Recovering from my SXSW Hangover
I have recovered from my week long hangover from attending South By Southwest in Austin, Texas. I represented KPFA in my position as Music Director but what got me there was my coverage as a radio journalist and a life long passion for music. I was ill throughout my entire trip to SXSW but I did manage to interview some key figures in World, Electronica and Latin Alternative music: Simon Mejia, the brain child of Colombia’s electro cumbia gods “Bomba Estereo”, Jairo “Muchachito” and Simon from Spain’s rumba catalana fusion giants “Muchachito Bombo Infierno” and the fiery Nigerian songstress Nneka whose latest cd “Soul Is Heavy” is pulsating with hip-hop, reggae, funk and African grooves. I was one of the lucky few who got picked from a special lottery to attend Bruce Springsteen’s exclusive intimate concert in Austin…what an awesome show! A two hour, forty minute set with The Boss and his mighty E-Street Band now augmented with a 5 piece horn section (including the late Clarence Clemons nephew on tenor sax) and 2 background vocalists. Bruce was mighty impressive as he rocked the hell of the Moody Theater, home of tv’s Austin City Limits. Reggae legend Jimmy Cliff, Eric Burdon, Tom Morello, Joe Ely, Alejandro Escovedo and The Arcade Fire joined The Boss on stage! There is so much happening at SXSW that you are actually missing 10 cool things for the one act that you choose to see. It’s an endurance test to see a third of what you wanted to see in the first place. More to come...
read moreSF Salsa Rueda Festival celebrates Cuba!
San Francisco is the home to one of the hottest music and dance festivals in Cuban Music. I was contacted by Serena Wong who along with Nicholas Van Eyck organized the fourth annual SF Salsa Rueda Festival at the Hotel Whitcomb. Serena and Nicholas also are leaders of the renowned Salsa Vale Todo dance troupe. It was a joyful celebration of Cuban culture. I was chosen to MC and present 13 dance troupes who came as far away as China to perform their interpretation of Cuban dance from Rumba to Son to Timba. What a great show and a fine representation of dancing as large dance troupes showed their best Rueda de Casino moves while some couples displayed a full range of dance from dancing guaguanco to modern timba. Deejays Antonio, Dark Rum and Walt Digz played music that packed the dance floor throughout the entire weekend. I caught impressive live sets by Miami’s Timbalive and SF’s own Rumbache although I wasn’t able to make it to see Manolin, El Medico De La Salsa due to the Bay Bridge closure. However, I heard that he played a great set. For those who missed this year’s SF Salsa Rueda Festival, you may have another chance to check this show out in Las Vegas scheduled for this coming...
read moreMaking Kids Happy
I had a blast performing as DJ for my 9 year old son’s elementary school family dance. All the kids were happy because I played their favorite hits from Lady Gaga to Rhianna to Train, etc. The school auditorium was set up with several disco balls that were spraying spears of white light on kids and their parents. A line of anxious young girls lined up in front of my dj setup on the auditorium stage to request Taio Cruz’s “Dynamite”. I started this pre-teen anthem “I came to dance, dance, dance, dance…”and the kids screamed with delight as they jumped up and down. The 90 minutes flew by as I first played a short set of music before our dance instructor, Liza arrived. Once Liza got on stage, she led the kids on line dances such as the Chicken Dance, Electric Slide, Cha Cha Slide and finally the Macarena. I played Parliament’s “Flash Light” while Liza got all the parents dancing on stage showing the kids their awesome funk moves. I finally cut loose with a set of dance music that satisfied even the most demanding 10 year olds!! My son Adrian joined me on stage. He shook it on stage with the old man while I was playing LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem”. I knew that all the kids wanted to hear “I’m Sexy And I Know It” but I knew I would be on the PTA’s blacklist if I played it. I brought too much music for the short amount of time that I played for the kids but it was worth...
read moreAnother New Year Resolution
I am making a new year’s resolution right now to blog more often. Improve the blog as well. I know it’s February but I’m moving forward. So keep it locked, I will deliver. Blog entries coming right up.
read moreHonor Roll Time
I was among four honorees receiving the Armando Peraza Award at the recent 8th Annual edition of the Voices Of Latin Rock Autism Awareness Benefit at Bimbos 365 Club in San Francisco. I was contacted several months ago by “Dr. Rock” himself…Bernie Gonzalez who wanted to honor my contributions to the Music and Latino/Hispanic communities through my various endeavors including my years as a radio producer and host. What a thrill it was to be introduced by an old friend, KCSM’s own Chuy Varela to a the full house made up of celebrities, music stars, community activists and old friends. I had a speech planned but was a little thrown off by being asked to come up first. So I was able to wing it successfully and was able to thank everyone that I wanted to thank…whew! What an event! Entertainment was provided by The Family Stone featuring original members of Sly Stone’s old band Jerry Martini, Cynthia Robinson and Greg Errico performing rousing versions of the old hits, the fresh edgy Latin rock of singer/songwriter Blanca Sandoval and the funky pop/rock band led by Miles Schon (son of Neal Schon) and Wil Champlin (son of Bill Champlin). After all the hoopla has died down, my plaque is placed proudly on top of my...
read moreLatinJazzingit!
The Grammy Awards was a special celebration that honored a wide spectrum of musical genres. Due to the Academy’s tragic decision to eliminate more than 35 categories, Latin Jazz will not be given its due. That means that the musicians that have been keeping this genre of music strong and vibrant will not get the hard sought after recognition that they deserve. Such artists which range from established giants such as Michel Camilo to young lions as the Curtis Brothers will be given the brush off. Tragic indeed. We are in 2012, not 1812. Society supposably has evolved to be inclusive at this day and age. Or is the Grammys another microcosm of the flawed nature of the times where racism has been accepted in states like Arizona. Where fences are being built to keep people out who work jobs that the status quo would never accept for less than acceptable wages. Now Latin Jazz artists are given a flimsy excuse for their exclusion such as they need to compete with “legitimate” jazz artists to be part of the general Jazz genre. The Latin Jazz category was hard fought for by masters such as Eddie Palmieri and Bobby Sanabria to bring to light the fact that Jazz has always been influenced by latin rhythms and melodies. What a shame that the Academy wants to censor and minimize the impact of the music. The Grammys will not be the barometer of great music that it once was. Instead it will represent the tunnel vision of a privileged few and celebrate the glory of the million sellers. The Grammys have taken a big leap backward…..what a...
read moreCon Sabor Top Picks of 2011/Salsa-Latin Jazz-Musica Cubana
Con Sabor Top Picks of 2011: (in no particular order)Various Artists “Sono Sono Tite Curet” – Banco PopularMambo Legends Orchestra “Ten Cuidado” – Mambo LegendsVarious Artists “Salsa – Un Homenaje A El Gran Combo” – Banco PopularChoco Orta “Choco Swing” – Chocolocoton BasilloCachao “The Last Mambo” – Eventus/SonySonido Criminal “Crime Payz” – Sonido CriminalDon Perignon/Orquesta La Puertorriquena “A Otro Nivel-30 Anniversario” – Al AndujarMichael Stuart “Tributo A Louie Ramirez” – RLM8 Y Mas “Una Mas” – 8 Y MasIssac Delgado “El Supercubano” – PlanetNG La Banda “Mis 22 Anos” – EgremMaraca & Latin Jazz All Stars “Reencuentro” – Maraca/Descarga SarlVictoria Sanabria “Mi Decima Con Orquesta” – Echa CompayJose Alberto “El Canario” “Original” – Select O’HitsPupy Y Los Que Son Son “Simplemente Pupy (Unreleased tracks) – Pupy/EgremStefon Harris/David Sanchez/Christian Scott “90 Miles” – ConcordLa Sucursal SA “Sin Fronteras” – La TrifulcaMontuno Swing “Rico Tumbao” – Tumulan MusicJohn Santos/Coro Kindembo “La Esperanza” – MacheteJerry Gonzalez Y El Comando De La Clave “El Comando De La Clave” – SunnysideJane Bunnett/Hilario Duran “Cuban Rhapsody” – AlmaWilly Torres “Hardcore” – Latin StreetBobby Sanabria “Tito Puente Masterworks Live” – JazzheadsSantiago All Stars – Joya Y Rareza – Hasbun...
read more2012 starts with a bang!!!
I brought in 2012 as dj at Cafe Cocomo’s explosive New Years Eve party going mano-a-mano with local favorites Avance. The band who has incredibly enough started close to 20 years ago by Santana percussionist extraordinare Karl Perrazo still boasts a front line of youthful looking boy band singers: Armando Cordova, his brother Jeff and Jimmy Flores. Their dynamic presence combined with a top notch band with a great trombone section provided three sets of fine dance music. There was a bigger, energetic and excited crowd who brought in 2012 with us at Midnight. Avance sounded great…they also featured some brand new material in their repertoire along with crowd favorites from their last 3 cds. The band kept me on my toes but I was ready to play. I put it in the mix which kept the dancers on the dance floor! What a way to start the...
read moreJoyful Pre Xmas Tribute To Jose Guaman
I was scheduled to dj the last part of the benefit/tribute to La Fuerza Gigante’s band leader and bongocero Jose Guaman last Sunday. He has been battling pancreatic cancer. A group of friends led by fellow musician “Cafe” Agosto and Angel Cordero organized this benefit/tribute to a nice guy. By the time I arrived at Cocomo, I was delighted to see that the place was stuffed with folks and that they were being entertained by the likes of Orquesta Borinquen who played a smokin’ set. DJ Carlitos Way followed them with selections that connected with the dancing crowd. Guaman has been a fixture on the salsa scene for the past decade or so with Orquesta Baakan. He had to change the name to La Fuerza Gigante a while back due to legal reasons but that hasn’t stopped him from radiating his warm personality, putting out a big smile and playing good music. The Salsa community that night reflected an older, mature crowd who enjoyed and applauded the sounds of Pa’l Bailador, Julio Bravo Y Salsabor, Alexis Y Su Original which also featured veteran sonero Monchy Esteves, La Fuerza Gigante and special guests throughout the entire evening. There was a touching, heartfelt tribute to Jose from family members including his wife and sons and fellow musicians such as Karl Perrazo, Julio Bravo, Cafe and Avance’s Armando Cordova. There were a lot of teary eyes during that tribute at Cocomo. The show ran late but I got my chance to play music in honor of Jose. The show reflected life as it often plays out: the happy with the sad and the hard road ahead. Jose was showered with enthusiastic support, hope and optimism from a loving, appreciative crowd. I was glad I was...
read moreHahahaha!
Hahahaha! We need to laugh as we near the close of another year. We have made it. We survived another long year. A worldwide financial crisis and a bad economy has cost millions of people jobs, security and in some cases, their homes. There is a monetary and class divide that has deepened the gulf between the halves and have nots. The middle class has shrunk over the course of the last three years. This situation drove people to the streets to voice their anger and frustration with the target being the one percent who have the majority of the money and power. Activists have been butting heads with police on the streets to call attention to these issues. It is dawning on all of us that the 99 percent is a wide range of people that are different and diverse. It’s difficult for people to agree on what to do next. The landscape of this rapidly changing world has now forced creative people to turn into unlikely entrepreneurs and businessmen in order to survive and thrive. We need to educate ourselves, read and learn new skills that can keep opening new doors to us while we learn to navigate the political system to our advantage. We need to vote and advocate for better opportunities and perhaps, a responsive government. Welcome to the new year....
read moreLive Appearances
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