Monday, February 1, 1999
The rhythm is gonna get you
MUSIC: Latin Percussion Music celebrates 35 years
of success
By Michelle Zubiate
Daily Bruin Staff
Despite popular belief, the world does not move to the beat of
just one drum. In fact, it takes many drums of different shapes,
sizes and sounds to make a party really rock. If you want to do it
right, do it the Latin Percussion (LP) way.
Friday night, LP Music created a storm of passionate percussion
sets in the Golden State Room of the Los Angeles Omni Hotel. In
honor of its 35th anniversary, the 60th birthday of its founder and
the music showcase called NAMM ’99, LP Music brought together
talented Latin percussion acts to blow away an audience
appreciative of the Latin jazz scene.
LP Music had a lot to celebrate, marking 35 years of success and
rhythm-making. It began in New York City when Martin Cohen realized
his own passion for the sounds of Latin jazz. Because of the
government-imposed trade embargo on Cuba in the 1960s, Cohen felt
that good percussion instruments were hard to find. To alleviate
the dilemma, starting from his own garage, he created his own
company featuring a variety of instruments ranging from the bongos
to cow bells.
On his 60th birthday, surrounded by family and friends, Cohen
held a party fit to please anyone in love with pure beats.
The night’s line-up revealed acts of many different styles,
reflecting the same basic foundation. In one act, an artist
delivered a solo performance of freestyle expression and
interpretive beats accompanied by a talented pianist. The set
showed an amazing individual side of music in which feelings were
reflected by their unique sound.
In the next swoop, the salsa jams of a large band overcame the
room with music that derived its passionate hooks from its ethnic
pride. The music left everyone bopping their heads, tapping their
feet and shaking their hips with the carrying hooks of "Just
Another Day in the Park."
Even though the room remained too crowded to dance, various
instances of lone jigs broke out when the compelling beats could no
longer be contained. A classic case of "the rhythm is gonna get
you," every person dealt with the excitement in their own way by
dancing, screaming or singing along.
The next act took the craze to yet another level when a
performer invited the audience to partake in his own passion for
Brazilian music. Saying that the music called for a "family vibe,"
he threw out various exotic percussion instruments to audience
members so they could join in the fun.
Joining along with claves, maracas and wood blocks, the crowd
played along with both bongos and traditional drum sets while a
dancer joined the stage. Marked as the highlight of the evening,
audience members were part of the show instead of passive watchers.
The beat remained simple yet moving enough for everyone to feel
like they were part of the rhythm unraveling.
The entire company also sang "Happy Birthday" for Cohen in a
distinctly Latin style, featuring Giovanni Hidalgo on the congas.
Complete with birthday cake and candles, the members on stage first
led the audience in singing the traditional song, then took off
into their own version. The pace became faster and slower while
Hidalgo impressed the entire room with an outstanding solo
performance.
In this one set alone, it remained easy to see exactly where
beat finds its foundation. Everything from rock to country to
hip-hop derives a little from its beginnings in jazz and cultural
percussion.
Suitingly, the event took place the weekend that the
International Music Products Association held NAMM ’99 in the Los
Angeles Convention Center. The group serves as a non-profit,
international organization of retailers of instruments dedicated to
education and promotion of the music scene.
What made the night so special, however, had nothing to do with
a corporate big-wig flashing money around by buying an impressive
lineup. Instead, even an outsider could feel the loyalty and homey
vibe reflected in each band’s love for a quality company. By making
it a night of family and newly welcomed friends, the music
reflected that much more meaning and passion.
In a night dedicated to the enjoyment of music stripped down to
its basic roots, an audience found love and solace in the fact that
real music can be both communal and intensely personal.(Right) Ron
Powell began his solo set on the congas and moved from instrument
to instrument, and even passed out drums to the audience and had
them participate.
(Far right) World renown percussionist Giovanni Hidalgo hammers
out a version
of "Happy Birthday" for the founder of Latin Percussion Music on
Saturday night at
the Los Angeles Omni Hotel.
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