Ladies and gentlemen, it’s Cha Cha Time!

Mike Roman & The Tellstars has been one of the most popular and enduring groups in the Chicagoland area and the Midwest. The band’s multicultural appeal has contributed to their success and has made the group’s longevity possible.

The Tellstars unique approach and interpretation of Latin rock music has been the band’s trademark along with their original compositions and versatile arrangements featured in the groups recordings and live performances.

Their musical ability to duplicate and interpret the sound of Santana began even before Mike Roman jammed with super rock star Carlos Santana and his original band in the San Francisco Bay area.

The Tellstars have appeared at several popular music theaters opening for many of Chicago's top recording groups and have also performed on stage with the international Mambo Kings, including the late Tito Puente, the late Mango Santamaria, Ray Barreto, Armando Peraza, and the late Celia Cruz, the Queen of Salsa.

The group has also performed at several college concerts, top city and suburban night clubs, boat cruizes, corporate parties, and at summer festivals. They have also made live appearances on Chicago radio and television shows broadcast across the nation showcasing their music multi-talent for their large and loyal fan club.

Most recently, The Tellstars recorded and performed in concert with two Latin legends and Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame members, Jose "Chepito" Areas and Michael Shrieve, the original percussion section of the world famous Santana band. The Tellstars also recorded and performed with Richard Bean, composer and lead vocalist with the Malo and Sapo bands. The Tellstars featuring Jose "Chepito" Areas was the opening act for Jorge Santana and Malo. The band also performed with Buddy Miles, the late phenomenal drummer and lead vocalist with Jimmi Hendrix's band of Gypsies. The Tellstars also backed up the internationally known Jose Feliciano at the 2007 Viva Chicago Latin Festival at Chicago's Premier lake front Petrillo Music Shell.

"Cha Cha Time!" The Tellstars' new cd contains twelve original compositions written by Mike Roman, Eli Rios, Jr., Abel Guardiola, Joe "Vato" Guillen, Mike Aldana, and Michael Angelo Roman. Three of the songs feature special guest artists, Jose "Chepito" Areas and Michael Shrieve. "Chepito" plays timbales on Cha Cha Time! and Runaround. Shrieve plays on Tsunami 911 which he also produced.

Mike Roman, melodic lead guitarist and lead-founder of the band along with keyboardist extraordinaire Eli Rios, Jr., head the group's current line up which includes Abel Guardiola on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Jose "Vato" Guillen on lead vocals and percussion, Joe "Baby" Valdez on Bass, George Buck on drums, Kiki Ventura on congas, Joe Rosso on timbales, John Barbush and Eddie Irizarry on trombone and vocals, John Trimmel and Scott Wiltfang on trumpet, Marty Gomez on alto sax and vocals, and Michael Angelo Roman on tenor sax and lead guitar.

Completing the group's exciting musical lineup and adding icing on the cake are Yolanda Chaidez and Nicole Garza on lead vocals, Mike Aldana on lead vocals and percussion, and last but not least Michael Watkins on lead vocals and percussion.

Indeed, with "Cha Cha Time!" The Tellstars have remained true to their Latin Rock roots while fusing jazz with surf sounds and salsa rhythms to make an exciting alchemy of Latin fire!