MICHELE LUNDEEN & PARADISE is a six piece band that blends elements of Afro-Cuban rhythms, rock, Latin jazz, funk and rhythm & blues to create an entertaining, unique sound all their own.

The Paradise sound is a soul-stirring celebration of life, spirit, brotherhood and diversity. The creation of founder, band leader and timbalero, Patrick Cruz, whose vision was and is to deliver a sound that is uniquely percussion driven and uplifting. Paradise continues its legacy of electrifying performances and along with dedicated, pro-players and most recently dynamic front woman, Michele Lundeen, there is no stopping the momentum. Since the bands' beginning in 1991, members have revolved, but the unique fusion of the bands' musical styles and veteran players continues to create a legion of loyal fans. Each show radiates energy and passion that fires up audiences over and over again.

~ Live, Michele Lundeen & Paradise not only perform original compositions but also have an extensive repertoire of cover songs by such greats as: Santana, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder, War, Sade, Los Lonely Boys, Kool & The Gang, Sly & the Family Stone, Annie Lennox, The Commodores, Chaka Khan, Lydia Pense and Average White Band plus jazz sounds from Cal Tjader, Poncho Sanchez and Eddie Harris and Les McCann.

~ Veterans of private, corporate and community events, Paradise has played popular Southern California venues such as: The Coach House, Belly-Up Tavern, Los Angeles Convention Center, The Bacchanal, Thornton Winery, and Harrah’s and Viejas Casinos. Because of their extraordinary musical prowess and ability to move their audiences, they’ve also opened for greats like Boney James, Santana Band, Los Lobos, Mana, Tierra and El Chicano, War, Zap and Roger, and Rosie and The Originals.

PARADISE LINEUP::

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For Booking or More Info

MICHELE LUNDEEN (Lead Vocals, Background Vocals, percussion)

MOISES ORTIZ (Keys, Trumpet, Lead & Background Vocals, Percussion)

PATRICK CRUZ (Timbales, Congas, Bongos, Percussion, Cajon and De Jembi, Background Vocals)

DEAN ARONOFF (Guitar, Background Vocals)

JIM TUGGEY (Bass)   -  JEFF GRAVES (Drums, Percussion)\

ARTIST BIOS - BAND HISTORY - INFLUENCES - STYLES - REFERENCES - CONTACT -  ARTIST BIOS ...

Latin Soul That Rocks - R&B - Funk - Dance

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Moisés Ortiz Born in Tijuana, Mexico and raised on both sides of the border, Moisés has been playing music since the age of nine. A preachers kid, he played nearly five to six times a week for worship services. Mo began playing trumpet at age twelve, piano by sixteen, and by seventeen was composing original pieces, all the while being the

Dean Aronoff Dean began playing drums and percussion in school at age 11 and  picked up the guitar by age 14. He attended Wayne State University Jazz Studies program and performed in various bands and theater shows in the Detroit area until 1999. Dean then worked as a showband musician for the Carnival cruise lines for eight years, performing in over 20 different Vegas style production shows. Highlights include playing in two flagship orchestras and performing with John Davidson, Norm Crosby and Fred  

Jim Tuggey A new and fortifying ingredient to Paradise, Jim been playing professionally in the SD area for 15 years now including 10 years with Busride (Jazz Funk), 5 years with Prisa (Afro Cuban Salsa), and has performed with a number of other locals including Space Man Spiff and the Jazz Pigs. He's played many So Cal venues like the Belly Up Tavern, Canes, Hard Rock Cafe, Adams Ave Street Fair, PB Block Party, Winstons, Viejas, Harrahs, Conga Room (LA), The Gig (LA), 14 Below (LA), Westend (LA), Paradise Lounge (Vegas).

Travalena. Dean became the guitarist for Paradise in 2007 shortly after relocating to the San Diego area. Since then he's infused his seasoned guitar skills and extensive musical background into the bands recipe for success. Dean is also a full time music teacher giving private guitar lessons in all styles to all ages.

BOOKING & MORE INFO: Patrick Cruz 619-971-7028 paradisebooking@gmail.com

A multiple San Diego Music Awards "Best Blues" Nominee, she also has led her own band, Michele Lundeen & Blues Streak since the late 90's. Her debut CD, Song Inside Me, was an international finalist for "Best Self-Produced CD" in 2006. Originally from the Oakland Bay Area, home of that funky East Bay Grease sound, Michele has performed all styles of music over the years. Influences include Aretha, Tina Turner, Bonnie Raitt, Chaka Khan, Etta James. This engaging entertainer adds a heaping serving of extra spice and soul into Paradise.

Patrick Cruz In the early 70's Patrick followed his urge to explore his musical destiny and began playing in bands around the San Diego area. Over the year's there were many, but that only helped him shape his journey. In 1991 Patrick had an inspired vision and he and some fellow musicians started their own band... they called it Paradise and it's been thriving and evolving ever since. Patrick leads this flavorful Latin/Soul/R&B band adding his love for the music and undeniable natural rhythm to its foundation. His prescription for Paradise: Timbales, Congas, Bongos, Percussion, Cajon and De Jembi. Guaranteed to move your booty, make you feel good, and yep, it's just what the doctor ordered.

church's musical director. He's played with a variety of soul/funk and jazz bands around San Diego while continuing to hone his composing and recording skills. With such varied musical influences as Freddie Hubbard, Led Zeppelin, Herbie Hancock and Parliament Funkadelic, Mo injects his distinct flare, enthusiasm and polished skills into the band. Multi-tasking musicabilities have made Moises a “quadruple threat” and an essential ingredient to the flavor of Paradise since 2006.

REFERENCES:

- 1st Night Escondido (New Year's Eve): ..."Wow, amazing. Even better than the year before! Everyone loved it!

~ Imperial Beach Chamber: "...by far the best concert and largest crowd of the season. We look forward to working with you again. Wow!"

~ Heatwave Production's / Tony Caligagan tony@heatwaveproductions.com 858-967-7923 "Paradise has always been a pleasure to work with when I've booked them at Harrah's Casino, What a great job they do. I always get back great feedback from each performance. Highly recommend them."

~  The Brew House (Eastlake) / Jim  brewhouseeastlake.com 619-656-2739 "... one of our favorite bands, My clientele are always asking for them!"

~ McDini's Night Club / Benny (619-739-1166): "This is one high energetic dance band, it seems like their goal is to make sure everyone has a great time and they always deliver!! Can't wait to book them again."

~ Viejas Casino / Casey (Asst Prod. Mgr) 619-571-3007 "...a great dance and show band. We're looking forward to having them back."

~ Fiesta de Old Town / Ciara Gelhaus (Macfarlane Prod.) "It was truly a pleasure working with you... you created fun and excitement."

Michele Lundeen Dubbed "The Queen of Steam" for her stirring vocals and energetic stage presence, this singer/songwriter does indeed command attention. An established, popular and respected veteran of the club, concert and festival circuit in both Northern Nevada and Southern California, Michele has shared stages with dozens of nationally known artists while gaining a reputation as a talented headliner in her own right.

Jeff Graves Jeff lays down the solid foundation behind Paradise and is into "anything that gets you off your seat and on your feet!" He started playing in Hawaii in various original rock and cover bands before relocating to San Diego in 1985. Jeff has worked with Marty Friedman, Good China, Mass Transit and the Shamrockers. Influences include seminal bands like Chicago and Tower of Power and drummers Dave Wekle and Steve Gadd. An integral piece of Paradise, (and marathon runner on the side!), focus, dedication, talent and feel has Jeff serving up all the right grooves to a tee.