DOWNEY - Orquesta Mar de Ashe, a musical ensemble that blends together the sounds of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Peru, Colombia and, of course, the United States, will open this year's summer concert series at Furman Park, starting Wednesday at 7 p.m.The 12-piece orchestra boasts three vocalists, including "the seductive siren" La Sirena, and co-lead vocalist Oscar Daniel. The orchestra includes three percussionists, covering timbales, conga, bongo, campana, guiro, guira and tambora; piano; bass; and a horn section consisting of two trumpets, trombone and baritone sax doubling on the alto. With its unique vocal sound, big brass and traditional Latin percussion, Orquesta Mar de Ash plays both covers and originals, with a bilingual approach. The orchestra has played all over the world for artists such as Stevie Wonder, Dizzy Gillespie, Linda Ronstadt, Diana Ross, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Luis Miguez, Eddie Santiago, Luis Enrique, Poncho Sanchez, Bobby Caldwell, Luther Vandross, Mel Torme, Arthea Franklin and James Brown, to name only a few.

********** Published: July 05, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 12