BANDOLEROS

Genre:  Blend of Middle Eastern & Latin Flavors

Chicago-based Bandoleros has been called a true World Music phenomenon, known for its spicy blend of Middle Eastern, Spanish flamenco and Latin flavors. With a unique, eclectic repertoire in such diverse languages as Arabic, English, Spanish, Italian, Greek, and Turkish, Bandoleros’ spirited, get-up-and-dance music has resulted in sold-out performances in popular clubs and concert venues worldwide. Along with its distinctive original music, Bandoleros is also in demand for in-studio collaborations with other international artists.

BANDOLEROS BAND MEMBERS:

Wesam Isho (composer, vocals and percussion), Ashur Isho (composer, guitar, vocals, and sound engineer), Robert Antar (guitarist), and Mauro Frosio (keyboards)

Wesam Isho is one of the founders of the most popular band in Chicago, the BANDOLEROS. His ethnic background is Assyrian. As a child, he enjoyed various types of music from around the world. In his early teens, he began to perform at parties and social events. His audiences were overwhelmingly receptive, and his reputation began to spread.
He suddenly found himself performing internationally, in countries as far as Greece and Turkey. With his craft sharpening and his music influences increasing, he also found his aspirations heightening. Wesam decided to take on a new challenge and pursue his career in America. It was in the USA that he was able to join forces with other musicians who shared his love of world music. Now, as a member of the BANDOLEROS, Wesam’s influence and love of Flamenco, Latin, and traditional, as well as modern Arabic music, is heard in every song performed by the BANDOLEROS. Sharing lead vocals with Johnny Shabandar, Wesam’s distinctive vocalization and knowledge of five languages is a reflection of his vast travels and musical influences.

Ashur Isho
Music Writer, Rhythm Creator As a child, Ashur was inspired by his older brother, Salem, to play the guitar. At the age of five, he was convinced that music would be an important factor in his life. The youngest one in the family, Ashur felt he would always have to prove that he can play with his older, more experienced brothers. Ashur explains, “There’s a saying in the music industry that some people are born to play music, and some are born to learn to play music.
I believe I was born to play, sleep, eat and drink music!” It was a struggle for him and his family to come to live in the USA. His journey took him to many exotic countries. Once he arrived in the USA, he realized that he had the musical advantage of being exposed to the rhythms of many countries, including Turkey, Greece and other countries throughout the Middle East and the Mediterranean. Also curious for other genres of music, Ashur was determined to master the sound of Flamenco music. As a result, Ashur earned his right to become a member of the BANDOLEROS. Since then, he, along with the BANDOLEROS, has opened for the late, Tito Puente, Spanish Fly, Liquid Soul and others. He is very proud to have contributed his talents to the success of the BANDOLEROS. At the age of 22, he has come to own his own studio and mix the music for the BANDOLEROS. “I always spend time learning and discovering new beats and am always eager to discover different rhythms to make people dance.

Mauro Frossio
Mauro Frosio was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He started playing the piano at age 14, playing with Luis Salinas considered one of the best Spanish guitar players, he did teach Mauro a great deal about music. Since then he has the pleasure of continuing playing, recording and sharing the stages with numerous big Stars in Argentina: Luis Salinas, Raul Porcheto, Daniel “Alambre” Gonzales, Divididos, Malambo, el Negro Garcia Lopez, Juan Bellia, Charly Garcia, Papo, Los Super Ratones, D.J Fontana, Buenos Aires Tango Orchestra, among others. Mauro came to the United States and continue his career playing and touring with big stars and Blues and Latin Jazz Legends in Chicago such as Greene Louis, Bather Smith (Moody Wither), Carlos Johnson, Vince Willis, Koko Taylor, Ottis Rush, Chico Banks, Bass legend Chuck-a luck (Earth Wind and Fire), Los Pinguos, Joseph Fargier (from the Gipsy King’s Family) and much more. He lived in Chicago, Las Vegas, New York and Los Angeles. He won first award in diverse occasions:
• Awards 2003 Chicago Joseph Jefferson Award, Best ensemble, Best music score in the musical Nana.
• Award 2000 1st. price Charly Palmierie (Piano competition) in New York.
• Tito Puente Award, Piano salsa and Latin Jazz, New York, teacher Sonny Bravo (Tito Puente, George Benson)
• Buenos Aires 1994 Tango Infantil Award
• Gold Medal Japan, in Piano and Composition.
Mauro works with artist and music from Korea, Ja

RECORD CREDITS: Habibi (2000), Bandolero (2002), Maximo (2003), A Part of Us (2005), Ashur Solo (2006), Compas de Fuego (2008), Gipsy Arabia (2010), Habibi Nisani (2010), and Bandoleros Live (2011).

Bandolero WEBSITE  ~~  FACEBOOK  ~~  YouTube

For further information, please contact:

Ron Levine                                          Wesam Isho

[email protected]                        [email protected]

847-530-2211                                         773-769-4447