Gabriel Manzo lead guitar, vocals
It's rare to see Gabriel Manzo without a guitar in his hands.
Gabriel's love of the instrument was first noticed by his grandmother, who herself played guitar. Whenever Gabriel accompanied her to the department store, she repeatedly found him staring starry-eyed at the guitars they had on display.
When he was 8 years old, she bought him his first guitar – a little Stella which he still has to this day – and that guitar became his constant companion. Within a few years, he played bass guitar in his own musical group, heading up countless school dances and local functions. "We wanted to be like the Beatles," Gabriel grinned.
As times changed and the summer of love blossomed in San Francisco, a teen-aged Gabriel "used to play hooky and sneak to Haight Ashbury to experience all the music and sights," he confessed.
"You know, just hang and trip on
the whole radical scene."
There he was exposed to the emerging electric guitar music of
Jimi Hendrix and Mike Bloomfield, and soon decided to switch back from bass guitar to lead guitar. Still in
Gabriel's love of the instrument was first noticed by his grandmother, who herself played guitar. Whenever Gabriel accompanied her to the department store, she repeatedly found him staring starry-eyed at the guitars they had on display.
When he was 8 years old, she bought him his first guitar – a little Stella which he still has to this day – and that guitar became his constant companion. Within a few years, he played bass guitar in his own musical group, heading up countless school dances and local functions. "We wanted to be like the Beatles," Gabriel grinned.
As times changed and the summer of love blossomed in San Francisco, a teen-aged Gabriel "used to play hooky and sneak to Haight Ashbury to experience all the music and sights," he confessed.
"You know, just hang and trip on
the whole radical scene."
There he was exposed to the emerging electric guitar music of
Jimi Hendrix and Mike Bloomfield, and soon decided to switch back from bass guitar to lead guitar. Still in
high school, he formed the Gabe Christopher Band, which quickly gained local popularity playing dances, concerts, rallies for Cesar Chavez, and sharing bills with Buddy Miles, Fleetwood Mac, Canned Heat, Elvin Bishop, Richard Bean's group Sapo, and many others.
By 1974, Gabriel was invited to play guitar in the legendary
Bo Diddley's band, a favorite of Berkeley's Keystone Corner and other Bay Area venues. After a couple years with Bo, Gabriel toured Canada with a soul revue, lived in Hawaii a year playing tourist venues, and returned to the Bay Area where he was a member of various bands.
By 1979 he joined (Malo's original bassist) Pablo Tellez's band with Pete Escovedo, where he first performed some of the now classic Malo compositions. "We were doing Nena, Café, Pana and Suavecito in our set lists." [ Your Text Here ]
Bo Diddley's band, a favorite of Berkeley's Keystone Corner and other Bay Area venues. After a couple years with Bo, Gabriel toured Canada with a soul revue, lived in Hawaii a year playing tourist venues, and returned to the Bay Area where he was a member of various bands.
By 1979 he joined (Malo's original bassist) Pablo Tellez's band with Pete Escovedo, where he first performed some of the now classic Malo compositions. "We were doing Nena, Café, Pana and Suavecito in our set lists." [ Your Text Here ]
As the 1980s came into view, Gabriel also played guitar in the house band at San Francisco's renowned nightclub, Bayjones. It was there legendary Latin rock group Malo's Arcelio Garcia
first saw Gabriel. Two years later, Gabriel was the first person Arcelio called to resurrect Malo. "It was just me and Arcelio in the back room of the Tip Top in the Mission, auditioning drummers," Gabriel recalled. "Next thing I knew, we were on the road, and I've been playing guitar for Malo ever since."
first saw Gabriel. Two years later, Gabriel was the first person Arcelio called to resurrect Malo. "It was just me and Arcelio in the back room of the Tip Top in the Mission, auditioning drummers," Gabriel recalled. "Next thing I knew, we were on the road, and I've been playing guitar for Malo ever since."
As 2009 rolled in, Gabriel decided it was time to form his own group to perform his music, as well as create new music together.
More than new music, but a new sound.
And MANZO was born.
The right musicians miraculously seemed to appear to Gabriel at this precise time, and things began to come together quickly.
"I had this vision for a long time now and it's exciting to finally have musicians with the same vision. We all work together to make things happen."
More than new music, but a new sound.
And MANZO was born.
The right musicians miraculously seemed to appear to Gabriel at this precise time, and things began to come together quickly.
"I had this vision for a long time now and it's exciting to finally have musicians with the same vision. We all work together to make things happen."
Among his many credits, Gabriel has been lead guitarist for Malo since the early 1980s, and recorded several albums with them. Gabriel also recorded a CD called Many Faces with Don Smith of Traveling Wilburys fame at the helm, joined by Greg Errico of Sly and the Family Stone, and long-time Malo congero Tony Menjivar. He studied in depth with noted jazz guitarist, author and instructor, Warren Nunes. He has also recorded with Bill Spooner of the notorious rock band, The Tubes, Leonard Hayes of rock band Y & T, studio luminary Vernon Black, and Malo bandmate Jorge Santana, among many others. In 2000, he founded the faith-based band, Bueno, which recorded a successful CD backed by several tours. Gabriel also plays in a duo called Infinite Progression with long-standing friend, keyboard maestro Herman Eberitzsch, with whom he recorded an entirely improvisational CD titled "The Museum." Gabriel is also co-founder and guitarist/songwriter for the popular flamenco group Guitarras Y Congas, who recorded an acclaimed CD titled "Chiles," and continue to play in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Besides earning the respect of his listeners and colleagues, Gabriel has also received two certificates of honor from the city of San Francisco in recognition of his contribution to the birth, life and history of Latin Rock music.
Besides earning the respect of his listeners and colleagues, Gabriel has also received two certificates of honor from the city of San Francisco in recognition of his contribution to the birth, life and history of Latin Rock music.
Gabriel Manzo is proud to be endorsed by
Gibson Guitars.
Gibson Guitars.
You are listening to Gabriel perform an improvised solo