Born: February 24, 1968 Primary Instrument: Bass, electric
Born in Muskegon, Michigan, Ernest Barteldes started out playing in rock bands in Fortaleza, Brazil. Though his first instrument was the clarinet, he gravitated to guitar and percussion but eventually settled on the electric bass.
Over the years he played various genres, and after relocating to New York he started performing with a Beatles tribute band. After that project came to an end, he experimented with a blues duo (playing guitar) and then retreated from the music scene for several years except for a weekly gig at The Church of Our Lady of Pompeii, where he still performs every Sunday.
While away from the stages, Ernest went behind the scenes and built a career as a music critic covering jazz, Latin, Brazilian and dance for various publications, including AAJ
He always had a passion for Brazilian music, and after a friend suggested forming a bossa band, he threw himself into this new project as bassist, vocalist and songwriter.
