• Goza Latin Band's Press Kit includes the ensemble's bio, high resolution photos and logos, personnel list, repertoire, media clips and testimonials.

    Use the menu below to navigate to the respective section of your choice. You may also download Goza's Electronic Press Kit (EPK) by clicking the button below. This is a PDF file and requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view. 

  • PRESS KIT MENU

  • ABOUT GOZA

  • We are pleased to present to you GOZA - an engaging Latin musical ensemble comprised of Connecticut’s most seasoned and versatile musicians.

    GOZA (Spanish for Joy) performs exciting music and dance rhythms from Latin America, Brazil and Spain with guitar, violin, horns, Latin percussion and beautiful, romantic vocals.

    Goza rhythms include: samba, salsa, bachata,rumba, cha-cha, cumbia, flamenco, tango, and bolero

    Covers include many Latin standards plus music of Jobim, Tito Puente, Gipsy Kings, Buena Vista, Selena, Beatles, Santana, Stevie Wonder, Van Morrison, Guns & Roses and many originals.

  • Goza has performed multiple times at the Mohegan Sun Wolfden, Hartford First night, Wadsworth Atheneum, Elizabeth Park, River Camelot Cruises, festivals, colleges, libraries and clubs throughout New England plus hundreds of weddings and similar functions.

    Regular performances in the Hartford area include venues such as: Casona, Chango Rosa, La Tavola Ristorante, Arthur Murray Dance Studio and Elizabeth Park.

    Also please call or email Dave Giardina at (860) 568-1172. dave@davegmusic.com

    We look forward to hearing from you!

  • PERSONNEL

  • DAVID GIARDINA

    GUITAR / BANDLEADER

    Dave Giardina - Guitar

    Dave received his B.A. from St. Anselm College, He has also studied at Longy School of Music. With roots in the sixties folk- rock culture, Dave studied classical guitar with Sharon Isbin and Philip Defremery, Jazz with Sal Salvador and Bob Kobus and Flamenco with Mario Escudero and Paco Pena (Spain). He also played in master classes for John Williams, Manuel Barrueco, Ben Verdery, Abel Carlevaro, and Oscar Ghiglia. He has been teaching for many years on the faculties of Trinity, St. Joseph and Manchester Community Colleges, as well as privately.

    Dave is an award recipient member of the CT Commission on Culture and Tourism, he has performed extensively throughout the Northeast at schools, bandshells, major festivals, First Nights, clubs and both Connecticut casinos as a soloist and with ensembles he has formed such as Fiesta del Norte, Bamboleo, Goza, and the Typsy Gypsys.

    His compositions are featured on two releases by the CT Classical Guitar Society of which he is a founding member and Artistic Director. His latest release, Fiesta Grande, features music of Mexico.

    Website: www.davegmusic.com

  • DULCE SANTANA

    VOCALS

    Dulce Santana - Vocals

    Dulce Santana was born in Caracas, Venezuela. Ever since she can remember, music was a part of her upbringing, as she comes from a very artistic family. She moved to the United States at a young age and has performed extensively throughout the United States.

    Her voice is mesmerizing and her music is touching. She writes and sings in English and Spanish. Dulce has a creative and innovative style that ranges from Jazz, Latin Jazz, ballads, salsa, and pop. Her voice is powerful and somehow intimate, sultry and sensual; and while her music is diverse, it is always filled with genuine sentiment.

    Her self-produced CD entitled "Forever", showcases the exquisite flavor of her original compositions which has received extensive radio airplay throughout the United States and South America.

    In addition to singing, Dulce is also an accomplished author and illustrator of children’s books.

  • KARINA HERNANDEZ

    VOCALS / VIOLIN / PERCUSSION

    Karina Hernandez - Vocals / Violin

    Karina Hernandez was born and raised in Mexico City, Mexico. At the age of 8, she attended the prestigious music school Escuela Nacional de Musica de la UNAM. There she began her violin studies along with voice and music theory lessons. At the age of 19 she joined the Orchestra and Chorus of the Marines of Mexico.

    In 2000 she moved to the United States and resided in Maryland. There she joined Mariachi Las Americas (a group that had the privilege of performing for former President Bill Clinton). During 2002 she moved to Connecticut where she shortly became a member of Fiesta del Norte and Mariachi Connecticut. During her first years as a member of Fiesta del Norte she participated in important events such as Arts and Ideas in New Haven and performed at various universities, libraries, and venues throughout New England. In 2009, she joined The New Britain Symphony and The Connecticut Orchestra Valley, where she led the second violin section for two concert seasons.

    She is a former violin and vocal teacher at Guakia School of Arts in Hartford, Connecticut. Presently Karina is attending Central Connecticut State University, studying violin with Karin Fagerburgk, formerly of the Hartford Symphony.

  • JEFF TAYLOR

    SAXOPHONES / FLUTE

    Jeff Taylor - Saxophones

    Jeff Taylor, a long-standing fixture in the Connecticut music scene, has performed extensively throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Some of his notable work includes playing tenor and lead alto saxophones for the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, a position he held for over ten years. Jeff has also performed with such musical greats as: Paul Anka, Joan Rivers, Johnny Mathis, James Darren, Joe Piscopo, Bob Newhart, Al Martino and Carol Lawrence.

    Jeff holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Connecticut, where he also presently serves as a private woodwind instructor and clinician at their Community School of the Arts. Some of Jeff's other teaching credits include: Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts faculty; Hartford Camerata Conservatory Jazz Ensemble Director; and adjudicator for the Northern Region Middle School Music Festival and Connecticut All-State Music Festival.

    In addition to performing and teaching, Jeff is also an accomplished arranger, scoring multi-instrumental arrangements in a multitude of genres, including many of those in Goza's repertoire.

  • BRIAN WALLACE

    TRUMPET / FLÜGELHORN / PERCUSSION

    Brian Wallace - Trumpet

    Brian has been playing trumpet since the age of nine. In high school, Brian was selected as lead trumpet for the Massachusetts Northeast District Jazz Band, under the direction of Jazz legend Herb Pomeroy; he also was chosen for the MA All-State Jazz Group. Brian then went on to attend the Berklee College of Music, studying under such notable trumpet players as Wayne Naus, Lin Biviano, Tiger Okoshi and Jeff Stout.

    After college, Brian spent 4 years touring with original funk group, Rippopotamus, a group that has shared the stage with national acts such as Queen Latifah, Phish, Fishbone, De La Soul, and the Beastie Boys. Rippopotamus released five albums, wrote and performed the theme song for MTV's show, Singled Out, and were a featured act at the Montreal Jazz Festival.

    He has performed and recorded with the likes of Deana Martin, Bobby Rydell, Roger Ingram, Kayvan Vega, Don Sonero and Luisito Carrion.

    Website: www.trumpetbrian.com

  • CHRIS PAYNE

    VIOLIN

    Chris Payne - Violin

    Chris Payne was born in England and studied for his BA in violin and composition at Dartington College of Arts with a post-graduate in jazz at London’s Guildhall school of Music.

    In London, as a recording session musician and performer, he worked with artists such as John Martin, Tim Garland, Claire Martin and John Paul Jones, performing at venues such as The Barbican, Wigmore Hall and Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club.

    Touring Europe and the East, Chris has played virtually every genre of music, incorporating these into his own unique style.

    As a composer, his work can be heard in television productions around the world

    Website: www.christopherpayne.com

  • ASHER DELERME

    PERCUSSION

    Asher Delerme - Percussion

    Asher Delerme is one of Connecticut’s most versatile and accomplished percussionists. As his formal training began in the distinguished World Music program at Wesleyan University, Delerme was already touring the United States with Abraham Kobina Adzenyah during his freshman year. While a junior, he’d make his pilgrimage to Ghana, West Africa to study Ghanaian drumming and dance, and upon graduation, he returned to his native New York City to study and perform Afro-Caribbean and Afro-Brazilian music.

    As a performer, Delerme has toured the United States, the Caribbean, Canada and Asia, and also played Carnegie Hall. A former artist-in-residence for the New York State Commission on the Arts, Delerme is currently listed with both the CT Commission for the Arts Contours and Young Audiences of America programs.

    Delerme has performed with luminaries the likes of Hilton Ruiz, Paquito De Rivera, Dr. Billy Taylor, Jay Hoggard, Foday Musa Suso, Marion Meadows, Pete Seeger, Jimmy Sabater and Miles Jaye, among many others. He has collaborated with singers and poets, as well as gospel, theater, dance, percussion and orchestral ensembles. His recording resume includes television and radio soundtracks, jingles and appearances on over 25 albums/CDs.

  • MATT DWONSZYK

    BASS

    Matt Dwonszyk - Bass

    Matt Dwonszyk is an upcoming acoustic bass player from the Hartford, CT area. Starting on the electric bass at the age of eleven, Matt grew up playing numerous styles of music stemming from rock and roll. When he entered high school he was fortunate to attend the Academy of Performing Arts in Hartford where he began studying jazz with teachers such as Jimmy Greene, Kris Allen, Paul Brown, and Doug Maher. Through friends at the Academy, Matt started attending the Artist Collective founded by the great Jackie McLean. He soon started gigging around the Hartford area and was called to perform in Russia through the Academy of the Arts. Matt then started performing with Ed Fast & Conga-Bop where he was exposed to Latin music. He continues to perform with Ed Fast and is now attending the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at the Hartt School of Music where he is studying with Professors Nat Reeves and Steve Davis. Matt has performed with Harold Maybern, Larry Willis, Steve Nelson, Dr. Eddie Henderson, John Farnsworth, Steve Davis, Arron Goldberg and many other musicians throughout the area.

    Recently Matt has formed his own group called the New Unity Band where his original compositions and arrangements are featured. He maintains a busy gig schedule and plans to move to New York after he finishes at Hartt.

    Website: www.mattdwonszyk.com

  • FABIO MATEUS

    VOCALS / BASS / GUITAR / FLUTE

    Fabio Mateus is a native of Bogota, Colombia where he studied at the Conservatory of Music from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia. At the Universidad Nacional, he specialized in music pedagogy as well as classical flute. Fabio has performed with various ensembles such as Senda Nueva, Son de Siempre and Atacama Ensemble. He is an outstanding and versatile musician, being proficient in instruments such as bass, guitar, flute, saxophone and quena. Fabio is also an accomplished singer.

  • REPERTOIRE

  • LATIN STANDARDS

    Abrázame *
    Contigo Aprendi
    Reloj
    Quizás, Quizás *
    Sabor a mi
    Solamente una vez
    Besame Mucho
    ¿Quién Será? (Sway) *
    La Paloma
    Sombras Nada Mas
    Malagueña
    Si Nos Dejan

    CHA-CHA

    Ojos Verdes
    Oye Como Va

    FLAMENCO

    Entre do Aguas
    Rio Ancho
    Faena *
    Quiero Saber
    Tres Notas
    Night in Marrakesh

    CUMBIA

    Jardin
    La Vida es un Carnaval
    Hotel California

    MERENGUE

    Compadre Pedro Juan
    El Tigaron
    La Cubanchera

  • LATIN JAZZ

    Mueve La Cintura
    Goza
    Viva Cepeda
    Home Cookin
    Chucho
    A Night inTunisia
    Caravan
    Song for Maura
    Brussels in the Rain
    Autumn Leaves
    Perdido
    Song for My Father
    Little Sunflower
    Naked if you Want To
    Alonso
    Guateca City
    Guataca
    Softly as in a Morning Sunrise
    Nica's Dream
    Spain
    Come Candela
    Sudden Samba
    Days of Wine and Roses
    La Fiesta
    Tin Tin Deo
    Enamorado
    In Flight
    Briancito

    GYPSY SWING

    Nuages
    Swing 42
    Coquette
    Dinette
    Minor Swing
    Pent Up House
    Cantina

  • LATIN ROCK

    Moondance
    My Guitar Gently Weeps
    Don't You Worry
    Golden Lady
    Hotel California
    Light My Fire
    La Bamba
    Guantanamera
    Tequila!
    Oye Como Va
    Corazon Espinado
    Black Magic Woman
    Europa
    Evil Ways
    Bamboleo
    Quiero Saber
    I Will Survive
    Mi Vida es un Carnaval
    Kumbala Maldito
    Triveni
    Killing Me Softly
    World is a Ghetto
    Long and Winding Road
    ...And I Love Her
    Sweet Child of Mine

    TANGOS

    La Cumparsita
    Adios Muchachos
    El Choclo
    Por Una Cabeza
    Uno
    A Media Luz
    Volver
    Don't Cry for Me Argentina
    Habenera from Carmen

  • BRAZILIAN

    Favela
    Girl from Ipanema *
    Wave
    Chega de Saudade
    Desafinado
    Black Orpheus
    Felicidade
    Agua de Beber
    Latin Lovers Bosco
    Blue Bossa
    Saco Samba
    Saki Samba
    Samba de Amor
    Samba de Orfeo
    Double Rainbow
    Batucada
    Lamentos
    So Many Stars
    Mas Que Nada
    Out of the Fog

    SALSA

    Cachita 
    Sabor 
    Philly Mambo
    Moliende Café *
    I Will Survive 
    Embrujo de Amor
    Mueve La Cintura 
    Goza
    La Negra Tomasa
    Come Candela
    El Cuarto de Tula
    I Will Survive 
    Embrujo de Amor

  • Songs underlined with an asterisk * are audio samples. Click to take a listen.

  • CLIENT LIST

  • Foxwoods Resort & Casino
    Mashantucket, CT

    Mohegan Sun Casino
    Uncasville, CT

    Saint Francis Hospital
    Hartford, CT

    Eastern Connecticut Health Network
    Hartford, CT

    Six Flags Amusement Park

    Agawam, MA

    Durham Fair
    Durham, CT

    Atria at Hamilton Heights
    West Hartford, CT

    Tumblebrook Country Club
    Bloomfield, CT

    Danversport Yacht Club
    Danvers, MA

    Saint Clements
    Portland, CT

    Hartford Marriott
    Hartford, CT

    Hartford Canoe Club
    East Hartford, CT

    NBC 30
    Hartford, CT

    The Society Room
    Hartford, CT

    Boston Park Plaza
    Boston, MA

    Amarante's Sea Cliff
    New Haven, CT

    Connecticut Hispanic Bar Association
    Hartford, CT

    New Haven Lawn Club
    New Haven, CT

    Orange Cigar
    Orange, CT

    Wadsworth Mansion
    Middletown, CT

    International Tennis Hall of Fame
    Newport, RI

  • Casona
    Hartford, CT

    Barracuda Bistro & Bar
    New Haven, CT

    Compari's Ristorante
    Springfield, MA

    Cuban Revolution
    Providence, RI

    Lucky Lou's
    Wethersfield, CT

    Rooftop 120
    Glastonbury, CT

    J's Crab Shack
    Hartford, CT

    Vazzano's Four Seasons
    Stratford, CT

    Nadim's Restaurant
    Springfield, MA

    Mattabesett Canoe Club
    Middletown, CT

    Tequila's
    Old Saybrook, CT

    Storyville
    Boston, MA

    Tango Restaurant
    Glastonbury

    Bamboleo Restaurant
    Glastonbury, CT

    Shish Restaurant & Lounge
    West Hartford, CT

    Village Pizza
    Bloomfield, CT

    Prospect Cafe
    East Hartford, CT

    La Kerencya
    Hartford, CT

    Laetus Restaurant & Lounge
    Hartford, CT

    China Grill Restaurant
    New York, NY

  • Manchester Community College
    Manchester, CT

    Eastern Connecticut State University
    Willimantic, CT

    Tunxis Community College
    Farmington, CT

    Williams College
    Williamstown, MA

    Assumption College
    Worcester, MA

    Keene State College
    Keene, NH

    Fairfield University
    Fairfield, CT

    Capital Community College
    Hartford, CT

    Neighborhood Music School
    New Haven, CT

    Smith Middle School
    Glastonbury, CT

    Haverhill High School
    Haverhill, MA

    SUNY
    Cobleskill, NY

    Smith College
    Northhampton, MA

    Wadsworth Atheneum
    Hartford, CT

    Hartford Public Library
    Hartford, CT

    Mark Twain Museum
    Hartford, CT

    Simsbury Library
    Simsbury, CT

    Silas Bronson Library
    Waterbury, CT

    New Britain Museum of American Art
    New Britain, CT

    Bronx Museum of the Arts
    Bronx, NY

  • Westport Library
    Westport, CT

    Milford Library
    Milford, CT

    Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts
    Westport, CT

    Shoreline Arts Concert Series
    Guilford, CT

    Kenney Memorial Center
    Old Wethersfield, CT

    Windsor Art Center
    Windsor, CT

    International Festival of Arts and Ideas
    New Haven, CT

    The Flurry Festival
    Saratoga, NY

    Elizabeth Park Concert Series
    West Hartford, CT

    One World Market
    Hartford, CT

    Willimantic Street Festival
    Willimantic, CT

    International Beer & Food Festival
    Danbury, CT

    Trumbull Arts Center
    Trumbull, CT

    Rockwell Park Concert Series
    Bristol, CT

    Envisionfest
    Hartford, CT

    Riverfront Recapture Concert Series
    East Hartford, CT

    One World Market
    Hartford, CT 

    La Tavola Ristorante
    Waterbury, CT

    Barcelona Restaurant
    West Hartford, CT

    The Flying Monkey Grill & Bar
    Hartford, CT

  • HIGH RESOLUTION LOGOS

  • HIGH RESOLUTION GROUP PHOTOS

  • AUDIO SAMPLES

  • VIDEOS

  • "WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME TOMORROW"

  • "LAGRIMAS NEGRAS"

  • "ADIOS"

  • "BLACK ORPHEUS"

  • "MAS QUE NADA"

  • "TANGA"

  • REVIEWS

  • Thanks for an outstanding performance and workshop! The students continued dancing and talking about the rhythms all week!

    —G. Trilla
    Haverhill MA Public Schools

  • We were thrilled by our choice of GOZA to perform at our wedding, their sound transported us...GOZA jazz was lively, sophisticated and elegant, our guests were up on their feet dancing the night away!

    — J. Bell
    Cromwell, CT

  • Dear Dave - This is a THANK YOU for playing at our wedding at the Aldrich Mansion. We could not have asked or dreamed of anything better. People are still telling us what an amazing band we had. I still get teary eyed thinking of walking down the aisle to Canon in D and dancing to salsa later in the evening. Thank you for being so flexible and for making our wedding so memorable.

    — P. Zerra & M. Garcia
    Providence, RI

  • Thank you so much for playing with your band, Goza, at the Connecticut Hispanic Bar Association's (CHBA) 17th Annual Awards Celebration yesterday evening...We got many compliments about the desert reception and the lively atmosphere you created certainly made the difference!

    — K. Goyco
    CHBA

  • We were thrilled with our choice of Goza to perform at our wedding cocktail hour and reception. They were just what we had in mind ...their sound transported us to a location beyond the Connecticut shoreline, instilling a Mediterranean-Latin flare in keeping with our theme. Goza was lively, sophisticated and elegant. Guests from all parts of the globe, and all generations, were on their feet dancing!! I would highly recommend them as a top wedding band selection.

    — T. Kittle
    Old Saybrook, CT

  • Thank you so much for doing such a great job and making our reception as fun as it was. You were a huge hit! I'm confident you will be receiving calls in the future due to your popularity at our wedding!

    — M. Malone
    New Haven, CT

  • GOZA has performed at our music festival for the last 10 years. They are simply the most engaging ensemble! Their selection of music is perfect for all audiences.

    — D. Miller
    Albany, NY