IVAN MARTINEZ, Timbales/Percussions/VocalsBorn in Pinar del Rio, Cuba March 16, 1967. From 1987 to 1992 Ivan studied university courses at Pedagogico de la Habana, obtaining a bachelors degree in Music Education. While studying he was trombone player and musical director of the band “Son Imagen”, which received various award recognitions.  Then in 1993, he started as a trombone player with the orchestra “Cuestión Seria”, and later shared responsibilities as musical director with Mariela Suarez. This group won the 1995 Novel Orchestra award in Cuba. Two years later he participated as musical arranger and trombone player in the recording production “Amante Solo Yo”, by Dikan and “Cuestión Seria”. In 2002 Ivan brought his succesful experience to Dallas to the new Havana NRG! 

MEET THE BAND

MARIELA SUAREZ, Piano/Band Director

Born February 6, 1971 in the city of Havana, Cuba. From the age of four she began to appear in TV, radio, documentaries and theater as part of a musical children’s group, “Meñique”. She studied at the music academy specializing in piano and violin. In 1987 she won first place in a national contest for violin students. Mariela graduated with a technical and professional title as instrumentalist and violin professor. In 1989 she was selected to participate the Young World Orchestra as a violinist becoming the first Cuban in history to be accepted for this kind of event. In 1997 she participated as violinist in the symphonic orchestra of Nuevo Leon and was professor of violin in the Instituto Superior de Musica in Monterey, Mexico. In 2002 she became Pianist, Band Director, Composer for Havana NRG!

MICHAEL ROMERO, Lead Vocals/Trumpet

Born in Holguin, Cuba in December, 1973. The son of an actress and a school teacher, Maiquel began to show interest in the arts in his early life. At the age of 5 he was already singing the old “Trova Cubana,” which gave the first glimpse of a bright future in the music field. He spent five years performing in Monterrey with the cuban band Caribe Show. In 1999 he moved to Dallas, where he has worked as lead vocalist and trumpet player. He became a founding member of Havana NRG! in 2002.

PAOLA MURILLO, FEMALE VOCALIST

Born in Honduras, Paola comes from a family of well known talent.  Paola joined Havana NRG! in 2021 and we are very excited to have her in the band. MORE BIO INFORMATION COMING SOON!

JOSE ANGEL BLANCO LISSABET, CONGAS/TIMBALES

BIO COMING SOON!

MELVIN GARCIA, Bongos/Percussions

Born October 19th, 1976. Melvin began his musical career at an early age, performing with cover bands throughout Puerto Rico. His talent garnered recognition from better known acts with regional and international renown. One of these acts, Las Nenas de Ringo y Jossie, launched the singing career of Olga Tañón. As a result, Melvin started performing with Tañón and Dominican bands with an international fan base such as La Toro Band, Sergio Vargas, Ramón Orlando, Fernandito Villalona, Wilfrido Vargas and Johnny Ventura, among others. In 2010 Melvin suffered a stroke that stalled his musical career. In 2015, Mariela Suárez, the manager for Havana NRG, invited him to be part of her band, playing bongos and minor percussion, reviving his passion for music. Presently, Melvin lives in Fort Worth, Texas and continues to perform with Havana NRG

GEORBER NODAL, Trumpet

Born in Matanzas, Cuba on July 2, 1976. At the age 9 he took his first steps towards music, getting involved with different bands playing guitar and percussion. He began his musical studies in the Vocational School of the Arts in Matanzas, specializing in trumpet. Four years later, he decided to further his musical studies and successfully completed the entrance requirements at the famed National School of Art in Havana, where he extended his skills. Georber graduated in 1995 with the a degree in Trumpet Performance.  In 2000 he was sharing the stage with the late Celia Cruz and Mickey Taveras where he also performed on the popular television progreams based in Miami such as "Sabado Gigante", "Escandalo de Mediodia" and "De Mañanita", and others. 

JEFF FORT, Sax/Flute

Born May 25, 1971 and grew up in the tropical setting of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He started playing the saxophone at the age of 16. When he finished High School, he briefly attended music school before he was hired to play for Carnival Cruise Lines. 

After working on the cruise ships for 3years, Jeff moved to Denton, TX to finish school. He graduated from the University of North Texas in 2001 specializing in jazz performance, and started working in the Latin music scene as saxophone and flute player. He became a founding member of Havana NRG! in 2002.

RAMON RODRIGUEZ, Bass

Born in Pinar del Rio, Cuba March 16, 1967. From 1987 to 1992 Ivan studied university courses at Pedagogico de la Habana, obtaining a bachelors degree in Music Education. While studying he was trombone player and musical director of the band “Son Imagen”, which received various award recognitions. In 2002 Ivan brought his succesful experience to Dallas to the new Havana NRG!