Album Notes

"Flashpoint" was created in 1991 while Paul Messina (Flute/Sax) and George Schoendorfer (Lead/Rhythm Guitars) were playing together in the folk/rock group "Relative Viewpoint".

Paul and George had discussed forming a group of their own, playing jazz, the music they both truly loved.

Both Paul and George, firefighters for the Miami-Dade Fire Department, formed the band with all firefighters with the exception of Bassist Mark Harris, who is now one of the most sought after studio musicians in Nashville.

The other members were Roman Bas (Percussion) and Pedro Salgado (Drums).

Flashpoint is a common fire terminology, and that is why the band took on the name.

The original members were with the band only for a few months and later during that year, Flashpoint merged with the rock group "ICY".

Carlos Torres, one of the members of "ICY", was Pauls next door neighbor and had mentioned that his group had the desire to perform Jazz.

It was then that the merger began and the same members have been with Flashpoint ever since.

While in the recording studio, recording on Flashpoint's CD "Cool Heat", studio musician/percussionist Ignacio Nuñez performed exceptionally well.

It was then that Producer Gary M. Vandy suggested that Ignacio was just what the band needed.

As good as timing could be, Ignacio had just left the Latin Jazz group "Oriente" two weeks prior, and agreed to become a permanent member of Flashpoint.

Therefore, Flashpoint is now a six piece contemporary instrumental jazz fusion group, with a delightful latin flavor.

The instrumentation consists of Flute/Sax, Guitar, Keyboards, Bass, Drums, and Percussion.

"Flashpoint" blends styles from traditional and contemporary jazz, as well as fusion and rock.

"Flashpoint" has shared the stage with Internationally known recording artists such as: Bella Fleck and the Flecktones, Tom Grant, Iko Iko, Gerald Dimitri, Joe Donato, and Nestor Torres, to name a few.

"Flashpoint" is proud to release their debut CD, "Cool Heat", produced by Gary M. Vandy.

The members of "Flashpoint" are:
* Paul Messina..........Flutes & Saxes
* George Schoendorfer...Rhythm & Lead Guitars
* Max Garcia............Keyboards
* Carlos Torres.........Bass
* Jaime Villa...........Drums
* Ignacio Nuñez.........Percussion