Making 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 MoreLive Appearances
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