Pérez Pérez (left) with Los Metales de Terror (NG La Banda)

intrumento/instrument: saxophone

grupos/groups: Cubanismo, NG La Banda, Pachito Alonso y sus Kini Kini

grabaciones/recordings: all of NG La Banda's recordings from "En la Calle" to "En Directo", 4 CDs by Pachito Alonso, 1 CD with Bobby Carcasses

lugar de nacimiento/birthplace: Cardenas - Matanzas, Cuba

formación musical/musical background: con mi padre/with his father

lugar actual de residencia/current residence: Havana, Cuba

Tragically, Rolando passed away in early 2007 due to complications after a kidney operation. You can read his short autobiography below. [Michelle White]

I worked in the Matanzas provice with different big-bands that put on shows in the 70s and 80s. IN 1981 I arrived in Havana where I began with a great Cuban jazz group directed by a great musician named Felipe Dulzaides (pianist Fallecido)

In 1982 with Pacho Alonso - Pachito where I remained for 6 years. Later I worked from 1988 until 1990 wuithe the show man Bobby Carcasses. In the 1990 I worked with NG La Banda for 91/2 years. Now I have been with the band Cubanismo of the trumpetist Jesús Alemany for 4 years 2000-2004. [Roland Feliciano Pérez Pérez]

"Pérez" may be the most common Cuban apellido, so the fact that Rolando's parents shared the same last name is not that unusual but it did earn him the apodo (nickname) of "Pérez Pérez". He joined NG La Banda just as the Timba revolution began and stayed throughout their glory years. Check out his solo on "La Bruja". He's now touring with Cubanismo. [Kevin Moore]