Art Exhibition and Latin Music
Along with Willy GarcÃa on cajon and congas, we gave the “Fur  & Feathers†art exposition at Studio C a touch of Latin music.
Along with Willy GarcÃa on cajon and congas, we gave the “Fur  & Feathers†art exposition at Studio C a touch of Latin music.
For the past two days I’ve been running on little sleep to finalize the details for the upcoming album Alma del Ayer. With the help of my graphic and web designer, Carrie Gates we got everything in on time. Just in the nick of time, during midnight mass (shame on me for checking my phone in church), I received the email notifying me that all the music and artwork had been successfully uploaded onto the CD Baby site for pressing. Merry Christmas!!
Today, along with L&C Productions, I went to Becker’s Ranch, a horse ranch near the town of Airdrie. We needed to shoot a few scenes on horseback for the music video we had begun in November. I wore a poncho that one of my beloved aunts had given me several years ago. The rawhide-braided bridle I used on the horse, the jato as it is called, has the silver pieces that were on the bridle of my dad’s godfather, almost a century ago. On camera, Jill Maria Robinson, wore a straw hat from the city of Cajamarca given to me by my nana when I was 4 years old and a shawl from Chachapoyas that belongs to my mother. All this to say that although the filming was done far from many of the people that are dear to me, I was still surrounded by their love.
I am happy to be once again on Calgary’s Spanish radio show Destino – Calgary on Red 106.7 FM. On today’s show, along with some other artists, we discussed the diversity of Christmas traditions in Latin-American countries … and of course we ended the show with a live jam.
Of all the shows I do a year one of my favourites is undoubtedly Christmas at the Madison. Every year Ms. Louise Gallagher puts in countless hours to organize this event in which musicians, comedians, and visual artists donate their art to raise funds for the Madison, a shelter for homeless veterans in the City of Calgary. The concert was held this year at the historic St. Stephen’s Church in Calgary’s downtown. These events show the true Christmas spirit and the love which the Christ Child represents in our world; I thank Ms. Louise Gallagher for her yearly efforts and enthusiasm in this endeavour.
It is truly a privilege to share a little of my art for this cause. What is more, because of the proximity that artists have to the audience at this venue, there is a much more intimate atmosphere than at most concerts. This closeness makes me feel as if I were just jamming in my living room with friends. As always it was a wonderful evening.
Once again I am shooting a music video of criollo music with L&C Style Productions. We did most of today’s shoot at The Beach a truly remarkable recording studio in Calgary.  We did a few other scenes around the Eau Claire area.  Special thanks to my friends Willy Garcia Ascencio and Raúl LeguÃa Camino for their collaboration in some of the scenes. Also special thanks to the lovely Miss Jill Maria Robinson for acting alongside me.
Special thanks to Alex Macias, radio host of Destino-Calgary on Red 106.7 FM, for inviting me to discuss my upcoming album, Alma del Ayer, launching in a few months. Â It was great to talk about criollo and Andean music on the show.
After days of prep we just finished filming the first music video for the launch of the album – Alma del Ayer.  Can’t say which criollo piece it is yet…the secret doesn’t come out until the launch. Special thanks to L&C Style Productions for the cinematography and production.
Also special thanks to the following actors: Stefan Montalbetti, Breanna Palmer, Paula Osorio Ortiz, Myles Shedden, Andrean Kloppenborg, Andrew Plokhii. Â I also extend thanks to the following restaurants who shared their space for the project: Vin Room and Buon Giorno Ristorante Italiano.
All that is left is to include a few scenes filmed in the city of Chachapoyas to finalize the production of this music video.
July Saturday 19th and Sunday the 20th I participated in Calgary’s Latin festival –Fiestaval— where I played traditional Latin-American music with the support of my bro, Willy Garcia Ascenscio on cajon. Always a pleasure to play for the Calgary crowd.
Check out the interview by http://flixeh.com above where I do an impromptu performance of Cada domingo a las 12 después de la misa by Peruvian songwriter Augusto Polo Campos.
Just finished recording for the second season of the kids sci-fi series Guardians Evolution. I do the voice of the Hispanic character Chema. Catch all the episodes of the first season Saturday mornings on Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) or online at http://aptn.ca