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!

Joyful 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 there.

Hahahaha!

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.  

Eddie Palmieri celebrates 75th!

The irresistible rhythms of salsa dura were driving people to the dance floor at the San Francisco Yoshi's club.  The sound was coming from 9 time Grammy award winning maestro Eddie Palmieri who was in town to celebrate his 75th birthday.  One of the true geniuses and innovators of Latin music who has been making an impact since the 1960's, Palmieri continues his life work by putting out dynamic recordings such as his new 50th Anniversary dvd.

Powerful live performances has always been Palmieri's speciality.  This was evident as he brought La Perfecta II featuring an all-star group consisting of the great sonero Herman Olivera, trescero extraordinare Nelson Gonzalez, young bass phenom Loques Curtis, the tight percussion section of Little Johnny Rivero, Jose Clausell and Orlando Vega, the tremendous horn section featuring the trombones of Jimmy Bosch and Doug Beavers and the flute of Karen Joseph.  Palmieri's repertoire consisted of his classic dance tunes such as "Sujetate La Lengua", "La Malanga"and "Lo Que Traigo Es Sabroso" to name a few.

La Perfecta II is simply one of the finest live dance orchestras that exist...period.  The interplay and communication between musicians, the sheer virtuosity of the players and the fiercest dance music to be heard on any bandstand.  Eddie Palmieri was in fine form whether he was playing jaw dropping solos, leading his top-notch ensemble or cracking jokes to the audience.  I wasn't alone in thinking that I was lucky to be there to catch the master at work.