Azteca (Band)

The Latin rock band Azteca was formed in 1970 in the Chicano scene of San Francisco; Founders were the percussionist Thomas " Coke" Escovedo (1941-1986) and Pete Escovedo ( born 1935 ). The lush studded ensemble mixed Afro-Cuban rock music in the style of Santana with soul, funk and jazz elements.

After the worldwide success of Santana the record company CBS was hoping for another commercial success. The group toured with Stevie Wonder and played in London with Weather Report, Earth, Wind and Fire. However, from the shadow of Santana Azteca could never emerge. Therefore, an economic success was and it was difficult to keep a formation of this size. Thus, Azteca dissolved after two albums released " Azteca " (1972) and " Pyramid Of The Moon " (1973) on eventually.

For the band included many musicians who appeared before or since at Santana. But links with other bands plentiful. Thus came Victor Pantoja of Tito Puente, Willie Bobo and Gabor Szabo. The brothers Coke and Pete Escovedo, Victor Pantoja, Rico Reyes, Wendy Haas, Mel Martin and Tom Rutley had some brief guest appearances at Santana. Neal Schon came from Santana and later formed Journey. The youthful percussionist Sheila E (daughter of Pete Escovedo ), the Santana drummer Michael Shrieve, Don Grusin and others played a few concerts with the band.

Reunion

1994 tried Paris Escovedo (the son of Coke Escovedo ), with the support of Victor Pantoja, Ray Carrion and Pete Perez ( who then founded the group Aztlan ) to revive the band again. On September 15, 2007, there was at the Hollywood Key Club in Los Angeles for a reunion concert of the band. The recordings were released a year later on the CD "From The Ruins" ( 2008) and the DVD " La Piedra Del Sol " (2008).

Already deceased at the time of the reunion concert was the band members Coke Escovedo, George maribus, Flip Nuñez, Rico Reyes and Pat O'Hara.

Discography

• Azteca ( LP / CD, 1972)
• Pyramid Of The Moon (LP, 1973)
• From The Ruins (CD, 2008)
• La Piedra Del Sol (DVD, 2008)

• Chicano Power. Latin Rock In The USA 1968-1976 ( with extensive booklet ) (2 CDs, 1998) with Azteca, Malo, Santana, Sapo, El Chicano and other