Embedded Files
MIKE SILVA
Percussionist • Conga Player • Bandleader
Mike Silva is a Bay Area percussionist, conga player, and bandleader whose musical journey is rooted in family, resilience, mentorship, and a lifelong connection to rhythm. Encouraged by his father Dr. Vincent A. Silva from an early age, Silva discovered the music that would shape his path, including Tower of Power, Chicago, The Doobie Brothers, and, most significantly, Santana. Santana’s fusion of Latin percussion, rock, and powerful live performance became a defining influence and inspired Silva’s enduring passion for Latin rock and percussion.
THE BEGINNING
In 1996, at age 12, Silva began DJing at softball tournaments throughout the summer at Pittsburg City Park. What began as a childhood opportunity became his first real education in live performance. Behind the turntables, he learned how music could bring people together and discovered the responsibility and excitement of shaping the energy of a crowd.
Every Friday night from the summer through winter 1997, Silva was asked to DJ alongside his uncle Ramiro Amador's band, Amador and Friends, at Tiscarusso's, a restaurant in downtown Antioch. He DJed before the band, during its breaks, and after its performances. There, he met guitarist Gabriel Manzo, singer Paul Benavidez, and trombonist Steve Rocha, all members of the Latin rock group Malo, along with his uncle Ramiro Amador. These early encounters introduced Silva to working musicians and gave him a firsthand look at the relationships, discipline, and dedication required to sustain a life in music.
FROM SOUND TO PERCUSSION
By age 14, while DJing alongside The Cold Soul Blues and Boogie Band, Silva began running sound after an equipment malfunction affected the band's mixing board. The band plugged its microphones and instruments into Silva's board, giving him the opportunity to step behind the console. Under the guidance of Alvin Jackson, he learned how to set up microphones and a PA system and how to mix live sound. This experience led to Silva running sound for The PhD's for the next 13 years. The soundboard became another instrument through which he learned to listen, support other musicians, and understand how every part of a performance contributes to the whole.
Two years later, at age 16, influenced and encouraged by The PhD's bandleader Mundi Orosco, Silva began playing congas. After receiving two formal lessons from conguero Jose Flores, he continued developing largely on his own. Driven by a fascination with Latin percussion, he taught himself to play not only congas but also bongos and timbales, beginning a lifelong connection with Afro-Cuban and Latin rhythms. What started with a few lessons grew into a personal calling, shaped by curiosity, persistence, and countless hours of listening and practice.
As his playing developed, Silva drew inspiration from both Latin jazz and Latin rock. Artists such as Poncho Sanchez and Pete Escovedo shaped his passion for Latin jazz, while the powerful, percussion-driven sound of Santana became another major influence. In particular, percussionists Karl Perazzo and Raul Rekow strongly influenced Silva's approach to Latin percussion and fueled his passion for the energy, groove, and interplay of Latin rock.
Together, these influences shaped Silva into a percussionist who values both the traditional Afro-Cuban foundations of Latin music and the powerful fusion of Latin rhythms with jazz and rock. His approach is grounded in tradition but guided by a desire to serve the music, connect with fellow musicians, and create something meaningful in every performance.
A RETURN TO MUSIC
In 2011, Silva stepped away from performing with no intention of returning to the stage. He took an approximately 11-year break from music while focusing on his career as a manager with A t&t, running his own business as a contractor, and raising his family. Although he was no longer performing actively, his connection to music and percussion remained. The instruments were quiet, but the music never truly left him.
In April 2022, Silva returned to music in a particularly meaningful and unexpected way. One of his best friends, Mundo—the son of Mundi Orosco, the bandleader who had originally encouraged Silva to begin playing congas as a teenager—was getting married, and Silva was part of the wedding. For the celebration, Silva was asked to pick up the congas and perform once again with The PhD's All-Star Band.
The moment brought his musical journey full circle. The band that had given 14-year-old Silva some of his earliest exposure to live music, and whose bandleader had encouraged him to become a percussionist, became the band that helped bring him back to performing after an 11-year absence. It was more than a performance; it was a reminder that the part of him connected to music had never disappeared.
Silva must have made an impression, because the very next day he was invited to play with the band at the Clayton Art and Wine Festival, performing the first 2 hour set in more than 11 years. What began as a special performance for a close friend's wedding rekindled Silva's passion for playing and opened the door to the next chapter of his musical life.
Following his return in 2022, Silva was invited by his uncle, Ramiro Amador, to join his jazz fusion band, The Point of Return. Over the next two years, Silva had the opportunity to relearn his craft and explore his creativity by blending rhythms and a variety of percussive instruments with traditional jazz standards. Through his mentors, Ramiro Amador and Leo Vigil, he learned the importance of space: not every space has to be filled, and not every song requires congas. Sometimes, less is more. During this period, Silva developed into a well-rounded percussionist—not just a conga player—and learned that musical maturity often comes from knowing when to play, when to listen, and when to leave room for others.
CURRENT WORK
In JulY 2024, Silva's uncle, Ramiro Amador, was asked to fill in on bass with Bay Area Latin Rock group Momotombo SF. This became another turning point in Silva's musical journey. Ramiro eventually became the band's permanent bassist, and Silva became his bass technician, traveling with him to every gig. The band's guitarist, Gabriel Manzo, was someone Silva had first met during his early DJing days with Amador and Friends. The drummer, David George, had also played drums for The PhD's more than two decades earlier, when Silva was running sound for the band.
Over the following months, Silva developed close relationships with the members of Momotombo SF, especially co-founder Leo Rosales. He eventually took on sound and stage management for the band, roles he continues to this day. He also formed a strong brotherhood with Momotombo SF conguero Adrian Areas, who became not just a close friend, but also a mentor and an instructor. Once again, Silva found himself learning from the musicians around him while contributing his own experience, dedication, and support.
Other musicians in Momotombo SF include Tom Bretetta, Ross Wilson, and Tony Stead, who are also members of Silva's band.
Today, Silva leads the Bay Area-based ensemble from the conga chair, bringing together accomplished musicians to perform music rooted in the traditions that originally inspired him. The ensemble combines Afro-Cuban rhythms with jazz improvisation, driven by percussion and complemented by a powerful rhythm and horn section. Each performance reflects Silva’s belief that music is not only about technical ability, but also about communication, history, emotion, and shared energy.
The ensemble features Ramiro Amador on bass, Tony Stead on piano, T Moran on drums, Johnny Bamont on saxophone, Tom Bretetta on trumpet and flugelhorn, and Ross Wilson on trombone. Silva and the ensemble have also had the pleasure of welcoming world-renowned percussionist Orestes Vilató, whose extensive career includes work with Santana, Ray Baretto, and the Fania All-Stars, as a special guest performer from time to time on special occasions.
In addition to leading The Michael Silva Latin Jazz Ensemble, Silva is currently a member of The PHD's, Flaco & The Fleas, The Real Imposters, Leo Vigil and The Rockin Horns, and Carlos Reyes. He also occasionally subs on percussion and provides sound services for The Cisco Kid Band.
LEGACY
For Silva, leading The Michael Silva Latin Jazz Ensemble represents far more than simply fronting a band. It continues a musical journey that began with a 12-year-old DJ in 1996, progressed to the soundboard at 14, found its voice through Latin percussion at 16, went silent for more than a decade beginning in 2011 at age 27, and ultimately came full circle with his return to performing in April 2022 and his continued work in the present.
Returning to music came at one of the most difficult times in his life, after he experienced major hardships as a contractor. Music became a positive outlet that helped him move through deep depression and anger. Through rhythm, community, and the act of creating, Silva found a way forward. He has said on many occasions, "My wife, my kids, and music saved my life."
Today, his goal is to honor the musicians and traditions that inspired him—from the Latin jazz of Poncho Sanchez, and Pete Escovedo to the Latin rock percussion of Karl Perazzo and Raul Rekow—while creating his own chapter in the Bay Area's rich Latin music tradition alongside current mentors Leo Rosales and Adrian Areas.
Beyond performing, Silva hopes to use his music and his personal journey to help bring greater awareness to mental health. By openly sharing his story—the challenges he has faced, the years he spent away from music, and the role music played in finding his way back—he hopes to encourage others to recognize the importance of having a healthy outlet and knowing they are not alone in their struggles.
His story is one of returning, rebuilding, and recognizing that mental health struggles can be a continuous work in progress. Through his own experiences, Silva has learned that healing and personal growth do not always follow a straight path, and that music can provide an outlet for both negative and positive energy—a source of expression, healing, connection, and purpose that can remain powerful even after years away.
Mike Silva — Congas & Bandleader
The Michael Silva Latin Jazz Ensemble
San Francisco Bay Area
"Music is more than something I play. It's something that helped me find my way." - Mike Silva
Page updated
Report abuse