"Questions, Questions..."

A series of interviews with the members of The Latin Jazz Discussion List. All the questions were submitted by other members of the group, their peers. Each artist was given a number of questions with the option of answering as many as they wished. Further discussion with the artist in this forum is invited...

Today's Subject:

Dennis Reed "Califa"
Conga, San Diego
http://dmreed.com

Q: "Tell us a little about your childhood - where were you born and raised?"

Born in Ft. Wayne, Indiana...raised in Southern California.

Q: "Who was the most influential person in your life that affected you, and
your decision to become an artist?

Most difficult to say who started it, there were many including Mike
Pacheco and Armando Peraza. Carlos Federico (piano player) probably had the
most influence the development of my musicianship, not by instruction but by
his playing.

Q: "When did you first fall in love with Latin music - or - when did you first
choose latin music as a career path? Can you remember which band or artist
turned you on?"

When I first began to listen to it in the mid 50s. Bands: Tjader and
Shearing first and then in the early 60s Cachao and the Cuban Jam Sessions,
conga players: Peraza, Mongo, and Tata Gúines; timbales: Guillermo
Barretto...

Q: "What piece or pieces of music made the most impact on you and why?"
Too many to list but I remember Tjader's "Guajira at the Blackhawk"
especially moved me.

Q: "Who's an artist you think more people should be aware of..."

Rene Touzet, Bobby Montez.

Q: "At what hour of the day are you most productive and why?"

I seem to be basically a night person, 10pm to 3am, which worked out great
when I was playing music.

Q: "Are you a song writer?"

No.

Q: "What things do you practice day to day?"

Don't practice enough anymore...day job too demanding...looking forward to
retirement and starting again in music.

Q: "What are your priorities when you go to the stage?"

Always give it your best, regardless of how you personally feel, or of
thequality of the band.

Q: "How do you see yourself in relation to the 'tradition'?"

Old style.

Q: "What music do you listen to when you are relaxing?"

Any style - especially 50s-60s style tropical and rumba.

Q: "Give us a mental image of your favorite view in the world".

Everything works out like it should.

Q: "If you have children what kind of musical education have you given them or
do you intend to give them?"

My sons did not pursue music although they were encouraged to study it in
school.

Q: "What does the music you play do for you, emotionally, spiritually,
socially, whichever-other-ly?

When the music is working properly, there is no me, just the music!

Q: "What changes or landmarks in your life can you attribute to the music
you play?"

Richly rewarding when I was playing and I met my PR wife through la música.

Q: "When the music is at it's best in your opinion, what is it that's happening
(to make it the best) and what do you feel?

When I hear it now, I sometimes wish I had continued to pursue it
professionally instead of as an avocation but then I recall the poor pay, lack
of jobs and then I see today even Harlow has problems with booking agents...so
maybe I made the right choice.

Q: "What one CD of those you have recorded would you keep if the others were
forever lost??!!"

I have not recorded any CDs but I am still looking for a "Villa Allegre" LP
on which I played congas and maybe drums and overdubbed bongos and bell Q:
"What one CD of someone else's would you keep if all others were lost??!!"

Impossible to choose just one.

Q: "Name an all-star band of your favorite musicians (and arrangers) or one
band for each genre (charanga, conjunto, big band, etc.)"

The Cuban Jam Sessions come to mind but there are many others in many
styles.

Q: "What musicians would you most like to play with, now living on earth or
elsewhere?"

Harlow, Orestes Vilato, Peraza, too many to mention.

Q: "What band or musicians would you have wanted to play with from the past and
why?"

I sometimes regret not sitting in with Tjader (before Poncho Sanchez played
with him) but then everything works out like it is supposed to!

Q: "Are critics important? Or do you rather see your music reviewed in the
vanity press? Are you susceptible to bad reviews?".

Not really applicable to me, but if the music is good, critics do not
matter - except that maybe they make sales/distribution easier.

Q: "Do you believe in music as art, as opposed to a product for merchandising?"

Even more than an art, it should be part of one's spiritual development.

Q: "Would you still be a musician even if that means you´ll die of hunger?"

I choose to eat and have very few regrets except when I hear good music and
want to play!

Q: "What food would you most liken your music to?"

My wife's PR style carne mechada (beef/pork roast stuffed with goodies,
melts in your mouth full of surprises but solid nourishment for body and soul).

 

Q: "Do you believe in aliens? (HAHAHAHA!)"

Do you mean those who cross the borders without appropriate papers, or
those who visit earth from elsewhere? Yes and maybe!

 

Q: "One piece of advice for musicians"

Always play your best, regardless of the situation.

Q: "One piece of advice for listeners (or dancers)"

Enjoy.

Q: "One piece of advice for life"

Again, always do your best and allow that sometimes your best might not be
so good.

Credits:
Allan Johnston - format questions
Eliseo Cardona - translations

Lea esta entrevista en Español visite www.anapapaya.com