Ivon Ulibarri Interview

It's a major understatement to say that Salsa is a male-dominated industry. Musicians (who happen to be women) who choose this style of music as their art form often find that they are welcomed into certain areas of the realm designated for singers only, and even then they are obliged to vy to fill the shoes of the late, great Celia Cruz.

Women who rise to any level of stardom amongst the numerous "Mambo Kings" appear to us like random, distant comets in the night sky of well-known constellations, rather than constant elements in the celestial design that drive this music genre forward. We dare you to name a woman right off the top of your head who has ever led, successfully, a Latin jazz band, as a musician, singer, composer and band leader. Go ahead. Try. Say it. . . Shiela E. We love Shiela E. But, come Friday night at the Albuquerque Museum Amphitheatre, you may want to revise your answer. If you live in New Mexico, you know that Ivon Ulibarri is a name synonymous with salsa, and her group, Cafe Mocha rise to the occasion EVERY TIME, to bring you some of the most sophisticated, charismatic music around. Here's the New Mexico Jazz Workshop interview with Ivon Ulibarri!

You've been pleasing audiences with great Salsa music for over a decade. How did you get started?

I started playing guitar when I was about 12 years old...around the time Carlos Santana came on the scene. I remember being drawn to the congas and timbales in particular, along with Carlos' guitar, of course. I also remember in my Social Studies classes, really being interested and intrigued by the Latin countries. I spoke Spanish fluently and anything Latino captured my interest. My admiration of Carlos Santana continued into high school and I aspired to play like him. I learned to play Oye Como Va, Evil Ways, etc. Somewhere along the way I learned that Oye Como Va was a Tito Puente song. And, somewhere else along the way I discovered the Fania AllStars, Eddie Cano, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz. I liked "that style of Spanish music". It was different and very rhythmic. I was hooked. When I came to UNM I discovered KUNM and the Latin music programming on Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays: Salsa Sabrosa, Espejos de Atzlan, Raices. I also discovered Ruben Blades, Willie Colon, Johnny Pacheco, just to name a few. I was always drawn to what I later learned was Cuban and Puerto Rican "son". It was those polyrhythms! They mesmerized me and captiviated my soul.

After graduating from UNM, I started a band: Amigas. We played what I called the "juke box variety" because we played everything from Tex-Mex Rancheras to Country to Top 40 (including Michael Jackson songs!), to Carlos Santana, Boleros, Cumbias, Gloria Estefan, and eventually Salsa. We began to learn and play more and more Salsa. I turned everything we played into Latin-Mambo-Salsa. I just couldn't get away from that beat. Still to this day, I hear the world in terms of clave, mambo, son, salsa. I hear the clave in every style of music! It's in my DNA! My band "Amigas" was together for appx 10years. During that time, I earned a name for myself in the ABQ Music Scene for the variety we played but especially for bringing out the Latin style sound in our music.

We know you perform Salsa, Mariachi, and solo guitar. What's your favorite genre of music to perform?

I love them all but, probably Salsa is my favorite because I've been able to evolve musically more within the Salsa genre. I love playing with the band. Again, it's those rhythms that wrap themselves around my soul and fill my heart with music. I do enjoy performing with Mariachi as well. Mariachi music was my first exposure to music--altho' I loved Elvis Presley too. I grew up listening to many genres of music. It all depended what station my mom was listening to. While she cooked supper she'd tune into a station from Amarillo TX and we'd listen to Mariachi, Tex Mex, and Norteno. When she cleaned house she'd tune into our local radio station KTNM, and I'd get a dose of Country music. Other times, I'd tune into KOMA-an Oklahoma city station and listen to the latest Rock and Top 40. I loved it all and dreamed of having a band that played it all. Eventually, I did, including Salsa.

What is it like working in what appears to a male-dominated musical art form? Have things improved over the years, in terms of more women creating Salsa music?

It's been a challenge...regardless of what genre I pursued. I grew up playing music with guys. Females didn't play instruments, per se, when I was growing up. Perhaps instruments like flute, piano, clarinet, violin but not too many played guitar. I learned to play from my brother and other guys in the neighborhood. So, I learned to play an aggressive style right off the top. When it came to playing in bands, I was able to hold my own with the guys and that was my ticket into the scene. Yes, things have changed quite a bit. However, in Latin music, namely Salsa, things are still a bit behind.

Gloria Estefan did a lot for opening doors for women in Latin music. Still, most female Salsa performers are primarily vocalists. Granted there are some exceptions, (Sheila E., for example), but not many. A contemporary Salsera with major acclaim is ALBITA but aside from her and Gloria Estefan and of course Celia Cruz, there really aren't any females who have reached the levels of acclaim that artists such as Ruben Blades, Willie Chirino, Gilberto SantaRosa, Johnny Pacheco, for example. Even though Celia Cruz earned acclaim early on in her career, she didn't attain the crossover that Gloria did until later in her career. In my opinion, Gloria Estefan open the door wider for Celia. Salsa didn't crossover until Gloria Estefan. Gloria Estefan opened the door for all Latinos, including me.

What types of obstacles have you faced as an artist in Salsa and how have you overcome them?

The greatest challenge has been finding musicians who can play it correctly, and radio stations in New Mexico who will play it...aside from KUNM. Unfortunately, New Mexico Music hesitates to acknowledge anything other than the regional New Mexico style. It's very unfortunate not only for myself but for New Mexico music in general. The pool of Salsa musicians in Albuquerque has grown over the years but, it's still a very limited number of players who play Salsa. In terms of being an "Salsa artist"--- the music business is a tough business regardless of what you play. There's lots of competition and egos, in general. One has to really love music, have a passion for it, to withstand all the challenges, criticism, etc. I guess the biggest challenge with playing Salsa--in New Mexico- is getting the typical New Mexican music lover to open up and appreciate another style of Spanish language music. The key to their ears is through music by Carlos Santana. We Chicanos, identified strongly with Santana. Because of him, we have a Salsa audience in New Mexico. Because of Carlos Santana I've been able to penetrate the New Mexico scene. Today, we have many young Latinos who have discovered Salsa separately from Santana, but I'll bet you Santana plays in their discovery somewhere.

You're a composer as well. What's your creative process? What inspires you to create new work?

Social issues, life's idiosyncrasies, life's contradictions, life's struggles, life's accomplishments, everyday life...all of it, none of it, always and never. Ideas just come to me...I hear the poetry in my head. I hear the music. It just happens. When I sit down to write, I open pages to the dictionary, randomly, and start making word lists...like I used to in grade school. The nuns would assign us an essay and have us start by making a word list. So, I still do that. I flip through the pages of dictionaries Spanish & English, and write down words that catch my attention. Later I sort through them to see what story line is in the list. Then I apply the words, or the idea the words gave me, to a melody. Sometimes the song is already written in my head. I just have to dig it out.

What's the first song you remember learning to play?

Yellow Mocking Bird and La Bamba.

What's your guilty (music) pleasure? What kind of tunes do you listen to that would surprise people to know?

Well, the truth is that I indulge in Salsa, & Son. I'm a Salsa & Son junkie! There's no hope for me-nor do I want anything else, honestly. But-- I really like listening to recordings from the 1920's - 1940's, especially the old style Mambo, Cha-Cha---before it was known as Salsa. I like listening to the style of Machito and the Cuban craze of the 40's & 50's. I like those old recordings before high-fidelity recordings! I like Billie Holiday music too.

In your opinion, what's the future of Salsa music?

Salsa music has only just begun! It never really went away. The mambo craze of the 1940's & 1950's faded away in popularity but it never died. It got quiet for a while but it remained alive in the barrios of New York, Los Angeles and certainly the Cuban neighborhoods in Miami.

Salsa & Son have a way of reaching deep into a person's DNA. It gets in there, it stays. There's something about the poly rhythms that move a person even if they don't understand the language. It's in the drums and the percussion that speaks loudly inside an otherwise quiet soul. It inspires an awakening that compels people to participate either as a musician, or a dancer. You can't help but be moved by it. If you feel it, you're hooked. If you don't feel it, then you're not alive somewhere. The poetry in the music is simple yet profound. People are affected by rhythm and Salsa & Son are the godparents of rhythm. It has the capability of crossing all nationalities, genres, genders, age groups, it's beyond International. It's an essential piece of the human element. Salsa & Son are repesentative of generations of histories that tell the story of today's civilizations. Its roots go way back. It's God's musical manifestation in rhythmic form.

Anything else you'd like to share with your fans?

I just want to express my gratitude to all the Salsa music fans in Albuquerque and New Mexico, for their support. We now have a thriving Salsa scene in our state because of their love for the music. Thank you all for making my dream come true.

Que viva la musica Latina y toda su gente. See you on the dance floor!

[Marya Errin Jones]

Ryan McGarvey Interview

Enough about blues artist Ryan McGarvey being a wee lad. And please, don't call him boy. He's old enough to produce a respectable beard, and he's damn sure grown enough to play some gritty, deep and dirty blues like a juke-joint-rockin' old man.

Ryan McGarvey IS young, he's a wee lad of 22. But when McGarvey and his band (K.C. White on drums, on bass, Kevin Kraybill) take the stage on Saturday evening at NMJW's Jazz and Blues Under the Stars, we guarantee you won't be thinking about McGarvey's age-- you'll be thinking about the power of the blues getting thrown on ya like a relentless Mississippi storm with a mind of its own if you can think at all. We recently caught up with McGarvey in the throes of a tour that has him criss-crossing the West and believe us, we had to catch him!

Name the first song you learned on guitar? You know, that song that you struggled to teach yourself, while listening to a recording, or hearing it on the radio? Tell us a little about that. . .

Well, the first thing that I EVER figured out on the guitar was the opening riff to the classic rock song "Barracuda" by the group HEART. But, the first song that I learned all the way through from start to end was Jimi Hendrix's "Voodoo Child." But, of course I learned it more along the lines the way Stevie Ray Vaughan had covered it.

When/how did you find your voice? How/When/Why did the Blues find you?

The first time I ever really sang was when I was about 15 years old. It was kinda just because it was a necessity. The little high school band I had together was only playing long instrumental tunes. So I began singing the Jimi Hendrix blues song, "Red House." I sang it maybe once at a practice, then the next time was at an audition for a city wide talent search which we won, (then I'm sure there had to be 1 or 2 more times after that) but our prize for winning was a slot at Sandia Casino's Outdoor Amphitheater opening for the Latin group SPARX. Well little did we know, it was already sold out- so my first time really singing to an audience was in front of a crowd of near 5,000-- which was basically a wall of people. As for the blues, it was just what reeled me in. All the early classic hard rock stuff I grew up listening to and loving, was all very blues based, and I kinda just traced back everything from each artist I was loving. Like Led Zeppelin for example, my first favorite song from them was "Gallows Pole" which was actually a really old Leadbelly blues tune. And it was the same case for everyone I loved, so I ended up loving all these "new" blues guys, because they were basically what my favorite rockers were playing.

How does the South West feed your Blues style? How has the landscape, the people, the food, influenced your art?

I think it's a great location. Of course the natural beauty found in all those things is influential, however I think it's the other places, the places I visit playing and whatnot-- they are the ones that really get to me and probably feed my style of music the most. I think it's because I don't live there, it makes the visit more special- so it seems like a bigger thing to me. The experiences, and the people you meet along the ride and all. But I can't ever forget home.

The typical question-- who are some of your influences, living or otherwise?

I listen and like to think I am influenced by literally everything. I think the biggest influences are everything from traditional early delta blues like Robert Johnson, classic hard rock like Jimi Hendrix & Led Zeppelin. I really like some really great singers/songwriters like Dan Dyer, Jeff buckley, and Malford Milligan. But, I actually think some of the later more contemporary blues/rock artists are what really captivated me. In that category I would easily say my biggest influences were Stevie Ray Vaughan, Ian Moore, Chris Duarte, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and Joe Bonamassa. I would have to say everything influences me to a degree, but definitely those were the hugely influential artists.

What's the one constant you can depend on while traveling on the road? The one inevitable thing that occurs at nearly every gig?

Just seeing the first timers and the loyal followers inter-twine. It's great seeing someone that has never heard/seen us perform before, and their response. But, it's also so great to see some of our most loyal followers that will even hit the road with us just to see us in different venues. I'm really lucky to have some of the fans that I have.

On some of your tracks, we can hear the highway, the train on the rails-- what sort of things/ideas inspire your song-building?

I like to think any, and everything inspires me. I like to take an idea, or even just a thought or phrase and work around that. A lot of songs are from personal experience, which I think is better because it helps you connect to the song in a much deeper way. And, if you have been through something, chances are others have too, and therefore they will connect better in the same way.

What's your guilty music pleasure? Is there a genre of music (or even a song) that you can't get enough of, but might be wildly off the music path?

It's really hard to say. I listen to just about anything. Of course there are some exceptions to that. But, I really don't know what would even be considered off the musical path for me. It ranges from all sorts, but I enjoy most anything if it has creative artistic depth to it.Which can even include a good marketing visual. Or, if I can just see that they are really masters of what they are doing. Some country, some pop, bluegrass, punk, etc.. Everything kinda just blends together in my musical pallet.

What other art forms inspire you?

I really love music photography actually. I have really been digging it as of lately. Particularly the work of a good friend of mine Robert M. Knight. He's incredible, and very legendary. Just check out his websites, or his newest movie "Rock Prophecies" and you'll see what I mean. Chances are good you know his work. Karen Kuehn is another photographer I'm lucky to be friends with that does some amazing work.

There's definitely, "Something Wicked This Way Comes" about the Blues, and its history-- the selling of one's soul, at the crossroads, and such. Have you had brushes with "the unusual"? If so, what happened?

We have had a few incidences where the strange and unusual perhaps had some play with things. But never in such a dark way as a "deal with with devil" would be considered. I'm definitely not a Robert Johnson. If anything it is the other way around. This last year heading to Lubbock,TX from a gig at SXSW in Austin,TX- my dad and I were totalled by a speeding 18 wheeler semi-truck that ran a red light in an extremely small town. It was the general consensus there that there must have been some real guardian angels riding with us right then, because we were literally one half a second away from being wiped off the face of the earth.

In your opinion, what's the future of the blues? How does the blues mingle and mix in a world dominated by electronic music?

The blues is constantly growing, and expanding in the hands of the right people. There are purists that don't like to see this happening, and don't want it to grown or change. But that's what it does-- [blues] evolves. Muddy Waters took the blues and electrified it. Jimi Hendrix distorted the blues and made it psychedelic. Guys like Kenny Wayne Shepherd infused with more contemporary rock and made blues somewhat a bit more mainstream. The future of the blues is in good hands with MANY artists out there today. As long as the youth of today are introduced into blues in a right way, and not constricted to keep it TOO traditional, the blues will ALWAYS be around, and forever growing. It can't help it, because you can find blues in ANY music there is out there today."

[marya errin jones]

Son Como Son Salsa

Hello, New Mexico Jazz Workhsop friends!

Can you believe it? Son Como Son is back for another great night of hot Salsa Under the Stars, on July 24th @ 7pm, at the Albuquerque Museum Amphitheater! What could be better than a warm night of dancing under the stars with one of the best Salsa bands in . . . well . . . ANYWHERE??

Led by Cuban-born composer and trombonist Cesar Bauvallet, Son Como Son's music is practically alchemical, demanding that you rise from your seat and dance, MOVE, transform-- let the music take you places! A night with Son Como Son turns the undernourished wallflower into a Salsa-dancin' machine!

As usual, the show at the Albuquerque Museum Amphitheater starts at 7:00 pm. But what you may not know is that if you come to the museum at 6:30 pm, you may warm up for the dance-a-thon with Son Como Son by taking an exciting and FREE Salsa lesson with a professional dance instructor! Now THAT'S Edu-tainment!! AND why not avoid the queue? Get your tickets online! [marya errin jones]

NM Jazz Workshop present Cathryn McGill and Larry Mitchell

Hello again, friends! You don't want to stay home this Saturday night!

Come down to the Albuquerque Museum Amphitheatre on Saturday @ 18th

at 7pm for some jazz and blues like you haven't had it in a long time.

LARRY MITCHELL and CATHRYN MCGILL

An evening of Jazz, Fusion, Smooth Jazz and funky grooves featuring

Grammy Award-Winning Producer, Larry Mitchell!

July 18th, 2009 @ the Albuquerque Museum Amphitheater

If you've heard Tracy Chapman, Ric Ocasek, Billy Squier, or Steve Vai in concert, then you've probably heard the distinct guitar virtuosity of Larry Mitchell. He's a Grammy Award-Winning Producer, international artist, and a recent special musical guest on the Price is Right. How can you go wrong? You're in for a funky, bluesy, jammin' night Under the Stars.

Local Diva Cathryn McGill will also perform a high-energy set of Blues, Soul and Funk, Gospel-infused tunes as only Ms. McGill can. Cathryn has the soul of an artist, and her vocals have been described as "gospel-cooked" referring to her deep roots in the Baptist Church. Don't miss this

show.

You can still buy tickets online for this show! Just click on the Brown Paper Tickets icon below!

This show is presented in partnership with the 4th Annual New Mexico Jazz Festival.

Calle 66

Hello everyone! Another weekend of GREAT SALSA coming your way! Come dance the night away with Calle 66 this friday night at the Albuquerque Museum Amphitheater! The show starts at 7pm. Don't miss your chance to learn a few new dance moves-- come to the museum a little early, at 6:30 and take a FREE Salsa class with Sarita! If you do, you'll get TWO DOLLARS OFF a ticket to the next evening of Salsa!

We thought we'd also mention that the talented Ms. Zamora is back with Calle 66 tomorrow night! After a brief maternity leave (she delivered a set of twins-- twi healthy baby boys 5 weeks ago) Jackie is back and ready to perform. Don't miss her return to the stage!

Havana NRG is coming to NMJW Salsa Under the Stars

Just when thought there's be no more surprises-- NMJW is proud to present Havana NRG!

Read what people are saying about this band:

Havana NRG!--The New Rhythm Generation have sent a shockwave in the music industry with very hot performances all over the country! From LA, Miami, NY, Houston, Albuquerque, Denver, San Francisco, Oklahoma and so much more, Havana NRG! continues to burn up the concert circuit with fierce showcases of Salsa, Merengue and so much more. Havana NRG! has managed to place in the TOP 10 in world markets such as Italy, Sweden, France, Jerusalem, USA, Canada and other great countries. What an accomplishment for a Dallas-based orchestra hailing from Cuba! Havana NRG! brings the energy, the richness and distinct flavor of Cuba and all right here in Dallas, Texas! Havana NRG! is available for tours outside of the USA and bids are beginning to come in. Havana NRG! were specially selected as one of the TOP 10 Independent Salsa Orchestras in the world and were added to the elite CD Compilation "Siempre Salsa!" that was produced and released by the ..1 voice of Latin Music across the world, LATIN BEAT MAGAZINE. Havana NRG! were also featured on the "Don't Mess With Tejas" CD Compilation in 2005 alongside other artists as The Lonely Boys, Flaco Jimenez and others.

DON'T MISS THIS EVENT!!!!!

And, leave the queue behind-- purchase your tickets ONLINE!

The morning after

Well, not quite. But it's hard to jump start things after a holiday like the 4th of July! We're sunburnt-- on the inside. Meanwhile, plenty of things are going on, and you should know about them:

We're about to close JAZZ CAMP! It's been a fun ride! Three sessions of great classes taught be wonderful teachers! We're look forward to doing it again, next year!

And, we're resuming our Salsa and Jazz & Blues nights! We hope you'll come down this Friday, July 10th, and check out Charanga del Valle.

Charanga Del Valle - This salsa band has a traditional flavor and flair with a varied repertoire of rhythms including traditional salsa, bolero, cha-cha, and meringue as well as contemporary Cuban timba--wonderful for dancing and listening! Charanga members include some of New Mexico's favorite Salsa artists, including, Maud Beenhouwer, Interim Director of the Jazz Workshop!

Come on down for Salsa Under the Stars!