Salvador is a Christian band that blends their Latin heritage and contemporary pop songwriting. The band formed in 1999 in Austin, Texas. Over the past 10 years in which Salvador has toured throughout the country and at times outside of it, a fan base began to rapidly grow. According to the members of the group, no matter how huge the fan base gets, they are still surprised and grateful to be a part of that environment, and even more surprising ... See more [+] to them is that their fans keep coming and supporting. Not only has growth been among the fans, but also within the group as well. Adding to the existing members of Nic Gonzales (lead vocals and guitar), his cousin Josh Gonzales (bass and background vocals), Chris Bevins (co-producer and keyboards), and Jared Solis (trombone and saxophone), the band completes its family with brass man Edwin Santiago (trumpet and flugelhorn), Ben Cordonero (drummer) and Robert Vilera (percussionist) . Nic Gonzales calls the three men Salvador’s “valuable acquisitions.” Cordonero, a Nicaraguan from Miami, not only plays the drums but also traditional Latin percussion such as congas, timbales and bongos. Santiago is a Boricua – of Puerto Rican decent -who brings not only amazing talent but an unending work ethic as well. And Vilera, an established session player who’s worked with Marc Anthony, Gloria Estefan and Celia Cruz (to name a few) also brings more of the sonido Latina to the music and, ultimately, their fan base. What is it that sets this record apart from other Christian albums and even Salvador’s previous ones? Three words: horns and percussion. According to the producers of album 'Dismiss the Mystery', there is a greater reliance on horns and percussion to take an already existing tapestry of excellent vocals, rhythm and strings, to a higher level of excellence creating nuances and gravitas that exudes a timeless capability. Regarding the future of Salvador’s ability to keep creating in the face of growth, change and an unstable marketplace, one thing is for certain: after seven years of hard work culminating with Dismiss the Mystery, it is impossible to dismiss their undeniable musicianship, and the only mystery left at this point is what can they possibly do next to top it. Salvador was the recipient of the Dove Award for Christian Latin Album of the Year for "Con Poder" in 2004. In 2008, on the heels of their new album release "Aware", the band along with TobyMac, Third Day,and Kelly Clarkson were been requested to perform at the Papal Youth Rally on April 19, 2008 in Yonkers, New York.
