The group was founded in 2021 by Timbalero Jimmy Palafox and local Latin legend Oscar Estrella, with a vision of bringing together a group of positive youthful energy and talented professional musicianship. Jimmy is a native of Santa Cruz and founder of local rock band, the New Horizons. Oscar emigrated from his native Cuba in his teens to grow up in the Mission District of San Francisco, where he took up the guitar and became part of the Latin Rock movement. He was a member of the seminal Latin Rock band SAPO and currently plays guitar with Latin legends MALO founded by Carlos Santana’s younger brother Jorge Santana, Arcelio Garcia and Richard " Suavecito" Bean.

Santa Cruz Latin Collective features an outstanding lead vocalist, a versatile percussion-driven rhythm section, and a 3-man horn section. They present a dynamic, fun and energetic performance guaranteed to grab any crowd’s attention and appeal to a diverse group of music lovers and dancers.
 

Oscar Estrella – Guitar ( Malo & Sapo)
Jimmy Palafox – Timbales (The New Horizons)
Luis Argueta – Lead Vocals
David George – Drums (Malo)
Rick Brown – Trombone (Sapo & Puro Bandido)
Aidan Santa Cruz – Piano (Sonic Architect)
Noah Moger – Bass (Tatiana and Treetop)
Everett Moody – Saxophone (Chasing Ophelia)
Tom Bartolero – Congas (Live Again)