Latin Sounds: Meet the Musicians
Latin Sounds would have opened its 15th season this year. In place of live concerts, we present Latin Sounds: Meet the Musicians, an audio interview series hosted by Mitch Glickman.
Episode 01 – The Echo Park Project’s Carlo Lopez
The Echo Park Project was created in 2006 by percussionist Carlo Lopez. The group recreates the legendary salsa style of NYC. Their repertoire is a combination of original material and hot 70’s cover tunes.
For the first episode in the series, Mitch Glickman speaks with Carlo Lopez, discussing his roots in New York, the start of his career, coming to Los Angeles, developing The Echo Park Project, and teasing new projects that are in the works.
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Episode 02 – Christian Moraga of Conganas
Conganas (“with passion”), features musicians from around the world playing a variety of salsa, cumbia, cha-cha, bolero, and Latin jazz, among many other Latin rhythms. Originally formed by Christian Moraga in 2010, Conganas also features Cuban pianist Fermin Siponter, American bassist Rene Camacho, and Venezuelan trumpeter Enzo Villaparedes. Their debut recording, Conganas (2013), features 10 tracks, 8 covers (standards and well- known songs), plus two original works.
Christian talks about celebrating ten years as a group, his background studying percussion, the inspiration to put the group together, and the meaning of Conganas.
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Episode 03 – Jose Rizo of Mongorama
In this episode of Latin Sounds: Meet the Musicians, Mitch Glickman speaks with KJAZZ 88.1 radio personality Jose Rizo (host of 'Jazz on the Latin Side') who formed the group Mongorama,
Mongorama is a Latin-jazz ensemble that explores the early Mongo Santamaria charanga-jazz material of the 1950's and early 1960's. Conga legend Mongo Santamaria, saxophonist Chombo Silva and flautist Rolando Lozano performed an exciting Latin jazz sound driven by Cuban charanga rhythms and straight-ahead jazz. The Grammy-nominated ensemble celebrates this music preserving the classic charanga-jazz element, yet refreshing it with a modern perspective.
Jose talks about hosting on KJAZZ for 30 years, becoming a bandleader for Mongorama, and a new project the group has been working on.
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Episode 04 – Kátia Moraes
In this episode of Jazz at LACMA: Meet the Musicians, Mitch Glickman speaks with Brazilian vocalist Kátia Moraes.
Hailing from Rio de Janeiro, vocalist Kátia Moraes and Brazilian Hearts brings choro and samba to LACMA’s Latin Sounds. Moraes began performing in the 1980s, sharing the stage with the high-energy Brazilian band O Espirito da Coisa. Since then, she has worked with some of the foremost acts around the globe, including Sergio Mendes, Airto Moreira, Oscar Castro-Neves, George Duke, Alex Acuña and Justo Almario’s Tolú.
Kátia talks about her early years touring and recording, starting the Brazilian Hearts project, dubbing projects she is working on, and provides some great musical recommendations.
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Episode 05 – Edgar Modesto of Buyepongo
In this episode of Latin Sounds: Meet the Musicians, Mitch Glickman speaks with Edgar Modesto, leader of the LA-based band Buyepongo.
Buyepongo has created a vibrant polyrhythmic sound that seamlessly fuse cumbia, merengue, punta, jazz and funk to create their own genre called "Buyangú" With deep roots in South and Central America, Buyepongo draw heavily from the Latino musical culture. The group's pulse and power is built around the drum and guacharaca giving them an upbeat tropical flare.
Edgar talks about how friendship turned into a band, creating the name Buyepongo, the groups musical influences, travelling as a band, and the roots of the group in social activism.
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Episode 06 – Chino Espinoza
In this episode of Jazz at LACMA: Meet the Musicians, Mitch Glickman speaks with Chino Espinoza leader of Los Duenos del Son.
Vocalist Mirley Espinoza, known by his fellow musicians as "Chino El Sonero", is a native of Costa Rica. In the early 90's he recorded his first CD for Warner Brothers as the lead vocal of the "Opa-Opa" band. Over the years, Chino has worked with such groups as the Malibu Salsa All Stars, The L.A. Jazz All Stars, The RMM All Stars Band and the "Tito Puente with the Eddy Palmieri" Tribute Orchestra. He has been featured on many recordings, including Bobby Rivas, Bolivia, Mojaditicos, Pete Escovedo, Bette Midler, Los Del Barrio, and Rumba Grande.
Chino talks about growing up in Costa Rica, how music has always been part of his life, and mentions a new project with his kids.
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Episode 07 – Louie Cruz Beltran
In this episode of Jazz at LACMA: Meet the Musicians, Mitch Glickman speaks with percussionist Louie Cruz Beltran.
Louie Cruz Beltran's musical career is built on the soulful sounds of his background and flavored with the edge of contemporary R&B, jazz, and pop. His ability to adapt his sound has allowed him to tour internationally with such great performers as Pete Escovedo, Starrfire, Nany Wilson, Geraldo Tamez of the Folklorista de Mexico, and Chucho Valdez de Cuba.
Louie talks about growing up in California, his musical influences, keeping the music he loves alive, and recalls some of the many experiences he has had performing.
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Episode 08 – Angelo Rodriguez of the group Lucky 7 Mambo
In this episode of Jazz at LACMA: Meet the Musicians, Mitch Glickman speaks with Angelo Rodriguez of the group Lucky 7 Mambo.
Inspired by the multiethnic music-fusion of 1950s and 60s’ Spanish Harlem, Lucky 7 Mambo brings to the west coast the high energy sounds of the classic mambo featuring the harmonies of the vibraphone. Lucky 7 Mambo is inspired by old-school greats like Jimmy Sabater, Cheo Feliciano, and Joe Cuba. It incorporates both English and Spanish lyrics flowing in and out of the same tune and offers up not just a swingin’ dance beat, but a thoughtful account of love lost, Latin pride, and clever double-entendres.
Angelo talks about how he came up with the name for the group, his music mentors growing up, and mentions a new song project.
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Episode 09 – Fay Roberts of Orquesta Charangoa
In this episode of Latin Sounds: Meet the Musicians, Mitch Glickman speaks with flutist Fay Roberts of Orquesta Charangoa.
Led by Fay Roberts, Charangoa has performed in L.A.’s top venues, including the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the Palladium, the Palace & the Conga Room. Charangoa has opened for Cuba’s most famous band, “Los Van Van” and has backed up Israel Lopez Cachao. Charangoa has also performed in many festivals, including the Watts Towers Jazz Festival, L.A. Cuban Festival, African Marketplace, and the L.A. Salsa Festival.
Lynne talks about her musical journey with the flute, her early influences, some flute and Charanga history, and going to Cuba to study.
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Episode 10 – Dayren Santamaria
In this episode of Latin Sounds: Meet the Musicians, Mitch Glickman speaks with Dayren Santamaria.
Dayren Santamaria is a Cuban violinist who is charting her own path with her All-Star Afro-Cuban Jazz band, Made In Cuba. After graduating from the National Art School in Havana, she had extended engagements playing with the National Symphonic Orchestra of Havana and as concertmaster of the Camerata Romeu. Since relocating to Los Angeles, she has worked extensively with Latin jazz ensemble Mongorama.
Dayren talks about growing up in Cuba, her desire to play violin, going to school in Matanzas and Havana, coming to the U.S., and settling in Los Angeles.
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Episode 11 – Iliana Rose
In this episode of Latin Sounds: Meet the Musicians, Mitch Glickman speaks with Iliana Rose of Las Chikas.
Born in Miami and raised by Cuban parents and grandparents, Iliana Rose is steeped in Cuban rhythms and culture. Iliana produces, composes music for films, arranges songs for Latin jazz bands, and is also an excellent recording engineer. Currently Iliana is the musical director for several projects including Las Chikas: LA’s hottest all female salsa orchestra. Las Chikas is comprised of some of the most talented female musicians in L.A., creating a multicultural melting pot that sets the stage on fire!
Iliana talks about her roots in Cuba, coming to L.A. to start her musical career, starting Las Chikas and all the integral members, and recording a new project at home during the pandemic.
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Episode 12 – Alih Jey
In this episode of Latin Sounds: Meet the Musicians, Mitch Glickman speaks with vocalist Alih Jey.
The songwriter and singer grew up in the Dominican Republic with a musical family. She began recording as a teenager and her career has since taken her all across the U.S. where she has performed at clubs and venues around the country, including South by Southwest (SXSW). Her music covers a wide variety of genres including folk, rock, indie, and pop. Her music has been featured on such stations as KCRW and NPR.
Alih talks about growing up in a musical family, getting back to her roots through her music, she talks about some tracks on her latest album Soy de Peña, and how she is staying positive by staying busy during the pandemic quarantine.
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Episode 12 – Ricardo Lemvo
In this episode of Latin Sounds: Meet the Musicians, Mitch Glickman speaks with vocalist Ricardo Lemvo.
Ricardo Lemvo has established himself as a pioneer with his innovative music. Lemvo’s blend of Afro-Cuban rhythms with pan-African styles (soukous, Angolan semba and kizomba) has been described by the Los Angeles Times as “seamless and infectious.” This Congo-born artist of Angolan ancestry is the embodiment of the Afro-Latin Diaspora which connects back to Mother Africa via the Cuban clave rhythm. Lemvo formed his Los Angeles-based band Makina Loca in 1990 and refined his craft and vision.
Ricardo talks about coming to the U.S., how he came to fall in love with music, the many components that make up his unique sound, and talks about several songs from his newest project to be released soon.
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Latin Sounds is made possible in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. Promotional support is provided by media sponsor KJAZZ 88.1.
