Rico Monaco is Central Florida’s best-kept secret. He is perhaps the best-kept secret in the music industry.
Jen Coffman, Examiner.com,
Rico is an award winning guitarist, songwriter, producer, and band leader. He has led his band (sometimes as large as 17 pieces) with great success to shows in Paris, France, New York City, San Francisco, Washington DC, Dallas, Salt Lake City, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and many other concert locations. He has performed onstage with legendary performers by request with Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony multiple times and also Rico Monaco Band (RMB) has opened numerous shows for them. And he has directed the Rico Monaco Band With Special Guest Tito Puente Jr. in performances all over the world performing Rico’s versions of Tito Puente songs and RMB songs. Rico’s performance abilities, songwriting, production skills, and leadership acumen paved the way for his band, Rico Monaco & Sol Sons, to win a national battle of the bands sponsored by Hard Rock Café and Cabo Wabo Tequila. He was honored as “Musician of the Year” in 2002 (JINO Awards, Orlando FL) and has received other awards, such as eight-time Best Latin Rock Act in Orlando, Song of the Year “Tell Me”, and CD of the Year. The original song “Elena Mi Carino” was in heavy rotation on WLOQ 103.1 for years in Central Florida. The 2016 release “We Rock You Rust Unplugged” by RMB, has seen Rico’s original composition “BAM! I See Red” featured many times on the popular terrestrial radio show “Sunday Morning Acoustic” hosted by program director Hildi Brooks on Central Florida’s WMMO 98.9. RMB’s latest release in 2019 is a group of singles including the great Mambo Rock song Hey Tito feat. Tito Puente Jr. as a tribute to the late great Tito Puente! Tito Puente Jr. is a guest on many of the tracks of this release. The band released their Mambo Rockin’ versions of Tito Puente Sr. compositions “Oye Como Va feat. Tito Puente Jr” and “El Cayuco featuring Tito Puente Jr.” The band also released Rico Monaco original songs “A Million Stars, A Million Kisses,” and “In My Blood” in 2019. The band followed up the releases with an East Coast Tour with shows in Washington DC, Annapolis MD, Selbyville Delaware, and Shelton CT. The band closed out 2019 with a spectacular opening act performance for Sammy Hagar & The Circle at The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in their home-base of Orlando. RMB is always a force on the concert stage due to Rico’s leadership skills and musical abilities. Rico is writing new material to be released and followed by tour dates in 2021 when touring resumes for concert acts.
Rico Monaco is proud to be sponsored by Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum and Santo Mezquila (both owned by Hall of Fame rock-n-roll legend Sammy Hagar).
Rico Monaco & his band are serious musicians who won a National Battle Of The Bands sponsored by Cabo Wabo & Hard Rock Café. I personally chose them & have had the pleasure of jamming with Rico on many occasions at the Cabo Wabo Cantina. From Van Halen to Santana Rico Rocks! Sammy Hagar
Rico Monaco is a consummate musician of the highest standards. He’s a monster onstage. Michael Waggoner, Gibson Guitar Corporation
Band Members
Lead Vocals: Richard Gebo
Backing & Lead Vocals: Zoraida
Drums & Percussion:
Jessie Caraballo (of Marc Anthony’s band), Alberto “Cuquito” Reyes,
Chris Valentino
Bass Guitar: Joselito Castro
Keys: Danny Escobar, Lisandro Codecido
Percussionists: (Congas, Timbales, Aux. Percussion)
Dimas Sanchez, Carlos “Clos” Hernandez, Anthony Velazquez
Horns: (horns)
Trombone: Dean Dukes, Jamie Gonzalez
Trumpet: Elton Reyes, Justin Diaz
Awards
2013 Best Latin Act – Rico Monaco Band Best Of Orlando 2013 Awards
(The band stopped entering Orlando Music Awards due to winning Best Latin Act 8 times and to give others an opportunity to get some recognition).
2012 Best Latin Act – Rico Monaco Band Best Of Orlando 2012 Awards
2011 Best Latin Act – Rico Monaco & Sol Sons Best Of Orlando 2011 Awards
2010 Best Latin Act – Rico Monaco & Sol Sons
2010 Gibson Opening Act Winner – Rico Monaco & Sol Sons (opened the show for Tears For Fears and were the highest voted original act)
As voted by the readers of the Orlando Weekly:
2008 Best Latin Act – Rico Monaco & Sol Sons (with an original release)
2006 Best Latin Act -Rico Monaco & Sol Sons
2004 Best Latin Act -Rico Monaco & Sol Sons
2003 Best Latin Act -Rico Monaco & Sol Sons
Hard Rock Café/Cabo Wabo Tequila 2002 National Battle Of The Bands Champion (as chosen by Sammy Hagar & Michael Anthony of Van Halen)
2002 Jazz In Orlando Awards:
Musician Of The Year – Rico Monaco
CD Of The Year – Rico Monaco & Sol Sons
Band Of The Year – Rico Monaco & Sol Sons
Song Of The Year – “Tell Me” by Rico Monaco & Sol Sons