Alfonso Portillo
Alfonso Portillo is founding member of the band along with brother Ron Portillo. Both brothers played music for their mother Patricia in the family home located just outside San Francisco, CA.
Alfonso started playing guitar at age twelve and learned to play many of the standard rock and country songs of the 60's and 70's. He later developed his own, melodic style of guitar, which is unique and transformative. Alfonso and brother Ron Portillo composed the early original Los Cochinos songs. Alfonso now composes the new songs and collaborates with Donald Osborne and other band members on some of the new tunes.
Alfonso's musical influences are Carlos Santana, Jimmy Page, Robin Trower, Neal Schon and David Gilmour, to name a few. Alfonso's melodic leads guide and direct the band's original compositions and take the listener on a musical journey of joy and relief; familiar, yet dramatic, emotional, yet compassionate, simple yet difficult... Unique!
Tomas Montano
Los Cochinos are proud to have on timbales and percussion, Tomas Montano . An established timbalero, Tomas has performed with many renowned bands in the Latin rock scene as well as having been trained as a protégé of Santana percussionist extraordinaire Karl Perrazo.
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Tomas was exposed to a wide variety of different styles in music at a very early age. ''I didn't choose music...music chose me". Starting as a young child, Tomas has played some kind of drum or percussion instrument and continues today at a high level.
With no formal musical training and having come from a musical family, Tomas taught himself percussion and was influenced by Carlos Santana, Tito Puente, Poncho Sanchez, Armando Perazza, Hector Lavoe, Chicago, Tower Of Power, Malo and El Chicano.
Tomas has played timbales and percussion with various bands, acts and musical ventures. Tomas has the longest tenure with Los Cochinos, which span a total of seventeen years. Tomas is extremely grateful to have the opportunity to perform the original music of Los Cochinos and also be able to inspire others!!
Lorenzo "Lonnie" Macon
Our drummer Art was involved in a serious auto accident and is recovering. During his absence, Lorenzo "Lonnie" Macon has taken over the drumming duties. Art would be proud of the job that Lonnie has been doing in his stead. We thank Lonnie for his heart and talent!
Lonnie not only sings and plays drums, he is also proficient on keyboards and bass. In addition, Lonnie creates his own original compositions! Look for Lonnie to work with Donald and Alfonso on new compositions being readied for our next CD "Patricia"!
Donald Osborne
Donald Osborne has been performing as a professional musician for over thirty years. Born in Berkeley, California, he began his career under the guidance of the late Earle Blew, Professor of Music at Stanford University.
Donald went from classical music training to discover a wide range of musical forms in which he could express himself; Jazz, Latin, Reggae, Pop, Country, Soul, R&B and original material.
Donald's father was a methodist minister, which influenced Donald's initial musical interests in Gospel music. Donald later grew to become a keyboardist, vocalist, writer, conductor and arranger.
Donald has performed with many of the bay area’s music treasures such as Etta James, The Hartfield bros., Fulton Tashombe, Lady Bianca, Felton Pilate, Greg Crockett , José Hernandez, Rock Hendricks, Freddy Hughes, Eugene blacknel and a host of other gifted artists who inspire him.
Donald has become a integral part of Los Cochinos with his original compositions that he writes with Alfonso. Donald's nick name is "The Professor". He sounds most like Herbie Hancock, musically.
John Marin
John Marin is a phenomenal singer and front man that has that Latin rock vocal sound that is soulful and mesmerizing! John is an innovator when on stage and can sing all forms of songs from ballads to up tempo dance tunes. John has over forty years in the music business and has performed with Jorge Santana, Momotombo, Mystique, and many other bands, not to mention Los Cochinos. We are honored to call John our brother and am glad to have him in our Los Cochinos family!
Ric Alexander
In a career that spans fifteen years and three albums, saxophonist Ric Alexander has established himself as one of the most innovative figures in contemporary music. Ric is an experienced saxophonist, songwriter and producer known for playing two saxophones simultaneously.
Ric has shared the stage with various well known artists such as Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum, Rick Braun, Jeff Lorber, Chris Botti, Jonathan Butler, Dave Koz, Wayman Tisdale, Will Downing, Confunkshun, Lenny Williams, Regina Belle, The Clark Sisters, The Winans, Rance Allen, Shirley Ceasar, Edwin and Walter Hawkins, Ledisi, Goapele, Tony Toni Ton’e, Jody Watley, Sheila E., Larry Graham, Raphael Saadiq, New Edition, Smokie Norful, and the list goes on.
His latest release, 2wo 4our 1ne, was released last year with each of the twelve tracks focusing on collaborating with longtime friend and Grammy nominated producer/guitarist Levi Seacer (Sounds of Blackness, Sheila E., Prince, Pointer Sisters) to explore new directions and move towards the future with an open mind embracing the evolution of the music industry.
Ric also serves as a member of the Kaiser Permanente African American Professional Association (KPAAPA), is the founder of his own production company Jazzy Jamz Productions and can be heard on Sunday mornings at Bethel Community Church in Fairfield, CA. He recently took top honors in the Dave Koz Music Cruise contest and is currently nominated as “Best Jazz Musician” for an East Bay Area Music Award . Last December, Ric recently performed six sold out shows at Yoshi’s – Oakland with Tony Toni Ton’e that included a special surprise guest appearance by Raphael Saadiq. Ric is currently recording new music for his upcoming instrumental gospel jazz CD which will feature various well known Bay Area gospel artists.
Los Cochinos are excited to feature Ric and his marvelous sax!
Miguel Martinez
Miguel Martinez is a well respected conguero who is rising fast to make his mark in the Latin rock percussion world. Miguel has learned his percussion skills while having been mentored by Mio "Timbalero " Flores (El Chicano and The Whispers) and Tony Flores (Bobby Womack and Marvin Gaye).
Miguel is a great addition to the percussion section of Los Cochinos and has shown his impressive percussive skills in performances. Miguel has also performed with Latin rock legend Malo and has his own musical ensemble "Latin Groove".
Los Cochinos are proud to have Miguel on our team!
Rajesh "Raj" Gopal
Raj is our second guitarist and holds down most of the rhythm guitar duties. Raj is a native of Berkeley, CA and is self taught on guitar. He is a fantastic player and great asset to the band. Raj compliments Alfonso's melodic style with innovative rhythm patterns on the guitar. Raj also sings background vocals. Los Cochinos are grateful to have Raj in the mix.
Fauss Gamulo
Also on bass and handles the band's sound needs, Fauss Gamulo, hails from Vallejo, California and became interested in the bass guitar after having became friends with Melvin Coleman, bass player for the Whispers. Fauss worked hard to learn the bass and shortly thereafter, in his high school years, joined a Vallejo band called Persuasion.
He performed with them until 1973. Fauss took a break from music and later joined the band for a reunion performance, which kickstarted his bass playing career. Fauss later became the bass player with Glenn Snyder & Co., and then with DW Edwards & Lighting Up The Soul. In addition to playing bass with Los Cochinos, Fauss leads his own band in the Solano county area called Rendishun.
Fauss is one of the hardest working members of the band. In addition to his responsibilities on bass, Fauss is responsible for all sound needs of the band and coordinates with venues prior to our performance.