latinjazz@earthlink.net

This recording is truly a Celebration! in large part marking completions and new beginnings.

In the four years since my CD “Trumpet Talk,” I’ve published two books, “ABC’s of LatinJazz” A Guide to LatinJazz; and “Trumpet Talk” Jazz Improvisation, completed my Doctorate of Musical Arts degree (DMA) from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), become a member of the Board of Directors for Professional Musicians’ Local #47 and my daughter Robin and her husband Christian are about to make me a grandfather for the first time.

Growing up in East Los Angeles in the 1950’s I listened to pop-radio and “Rock Around The Clock” was the first hit I ever heard. By 1964 I was in love with Mongo Santamaria, Willie Bobo, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis and the floodgates blew open. It was so exciting to think about the next release of my favorite groups or soloists because I could hardly wait to hear what they would do next.

In the 1970’s while a member of the Brothers Johnson band, I remember Quincy Jones saying to me, “you have to change with the times or the times will change without you.”

Celebration! reflects who I am and what my music is today. It’s a combination of hot Latin rhythms, screaming horns, sophisticated Jazz chordal structures, great modern voices, new style LatinJazz compositions, brilliant solos and pop elements that add up to what I call “21st century LatinJazz.”

I’m telling you about myself so you know you’re not alone in your struggle to find yourself and your place in the world. I grew up with no one believing in me. Sound familiar? I’ve learned “if you have a dream—go for it and don’t let anyone or anything stop you because through education and dedication everything is possible.”

“Real success is in the effort.