Author: Edie Okamoto

  • Rolando Morales Public Performances for August 2016

    Rolando Morales with fans at Maria Maria
    Rolando Morales with fans at Maria Mari

    Tuesday Aug 2, Maria, Maria Cantina, 710 Camino Ramon Road, Danville CA, approx. 6-9pm.  After 5 weeks away, Rolando finally returns to Carlos Santana’s most elegant restaurant for Taco Tuesday.  $1 tacos, baby!  And Rolando on solo guitar and voice with his diverse repertoire performing out on the patio by the fire pits.  (925) 820-2366.  See www.mariamariarestaurants.com.

    Friday Aug 12, Don Pico’s Mexican Bistro, 461 El Camino Real, San Bruno, 6 to 9 pm.  Rolando returns to the place The Examiner and Independent have proclaimed has the “Best Seafood and Best Mexican Food” anywhere, on solo guitar and voice in the Restaurant Room.  Call (650) 589-1163, www.donpicosbistro.com.

    Saturday Aug 13, Pairings Cellars, 310 Main Street, Suite B, Pleasanton CA 94566, 8-11pm.  Rolando returns to this brand new, exciting social hotspot in downtown Pleasanton.  This new wine bar features fine wines, tapas and the Rolando Morales Trio, featuring from Paraguay, the thrilling violinist with Steve Miller and Arturo Sandoval, the great Carlos Reyes; from Venezuela, the Grammy-winning Latin percussionist/vocalist Omar Ledezma; and Rolando Morales leading the way on guitar, guitar synth and voice. Free!x www.pairingscellars.com, (925) 398-8846.

    Sunday Aug 14, Maria, Maria Cantina, 1470 North Broadway, Walnut Creek, approx 2-5pm.  Rolando returns for the Maria, Maria Tardeada series.  Enjoy a Mexican brunch outdoors and Rolando performing on the newly renovated front patio on solo guitar and voice by the creek.  He may be joined by flautist Bob Harrison.  www.mariamariarestaurants.com, or call (925) 946-1010.

    Wednesday Aug 17, The San Jose Fairmont, Lobby Lounge, 170 South Market St., San Jose CA, 9pm-Midnight.  Rolando returns for you South Bay fans to this elegant venue.  Celebrate the night with fine wines, unique martinis, appetizers and sushi along with the Rolando Morales Duet, this time featuring the delightful violinist who played with the Gipsy Kings, Ms. Patricia Weiss; and Rolando Morales leading the way on guitar and vocals and his magic pedal board.  Free!  See www.fairmont.com/sanjose/ for info, or call (408) 998-1900.

    Saturday Aug 20, Don Pico’s Mexican Bistro, 461 El Camino Real, San Bruno, 6 to 9 pm.   Rolando  returns on solo guitar and voice in the intimate Restaurant Room for a rare Saturday night performance.  Call (650) 589-1163 and see  www.donpicosbistro.com.

    Sunday Aug 21, Maria, Maria Cantina, 1470 North Broadway, Walnut Creek, approx 2-5pm.  Enjoy a Mexican brunch and Rolando performing on the newly renovated front patio on solo guitar and voice by the creek.  If it’s too hot, it will be indoors.   He may be joined by Bob Harrison on flute.   www.mariamariarestaurants.com,   (925) 946-1010.

    Friday Aug 26, Pairings Cellars, 310 Main Street, Suite B, Pleasanton CA 94566, 8-11pm.  Rolando returns to this brand new, exciting social hotspot in downtown Pleasanton.  This new wine bar features fine wines, tapas and this time, Rolando on solo guitar and voice.  Free! www.pairingscellars.com, (925) 398-8846.

    Saturday Aug 27, Vine at Bridges, 480 Hartz Avenue, Danville, approx 8-11pm.  The Rolando Morales Duet returns to this cool winery and nightspot.  Enjoy a wonderful selection of wines, superb dinners and munchies while enjoying this powerful duet.  Tonight Rolando reunites with the charismatic Latin percussionist/vocalist from George Benson and Prince, the delightful Estaire Godinez; and on guitar, voice and his pedal board of magic, the passionate Rolando Morales.  They’ll cover the musical spectrum.  Don’t miss it!  www.thevineatbridges.com, (925) 820-7210. 

    Sunday Aug 28, Maria, Maria Cantina, 1470 North Broadway, Walnut Creek, approx 2-5pm.  Enjoy a Mexican brunch at Carlos Santana’s lively cantina and Rolando performing on the newly renovated front patio on solo guitar and voice by the creek. He may be joined by Bob Harrison on flute. www.mariamariarestaurants.com,   (925) 946-1010.

    Tuesday Aug 30, Maria, Maria Cantina, 710 Camino Ramon Road, Danville CA, approx 6-9pm.  Rolando returns to Carlos Santana’s most elegant restaurant for Taco Tuesday.  $1 tacos, baby!  And Rolando on solo guitar and voice with his diverse repertoire performing out on the patio by the fire pits.  We’ll see if he has any special guests sitting in…  (925) 820-2366, www.mariamariarestaurants.com. 

    All other shows are private.  Why not hire Rolando for your own private event?  He’s available for corporate shows, weddings, parties, concerts and festivals. The Rolando Morales group is available as sextet, quintet, quartet, trio and duo depending on your entertainment needs and budget.  

  • Pacific Mambo is enchanting audiences

    Omar Ledezmal Jamming
    Omar Ledezma Jamming

    The band seems like a collection of the San Francisco Bay Areas best of the best. These amazing musicians came from all around the world and formed this amazing ensemble.

    CHRISTIAN TUMALAN, PIANO Born in Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico. In addition to his pianistic studies, he felt a powerful attraction to the art of composition. During a period of seven years, he studied classical piano at the “Escuela Superior de Musica” in Mexico City. Later, He turned his interests towards Jazz, a language field where he felt a deep compassion and freedom. He then further developed his skills in live performance, Jazz and Big Band arranging achieving 4 professional majors in Music. Currently, Tumalan performs actively in the United States, where he has shared the stage with numerous professional musicians including John Santos, Giovani Hidalgo, Pete Escobedo, Los adolecentes Orchestra, Eddie Santiago, Tony Vega, Johnny Rivera, Johnny Polanco, Rub Blades, Tony Perez, Eddie Marshall, Chucho Valdez jr, Bill Watrous, Danny Lozada & La charanga Habanera, Louie Romero, Orestes Vilato, Benny Velarde, Ray de la Paz, Chino Espinoza, Poncho Sanchez Band among many other local and international artists. His most recent participations as a Leader includes two very successful Latin Projects in the Bay area such as Montuno Swing and Pacific Mambo Orchestra.

    STEFFEN KUEHN, TRUMPET was born and raised in Germany and began playing the trumpet at the age of eight. Twenty years later he received his Bachelor of Music from the prestigious University of North Texas in 1993, majoring in Jazz Trumpet and Jazz Studies. Being interested in Straight Ahead Jazz, Smooth Jazz as well as in Latin Jazz and Salsa, Steffen scored big in 2002 with the CD release ‘Now or Later” of his Jazz Nonet, that featured 2001 Grammy Nominee Tim Hagans. That year also marked the inception of his own record label ‘stefrecords’.?Fast forward to 2005: Having joined the Latin Jazz orchestra of legendary timbalero Louie Romero, the band recorded its first album ‘Timbalero’ and released it on ‘stefrecords’ in 2006 to rave reviews. His 2008 release ‘trumpop’ was in the running for a Grammy nomination for ‘Best Contemporary Jazz Album’ and has been receiving national & international airplay & recognition. He has shared music moments with Jazz greats such as: Tim Hagans, Brian Lynch, Claudio Roditi, The Temptations, Brian Culbertson, Jose Lugo Latin Orchestra, Issac Delgado, Marilyn McCoo, John Handy, Mark Levine, Chico Freeman, Tim Hagans, Ray Obiedo, Kenny Werner, Ray DeLa Paz, The 4 Tops, Ray Sepulveda, The Platters, Lydia Pense & Cold Blood, In Europe, he played as a sideman for: Dusko Gojkovich Big Band, Al Porcino Big Band, Conexion Latina and others.

    KARL PERAZZO, TIMBALES 14 times Grammy Award Winner, Karl Perazzo has played with Cal Tjader, Malo, Ray Obiedo, Prince and Andy Narell by the time he was 12. His life-long dream was realized in 1991 when he joined Santana to play Timbales. Perazzo has also performed and recorded with Mariah Carey, Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, Phish, The United Nations Orchestra and John Lee Hooker among many other international Celebrities.In addition to performing and recording, Perazzo teaches percussion. Along with Santana conguero and LP endorser Raul Rekow, Perazzo starred in LP’s popular instructional video From Afro-Cuban to Rock, which breaks down the complex musical rhythms of Cuban percussion.

    OMAR LEDEZMA JR., TIMBALES from Caracas, Venezuela, GRAMMY Award Winner Omar Ledezma Jr. has been playing professionally since the age of 13. At the age of 17, he found him performing in every corner of his native country. National musical acclaim rested light on the shoulders of Ledezma as 1995 found him a graduate of one of the most prestigious Law Schools in Caracas, Venezuela. In 1998 Omar packed one bag and one drum to begin his move to Boston, Massachusetts after making a passionate commitment to study at Berklee College of Music, Boston and then New York City held many challenges and provided many opportunities. Moving to the Bay Area in 2005, Omar has committed himself not to “bring the music back” or “take the music forward” but thrive upon embracing “the existing”.

    There are so many more amazing artists find out more on www.pacificmambo.com

  • Rolando Morales, Carlos Reyes and Omar Ledezma at Pairing Cellars Saturday, August 13, 2016

    Rolando Morales, Carlos Reyes and Omar Ledezma together at Pairings Cellars August 13, 2016
    Rolando Morales, Carlos Reyes and Omar Ledezma together at Pairings Cellars August 13, 2016World Class Musician appear on local stage
    Three World-Class Musicians appear on local stage

    Rolando Morales has performed throughout Spain, England, Italy, Ireland, Mexico, and Hawaii. In Los Angeles, he largely played electric guitars. Just out of college, he played with a 9 piece casual band comprised of members who backed such stars as Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, and Poncho Sanchez.  He regularly plays with world-class musicians who work with luminaries as Airto, Flora Purim, Steve Winwood, Tower of Power, Spearhead, Ruben Blades, Carlos Santana, Pete Escovedo, and performed with Dizzy Gillespie and many others. Rolando Morales studied law and graduated.  He decided for Music his first love and we all thank him.

    Carlos Reyes learned to play many different instruments including Guitar, Bass, Mandolin, Keyboards, as well as mastering the use of a variety of electronic devices and special effects. He made his debut on harp with the Oakland Symphony and his debut on the violin with the Oakland Youth Symphony at just fourteen years of age. He has worked in the professional recording industry for commercials, solo artist and instrumental background music for the acclaimed children’s shows “Sesame Street” and “Villa Alegre” when he was still in his teens. He has backed such artist as Chuck Mangione, Bill Evans, Clark Terry, Pat Travers, MC Hammer, Craig Chaquico, The Crusaders, The Rippingtons, Roy Rogers to Charlie Daniels, Wynona Judd, Clint Black, Willie Nelson, John Handy, The Doobie Brothers, Rocker Steve Miller and many more.

    From Caracas, Venezuela, GRAMMY Award Winner Omar Ledezma Jr. has been playing professionally since the age of 13. At the age of 17, he found him performing in every corner of his native country. National musical acclaim rested light on the shoulders of Ledezma as 1995 found him a graduate of one of the most prestigious Law Schools in Caracas, Venezuela. In 1998 Omar packed one bag and one drum to begin his move to Boston, Massachusetts after making a passionate commitment to study at Berklee College of Music, Boston and then New York City held many challenges and provided many opportunities. Moving to the Bay Area in 2005, Omar has committed himself not to “bring the music back” or “take the music forward” but thrive upon embracing “the existing”.

    Three men, three world class talents we are so spoiled in the Bay Area

     

  • Misinformation … CNN has long been accused as a “cross-dressing” Media company

    Jane Fonda with Ted Turner
    Jane Fonda with Ted Turner

    CNN wrote in an article covering that the Trump/Putin joint effort to influence the US election was normal. We agree with the fact that every country always wants to influence as many other countries as possible.  Of course to keep a country safe and for its economic advantage politicians in the foreign office promote the countries values.  However CNN provides examples that are factually incorrect or at minimum slanted and actually seem to spread misinformation.  Full Article

    For example the article claims that UK intelligence “spread rumors” about Charles Lindbergh. However, in fact the rumors were factually correct as the actual Autobiography of Charles Lindbergh shows.

    Hermann Göring presents Nazi Medal to Charles Lindbergh on behalf of Hitler
    Hermann Göring presents Nazi Medal to Charles Lindbergh on behalf of Hitler

    The US government was not correctly informed about the rise of Hitler by Charles Lindbergh.  The UK government did not spread rumors it corrected the point of view that was based on false information, by Hitler fans, Charles Lindbergh and his Nazi admiring wife.  Here is a quote from a PBS article :

    Charles Lindbergh was convinced that no other power in Europe could stand up to Germany in the event of war. "The organized vitality of Germany was what most impressed me: the unceasing activity of the people, and the convinced dictatorial direction to create the new factories, airfields, and research laboratories...," Lindbergh recalled in "Autobiography of Values." His wife drew similar conclusions. "...I have never in my life been so conscious of such a directed force. It is thrilling when seen manifested in the energy, pride, and morale of the people--especially the young people," she wrote in "The Flower and the Nettle." By 1938, the Lindberghs were making plans to move to Berlin.

    The public’s cry for authenticity shows that there is a world wide trend of people being tired of being misled. While it is natural that every person wants to present their best possible public image, as they should, ideally people’s expressions and assertions are backed up by facts.

    Particularly in the “new GOP” the Trump led GOP in contrast of the previous economically conservative GOP, the concept of facts being replaced by feelings that have nothing to do with facts is widely used and accepted.

    Media, particularly the most prominent media companies, should return to fact based reporting. CNN has more people watching than any other media company. CNN recently hired Corey Lewandowski despite his rather questionable behavior toward women to tap deeper into the Fox TV audience. People who like history know that CNN was started by the successful advertising executive, Ted Turner in 1980. His business philosophy was so flexible it was aptly described by Eric Guthey (2001). Ted Turner’s Corporate Cross-Dressing and the Shifting Images of American Business Leadership. Enterprise and Society, 2, pp 111-142. doi:10.1093/es/2.1.111.  Until media companies like CNN who hold the largest audiences and therefore influence the majority of the people returns to seeking truths and spreading fact. We each need to take responsibility of getting out of the emotionally based echo chambers that erode out grasp on reality.

    Today when even the top media companies are using feelings and opinions inter changeable with facts every intelligent person is required to fact check before choosing to be influenced.  Let’s to keep civilization alive.