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Walter Suhr, a native of Guatemala, graduated Magna Cum Laude with degrees in music and computer science from the University of St. Thomas in Houston. Shortly after graduation, he participated in the Houston finals of the International Oti Festival as both a performer and an arranger of his own original material. In 1991, he felt the need for a band that could convincingly play repertoire in both Spanish and English and started Mango Punch! The personality and sound he created is mantained by the professionalism and versatility of the musicians who form the band.

Mango Punch! first performed publicly at the Salsa on the Plaza festival in July of 1991. Since then, they have become one of the most in-demand latin bands in Texas for the solid reputation they have built playing to capacity crowds and entertaining at different functions.

They have participated in a large number of festivals including The Houston International Festival, Puerto Rico in Houston, Taste of Houston, and The World’s Largest Margarita. In 1996, they played at the Miller Outdoor Theater opening for Alvaro Torres. In April 1997, they opened for Barrio Boyzz in the internationally recognized Fiesta San Antonio.

Mango Punch! has had several TV appearances including Ritmo Latino, which has broadcast their “Que me pongo?” video at an international level, El Show de SEVCEC, a nationally syndicated talk show on Telemundo, “This Morning Houston” with Sylvan Rodríguez and Claire Cassademont (Channel 11, ABC), “Houston Ahora” with Joe and Issa Ramírez (Channel 45, Univisión), and a Muscular Dystrophy Telethon (Channel 2, NBC). In Guadalajara, Mexico they’ve performed in live programs for the Televisa network.

In 1996, they initiated a series of concerts where they perform almost exclusively original material. This on-going effort has taken them to prestigious concert halls including Hamman Hall at Rice University and Rockefeller’s. In 1997, they performed at the prestigious Fiestas de Octubre for a capacity crowd of 8,000 at Auditorio Benito Juárez in Guadalajara.

Their first CD, the self-titled Mango Punch!, contains only original music in various different styles including merengue, salsa and cumbia. Material from the album has received airplay in leading radio programs in Houston.
Theis second CD, called Pop/Rock, is more international in scope, where a world-class production and recording enhance Suhr’s engaging melodies and lyrics.

AWARDS:

1991: Oti International Festival: Walter Suhr, 2nd place, song “Me Convenciste”.
1992: Public News: Mango Punch! 2nd place Reader's Poll
1993: Pura Vida Hispanic Music Awards: Mango Punch! Best Latin, Jazz, Salsa and Tropical Band of the year.
1994: Councilman Félix Fraga Mango Punch! honorary certificate from.
1995: Houston Press Music Award: Mango Punch! Best Latin Band of the year.
1998: Billboard Magazine Song Contest Walter Suhr’s “Valemos la Pena”1st place in the latin category at the national level.
1999: John Lennon Songwriting Contest: “Big dreams, grandes sueños”, Finalist. “¿Qué me pongo?”, Runner-up

INSTRUMENTATION:

Mango Punch uses instruments that are on the leading edge of technology. The band's full rhythm section (bass, drums, percussion, guitar and keyboards) is complemented by computer sequences which enable them to perform in different styles with much authenticity.