Miguel Benitez > Singer /Bassist /Guitarist >
Originally from Clorinda, Province of Formosa, in northern Argentina Miguel began studying music at a very young age and was
performing publicly by the age of 14. During the early part of his career he worked with "Estampas Gauchas", a folkloric group of
musicians and dancers. Here he played music and danced "The Malambo" an awe inspiring traditional Argentine dance that
incorporates wooden balls on a light rope which are knocked in rhythmic patterns on the floor with charismatic syncopated foot
stomping. Later he toured Bolivia, Paraquay, Peru and Ecuador performing with "Vocal Cuatro". In 1978 he decided to stay in
Ecuador, and became a very popular soloist folk singer for many years. Here he met Kike Rodrigues and they began working
together. In 1986 they joined with Pepe Aranda to form "BARRO", a popular Latin rock band which became a hit across the country.
Kike and Miquel, who frequently also perform as a duo, currently have their own CD available, "Kike & Miguel". Most recently
Miguel was the bassist in "Solazo" for the past 10 years, and tours as "Kike y Miguel" --or currently, "Kike, Miguel y Janiah."
Quique (Kike) Rodriguez > Singer /Guitarist /Andean instruments >
Originally from Chile, Kike began singing as a child and won the "Festival de Cantantes" (Festival of Singers) in Santiago at the
age of 12. He began his public performing career from the age of 14-16 as he toured Chile & Peru with "Tierra Joven," a young
group of folkloric singers. In 1975 he was invited by "Alma de America" to Ecuador to record an album. His talent was so well
received that he was then invited to join the group permanently. It is here that he met Miguel Benitez, and began performing in
concert settings with their own group "Alma", and became a very popular duo. With incredible vocals and harmonies they currently
have their own CD available, "Kike & Miquel", which consists of popular traditional South American folksongs. In 1986 his
fame was permanently established while performing as the lead singer for the well known Latin rock group "BARRO" alongside of
Miguel Benitez and Pepe Aranda. From 1999 to 2009 they performed together again, though mostly in the United States with "Solazo"
in a diverse array of venues ranging from festivals, art centers, private events, and many educational institutions sharing South
American culture through their music.
Janiah Allen > Percussion /Congas, Bongos /Translator >
Growing up in both Florida and Ecuador, Janiah has the benefit of a true cross-cultural background and is completely fluent in
Spanish and English. He has served as translator in "Solazo", and focal teacher for their educational performances and workshops
for the past 5 years, due to his gifted nature with youth and innate talents in percussion. Surrounded by music as a child, his
father, Din Allen was a full time performing musician and Janiah started playing percussion at his side by the time he was seven.
Later when living in South America with his Mother, he fell in love with Latin music and attended Ecuador's state music academy
during his early teens. He put together his first group and began performing publicly when he was 12 years old. He now has his
own group "Alliens" is a mainstay in "Kike, Miguel y Janiah" and is frequently called to sit in as a guest artist with several
regional groups. Janiah offers his keen ear and subtle style on bongos, congas, kit drums and various percussive instruments, and
has developed into a gifted cultural educator for K-12 school programs, and the general public.