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 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!  

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!

A San Francisco Bay area native, Daryl began his musical journey at the age of

8, playing trumpet in school, and earned music honors throughout his school

years.  As a teen, he was inspired by the Pheonix Horns, the great horn section of his favorite group, Earth Wind and Fire, and began playing with many of the top local R&B, pop, and funk cover bands, which led to performances with notable musicians Levi Seacer Jr. (Sheila E. and Prince), Billy Preston, bay area legends Freddie Stewart Stone (Sly and the Family Stone) and famous gospel singer, Dorothy Morrison (“Oh Happy Day”). 

Daryl experimented with several different musical instruments but it wasn’t until 1982, after hearing the bass lines on the album, “Asphalt Gardens” of the great smooth jazz saxophonist, George Howard, that Debo really found his love of  the electric bass.  Since then, he has played with many contemporary/smooth jazz musicians in and around the bay area.  He is the co-founder of the contemporary jazz group, D-Hook and is the bassist and music director for the Marvin Gaye tribute band.

Los Cochinos are looking forward to showcasing Debo on bass and as our front man!

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!

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.

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.