Rick Ramos (Guitar, Writer, Arranger, Producer)

Rick Ramos is the founder of GTS along with TW Johnson. Rick grew up in Richmond California and studied guitar from Dan Boyd @ Scalise Music on 23rd Street in Richmond. He continued training under Grant Giesman, Chuck Mangione's guitarist, after winning a scholarship to the the Stan Kenton Music clinic at 16 years of age. He played guitar @ 17 with Lady Bianca and performed with a local group named Natural Impulse. Natural Impulse was nominated by  San Francisco TV personality Jay Payton for the first annual BAY AREA MUSIC AWARDS as best horn band. Bands that shared that nomination included Confunction and Tower of Power.

In 1985 Rick began taking lesson from Chicago Jazz guitar great, 78 year old, Bill Tapia. ( Hawaii 50 TV series guitarist). Rick began to learn the importance of Chord structure and was influenced by Bill's love for BeBop.

In 1985 Rick became the guitarist for Little Bruce and the Billionares, where he met Latin Soul lead vocalist Tommy Nunnelly.

In 1986 Rick played lead guitar with the PHD's from Pittsburg California and this is where he met Mundi Orosco and Ramiro Amador who would later become playing and music writing partners.

1985 was also the start of the Good Times Systems band, GTS which began with Ramos, Johnson, Andy Soto on sax, Tom Fuglestad on trumpet, Nunnelly on Vocals and Jon Harlins on Bass. This band still performs together regularly. GTS has performed with many great musicians including: Norbert Statchel, Jeff Tamilier and Dave Girabaldi from Tower of Power, Tommy Castro, Lydia Pence from Cold Blood, Annie Sampson, EC Scott, Napata Mero, Al Von Johnson, Forest Wilson of the Drifters and Narada Michael Walden to name a few. In 1990 he started Ricky Rayban and The Shades, a blues revue which performed in San Francisco. The band included Linda Wiggins on Keyboards and Ramiro Amador on Bass.

Currently Rick has learned to Play the Cuban Tres and it has influenced his writing including more Salsa based grooves like: Live for today.

2004. Rick Traveled to Cuba and studied Tres with Coto", one of the worlds greatest tres players. He currently sits in on tres with many San Francisco based latin orchestras including: Salsa Caliente, Charanson and America.

Thomas Fuglestad (Trumpet, Writer, Arranger)

Tom is a versatile trumpet player who was born & raised in the East Bay. Residing in Oakland CA, Tom studied music at Contra Costa Junior College & received a Bachelors degree in music from Cal State Hayward(East Bay). He studied trumpet & jazz studies under John Coppola, Marv Nelson, and Chuck Israel.

Tom has taught music at The East Bay Center for the Performing Arts, Los CenzontlesMexican Cultural Center, and is currently teaching in the West Contra Costa UnifiedSchool District.

Tom has performed with Abraxas (Original members of Santana), Los Lobos, Harvey Mandel (Canned Heat), Frank Biner, Los Cenzontles, Sy Klopps Blues Band (Journey, Sly & The Family Stone, Steve Miller), UFM, GTS, Los Universales, Voz Do Brazil, Full House, Allegria.

Tom is currently performing with Annie Sampson (Stoneground), Napata & The Kisses,
and Natural Impulse.

Discography includes:

Harvey Mandel
“Snakes and Stripes”
Annie Sampson
“Under the Moon”
Los Cenzontles
“Hypnotizada”
“De Una Bonita”
“Con Su Permiso, Senores”
"You'll Come Flying”
“Songs of Wood & Steal” with David Hidalgo
Latin Soul Project
“We Should Have Danced All Night”
UFM
“CrossContagulation”
Sy Klopps Blues Band
“Live At The Filmore” Video
Natural Impulse
“She Went Away” 45 reissue

 

Jesus Gonzalez (Bass, Writer, Arranger, Producer)

It's been an unexpected turn of events that has brought Natural Impulse back together. And it feels great to be playing with my friends again. It feels good to be in the studio re-recording some of our old material as well as writing and recording new music. How do things come together so that a 45 we cut back in 1977-'78 (or so) would find its way to England and result in a Natural Impulse reunion? I'm just glad things worked out the way they did.

I'm also very happy to be working on a new project. It's a funky, smooth jazz sort of thing. It has been fulfilling to be working in a slightly different genre and I hope you like it when it's ready for primetime. Be on the look-out for it!

The one thing that saddens me is the loss of James (Hank) Oden in the summer of 2008. Hank left his mark on the music of Natural Impulse and in his friendships with all of us. He will not be forgotten and his spirit still lives in our memories and our music. Rest in peace.

Don Gardner (Sax)

Paul Kyle (Trombone)

Music is my passion. Although I haven't made music a career like my former band mates, it has never left my soul. After playing trombone with Natural Impulse, I went back to college, got married to Gretchen and raised two daughters, Jenna and Stephanie. I am currently playing for two big bands in the Bay Area. I am looking forward to getting together with my Natural Impulse friends and rekindling the great sounds of the band.

 


 

Geoffrey Glibas (Keyboards)


Born in Berkeley and raised in Richmond, CA, Geoff began to play the piano at the age of five. As he developed his ear and versatility, he also honed his skills on the electric organ with various neighborhood bands.

Geoff was a member of Richmond High School Jazz Band, which not only placed first inn California's statwide jazz band competitions, but also appeared at the Nonterey Jazz Festival. This is where he mad ethe lifelong friendships that grew into Natural Impulse. During this period, Geoff also developed his arranging and composing skills.

Early influences include The Beatles, Santana, McCoy Tyner, The Allman Brothers Band, Mahavishnu Ordchestra, Errol Goarner, Herbie Hancock, and many other jazz, rock and latin artists.

In college, Geoff's musicianship expanded to include electronic keyborads and pro audio, and thereafter he toured for seven years with various groups playing original rock, funk, jazz, Top 40, Motown, R&B, Latin, techno, and pop. He has traveled throughout the Western US, Hawaii, and Canada. He has appeared at the Edmonton Jazz Festiva and has performed with BabatundeLea, Eddie Money, and with members of Prince and Santana.

 

Dion Duncan

Info will be posted soon.