Carlos J. Saldaña profile picture

Carlos J. Saldaña

A smooth mix of R&B, Pop, Rock & Jazz

About Me


~ MUSICAL CREDITS ~
"Okinawa Summer Nights" -- "Madness" -- "All I Need" -- "Party At Tobacco Road" and "Love Will Guide Your Way", were all written & composed by Carlos J. Saldaña and recorded on his 2006 CD release, "Nothing Else Feels So Right" -- Sun & Fish Records, Co. Ltd, Japan
"Tequila Rose" was written by J. Kirk, T. Furugen and C.J. Saldaña, and was released on the J.E.T. 2006 CD release "Rock 'Til The Morning Sun". (Japanese vocals were done by "Kotchan", while all Spanish & English vocals were done by Carlos)
This profile was edited with Rockin Codes My Space Editor
WELCOME MUSIC FANS!! If you're looking for a cool mix of R&B, Jazz, and Adult Contemporary music, then you've definitely come to the right place.
I was born and raised in Southern California, in a small border town called "Calexico", but I now call Okinawa, Japan my home. Its a long story on how I got here, so for the full scoop, please visit my website at www.cjsaldana.com. (Click on the Banner above and you'll be taken directly to my website!). Otherwise, feel free to enjoy some sound clips from my latest CD right here! Four of the ten songs recorded for my Debut CD are provided here for your listening pleasure.
As an added treat, I've also included some BLOGS reflecting a few of my personal philosophies on life as I've continued to pursue my elusive musical dreams. I'd like to invite you to read each of them (ABOVE), and submit a comment on your point of view for each one.
As a songwriter, I always try to focus on a Positive Message within my songs, both lyrically and musically. So the songs you find here reflect my own personal philosophies on life, love and the world in general. (The whole CD actually follows the same theme, as well). I really hope you enjoy what you hear, because I had a great time putting it all together!
My current goal (believe or not) is to see if any up & coming artists would like to record my music on their albums. (i.e, songwriter for hire). Veteran artists are also welcome, of course! I'd also love the opportunity to collaborate and/or network with other singer/songwriters around the world, so feel free to drop me a line anytime! I appreciate you visiting my "space" and would like to ask that you to leave me a comment while you're here. But until then,... my best to you in all things Musical!
Stay true to your Faith,...
Stay true to your Dreams,...
And always Stay Positive!!
Carlos J. Saldaña
My record company, (Sun & Fish Records Co., Ltd. Japan), hosted my CD Release Party & Debut Concert on Friday, 18 August 2006. It was held on the 2nd Floor open-air patio of the "Plaza House Fair Mall" on Okinawa, and included several Label-Mates of mine, to include Nude Voice, The Style Band & myself performing for an intimate group of about 120 close friends & associates. The evening was a tremendous success and helped solidify us as some of the BEST Live Acts on Okinawa! Here are just a few shots from the show:
MYSPACE FRIENDS: Here's a little insight into my selection method for Friends on MySpace:
Those musicians who are mixed within my Top24 Friends have created some beautiful music that stirs my inner spirit. Some of them Rock,... Some of them Groove,... But all of them have Soul! I intend to rotate these on occasion, in order to share my diverse musical taste with my Friends and Fans around the world. Please don't take offense to your displacement here,... I just have a lot of musical friends who deserve the same level of exposure that I've provided for you. Thanks for your understanding!
If you're a musician and I send you an Add Request, it's because I'd like to pay sincere respects to your musical talents. There are so many gifted artists out there who have some amazing music to share, so I'd like to help establish a line of communication between all my musical brothers or sisters around the world. The entire purpose of MySpace is to meet and network with those who share the same interests and talents, so I would be honored if you would accept my request and include me within your circle of Friends.
Whether you're a fellow Musician or not,... if you take the time to write to me in the true sense of establishing a long-lasting friendship, then you're sure to be kept on my Friend's List. If you're simply looking for a way to build up numbers on your Site without any intention of maintaining contact,... then sooner or later you should expect for me to cut you loose from my Friend's List. It's nothing personal,... just my way of separating the "Wheat from the Chaff", so to speak. You see, I'm not really interested in building up numbers on my Friend's List -- I'm looking to build up my number of FRIENDS.
If you send me an Add Request, and I visit your sight to find vulgar, profane, or sexually suggestive comments, photos or musical content, then you should expect for me to decline your Add Request altogether. Again, no offense intended,... I just don't have any interests in those type of sites.
If you have any questions on any of these issues, then please feel free to send me an email on your thoughts. What better way to communicate with me and maintain your place on my Friend's List! ;^)

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 6/15/2006
Band Website: cjsaldana.com
Band Members:

CARLOS IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON SOME NEW MATERIAL WITH ONE OF THE HOTTEST JAZZ/FUSION BANDS COMING OUT OF EUROPE -- SUBFIVE!!
(Check them out on Carlos' Top24 list!!)

Last year, Carlos joined this sensational Jazz/Fusion group from Sweden as a special guest during their tour of Japan in October 2007. And because of the great time they had performing together on that tour, they are now working on a second set of shows in October 2008!! PLUS,... they're collaborating on some new music together and plan to record a new CD with Carlos while they're here in Japan! Stay tuned to this website for more updates in the coming months!

CDs, MUSIC DOWNLOADS & RINGTONES ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT:

Apple iTunes! (Electronic Downloads)

(Click on Icon above!)

CD Baby! (Physical CDs)

(Click on Icon above!)

EarBuzz.com! (Both Physical CDs & Downloads)

(Click on Icon above!)

Groupie Tunes! (Ringtones for your Cellular Phone)

(Click on Icon above!)

All songs written/composed by Carlos J. Saldaña
Produced by Izumi Wada for Sun & Fish Records, Japan

BAND MEMBERS: I've been blessed with having some of the most respected professional studio musicians out of Tokyo, Japan support me on this project!

Their history includes producing, recording and/or touring with some of the BEST Pop, Rock & Top40 Artists in Japan, to include: Dreams Come True; B'z; Misia; SMAP; Hi-Fi Set; Kinki Kids; George Yanagi & Rainy Wood; Minami Yoshitaka; as well as International Artists: Bob Marley & The Wailers; Steely Dan; Kenny G; and others!! The result, as you can hear, speaks for itself!

PHOTOS FROM RECENT SHOWS ON OKINAWA!!
LIVE AND ACOUSTIC AT CAFE' NIRAI - 2 DECEMBER 2006

Influences: First & foremost, my main SPIRITUAL influence would be my Friend & my Father,... my Rock & my Redeemer,... my Lord & my Savior,... JESUS CHRIST! For it is through him that I have this musical gift to share, and so to him I must FIRST provide all the Glory!

My main MUSICAL influences include Artists from the 70's & 80's, to include Michael Franks, Steely Dan, Kalapana, Ambrosia, The Doobie Brothers, Cecilio & Kapono, James Taylor, Al Jarreau, Rik Emmett, Kenny Loggins, Larry Carlton, Lee Ritenour, Marvin Gaye, Gino Vannelli, Maze w/Frankie Beverly, Boz Scaggs, The O'Jays, etc.

My main PERSONAL influence would be my Father, Peter S. Saldana, for whom I wrote the song "Reach Out Your Hand". (Also found on my Debut CD). You see, my Father has been the primary role model for me in this life, not only in my development as a Man, but also as a Father and as a working professional. Some of the things my Dad taught me include: To have faith in God above all else; To never sacrifice your Honor nor your Integrity for an easy way out; To stand firm to your convictions, even in the face of challenge and controversy; And to recognize the importance of maintaining a strong, loving Family unit at home. So for my Dad, this song is my way of saying 'Thanks' for always being there to "Reach Out Your Hand" when I needed it!

Sounds Like: An eclectic, yet mature mix of R&B, Jazz, Rock and Latin styles. If you blended Michael Franks, Marvin Gaye, Carlos Santana, & Steely Dan in a mixer,... this is probably what you'd get.
Record Label: Sun & Fish Records Co., Ltd. (Japan)
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

KEEP ON TRUCKIN!!

Experiencing failure is inevitable on this long highway to success that we're on.  The great American inventor, Henry Ford, once said:  "Failure is only the opportunity to begin again more i...
Posted by Carlos J. Saldaña on Fri, 11 Jan 2008 07:33:00 PST

LIFE'S LESSONS

When we were Kids in school, we usually learned the lesson first and then received a test.  But as Adults, we find that we usually receive the test first, and then receive the lesson.  (Kin...
Posted by Carlos J. Saldaña on Fri, 30 Nov 2007 04:11:00 PST

NEVER STOP BELIEVING IN YOURSELF!

Any dream you want to achieve in life is possible when you just believe in yourself.  What your mind can conceive and believe, your will can achieve.  You see, success is simply a state of m...
Posted by Carlos J. Saldaña on Wed, 25 Jul 2007 03:48:00 PST

CHANGE STARTS WITH YOU

Each of us has had to deal with adversity and conflict at one time in our lives, right?  But when you reflect upon those times, how would you rate your response to those difficulties?  Did y...
Posted by Carlos J. Saldaña on Thu, 04 Jan 2007 03:07:00 PST

KEEP YOUR EGO IN CHECK!

Our willpower is much stronger than we think. But all too often, most of it is being used to maintain our own egos, which gets us nowhere.  We use the energy of our willpower to prove that we're ...
Posted by Carlos J. Saldaña on Wed, 29 Nov 2006 04:10:00 PST

NEVER GIVE IN TO DOUBT

The feeling of "Doubt" is nothing more than a simple thought we create in our own minds.  And just as easily as we create it, we can also easily choose to let it go.  That's the power of the...
Posted by Carlos J. Saldaña on Tue, 12 Sep 2006 01:52:00 PST

LET GO OF THE PAST!

Time waits for no one;  Yesterday is history;  Tomorrow is a mystery;  Today is a gift.   That's why Today is called 'the present'. -- Author Unknown Your past mistakes a...
Posted by Carlos J. Saldaña on Thu, 05 Oct 2006 04:27:00 PST

STOP LISTENING TO NEGATIVE PEOPLE

You know, I've had a dream of making music,... my own music,... for well over 20 years now.  So why did it take me so long to finally record my own song ideas, you ask?  Because for the long...
Posted by Carlos J. Saldaña on Mon, 10 Jul 2006 04:35:00 PST

FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE!

Sometimes I wish we could all stop worrying about what we don't have and instead start enjoying what we do have.  We've got life, individual talents, good health, a loving family, etc.  So w...
Posted by Carlos J. Saldaña on Fri, 07 Jul 2006 04:55:00 PST

NEVER GIVE UP ON THE DREAM!

For every successful goal that we set out to achieve in life, we must first start out by taking Chances. A chance at failure or success,... a chance at ridicule or praise,... a chance at heartache or...
Posted by Carlos J. Saldaña on Wed, 21 Jun 2006 06:59:00 PST