SOLAZ engine running. The Peru tour included stops in Lima, Moquegua, Tacna, Arequipa, and Arica, Chile. An intense Media Tour throughout Lima became a grueling experience for SOLAZ as they completed their obligations in 2 weeks taking them on the biggest TV Stations, and the most popular TV Shows Nationwide.
This South American Tour however, did not come easy. Shortly after this commitment had been announced by the promoters in Peru, and on the verge of finalizing travel arrangements, Carlos very unexpectedly, for personal reasons left the partnership. This left Fabian once again stranded with a huge proposition before him, and no committed band members. Fabian assumed the lead vocal chores and miraculously, hired freelance musicians in a matter of two months, boarded a plane and fulfilled the tour dates never looking back.

SOLAZ ended the Peruvian Tour in Tacna's Jorge Basadre Stadium which sat about 10,000 people. Even though SOLAZ had reached a major milestone in its professional development, its plagued member troubles continued since all but one member would be asked to become a permanent member. After returning, Fabian had no interest in continuing his relationship with the drummer, and bass player who had accompanied him, but did ask 19 year old guitarist Reese Vega to join the band as a permanent member, who gladly accepted.

Today, SOLAZ for the first time ever since its birth many years ago, enjoys a cohesive fully committed team comprising of Reese Vega on Drums (who switched from guitar), Nik Peters on Bass Guitar, and Boog Sanchez on second guitar, and vocals. The four have ambitiously ventured into fusing Cumbia, with Rock in English/Spanish, with a flavor of Hip Hop on top. Their full length new release due out in mid to late 2010, will include what already have become crowd favorites such as "Embrujo" "Illegal" and "Metropolitana."

The new SOLAZ "family" recently, had the opportunity to share the stage with International Grammy Award Singer Willy Chirino in the annual "Celebrating Our Hispanic Heritage" Festival, and now enjoys the advantages of being signed to Promotions/Productions Company Nexus Music. After grueling personnel problems, and much heartbreak, SOLAZ has enjoyed being featured in numerous TV programs in Telemundo, Mega TV, Azteca America, Digital 12.2 (Channel 12), and many others. It definitely pays off to be persistent with an unbreakable will to succeed, just ask its founder Fabian who refuses to loose, and will continue to ignore the odds against him, pushing forward until SOLAZ becomes what he always dreamed about, a worldwide phenomenon that fills stadiums and arenas.