My name is Peggy Jo Oliva aka PJ. I am a very "Proud Americana" with Afro-Puerto Rican, Cuban, Venezuelan and Irish roots. I love all music from Rumba to Rock and everything in between. I was born and raised in Los Angeles California with 3 older brothers and my parents, Arturo Rodriguez, a Designer/Percussionist & my Mother Peggy "Margarita" Morales, a dedicated mother and Salsa music lover. My parents raised me with the surroundings of Art & Music and I have carried these elements with me throughout my life and into my professional career as a Graphic Designer, Booking Agent and Promoter.
In 2001, I and late husband, Long John Oliva created "Lucumi Productions" and the "AC Timba Jazz Project" with the intentions of exposing Long John's Afro Cuban Yoruban culture in Los Angeles and throughout the world. Long John passed on June 21, 2004 and since then, I have carried on his legacy, dreams and wishes to keep the music and company alive and thriving no matter what. Immediately after Long John's passing, We were awarded the "2003-2004 Latin Jazz Artist of the Year", appeared on the KCET "24th Annual Holiday Celebration" at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and received The 2006 official IAJE Award for "Outstanding Service to Jazz Education at the Thirty-Third IAJE International Conference in New York. Since then, Lucumi has extended it's artist roster to include; Maraca, Conguero Legend, Francisco Aguabella, Cuban pianist, Chuchito Valdés (son of Chucho Valdés, grandson of Bebo Valdés), New York based Cuban sax & chekere "Yosvany Terry" and the "Afro Cuban Latin Jazz Project" featuring; Gustavo Ramirez, Raul Pineda and Jesus Diaz. In 2008, Lucumi Y Que Records will be releasing never before heard tracks by Long John Oliva, the "Ten Fe" Timba House/Hip Hop and Reggaeton project along with two of his Rumba Instructional CDs.
Esto es "Mi Alma de Mi Vida de Mi Corazon"
* PJ Oliva's Portfolio *
* Music * Musica I created my layout at KillerKiwi.net
