Thursday, August 4, 2011

BRASS FROM HEAVEN

The brass from heaven just dropped in, when listening to their pitch and playing keeps my ears and eyes on them with full amazement. As in the past I've heard horns stemming from jazz, latin or from the center of pit in a Broadway show, and in my professional observation Fran and Jon certainly have the edge in the industry. In conversation with Sam Leon the (Musical Director) I said to him, “We need strong horns to come on board”, his reply was their coming. When they showed up for rehearsal after the first two songs, I had to say out loud these guys look and sound like the pillars of angels playing their horns. When interviewing them they had mentioned that music is what they plan to do after graduation. Fran and Jon are college students. Their major is in music and they plan to  enter into the masters degree program. Hoping that their journey leads them into greater success in the music industry.  At times when looking for the right musicians with a certain sound or flavor, usually takes time and effort and ultimately with positive results, and at times things just don’t mix well. In reference to Jon and Fran it all became a fact that the sound and flavor had been established.When Jon and Fran commence into playing the high notes, it puts me to wonder to whom can I compare these guys to and in my rolodex mind, I come up with all types of horn players and after a few minutes or so, I just have to admit to myself that Jon and Fran have what it takes to sound on their own, only to create a pathway for other horn players to follow. What I enjoy most in rehearsal is when Sam Leon (Musical Director) points and signals to Jon to part take into a solo we all watch to see where or how his high notes will take him to. Fran follows up with his solo with great pitch and jazzy type riffs notes kicking it, into his own improvisation of encore with a blend of salsa.These guys makes the band members more excited just to be in rehearsal, because of the values of hearing musical notes that make sense into ones mind and knowledge of music. It’s a bond that only profound musicians can only understand. When the music is right just enjoy it as you play it, making it a great day of accomplishment. At the end of the day when coming down from a stage performance, you’ll make sense as to why? Rehearsal and social networking is part of your musicians business. At times I seek information from the band members regarding their likes and dislikes about the music and or quality of sound.They all seemed to mentioned the horn players and how appreciative they are for coming on board. They express that the band has progress in a short time which evolved into a definite working machine. We all thank Jon and Fran for being here and continuing with La Fantastica.

All you need is salsa a beat and a reason

Since the founding years of the mambo, el guaguanco and the boogaloo latin music has always entertained the public. In 1970 La Fantastica was born and soon to be directed by Sam Leon at the tender age of seventeen. He was able to write, compose and direct La Fantastica into the studio to finalize his first album with Ghetto Records. When Tito Puente and Pellin Rodriguez from El Gran Combo would show up at Ed Sullivan studio, the first thing they would say is “donde estan los nenes” because all members of La Fantastica were under eighteen years of age. Tito would sit in the studio and watch us rehearse with amazement. During our second album recording session Ismael Quintana, Yayo El Indio and Adalberto Santiago joined the session and created the best chorus lines ever. After several meetings with Sam Leon, I’m proud to announce the second coming of La Fantastica is about to happen. Sam Leon has pushed the magic button and the first album for this era is being produced.