Rio Bamba Shows

Rio Bamba is an exciting blend of Brazilian, Latin and American Jazz. For 6 years Rio Bamba has performed in a wide variety of jazz and world music venues, corporate shows, private parties, weddings and festivals performing standards and original songs in the unique style of the group.

The Rio Bamba sound is a unique blend of Bossa Nova, Samba, American and Latin Jazz played by world class musicians. The group moves easily from classic and swinging jazz, vocal or instrumental to a Brazilian Samba that brings everyone to the dance floor with it’s irresistible rhythms.

	Maggie Vagle studied vocal jazz performance at the Columbia College Chicago. Born into a family of musicians this daughter of a singer and songwriter has a voice that can be simultaneously ethereal and robust, and a stage presence that instantly hypnotizes the viewer. She is the lead vocalist in Sidewalk Chalk, voted best local hip-hop act in Chicago 2010. She has also graced the stage with the international super band Voo Voo, the Cerqua Riviera Art Experience, as well as toured worldwide with recording artist Leigh Jones and award winning hip-hop band Animate Objects. A musician that possesses an unmatched love for her craft she blends folk music, jazz rhythms, rhythm & blues and the power of a soul troubadour. Coupling this with her intrinsic poetic nature and radiating pure spirit leaves the listener with a cleansing sound experience.
	Craig Linenberger/Guitar: Craig is an accomplished guitarist, whose many years of musical performance and intensive musical study have included venues in Jazz, Classical, Brazilian, Flamenco, Blues and Rock Styles. He is equally comfortable playing a burning jazz solo on A. Jobim's Brazilian classic, Wave, performing the solo Classical Guitar pieces from H. Villa Lobo's five Preludes or playing a Flamenco Guitar piece in the style of solea, tangos or buleria. He is well known throughout Chicago's Northwest Suburbs as one of the premier private instructors of all styles of guitar. Craig's broad musical repetoire and skill on his instrument contributes to the special musical experience of Rio Bamba.
	Two-time Grammy nominated JOEL MARTINEZ has played drum set and hand percussion professionally in Chicago since 1990, in a range of styles encompassing punk, musical theater, Mexican and South American folk music (with Grammy nominated Sones de Mexico and others), R&B, rock, Flamenco, Afro-Cuban and Brazilian jazz, and traditional American jazz. He has performed with the Chicago Sinfonietta at Chicago Symphony Center. He has performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., the Outdoor Festival of the Lincoln Center in New York City, The Harris Theater for the Performing Arts and the Philadelphia Folk Festival before an audience of thousands.
	John Garvey/Bass/Vocals: John founded Rio Bamba in 2005. He has played a wide variety of styles and worked with a wide variety of musicians. Venues and appearnaces include ABC TV, Park West, Ambassador East, Wrigley Field, Cellular Field, Navy Pier, Chambers, Cuatro, North Western University, Loyola University, Clybourn and Custer Street Fairs, Joe's, Carnivale, Mars Gallery, Stan Mansion, Flatwater, Galleria Marchetti, Hyde Park Jazz Festival, Pete Miller's, University Club of Chicago, WDCB 90.9 Radio and our favorite, Katerina's.