"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:

Ralph Irizarry

Timbales
New York City

Website: http://aachen.heimat.de/salsa/timbal-e.htm
Latest CD: Ralph Irizarry and Timbalaye - "Best Kept Secret"

Ralph Irizarry is well known as one of the world's most "swinging" timbaleros, whose distinctive playing style has made an indelible mark on those artists with whom he has performed. Born in Spanish Harlem of Puerto Rican parents, Ralph is self-taught, learning to play from listening to his brother's music albums and sneaking into nightclubs at the age of 16. While still a teenager, Ralph's family returned to Puerto Rico, where he gained his first professional experience with groups such as La Terriffica, and sitting in with El Gran Combo, Sonora Ponceña and many others. Three years later, Ralph moved back to New York City where he began playing with local groups. One snowy Friday night in 1978, at Manhattan's Corso Nightclub he caught the attention of the legendary Ray Barretto, with whom he has made five recordings since. He has recorded with David Byrne, Paul Simon, Harry Belafonte, Earl Klugh, Juan Luis Guerra, Cachao, Celia Cruz and Yomo Toro. He is especially known for his work with Ruben Blades and Seis Del Solar with whom he recorded and toured internationally for13 years. Ralph was also instrumental in the creation of Seis Del Solar's two Latin Jazz CDs on Messidor Records. He is a sought-after studio musician who has played on countless jingles, film and television scores.

Ralph's special charisma has also brought him an unexpected acting career. He appeared in the role of Pito
Fernandez in the major motion picture "The Mambo Kings" and has also appeared in films and documentaries such as "Cachao", "Como Mi Ritmo No Hay Dos" with Andy Garcia, "The roots of Rhythm" with Harry Belafonte, and with Ruben Blades "The Life and Times of Ruben Blades".

In the summer of 1996 Ralph Irizarry took his place as a master musician and solo artist in a presentation
with Tito Puente at New York's SOB's club entitled "Master Timbaleros". This conversation between two drum masters was the culmination of 26 years of dedication, practice and undying love for the music. Tito Puente says, "Ralph is a star of the future who never forgets the Latin basics. His band is burning".

Ralph's next step was the formation of Timbalaye. A septet with a big band sound, Timbalaye combines
contemporary Latin jazz with the latest tropical rhythms such as timba and songo, as well as more traditional
Afro-Caribbean rhythm styles such as Bomba, Chacha and Son Montuno. Appearing weekly at New York City venues, the group's fresh sound immediately gained a strong following. In October 1997, they appeared in an historic concert at Hostos College with the legendary Puerto Rican configuration, Batacumbele. They also recently finished recording a live at Birdland compilation CD for RCA records. Remarkable for its brilliance innovative arrangements and its players and arrangers which include Oriente Lopez (Grupo Afro-Cuba), Arturo Ortiz (Ruben Blades), and Juan Carlos Salas (of Venezuela's popular group Guaco). For lovers of great musicianship and original music, timbalero Ralph Irizarry and his group Timbalaye will be a force for the future of Latin Jazz.

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

I was born in El Barrio N.Y.C.When I was months old we moved to Brooklyn where I was raised.I also lived in Queens just before we moved to P.R. in the early seventies.

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

I'd say that it was a series of people that all together helped my desire to become a musician. I remember a
Black American friend of mine in Queens when I was 14 or 15 yrs old that first turned me onto Tata Guines and Guillermo Barreto with the Cachao Jam Sessions. His name was Billy Bryant. Then there was Charlie Butler, a P.R. Bro also in Queens that brought around the first mexican conga drum which in turn prompted me to take down from the closet these Timbales that were up there for about 8 yrs with a torn calfskin head.Closer to home, I remember my oldest brother playing some Miles Davis, John Coltrane and other cats while my slightly older other brother played Cortijo con Ismael Rivera. It was a bunch of things that caught my attention.

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?"

Working on Wall street for Merrill Lynch in 1978 for 6 yrs, I received an ultimatum from my manager that if I went on a three Week tour to Venezuela with Ray Barreto I would be terminated. I made my decision right then and there. I haven't worked a day gig since.

Q: "What piece or pieces of music made the most impact on you and why?"

After playing trumpet in 7th grade I was transferred to another Junior High, and the only instrument in Orch.
left that I could play were the crash cymbals.You know the big ass cymbals you crash together. Well anyway
there was a tune called the 1812 Overture that we played that after the first 3 crashes in the head of this tune I
had to wait 1,078 bars to hit the 4 crashes at the coda.The conducter expected me to count the bars and nail
the 4 hits.Yeah right.Talk about pressure.That tune helped me experience a whole lot of feelings.Mostly
embarressment and humiliation at the hands of conducters and bandleaders.

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

A whole lot of young LatinJazz Bandleaders and musicians who are not getting breaks from record labels
and Jazz clubs because of the lack of name recogniton.

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

I'd say between noon and 1:00 P.M. At that time you can call the West Coast and Europe to get some gigs.

Q: "Are you a song writer?"

I don't consider myself as one even though I have written soneos for a few Salsa singers and also I wrote a
rap and sang it on a Seis Del Solar record. The tune is called Entregate. Also on Timbalaye's first recording I
wrote the lyrics on Raza Cosmica. I've contributed to many changes in the Timbalaye arrangements as well.

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

I try to practice on my drum pad and play along with records as much I can, but I run a couple of bands and
trying to get work is a full time gig.

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

To be well rehearsed and to give the public their monies worth. That usually means people leave happy, and
that's my business - making people happy and hopefully forgetting their unhappy situations for a little while.

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

The fact that I use traditional latin instruments in the rhythm section like Timbal and Congas speaks a lot
about the concept of my Latin Jazz group. It's not about colors or a latin flavor. It's about the roots and latin
rhythms added to Jazz structured tunes.

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

Everything from straight ahead to Salsa Dura from the 70's, to Rap that my kids play around the house, to
watching Family feud on T.V.

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

When I'm driving to a gig on the BQE and I look to my left across the River and I see the N.Y. Financial District with the World Trade Centers at night and I give thanks to God for having been born of all places in this land of opportunity.I also wish that many of the people in not so fortunate countries could experience the everyday advantages that we take for granted.

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

My daughter takes Piano lessons every week, but it's totally up to them. No one had to force me to practice.

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

Music makes me whole. It's part of who I am. I'd be a miserable human being without music.

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

My whole life and music changed when I stop getting high on drugs 14 yrs ago.

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?

I'd say when your playing in front of ten people or 5,ooo and you still want to burn. Everyone is listening to
each other and you go into these turbo vacuum pockets that lift you up 6 inches from the floor. I think it's called intense Swing.

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

It would have to be between the first i did with Ray Barreto, Ricanstruction, or my first as a bandleader,
Timbalaye on the Shanachie Label.

Q: "What one CD of someone else's would you keep if all others were lost??!!"

Puente in Percussion.

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

Charlie Palmieri PIANO, Cachao BASS, Jose Mangual Sr. Bongos, Paoli Mejias Congas, Eddie Colon
Timbales, Changuito Drums, Roberto Rodriguez, Ray Maldonado, Piro Rodrguez Trumpets, Barry Rogers,
Papo Vazquez, Jose Rodriguez Trombones, Bobby Franceschini, Michael Brecker, Mauricio Smith Ronnie
Cuber Saxes, Osvaldo"Maraca"Valle, Dave Valentine Flutes, Ruben Blades, Candido Fabre, Oscar D'leon, Tito Allen and Andy Montanez Vocals.

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

Peruchin Piano, Bobby Rodriguez Bass, Yeyito Bongos, Tata Guines Tumbadoras, Tito Puente Timbales and Vibes, El Negro Vivar, Dizzy Gillespie, Mario Ortiz Trumpets, El Tojo Jimenez, Juan Tizol, Slide Hampton Trombones,Chombo Silva, Charlie Parker Sax, Ismael Rivera,Beny More, Sarah Vaughn, Graciela Vocals.

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

I received a blessing and a talent from the kindest critic of them all. I answer to him. Good or bad, I was put
on this earth for a reason.

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

It's an incredible Art Form and language that I've become quite comfortable speaking.

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

You're speaking to someone who died of hunger and was resurrected. Next Question.

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

Tapas from Spain.

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

Yeah. His name is Giovanni Hidalgo.

Q: "One piece of advice for musicians"

Don't take yourselves so seriously. Enjoy the gift that was given to you.

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

It's not just about dancing or listening.Let's give all forms of our Latin roots a chance.

Q: "One piece of advice for life"

Try to care about one another and learn the true meaning of Humility.

Credits:
Allan Johnston - format questions
Eliseo Cardona - translations

Lea esta entrevista en Español visite www.anapapaya.com