Caracas was a popular Latin Jazz band based in Eugene, Oregon.
Active Years: 1979-1984
Original Members
- Mario Bressanutti
- Tony Proveaux
- Randy Deutcher
- Nathan Waddell
Members
- Mario Bressanutti
- Paul Schimming (trumpet)
- Dennis Caffey (Drums)
- Mark Schneider (bass)
- Juan Lara (congas)
- Curtis Kraft (congas)
- Sal Figueroa (percussion)
- Additional musicians who also shared presentations of “Caracas” include: Lynn Baker (sax), Tom Smith (sax), Jeff Homan (sax)
Butch Cousins says
I thought Mike Van Liew had something to do w/Caracas. I know Whatshisname (& a bunch of other guys) came out of that grouping.
Paul Schimming says
Butch;you are on the right track there. Mike and Mario’s groups combined for a couple gigs at a place called Danceworks as Mario had written some music that he wanted played by a bigger group. What was cool about the scene there was that we all floated around from band to band.on occasion..it was like a “guild” as MVL used to say.
Paul Schimming says
The Curtis on congas listed above is Curtis Kraft..he was in the final version of the group. Ray and Kristen Davis also participated on percussion in a couple of the final gigs we played at the Oregon Electric Station in 1984.