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Choices for the Intersilo Music Hall of Fame are made on the basis of genuine talent. Also the fact that these artists may be less known to the general public than they should be in some cases plays an important role. For example Otmaro Ruiz should be counted among the world's top musicians, but he may not be that well known outside of professional musican's circles. Franco de Vita, who has written some breathtaking songs, is virtually unknown to the non-hispanic speaking public. Biella da Costa, who is a major vocal jazz talent, is not well known outside of her native Venezuela. Who knows guitarist Jeff Prine outside of South Florida? Yet Prine combines original phrasing, a superb sound and impeccable technique and should by all counts be among the top bluesy guitar players. Gustavo Calle is much more than a percussionist or drummer: this is a creative spirit who happens to play the drums, with much experience and schooling. As a result, 

Gustavo Calle  
(Boynton Beach FL - Drums, Percussion)


Ilan Chester  
(Venezuela - Composer/Singer/KB)


Biella Da Costa  
(Caracas, Venezuela - Vocals)


Alvaro Falcon  
(Caracas, Venezuela - Guitar)


Jeff Prine  
 (Ft Lauderdale FL - Guitar)
(Miami, Sept 22, 2001: I first heard Jeff play a couple of years ago. My attention was caught by his unique sound and phrasing. The sound is clean with plenty of harmonics but deep and sustained, a result of talent, discipline, taste and well thought out but simple equipment (0.11 strings on a vintage Les Paul through a Fender Deluxe on steroids). 
Jeff's finger vibrato works very well on the LP, especially when working through the stiff string resistance on the lower and more difficult frets.
The phrasing always has intention and direction, with plenty of dynamics, and is often understated, leading to a climax or conclusion in harmony with the energy and feel of the particular tune he's playing. I think it is no exaggeration to state that within his style, Jeff is one of the very best in the world
-- Franklin Holland --


Otmaro Ruiz  
 (Los Angeles CA - Keyboards)
I quote from the heading of a website:

" T H I S    D Y N A M I C   Y O U N G  V E N E Z U E L A N   J A Z Z   P I A N I S T   A N D C O M P O S E R   H A S   I T   A L L :I M P E C C A B L E   C R E A T I V I T Y , U N P A R A L L E L E D   V E R S A T I L I T Y A N D   S O P H I S T I C A T E D C O M P O S I T I O N A L   C O M M A N D , R E S U L T I N G    I N   A N
U N C O M P R O M I S E D   A P P R O A C H   TO M O D E R N   C R E A T I V E   M U S I C ". . 

Whereas this quote could be considered presumptuous for most musicians, it is actually a modest description of this musician's capabilities. I had the pleasure of working with him and was left with a lasting impression of total commitment and talent. No wonder some of the world's well known musicians have recognized this and used his talents on tour (Arturo Sandoval, Ian Anderson, Dianne Reeves, Gino Vanelli the list goes on and on)

Otmaro's the best./FH

Franco de Vita  
 (Venezuela - Composer/Singer/KB)

InterSilo's choice for the best musician of the 20th century. Hard to chose, with so much talent, but here it is:

Jean-Pierre Rampal, flute
One of the twentieth century's greatest flute players, Jean-Pierre Rampal brought the flute into the international concert circuit for the first time. His technique and his musicianship attracted loyal audiences around the globe, drawn especially to his famous tone and his ability to project subtle nuances: as one reviewer wrote, "...the Rampal tone [is] as appealing as ever: firm, rounded, richly varied within the natural scope of the instrument's capabilities, which, in fact, Rampal has redefined and expanded for modern audiences and for other flutists." His talent was complimented by his boundless energy and his tireless promotion of the flute, which together succeeded in developing an international market for flute music unlike any seen since the eighteenth century.

A Sony Classical artist since the 70s, Rampal recorded virtually every major work for flute. His discography of over 50 recordings includes Bach -- the flute concertos (MK 39022) and sonatas (S2K 39746) -- Mozart -- the flute concertos (SK 44919) and quartets (MK 42320) -- Telemann (flute concertos (MK 42362)), Vivaldi (flute concertos (M2K 45623)), Hadyn, and more, as well as the work of lesser known composers, like Kuhlau, Boccherini, Giuliani and Carulli. Rampal went beyond the classical, too, recording arrangements of Japanese melodies and Joplin rags, as well as jazz: Claude Bolling’s Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio, released in 1976, was one of his most popular recordings. A follow-up album, the Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio No. 2 is available on Sony Classical (MK 42318).

Rampal was familiar to audiences around the world through his extensive touring as flutist and conductor. He appeared with all the major orchestras in Europe and the United States. He appeared in recital at many of the world’s great halls, including Avery Fisher Hall in New York and the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, as well as numerous smaller halls across the world. His work as a chamber musician was no less important, and he counted among his favorite collaborators Isaac Stern and Mstislav Rostropovich, both of whom joined him for his seventieth birthday celebration at Avery Fisher Hall in 1992.

(description taken from Homepage)