I guess my main interest professionally is to be recognized for I have done and what I'm trying to accomplish as a musician/arranger/producer & be given the opportunity to do so. I would like to run my own recording studio as well. I would like to venture into musical realms that would be an absolute challenge. As a father is to give all of me that I possess so that my children may have the assets to have a prosperous and productive future. Unfortunately there are many people that try to take advatage of people like me who have the talent. I feel sorry for them. I wish to teach the future generations what I have learned so that they can smell a vulture lurking around.Check out the future of percussionists.This is absolutely UNREAL!!
Growing up in New York, I've met, interacted and even studied with many "Salsa" and Jazz artists.Steve Turre was my trombone teacher and mentor for many years. I've studied under Benny Powell as well. Leopoldo Pineda was quite a different teacher for me. He would'nt speak to me much. He would make a moña once and demanded that I pick up what was playing then harmonize it on the spot. That REALLY made me concentrate and learn how to listen to my immediate musical enviroments. I've studied harmonic arranging from Frank Foster and Jimmy Heath. I've studied scores of Jse Febles, one of the most influential arrangers of "SALSA MUSIC". There is SO much that I would like to learn and experience in music. One of the people that I would like to meet is Quincy Jones. Another one is Ray Santos. We have spoken over the phone, but I have yet to meet him. I finally got to met the great arranger, Luis Cruz backstage at the tribute for Ray Barretto at Lehman College. Here is one of my most favorite latin bassists and director of one the bands I most had the pleasure of playing with (Conjunto Libre) Andy Gonzalez. Check this out.
I'm very eclectic in what I like. Igrew up in the Bronx where I was surrounded by many styles and genres of music; Mowtown, EW&F, Tower of Power, Gap Band, Chic, Jimi Hendrix,Mandrill, War, Led Zepplin, Rush, Judas Priest, Van Halen w/ David Lee Roth,Yes, Edgar Winters, The Beatles, John Lennon, Barry Manilow, Ray Barretto, Tito Puente, Machito, Tito Rodriguez, Cortijo y su Combo, Willie Colon, Ruben Blades, El Gran Combo, Lebron Brothers, Guaco, Chick Corea, Return to Forever, Mahavishnu Orch.,George Duke, Stanley Clarke, The Crusaders, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Woddy Shaw, Freddie Hubbard, Wayne Shorter, J.J.Johnson, Curtis Fuller, Barry Rodgers, Steve Turre just to name a few. The list goes on and on in every direction. With that in mind, I am and forever will be, a player of and a student of music.Look at this kid play his ASS off!!!
Sleeper Cell, Dexter, Dead Zone, Monk, House,CSI:Miami, Law&Order, The Sopranos
I like stuff written by Laurel K. Hamilton, Anne Rice, Isaac Asimov, Robert Heinlien, Robert Ludlum, John Le Carre, J..R. Tolkien, Ray Bradbury, C.S. Lewis. I've enjoyed Angels and Demons & the DaVinci Code from Dan Brown.
My mom. When ever I need help, she's there even if I don't ask for it. My kids for their inspiration. Goodwilled people have always been a great inspiration to me. The great Jazz and Salsa musicians that laid out the path for me in music. I strive to be at that level(WHEW!!!INTENSE!!!)