THE ORCHESTRA / LA ORQUESTA FAJARDO JR.  BAND DIRECTOR / TIMBALES  Fajardo Jr. born in the USA and of cuban Heritage made his first TV appearance at the age of 3 in Miami. On his first tour, in 1977 at the age of 5, he and his father performed in Africa. With his father at his side, he became knowledgeable in the world of music.  At the age of 6 Fajardo Jr. was already exposed to promoters and business giants, they referred to him as a prodigy child and nicknamed him EL NINO PRODIGIO. Throughout the years Fajardo Jr. has had the privilege of performing along side the likes of Johnny Pacheco, Oscar D’ Leon, Jose Alberto (El Canario), La Sonora Mantancera, Johnny Ray, Grupo Imagen, Luisito Carrion, Pedro Jesus, Cano Estremerra, Johnny Almendra, Tito Puente, Sheila E., Nino Segarra, Cachao and many more. Fajardo Jr. has also had the opportunity to travel with many of these artists to such places like Africa, Mexico, Canada, France, Martinique, Guadelupe, St. Marten, Germany, Russia, Holland, Colombia as well as throughout the United States.  In New York and Miami he has performed in some of the most famous night clubs such as THE COPACABANA, LATIN QUARTERS, LA MAGANETTE, CASA BLANCA, THE PALM TREE, CLUB MYSTIQUE and more.  Recently he was offered and signed an endorsement deal with the leading company of percussion instruments "LATIN PERCUSSION". Fajardo Jr. has become the musical director of his father’s band FAJARDO Y SUS ESTRELLAS in 2001 and works alongside his sister and vocalist, Ines Fajardo. Together they plan on keeping their father’s typical style of music and dream alive. INES FAJARDO  VOCAL Ines Fajardo born and raised in New Jersey, she followed the musical family roots.  While growing up, she participated in many school musicals and talent shows.  She studied classical piano for 10 years and decided that singing was her talent.  As a child, she was exposed to latin music and developed a passion for performing.  She would dance on the front line of her father's band, the great legend flautist Jose Fajardo and would occasionally sing a few American ballads that her father had in his repertoire.  Her first professional adult gig was in 1990 with a Jazz trio performing at local clubs and hotel lounges.   She then went on to a four piece club band performing Standards and Top 40 music and ultimately performed with a wedding band in a top New Jersey agency.  Ines has worked on many projects such as radio commercials, voice overs for a major tri-state cable company, and background tracks for some latin greats.  She currently performs as a front line vocalist with her brother, Fajardo Jr. and is lead female vocalist with a premier wedding band.     She feels as though she is helping to keep her father's legacy alive.  "I feel a deep sense of closeness with my dad with every performance.  His music and style is something I respect and hold very dear and close to my heart.  I will continue because I know he is truly with us in spirit and in every song."   ALEX MAIORANO  VOCAL Alex Maiorano began his musical career as a sax player in the spring of 1991. During this time period, Alex learned his instrument very rapidly and began producing unique sounds from his sax. After countless hours of studies, his sax playing granted him a place in the ranks of the Valley Forge Military Academy Regimental Band.  After joining the ranks of the band in 1992 under the direction of COL. Danny Jaynes; Alex began to venture out into world. During his tenure at Valley Forge Military Academy, He traveled to France, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, Holland, and England. In 1997, Alex joined another Elite Unit-The Regimental Herald Trumpets. He has played for dignitaries such as President George Bush and Gerald Ford, Secretary of State William Cohen, Members of the Queen’s Majesties and other. Today Alex, lends his voice to the institution of charanga y musica caribeanña to Fajardo Jr. y Sus Estrellas. . MIGUELITO "PACHA" POZO MINOR PERCUSSION Miguel Pozo was born in Cuba, then after coming to the United States, he started his musical career with bassist Glen Vargas, then later went to play with Orquesta Realidad from New Jersey. After Realidad, he changed gears, and went to play with a disco band named “Tight N Juicy.” In 1981 he started to play with Jose Fajardo, which he’s been involved with one way or the other, for the past 25 years. During that time, he played 4 years with Son Moderno under the leadership of Waldo Fernandez, he was also involved with the re-birth of “The New Tipica Ideal.” Now, he is once again playing with Fajardo y sus Estrellas but under the direction of the son FAJARDO JR.   NELSON "SKELLO" ROJAS CONGAS Nelson Skello Rojas born in Puerto Rico grew up in N.Y.C.  Musical career started way before he fell in love with Latin Music. He would hang with a stepbrother who played bass guitar in a local rock band in Coney Island, NY. Introduced to drums and jammed with the band at the age of 8. Then in 1970, he started to listen to Latin Music and fell in love with it. Started playing trumpet at that time in 6th grade and through a new kid on the block who he became best friends with, Ernie A., got into percussion. They formed a group with other young musicians in the building they lived, would gig at block party’s, weddings and local bars. While still playing trumpet, he studied classical at old Albee School of Music in downtown Brooklyn, NY and also with top Latin musicians Danny Reyes, Ray Maldonado and Louie Vega on Trumpet also. Went to Johnny Colon’s East Harlem Music School to further his studies on bongos, ended up playing with Johnny’s Colons band on bongos, while playing at a club “The Corso”, he met Nicky Marrero were he felt he could learn even more from him and took some advanced lessons on bongo. Ended up helping Nicky with carrying his gear and hanging with him and ended up being a band boy with TIPICA’73 for a short while there he advanced by studying with the likes of, Johnny Rodriguez, Joe Grajales, Nicky Marrero and the rest of TIPICA’73. They recommended him to other bands and were able to do gigs with Tito Puente, Machito, Hector Lavoe, Conjunto Libre, Bobby Capo, Ralph McDonald, and David Amram, Ralphy Santi, Pacheco, Hector Casanova, Charlie Rodriguez, and of course TIPICA’73. Participated in rehearsals with Fania All-stars and Tico Allegre All-stars. Recorded with a guy named Carlos Cavajal y su Colombian All-stars cantando Pepier Pimienta in 1977. Did a gig with Jose Fajardo y sus Estrellas in 1978 and stood with the band till about 1985 while with Jose Fajardo he got the nickname “El Novato Del Ano”, “the Rookie of the Year” According to Jose Fajardo. Traveled extensively and recorded with Jose Fajardo on Fania Records. That Year in 1985 had a major accident and lost use of his left hand, the Doctor’s said he would never be able to play again. He refuse to believe that, worked hard at getting his left hand back in order again, left the country for a short while. Came back in 1990, got reconnected with his musician friends and started playing again, with various groups, Johnny Rivera. Javier Vasquez y su Sonora, Ernie A. y Conjunto Imagen, etc.  Now he is once again playing with Fajardo Y sus Estrellas but under the direction of the son FAJARDO JR.   HECTOR "El Chiquitico" DAVILA PIANO Hector Davila a.k.a."Pequeño Mostro" born in Elizabeth, NJ, he was always surrounded by music.At a very early age he began beating on empty pots and pans, johnny walker tins, and anything else he could get his hands on. By the early age of thirteen he chose his musical path with the piano and never looked back, being influenced by Enrique "Papo" Lucca, Eddie Palmieri, Jorge Millet, Ricky Gonzalez and others.  By seventeen he got his first shot playing with Herman Olivera (lead singer with the Eddie Palmieri Orchestra)and the Wil Vega and friends Academy of Music, and by the way the name of the game on that gig was lead trumpet. There he was under the wing of people like Nelson Diaz, Nito Carrasquillo, Marc & Jeff Lopez, Pucho Matos, and others. Eighteen he does his first gig with someone that becomes a musical mentor and friend "El Matancero" Justo Betancourt which is where the name "Pequeño Mostro" comes from. From there moves on to be the primary contact for Justo Betancourt y Borincuba not to mention musical director for many of their functions. He has performed with many of the greats such as Cano Estremera, Luisito Carrion, Marvin Santiago, Justo Betancourt y Conjunto Borincuba, Brenda K. Starr, Carabali,  Eddie Santiago, Paquito Guzman and many more.  Hector currently is performing with Fajardo Jr. and  is an accomplished Producer, Pianist, Trumpeter, Percussionist, Arranger, Composer & Private Music teacher   WILLIE CINTRON BASS Willie Cintron, born in Puerto Rico. He began his musical career as a clarinetist. Then a short time later learned how to play the tenor sax. He became a bassist in 1970 and has had the pleasure of performing and learning from some of the top names in the Latin Music Industry such as "Charlie Rodriguez", "Johnny Pacheco", "Hector Casanova", "Pete El Conde Rodriguez", "Roberto Torres", "Eddie Zervigon", just to name of few. One of his greatest achievements as stated by Mr. Cintron was to have had the honor of performing and learning for the past 10 yrs from one of the "TRUE GIANTS" and "LEGENDS" in all of Latin Music "El Maestro de la flauta" JOSE ANTONIO FAJARDO.  Mr. Cintron is still currently with the FAJARDO orchestra "FAJARDO y sus ESTRELLAS" under the leadership of his son "FAJARDO JR. since the untimely passing of "EL MAESTRO" in 2001.  When Mr. Cintron is not performing with "FAJARDO JR" you may be able to catch him performing in the New York area with some of the other names mentioned above.   EDUARDO "JOSH" FORTUNATO VOCAL Eddie started his musical career at age 16 singing coro with the Glen Vargas Orquestra. He then has gone on to perform with Orquestra Realidad under the musical direction of Rene Leyva, Conjunto Sabroso,Charanga Kreacion, Jose Fajardo y Sus Estrellas, Son Moderno under the direction of Waldo Fernandez. He was also a member of the Jovenes del Barrio under the direction of Johnny Almendra. He has shared stage with Johnny Pacheco, Hector Casanova, Jose Alberto ( El Canario), Eddy Zervignon and Orquestra Broadway, Tito Puente, Machito, Orquestra Novel,  Ray Baretto, Herman Olivera, and many others. He is currently again with the Legendary Orquestra of the  late Jose Fajardo under the direction of his son Fajardo Jr.   HADAR NOIBERG FLUTE Hadar Noiberg is a flutist, composer and arranger born in Holon Israel in 1982 and is currently living in New York City.  As a classically trained musician, Hadar studied with Prof. Uri Shoham, retired principal flutist of the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra while she was studying in the “Kiriat Sharet” high school of the arts in Holon.  In the year 1999 Hadar was accepted to the young Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra and performed with them all over Israel and in festivals and concerts abroad.  Growing up as a musician in Israel Hadar was part of diverse music scenes and participated in many events Classical and Jazz master classes, concerts, Jazz competitions and many more.  In 2000 Hadar joined the Cuban ensemble “SABOR CUBANO” and performed with them all over the USA for 3 years.  Between the years of 2002-2004 Hadar was a part of the teaching staff of the “NEVE SHARET” conservatory in Tel-Aviv as a Flute teacher and Jazz ensembles instructor.  Hadar has been a member of  FAJARDO JR. Y SUS ESTRELLAS since 2005 and is a great talent and addition to our organization and we hope to have her with us for many more years to come.  You can also visit Hadar at www.hadarnoiberg.com   DAVE RIMELIS VIOLIN  Dave Rimelis' unique charanga violin style has been featured with many prominent Latin ensembles, including Jose Fajardo, Johnny Pacheco, Roberto Torres, Orchestra Broadway, and Africando.  Rimelis is  the founder and leader of the band “Life,” which performs originalworld jazz.  The son of country western singer “Idaho Ed,”  Rimelis was raised on American folk and popular music; he has won prizes in a number of regional fiddle contests.  David Rimelis’ musical Compositions have been performed by orchestras internationally, including the Boston Pops, National Symphony, RoyalLiverpool Philharmonic, Saint Louis Symphony and the Baltimore Symphony.  You can also visit Dave at www.davidrimelis.com   ALI BELLO VIOLIN (alternate) Venezuelan violinist who started his career in his native country and travels to New York in the early 90’s to continue his college education in New York, earning both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Music Arts. The National Counselor of the Department of Culture of Venezuela and the Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho Foundation of Venezuela have sponsored Mr. Bello. During his time in the United States, Mr. Bello has performed recitals and concerts of the classical genre, but his talents stretch beyond the realm of classical music comprising Jazz, Latin, Middle East and Folkloric music of his homeland.  He has performed with figures such as Regina Carter, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, José Fajardo, and Johnny Pacheco among others.  He has also performed in Jazz Festivals in United States, England, Australia, The Caribbean Islands and Venezuela such as the Montreux Detroit Jazz Festival, Lincoln Center Jazz Out Doors, JVC Jazz Festival, the World Music Festival in Puerto Rico and the Bacardi Sydney Festival among others.  When he is not performing with FAJARDO JR. he could also be seen with the following musical groups the Latin Jazz Coalition, Johnny Pacheco’s Band, The Fania All-Star Band, Los Jóvenes del Barrio, and Orquesta Broadway in some of the most famous venues in New York City