Founded by members Johnny Shabandar and Wesam Isho, the BANDOLEROS have brought their unique music to the Chicagoland area since 1997. At first inspired by artists such as the Gipsy Kings and the late Tito Puente, the group has evolved to create a distinct repertoire combining rhythmical styling and sounds of the Caribbean and Mediterranean nations. The members of the seven-piece band are Assyrian, Venezuelan, Cuban, Ecuadorian and Russian. Original songwriting by the group features poetic lyrics sung in six languages ? Spanish, English, Arabic, Italian, Greek and Turkish. The result?a distinctive international flair and charisma that no stage had ever seen until the BANDOLEROS came along. Since its creation, the band has released two CD?s, Habibi in 2000, and most recently, Bandolero in 2002 with sales approaching 15,000. 2002 proved to be a very active year for the band as it appeared on two television shows. In November 2002 the group was praised as "Chicago?s most eclectic band" by ABC 7?s Janet Davies while performing on 190 North, Chicago?s premiere televised magazine show. In July 2002, the BANDOLEROS performed live on the plaza on Michigan Avenue for Fox News in the Morning, who claimed that attending a performance by the BANDOLEROS "is a guaranteed good time!" Recognition of the group has continued to skyrocket in 2003 with performances on ABC 7?s Chicagoing with Bill Campbell, Assyrians Around the World cable television show; Serbian TV and others. The BANDOLEROS?who were up against long-standing institutions Columbia College, WBEZ-FM and The Old Town School of Folk Music--won the coveted Award of Honor for Contribution to World Beat Music at the 2003 Chicago Music Awards. This achievement further testifies to the impact the group has had on the international music scene in Chicago, and beyond. Members of the band include Assyrians, Johnny Shabandar (lead vocalist, guitarist, songwriter); Wesam Isho (lead vocalist, songwriter, percussionist) and Ashur Isho (lead guitarist, songwriter, background vocalist). From Venezuela, Javier Gonzalez (percussionist, background vocalist). From Havana Cuba; Eduardo Corzo (keyboardist, pianist); Ecudorian; and from the Ukraine; Igor Vinokur (bass guitarist).

JOHNNY SHABANDAR
Vocalist, Guitarist, Songwriter

Johnny Shabandar is one of the co-founders of what many consider to be one of the most popular and eclectic bands in Chicago - the BANDOLEROS. "I grew up with music always in my life," states Johnny. "I was very observant of other singers and I hoped to be like them one day. Who would think that there would be a time when I could play in front of standing room only audiences three times a week in Chicago?" Although he dreamed of coming to the USA, it did not become a reality until 1982. Johnny's journey was not an easy one. To protect him from the fate of his brother, who got killed while serving in the military in Iraq, the family fled to Greece when Johnny turned 15. While in Greece, music became his refuge and Johnny began to explore this love by singing and playing guitar at outdoor nightclubs to enthusiastic audiences. In the summer of 1982, he, along with his family, were invited to live permanently in the USA. He spent all of his free time singing, playing music and writing songs for other singers. "One day, one of my good friends discovered that I was capable of performing, so he introduced me to a guitar player named John Horia". That led Johnny to perform with a band called "Bandito de Amore." After one short year, Johnny realized his dream and started his own band, the BANDOLEROS. What began as a sound-a-like of the Gipsy Kings and "Los Reyes" quickly evolved into the unique sound of the BANDOLEROS. Offering an unmatched combination of songs in six different languages: English, Spanish, Greek, Italian, Arabic and Assyrian, the music also came to reflect the diversity of its members, which are Assyrian, Venezuelan, Cuban, Ecuardorian, and Russian backgrounds, while incorporating sounds of the Caribbean, Latin America and the Mediterranean. "We have only just begun," says Johnny. Stay tuned.

WESAM ISHO
Singer, Percussionist

Wesam Isho is one of the founders of the most popular band in Chicago, the BANDOLEROS. His ethnic background is Assyrian. As a child, he enjoyed various types of music from around the world. In his early teens, he began to perform at parties and social events. His audiences were overwhelmingly receptive, and his reputation began to spread. He suddenly found himself performing internationally, in countries as far as Greece and Turkey. With his craft sharpening and his music influences increasing, he also found his aspirations heightening. Wesam decided to take on a new challenge and pursue his career in America. It was in the USA that he was able to join forces with other musicians who shared his love of world music. Now, as a member of the BANDOLEROS, Wesam's influence and love of Flamenco, Latin, and traditional, as well as modern Arabic music, is heard in every song performed by the BANDOLEROS. Sharing lead vocals with Johnny Shabandar, Wesam's distinctive vocalization and knowledge of five languages is a reflection of his vast travels and musical influences.

ASHUR ISHO
Sound Engineer, Vocalist, Guitarist (all types of guitars),

Music Writer, Rhythm Creator As a child, Ashur was inspired by his older brother, Salem, to play the guitar. At the age of five, he was convinced that music would be an important factor in his life. The youngest one in the family, Ashur felt he would always have to prove that he can play with his older, more experienced brothers. Ashur explains, "There's a saying in the music industry that some people are born to play music, and some are born to learn to play music. I believe I was born to play, sleep, eat and drink music!" It was a struggle for him and his family to come to live in the USA. His journey took him to many exotic countries. Once he arrived in the USA, he realized that he had the musical advantage of being exposed to the rhythms of many countries, including Turkey, Greece and other countries throughout the Middle East and the Mediterranean. Also curious for other genres of music, Ashur was determined to master the sound of Flamenco music. As a result, Ashur earned his right to become a member of the BANDOLEROS. Since then, he, along with the BANDOLEROS, has opened for the late, Tito Puente, Spanish Fly, Liquid Soul and others. He is very proud to have contributed his talents to the success of the BANDOLEROS. At the age of 22, he has come to own his own studio and mix the music for the BANDOLEROS. "I always spend time learning and discovering new beats and am always eager to discover different rhythms to make people dance.

JAVIER GONZALEZ
Percussionist, Background Vocals

Javier Gonzalez, hails from Maracaibo, Venezuela. This dedicated percussionist, drummer, singer, teacher and bandleader started his professional career at the age of 15. In 1990, Javier decided to enroll at the University of Missouri, where he acquired a degree in Sociology and Economics.
In 1995, Javier moved to Chicago, where he quickly established himself as one of the most sought-after studio and live musicians. The list of artists with whom Javier has worked reads like a "Who's Who" in the local and international music scene: the legendary Tito Puente, salsa queen La India, jazz piano virtuoso Daniel Perez, Mexican balladeer Alejandro Fernandez, and pop sensation Josie Iello.

EDUARDO CORZO
Keyboards, Piano

Born in Havana Cuba, Eduardo began his first musical study at the age of seven with his father, a violinist of the Cuban National Symphony.
Later, he embarked upon an independent study of guitar and piano, until he decided to complete a formal education in music, and entered the Ignacio Cervantes Conservatorio, where he graduated as a clarinetist. At 21, Eduardo had the opportunity to compose and arrange music for television, an endeavor which allowed him to later realize further theatrical and cinematic works. As a clarinetist, he formed part of the Banda Nacional de la Marina. He also served as musical director of the Conjunto Nacional de Espectaculos, with whom he was able to visit numerous countries, among them Colombia, Mexico, and Venezuela. While attempting to explore musical roots and sonorities, Eduardo not only continued deepening his musical studies, but also focused on the fields of literature and theater. He is an artist with broad vision, interested in genres and styles different from his own, and whose background includes a mix of everything from Bach's partitas to Afro Cuban sounds, as well as music from other parts of the world which are of common landscape to the streets of his country. In 1994, he settled in Mexico and he played piano, clarinet and alto sax in diverse groups and formats. It wasn't until 1999 that he first came to the United States, where he has since resided. He arrived in Chicago in the summer of 2001. During this latest reorientation of his musical career, he worked as a pianist in different bands, among them Azukar, directed by Javier Gonzalez, through which he became acquainted with the Bandoleros.
"Being new to Chicago I did not realize the BANDOLOEROS popularity",
said Eduardo, "but once I told people that I will be playing with them, they reacted as if the BANDOLEROS were the Rolling Stones, I love it!

DAVID CHIRIBOGA
Guitarist

David was born and raised in Chicago. He comes from an Ecuadorian family, which is where his Latin roots originate. His interest in the guitar began at the age of 12. While playing many styles of Latin
music, it wasn't until the age of 19 that he found his passion for the Flamenco guitar. Since then, David has gone on various trips to Spain to study Flamenco and to live in the atmosphere where the style was born. He has studied with such people as Emilio Amaya and Antonio Heredia. Since that time, David also went to Northeastern University to study Classical Guitar under the music program for a couple of years. In Chicago, David has worked with Flamenco dance companies, such as the
Ensemble Espanol, and the Soul and Duende Dance Company. He has also worked with groups like the Guitars of Spain, and Mezcal. Before becoming a member of the Bandoleros, David was a fan of the group. From the first time he saw them perform, he knew he had to be a part of this unique experience. He instantly loved the blend of influences he heard. Today, David is very happy to be a part of the Bandoleros and looks forward to their future together.

IGOR VINOKUR
Bass

Igor Vinokur, was born in Kiev, Ukraine (the former USSR).
His musical background began at the age of 5, after his parents sent him to music school to study the piano. At the age of 12, he started practicing the guitar on his own, with dreams of creating a band.
He was 15 years old when he and his family moved to the U.S., where he continued his musical education and experience by playing in various bands. After graduating from Triton college and spending a year working as a music teacher at the Roselle School of Music, Igor realized that playing music was much more fun than teaching it, so he began looking for bands to play in or musicians to create music with. After numerous projects, and while at Guitar Center one day, he had the good fortune of being discovered by two guitarists from the BANDOLEROS (Ashur & David). Being so impressed by Igor's capabilities, Ashur, asked him to tryout for the Bandoleros. The Bandoleros were very impressed. Igor was very inspired after listening to their music, especially because this style of music was very new to him. Igor is very excited to be a part of this wonderful group, loves the type of music he's playing and the people he's playing with.