Aireene Espiritu's songs are a mix of stompin', swayin' and timeless Americana reminiscent of front porch storytelling, of ghosts and the living, times of laughter and tears. Aireene was a soloist with the Glide Ensemble in San Francisco, toured nationwide and internationally, and in 2016, was added to the roster of artists under non-profit label, Little Village Foundation. She created A Color-Coded Symphony project, a musical experience connecting the audience’s ethnic origins to rhythms of the world and whose aim is to nurture curiosity and openness towards other cultures through music. Her latest project is, The Sampaguitas, singing Filipino folk songs and originals in three-part harmonies.

Carlitos Medrano

Born and raised in Cuba, Carlitos came to the U.S. after having trained with one of Cuba's most famous congueros, Jose Luis “Changuito” Quintana. While in Cuba, he played extensively with some of Havana's best known Latin Jazz and Salsa groups, and since coming to the U.S. has played with many of the Bay Area's finest Latin groups.

After extensive participation in various musical groups, he decided to start his own projects with local Bay Area musicians; Cuban-style salsa performed by Sabor De Mi Cuba where he debuts his musical talents through original songwriting and composition. The fundamental characteristics of this project are fusions of Afro-Cuban roots influenced by world music. Sabor De Mi Cuba hopes to bring forth edginess to local exponents of music in the Bay Area. In December 2012, he decided to create his own recording entitled Sabor De Mi Cuba, where he experimented with composition and arrangements. The project was recorded and mastered in the prestigious Egrem Studios in Havana, Cuba.

Julio de la Cruz

Julio de la Cruz was born and raised in Havana, Cuba. In 1980, at the age of 12, he first began his studies as a musician, specializing in percussion instruments while simultaneously studying music theory and composition.

From 1987 to 1992, Julio participated in several projects and festivals in Havana and other provinces in Cuba. in 1992 left Cuba to perform on tour with the Puerto Rican singer, Jose Feliciano, as part of the released production: “Calle Latina.”

From 1993 to 2009, Julio moved to Mexico, where he lived and worked accompanying Celio Sanchez, one of the famous Sonora matancera singers, along with Salsa Queen Celia Cruz. Then, he moved to Los Cabos, where he became part of the house band at Sammy Hagar’s club, Cabo Wabo, and accompanied American guest performers such as Toby Keith and Sammy Hagar himself, among others. During this time in Mexico, Julio continued to perfect his skills as a percussionist but also taught himself to pay the piano and bass, making him a multi-instrumentalist performer.

In 2009, Julio moved to the United States, joining many bands in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Growing up in south-central Los Angeles, the blues was all around me–not only musically, but literally also (as well as the other styles: Motown, jazz, rock and roll, classic rock, funk R&B, the Beatles, the Stones. Very good time to be alive and playing music). I got baptized to the blues from working with the late Buddy Ace. This not only verified the blues within me, but it was where I learned how to use it. Later, I toured Turkey with Sista Monica Blues Band, I became a sort of ambassador for the blues, and I realized that the blues is the United States’ biggest musical export. It gave me a sense of pride that I’d never experienced.

Which led me to doing a tour around the world with John Lee Hooker, Jr playing John Lee Hooker songs, and experiencing the crowd gave me light and love from playing. Those songs are a one-of-a-kind experience.

I am absolutely proud to be a blues player and continue the legacy of the music that my parents and grandparents and great grandparents entertained themselves with.

Skillet Licorice is the latest project from San Francisco Bay Area roots-music luminaries Elise Engelberg and Matt Knoth. Essentially a musical consortium, Matt & Elise are the core of an All-Star lineup featuring many of California's hottest old-time musicians. Whether they’re playing hot fiddle breakdowns, slinky blues, sparkling banjo breaks, ragtime or dreamy waltzes, Skillet Licorice displays an impressive command of styles and techniques that comes from deep study and loving dedication to America’s folk traditions.