RealTracks Artist Bio: Abe Gumroyan

Although he is featured for his Cuban (Salsa and Timba) bass styles in Band-in-a-Box, Abe Gumroyan could be called "the complete bass player." He is equally at home on the double bass, electric bass, Ampeg baby bass, or synth bass and graduated with a degree in Jazz performance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He then took graduate studies in double bass and orchestral studies at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. As a Classical musician, he has been a member of the Las Vegas Philharmonic and has freelanced in San Francisco. But there is much more to Abe's talents.

Abe's Armenian parents loved Cuban music and he grew up listening to their collection of salsa records. An Honors band student at The Hamilton High School for the Performing Arts and the Las Vegas Academy of Performing and Visual Arts and International Studies, the Cuban influence and his natural gifts soon made him the first call bassist for Latin music in Las Vegas. He and his colleagues are credited with developing a dynamic timba scene with groups like Generacion Habanera, Orquesta Tercera Dimención, Las Vegas Latin Sound, Charanbrava, Brisa Latina, and Por Si Las Moscas (Latin Jazz).

Now living in San Francisco, Abe (nicknamed "El Ruso") is active in Salsa and Jazz bands, and freelances on double bass with noted artists such as Michel Legrand. Others he has played and recorded with include Issac Delgado, Jerry Rivera, Herman Olivera, Johnny "Dandy" Rodriguez, The Jose Lugo Orchestra, Karl Perrazo & AVANCE, Tito Puente Jr, Frankie Morales, Michito Sanchez Salsa Orchestra, and Rafael de Jesus. His outstanding versatility has also brought him engagements with top recording artists like Alicia Keys, Drummer Peter Erskine, Tenor Saxophonist Chris Potter, Justin Timberlake, and Andrea Bocelli.

Abe Gumroyan is @AbeBass on Twitter, and there is an online profile of him at http://www.timba.com/musicians/el-ruso. and http://www.labella.com/artists/abe-gumroyan/