Honor 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 fireplace.

LatinJazzingit!

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 shame!

Con 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 Popular
Mambo Legends Orchestra "Ten Cuidado" - Mambo Legends
Various Artists "Salsa - Un Homenaje A El Gran Combo" - Banco Popular
Choco Orta "Choco Swing" - Chocolocoton Basillo
Cachao "The Last Mambo" - Eventus/Sony
Sonido Criminal "Crime Payz" - Sonido Criminal
Don Perignon/Orquesta La Puertorriquena "A Otro Nivel-30 Anniversario" - Al Andujar
Michael Stuart "Tributo A Louie Ramirez" - RLM
8 Y Mas "Una Mas" - 8 Y Mas
Issac Delgado "El Supercubano" - Planet
NG La Banda "Mis 22 Anos" - Egrem
Maraca & Latin Jazz All Stars "Reencuentro" - Maraca/Descarga Sarl
Victoria Sanabria "Mi Decima Con Orquesta" - Echa Compay
Jose Alberto "El Canario" "Original" - Select O'Hits
Pupy Y Los Que Son Son "Simplemente Pupy (Unreleased tracks) - Pupy/Egrem
Stefon Harris/David Sanchez/Christian Scott "90 Miles" - Concord
La Sucursal SA "Sin Fronteras" - La Trifulca
Montuno Swing "Rico Tumbao" - Tumulan Music
John Santos/Coro Kindembo "La Esperanza" - Machete
Jerry Gonzalez Y El Comando De La Clave "El Comando De La Clave" - Sunnyside
Jane Bunnett/Hilario Duran "Cuban Rhapsody" - Alma
Willy Torres "Hardcore" - Latin Street
Bobby Sanabria "Tito Puente Masterworks Live" - Jazzheads
Santiago All Stars - Joya Y Rareza - Hasbun Produciones

2012 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 year!