Nestor J. “Cano” Cintron
Vocals / Drums / Clave / Panderos / Congas
Cano has been playing Afro-Cuban rhythms for more than 25 years. He has played in various Salsa bands and afro-caribbean music groups like Bomba Ache. He is a versatile, knowledgeable percussionist with abundant musical experience playing Afro-Caribbean music . As a youngster , he was a member of his high school band where he studied the rudiments of music. He has played with other bands around New York and Connecticut. He is currently playing with Arnaldo Rivera and his Bentetu Band.
David Oliver
Bongoes / Tambora / Dominican Guiro / Congas
David specializes in Dominican Tambora and Guiro. He was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Willimantic. David has played in several local Salsa and Merengue bands for more than 25 years .He specializes in Merengue and Salsa rhythms. Has played with the band for more than 10 years.
Alicia Rivera Torres
Vocals / Light Percusssion
Alicia has been singing with the Bentetu band for over 3 years. Her musical experience includes singing in formal choral ensembles. She also has extensive experience singing in various Catholic choirs, and Puerto Rican folkloric groups. She has a vast experience in choral music and the right voice for Salsa and afro-caribbean styles.
Janice Rivera-Velez
Lead Vocalist / Chorus
Janice has an exquisite and powerful voice with an amazing range. It’s a natural voice for the Latin and Salsa music styles.
Bob Bloom
Tmbales / Surdo / Berimbau / Djembe
From 1985 to 2003, Bob Bloom served as a Faculty Assistant to the late Dr. Babatunde Olatunji for his “Language of the Drums” courses at The Omega Institute. Bob drummed and sang as a performance member of Olatunji’s legendary, African music and dance ensemble, “Drums of Passion” in concerts at venues including Lincoln Center, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Washington Monument, and Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts.
Arnaldo Francisco Rivera “Naldito”
Congas / Bongo / Timbales / Dominican Guiro & Light Percussion
He is a mult-italented musician and studied music with his father , Arnaldo Rivera. Born in Ponce Puerto Rico but proudly raised out of Willimantic, Connecticut, Arnaldo or “Naldito” as some call him, started playing congas and bongo I his youth under the instruction o this father/band director Arnaldo, “Naldo” Rivera. After several years of tutelage under his father, he was made an integral part part of the Latin percussion section of the band Bentetú. This style of music is in his blood and his natural insticts for it manifests in his performance. He has been playing under the Bentetú banner since the year 2000.
Paul Tanner
Bass Guitar / Upright Bass / Vocals
Paul is very disciplined and dedicated to his instrument. He is a serious musician and his enjoyment and enthusiasm is palpable when playing this kind of music .
Michael Hoxie
Saxophone
Michael Hoxie is from Willimantic CT and has been playing the saxophone for 7 years, singing for about a year and playing with Bentetú for 2 years. Graduated from Windham High school in 2018 and studied partially at Eastern Connecticut State University. He has a very deep passion for music and plays whenever and wherever he can. Michael has more than 3 years of experience playing with the band.
Efran Figueroa
Trombone
Efran Figueroa has played in bands since 1976. He joined the 5th Army Band in 1981 and performed in joint events with the San Antonio Symphony. In 1985 he played with a ten piece Salsa Band whiled stationed in Germany. He has had the fortune to enjoy performing music with highly talented musicians in the past, learning from the best. Has an immense experience playing this kind of style of music and has played with the Bentetu for more then 8 years.
Connor Simpson
Trumpet / Drums
Micahel studies music at ECSU.Has played with the band for more than 3 years.
