ICO MANZANERO:
SPANISH FLY TAP SENSATION!!!

(photo by Carl Juste)

If you want vitality, rhythm and a natural sense of movement, look no further. Ico Manzanero comes on the performance stage like a machine gun in Capezio dance shoes!

Think of the complete confident entertainer who's always in the zone. He sings, dances, acts as master of ceremonies, and captivates audiences with his natural love of life and performing. Manzanero performs from the heart taking audiences to great elevations of spirit while continuing to be a down to earth all-around entertainer who brightens any stage and the lives of all the people for which he performs

Manzanero, who is fluently bilingual, grew up in the 80s traveling between Venezuela and New York (where he danced on 42nd street for fun!!!). He loved the early rhythms of hip hop and he soon fall in love with the traditional tap dance music of jazz. His early influences include James Brown, Sammy Davis, jr. and Bob Marley.

Like a sponge, he absorbed different dance styles creating powerful new ways of communicating through the art of movement. Manzanero takes his raw power and translates it from his heart as an artist, to his feet and onto the stage. Picture him in his magical white tap shoes doing what he loves to do and presenting that love to the audiences.

In the late 90s, Manzanero toured nationally with Jelly's Last Jam where he came to the attention of veteran entertainers Maurice Hines and Savion Glover. They saw in him the raw emotional talent that can never be taught and comes from above. Hines and Glover encouraged Manzanero to develop his innate gifts. They knew he had the rhythm and the natural vitality that separates dancers from great hoofers.

Manzanero revives the visual potency of Cab Calloway with a big band look. Salsa legend Larry Harlow saw this potency and had Manzanero heading his show across the world! As Larry Harlow's protigee, Manzanero kept old school salsa alive by bringing back the traditions of the palladium days and El Gran Combo's dancing style!

2001 proved to be a creative, productive, and bountiful year for the self proclaimed "nuyorkzuelan" who has proved yet again that he is part of the larger future of modern art!!

He produced and performed in "VIVRA" with Ami Goodheart, a New York vaudeville dancer extraordinaire combining the luster of Vegas with traditional jazz and thrilling packed houses!

In September. Manzanero choreographed a piece for the Fania All-Stars and performed it in Madison Square Garden. Later that same year, Manzanero wrote and produced the hit song "Bailalo" with DJ Angola lending his vocals to the catchy chorus! Bailalo premiered at the Winter Music Conference in Miami Where Manzanero makes clear that his vocal gyrations are of biblical proportions. "Those vocals (from Bailalo) are sick!"-Dj jazzy jeff, producer

Since then he has moved to Miami and started his own production company called ICO-UGO PRODUCTIONS. The local company takes a unique approach to marketing he calls "advertinament". This powerful mix of entertainment and potent advertising has encountered market success with local, national and international products!

He has already produced and directed a multi-media piece called "WHAT?!" commissioned by the Miami light project. "WHAT!?" explored the vibrant underground world of New York, the streets and the impact of sounds and silence on our understanding of the world around us-all played to the background of his fancy footwork tap!

In June, he had the distinct honor of representing the dance of tap in a tribute to Fred Astaire for the opening ceremonies of the Organization of American states where presidents and ministers from around the w. hemisphere applauded Ico with a standing ovation. Distinct guests included Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and Governor Jeb Bush.

He is also currently working on the release of a music video for Universal music, which he wrote and directed!! And his urban creative set design is still on display at the current Venevision Theatre production, "Cronicas Desquiciadas".

Manzanero is a versatile teacher, director, singer, choreographer, and creator of some of the most innovative dance and art movement today!!

When you think Ico Manzanero, think of the most profoundly sounding and uplifting artistry!!

A great big ball of energy.@-New York Post

"The Rebirth of Salsa" with Tap"- New Times

You can reach Ico at 786.218.7097, CREATE@ICOUGO.COM

SAMPLES OF ICO'S WORK

MIAMI LIGHT PROJECT

Every year 4 local artists are selectively commissioned to produce and direct an original piece. As one of the up-and-coming-need-to-know artists, ICO MANZANERO created "WHAT?!". This multimedia experience tells the story of a young boy in New York experiencing the urban development of 1980s thru live graffiti, tap danding and a b-boy jam session! ICO MANZANERO takes his tap dancing to another level including an interactive performance with on screen images. Audience's experience every emotion as ICO creates one memorable character after another-from a kookie doctor, to a silent movie cop; from a graf writer to a tap jam session genius!

Presented by Miami Light Project, March 2005

VIDEOGRAPHY/MUSIC VIDEOS
ICO U-GO PRODUCTIONS takes on the world of the music video! Creating and directing a music video for a new UNIVERSAL artist, ICO MANZANERO takes his talent, creativity and innate entertainment energy behind the camera!!

ICO U-GO PRODUCTIONS is available for production hire from concept to editing, WE MAKE IT HAPPEN!

ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES

On June 5, 2005 ICO MANZANERO performed for ministers and presidents at the opening ceremonies for the OAS annual meeting. Meeting in the United States for the first time, hemispheric leaders were treated to a welcoming speech by Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice. ICO used the opportunity to help his home country, Venezuela, become a central part of the discussion by placing a note on Condoleeza Rice's chair asking her to help Venezuela, signed simply, Mr. Tap Dance. After receiving a standing ovation from world leaders, including President G.W. Bush's brother and Florida State Governor, Jeb Bush, he knowingly winked at Secretary Rice!

July of 2005 took ICO MANZANERO's Capezio feet back to the stage with LARRY HARLOW and his legendary salsa magic! Here he performs his legendary salsa tap steps to impress even NASA satellite know hows!