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2010 Year In Review
The year began with my biggest birthday party, ever that was transformed into a fund raiser for Haitian earthquake relief.
congahead.com‘s studio for video production came into full gear. 4 Camera HD videos with high fidelity stereo sound provided by world class audio engineer, Kamilo Kratc with video assistance from his wife, Sandra Kratc, audio assistance from new family member, DJ Javick and help from Jake Fischer.
This site wouldn’t have the capability it has without the genius of Clinton Bradley who for the last 14 years constantly improved my ability in technology.
Always props to Little Johnny Rivero who’s devotion to my cause is endless. My wife, Vivianne has provided the most delicious meals for the musical talent that has been so kind to lend their talent to congahead.com,
2010 came to an end with the addition of theater drapes for congahead.com’s studio for the good look and improved sound.
2010 produced the greatest variety of music. Over 8,500,000 viewing by year end and growing.
We had variety!
Ole Mathisen Tenor Sax and computer
Tenor sax man, Ole Mathisen stopped by the congahead.com studio to perform a couple of tunes with computer accompaniment.
James Moody R.I.P.
Jazz sax player James Moody passed away on December 9, 2010 in San Diego at the age of 85.
Benitez-John and his son, Francis perform for congahead.com
On December 7, 2010 John and his son, Francis Benitez brought their respective bands to the congahead.com studio to perform.
Lenny Kravitz late 1980s
In 1989 I was invited by drummer, Zoro to a loft in Soho, NYC where he was staying with Lenny Kravitz and got to get a couple of photos of this great musician.
Thanksgiving 2010
Hector Morales video session at congahead.com studio
On November 21, 2010 percussionist/bandleader Hector Morales brought his band to the congahead.com studio to record two tunes.
Lara Bello at Drom
Spanish singer, Lara Bello brought her vocal talents to Lower East Side music club, Drom with an all star band comprised of Jason Lindner, keyboard; Yayo Sirca, drums and Armando Gola, bass.
New York Gypsy All Stars
On November 6, 2010 the exciting and different New York Gypsy All Stars created 3 videos at congahead.com studio featuring a United Nations of musicians. Tamer Pinarbasi, kanun (Turkey); Ismail “Smajko” Lumanovski (Macedonia), clarinet; Engin Gunaydin (Turkey), drums; Panagiotis Andreou (Greece), bass; Jason Lindner (US), keyboard and Sebastian Nikoll (Germany), conga
Arturo O’Farrill Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra at Symphony Space
On November 6, 2010 Arturo O’Farrill brough the legacy of his father, Chico O’Farrill to Smyphony Space in NYC for an evening of the finest Latin jazz music with an all star orchestra that just returned from their sold out trip to Taiwan.
R.I.P. Rudy Regalado
Venezuelan born percussionist died in Las Vegas on November 5, 2010. I first met Rudy in Puerto Rico in the 1960s. I knew him while he was a fixture on the LA music scene and later got to see him in Los Vegas. He was 73 years old.
Celebrating Carlos “Patato” Valdez’s birthday.
Born roughly November 4, 1925, Carlos “Patato” Valdez was one of the most influential figures in the development of my career and that of the LP, percussion company I founded in 1964. It was love at first sight for me. He was talented, funny and a bit crazy. He helped me hone my hanging out chops in the after hour clubs in the Bronx and in the parties in his apartment. He was a part of my life for nearly 40 years. With his help I introduced a conga design that has his name and a bata drum set in fiberglass that was a bit oversized. In 1979 he was part of a band I founded that included Tito Puente and Johnny “Dandy” Rodriguez called the Latin Percussion Jazz Ensemble that made 3 European trips and one to Japan. If the trips themselves were costly to me, they helped me develop a global business that became a powerful brand in percussion.
Patato died in a hospital outside of Cleveland, Ohio on November 11, 2007
Mambo Legends at SOB
On October 29, 2010 the renowned orchestra, Mambo Legends brought their musical brilliance to SOB in NYC
Gonzalo Grau and La Clave Secreta at Joe’s Pub
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