Mento Buru is an explosive ensemble that combines a cross cultural blend of Latin rhythms, Jamaican SKA, jazz, funk and reggae creating an energetic, eclectic live musical experience.

Since forming in 1992, Mento Buru has become a staple of the California music scene performing to an ever-growing fan base throughout the state. Over the years the band has shared stages with everyone from Los Lobos, WAR, The Specials, Fishbone, English Beat, The Skatalites, Poncho Sanchez, Hepcat, Wailing Souls, and countless others in addition to establishing themselves as an explosive, headlining act for audiences of all ages! Venues include: Hard Rock Casino (Tejon), BB Kings Blues Club, The BroadStage, The Roxy, SLO Brewery, The Whiskey, House of Blues, Fox Theater and many, many more. With three full-length CDs, EPs, inclusion on numerous music compilations around the globe, the band has worked with a number of genre-pushing studio engineers including Jon Graber (NOFX, Goldfinger,) guitar genius Deke Dickerson, Brian Dixon (Aggrolites,) Dave Fore (Collie Buddz, The Lacs) with releases in the MOON SKA and Steady Beat Recordings labels.

**The story behind the name: 'Mento Buru' refers to two forms of early Jamaican folk
music styles, which make up the rhythmic foundation of what would become ska and
reggae music in the 60s.

Genres:

Cumbia, Eighties, Ska, Latin, Latin Alternative, Reggae, Funk, Jazz, Latin Rock

Band Members:

Matt Munoz: Lead Vocals, Cesareo Garasa: Drums, Jay Smith: Keyboards, Salvador Galindo: Guitar, Paul Perez: Saxophones, Brent Williams: Trumpet, Justin Kirk: Trombone, Chris Heasley: Percussion, Caleb Moore: Bass

Hometown:

Bakersfield, California