Richard first got the attention of industry professionals when his song “Oxigeno” took third place in Billboard Magazine’s Worldwide Annual Song Contest.

Richard’s band is an eight member group, which includes a three-piece horn section and a percussionist. Richard and his high energy band have generated quite a following in the Los Angeles music scene and were finalists in the annual “Buscando Bandas” competition last year, which featured the best Latin bands of Los Angeles, New York and Florida.

Richard’s Latin roots are an important part of his musical life. Maranon’s mother and father hail from Cuba and Ecuador, respectively, and they raised their two sons in the barrios of Los Angeles. Growing up, speaking Spanish and listening to Latin music took precedence for Richard. Richard was also influenced by groups like the Beatles, Bruce Springsteen and Led Zeppelin, which led to his current muli-cultural attitude toward music. He was gigging professionally throughout high school and college (UC San Diego) where he studied composition and performance.

After college, Maranon and his guitar set out for South America to get in touch with his paternal heritage. He now calls this trip an “unforgettable experience that changed his life forever.” Upon his return from his father’s homeland, he was inspired to write dozens of songs and form his current group, which he refers to as “the ultimate band.”

To Maranon, it’s how the music moves the listener that matters most. He believes music is the only universal language, and his music proves this to be true as it crosses multi-cultural boundaries, reaching Spanish and non-Spanish speaking listeners alike.