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The Cage show with my old pal Mark was a blast! Not only because of dedicated performances from the headliners, but because of fiercely loyal crowds! Seriously, it was almost a little scary seeing how well people knew the lyrics to jam after jam, but then again, what could I expect from the legions of an underground icon?! After the curtains closed, both Mark and I got a chance to chat it up with Cage himself, and honestly, he’s such a cool guy! Especially after I asked him how he liked L.A. coming out from the East coast and he said: “I love it here man; so much so that I tell all my friends out there it’s horrible just so I could have more of the place to myself!” And ah, that was just music to my ears! GO CAGE! </:D

Tia Chucha’s: The Friday Night Might

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While on any given night Los Angeles is home to nearly 4 million stories, it takes just one of those stories to humble one’s sense of place in the community. Last night at Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural and Bookstore was one such occasion for me; surrounded by poets, storytellers, musicians, and other activists from around the city for Open Mic night, I could only manage to get a few shots of the show before I just sat down and listened to the performers for the evening.

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Machito: Mas Que Muy Bueno!

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Rdio has my deepest gratitude for featuring this brilliant portal into the historic Afro-Cuban jazz scene; a heart-throbbing celebration of life and love. My favorite track so far would have to be “Tin Tin Deo” for taking a cozy party of instruments and turning them into a declarative, triumphant ensemble with a confidence that at once commands awe and respect. The frolicking only gets started there, however, as “Mambo” gleefully shows. Every track on “Mambo Mucho Mambo” takes all of life up to its most artistic with inimitable genius. The album is a gift, a gem, and anyone who finds it is in for a party wherever they are. This morning at home, I certainly am!