Latin ala Monrooij

SUSANNE DE ROOIJ

Susanne de Rooij studied Theatre, Film and Television Studies at Utrecht University and completed a musical theatre programme under the direction of Ivo van Leeuwen. She has performed in major productions at Ahoy and, through Heart4Music, is committed to supporting the development of young musical talent.

Over the years, Susanne has also become known for her Special Acts, with her Marilyn Monroe tribute being one of her best-known performances.

As a vocal coach, she has worked with talents including Zoë Black, the young Anna in Frozen, and Gina Versteeg from JOY, the Junior Eurovision Song Contest and The Voice Kids in the Netherlands and Germany. In addition to her work as a coach and teacher, Susanne also performs as a singer.

She has now joined forces with Guillaume Marcenac for a new project: Latin ala Monrooij, bringing together vocals, performance and their shared love of music.

GUILLAUME MARCENAC

Guillaume Marcenac is a French pianist, composer and arranger whose work spans classical music, jazz and Latin traditions. He began playing the piano at a young age and developed a strong interest in both classical repertoire and improvisation, which would later shape his versatile musical career.

After his early musical training in France, Marcenac pursued advanced studies in piano and composition, developing a wide-ranging repertoire that combines classical influences with jazz harmony and rhythmic traditions from Latin America. Alongside his classical training, he cultivated a strong interest in collaborative music-making, performing regularly with singers and instrumental ensembles.

Over the years he has appeared in numerous concerts in Europe as a solo pianist and chamber musician. His activities range from solo piano recitals to collaborations with vocalists in the tradition of French chanson, as well as performances with jazz and Latin ensembles. His playing is noted for its expressive sensitivity, stylistic versatility and refined musical language.

Marcenac is also active as a composer and arranger. His work includes projects that revisit the repertoire of French chanson and original compositions written for voice and piano. He has collaborated with various singers, including Dutch-French chanson performer Nadja Filtzer, with whom he developed programs combining piano, cabaret and French song.

In addition to his work in chanson and classical repertoire, Marcenac is involved in Latin-jazz projects. In the ensemble Charanjazz, created together with Venezuelan percussionist Gerardo Rosales, he explores Afro-Caribbean musical traditions such as mambo, cha-cha-cha and Venezuelan joropo, blending them with jazz improvisation.

Based in the Netherlands, Guillaume Marcenac continues to perform as a pianist, composer and musical director in projects that bring together different musical cultures and traditions.

GERARDO ROSALES

Gerardo Rosales was born in Caracas, Venezuela on July 6, 1964 and is a professional percussion player since 1982.

Starting as a young musician he was already the percussionist of important musical artist in Venuzuela like:
Café Orchestra, Orlando Poleo, José Rosario, Canelita, Soledad Bravo, Adrenalina Caribe, Ilan Chester, Cecilia Todd, Victor Cuica, Alberto Naranjo, El Trabuco Venezolano, Joe Ruiz, Tabaco, Los Satelites, Nancy Ramos, Wilmer Lozano, Watussi, Trina Medina and many more.
He lived in the Netherlands, since 1993, a country that has served as the base to spread his music around the world.

Gerardo Rosales recorded 21 albums under his name, and more than 70 albums with other artists.
His specialty is creating musical projects in Salsa styles and Latin jazz. Some of his projects are: El Combo Mundial, Venezuelan Masters, Charanga La Crisis, Our Latin Groove, La Gran Charanga, Son del Sofa, Ritmico & Pianistico, Cachao Sounds and Tributo al Mango.

In Europe he performed with:

The Rosenberg Trio, Saskia Laroo, Hans Dulfer, Benjamin Herman, Peter Beets, Tango Extremo, Drums United, Nueva Manteca, New Cool Collective, Fra Fra Sound, Denise Jannah, Laura Fygi, Izaline Calister, Metropole Orchestra, Holland Big Band, Lucas van Merwijk & Cubop City Big Band, Lilian Vieira and Maite Hontelé.

Gerardo Rosales has accompanied on tours, recordings and performances in Europe artists such as:

Dee Dee Bridgewater, Benny Bailey, Paquito D Rivera, Bebo Valdés, Toots Thielemans, Jimmy Bosch, Juan Pablo Torres, Herman Olivera, Oscar D’León, José Alberto “El Canario", Andy Montañéz, Meñique, Edy Martínez, Carlos "Patato" Valdés, Conexión Latina, Orlando Valle "Maraca", Alfredo Rodríguez, Armando Peraza, Luisito Quintero, Robert Quintero, Ramón Valle, Larry Harlow, Adalberto Santiago, Frankie Vázquez, Oscar Hernandez, Africando, Chamaco Rivera, Luisito Carrion, Jorge Herrera, Edgar Dolor, Dorance Lorza, Ajo Porro, Luisito Rosario, David Cada and Tito Allen.