A fusion of ideas, cultural identities, and genres of music is the best way to describe veteran jazz group Cabo Frio. Emerging from the musically fertile Upstate New York region-home to a host of other acclaimed musicians like Cab Calloway, Chuck Mangione, and Steve Gadd. Cabo Frio's beginnings date back to 1979, when members of the group from the Rochester-Buffalo area joined forces.

Over the past two decades, the group has recorded six albums and toured with the likes of Buddy Rich, Phyllis Hyman, Jeff Lorber, Joan Jett, The Yellow Jackets, Dave Valentine, Paquito D'Rivera, The Crusaders, and Joe Sample. Cabo Frio has participated in national jazz festivals, sharing the bill with such notables as Miles Davis, Carlos Santana, and Kenny G. The group has appeared regularly across the country at such venues as the Newport Jazz Festival, Blue Note in New York City, Blues Alley in Washington D.C., the Baltimore Inner Harbor Concert Series, and Carnegie [Mellon] Hall. Named after a city in Brazil, Cabo Frio has strived to reflect cultural diversity in its music. Influenced by cultures around the world, its members meld their backgrounds and individual sounds to create music that is as diverse as its audience.

Cabo Frio's recording career began in 1982, with the release of their self-titled album; at that time they were at the forefront of the genre of music called fusion. Back on the scene with several original members contributing, Cabo Frio released Island Dance in 2004 on KEZIA Records, nationally distributed by IDN.

Island Dance is fresh new music from Cabo Frio and from the silky smooth "You Don't Know" to the festive "High Tide" featuring Chris Vadala on flute to the title track "Island Dance" featuring John Whitney (guitarist for contemporary jazz great Greg Karukas) one can tell that this project is full of the warmth and quality that has made the contemporary jazz genre so popular.

Reunited for Island Dance were original members Curtis Kendrick (drummer/founder/producer), pianist Joe Santora, guitarist Marc Copani, plus talented newcomer bassist Mark Russell. Also featured is one of the foremost woodwind artist and educators Chris Vadala who is newly signed to KEZIA Records! Chris Vadala has performed and recorded with greats such as Chuck Mangione, Aretha Franklin, B.B. King and Herbie Hancock. Chris Vadala is director of Jazz Studies and associate professor of saxophone at the University of Maryland School of Music. Look for a new release from Chris Vadala on KEZIA Records later on this year!

Cabo Frio is currently on tour again, playing the best and most brilliant pieces from its musical history. The band is releasing a "BEST OF" CD in June 2006 - Be on the lookout!

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