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 Monaco is proud to be sponsored by Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum (owned by Hall of Fame rock-n-roll legend Sammy Hagar).
Rico is an award winning guitarist, songwriter, producer, and band leader. He has led his band (as large as 17 pieces) with great success to shows in Italy,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 such as Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony (of Van Halen). RM has successfully opened shows for numerous National Acts. He also leads Rico Monaco w/Special Guest Tito Puente Jr. in performances all over the world performing Rico’s arrangements of Tito Puente songs, classic remakes, and RMB original songs.
February 24, 2024: What an amazing last year! Performances in Italy, Cabo San Lucas Mexico at Sammy Hagar’s Birthday Bash, Showcase at the APAP Conference in New York City, Florida Festivals, and the releases listed below! 2024 is looking good! Come back for updates:
LATEST RELEASES 2023-2022: Rico wrote, produced and released the following Singles along with associated videos. You can find them on all music platforms including Spotify, Apple, YouTube, Amazon, Deezer, TIDAL, etc.. 2023:Renaissance Latino, Oliver Sings, I’m A Fan 2022: Magnifico, Gotta Keep Moving, I Want To Love You
December 9, 2023.Italo Americano: Rico Monaco Live In Italy This 88 minute “rockumentary” is about the incredible experience Rico had performing in his Grandparents hometown of San Bartolomeo In Galdo, Italy on September 7, 2023 and his trip to the beautiful country of his roots. The video is about the story of his family roots and in particular his grandfather, Giuseppe Monaco, opera singer. Many Americans can relate to this story of self discovery. The sound quality and performance of the concert is not the highest but we feel the story was more important than perfection. Rico put together a band of Italian based musicians and they only had 2 rehearsals to learn 18 songs! The concert is the result of these rehearsals. The mix is from a small Zoom camera and we know the vocals are “pitchy” but it still is an amazing documentary in our opinion. We will be producing a shorter version. It also feature Italian language translations for our Italian friends/fans! Grazie Mille Italia!
Live In Pembroke Pines from 2021– A 15 song concert video album was released 10-29-21 and videos for each song have been released every week into 2022. This release is available on ALL music and video platforms. Landing Page for some of the most popular platforms: https://orcd.co/live-in-pembrokepines
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
Rico Monaco onstage in San Bartolomeo, Italy September 7, 2023 with Serena Minicucci, Cristiano Cancelloria, not seen Freddie Simpson, Alberto Romano, and Marco Tamburri.
BAND MEMBERS: Guitar and Lead Vocals: Rico Monaco
Lead & Backing Vocals: Ginelle Ziegelbauer, Giselle Morales, Reina Mar, in Italy: Serena Minicucci
BELOW: Rico at Sammy Hagar’s Birthday Bash at The Cabo Wabo Cantina, 10-10-23 and 10-12-23!
Drums & Percussion: Jessie Caraballo (of Marc Anthony’s band), Michael Lagomarsini, Chris Valentino, Alberto “Cuquito” Reyes, in Italy: Alberto Romano
Bass Guitar: Pacho Villa, Nick Rosaci, Michel Salazar, in Italy: Freddie Simpson
Keys: Diego Valencia, in Italy: Cristiano Cancelloria
Percussionists: (Congas, Timbales, Aux. Percussion) Daniel Ortiz, in Italy: Marco Tamburri
Horns: (horns)
Trombone:, Garrett Gauvin Caraballo, Victor Charriez, Dean Dukes,
Trumpet: Marco Rivera, Carlos “Bertito” Garcia, **Elton Reyes (RIP),
BELOW: Rico Monaco Band at Fiesta Mi Gente in Mt. Dora Florida, 10-21-23!
Awards: we stopped entering the Orlando Weekly Yearly Awards in 2014 because we had won every time we entered and felt it was time to give others a chance.
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
