How, why and when did you get into salsa?
I have been a musician since my childhood, but I wanted to learn how to dance, to become a better dance music composer, and to understand better what a dancer feels. It was in 2000.
Who first taught you to dance salsa?
I took some courses at the same time: cha-cha-cha, salsa, mambo, footwork and mens styling from different schools in Montreal.
Tell me a little about The Jazz Men of Salsa. When, why and how was it set up?
From 2003 to 2005, I voluntarily isolated myself and I composed 16 instrumental pieces because my goal was to perform a complete show with my own compositions. I founded the Jazzmen of Salsa in September 2005, and all my musicians have been jazzmen and musicians since their childhoods.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
From the mambo footwork of Eddie Torres to New York’s composers of cubop and mambo of the 40’s and 50’s.
Who do you admire?
Gene Krupa, Duke Ellington, Tito Puente, Mario Bauzá, Arsenio Rodriguez, Joe Cuba, etc.
What’s your favourite track at the moment?
Spain, composed by Chick Corea and rearranged in a latin jazz way by Tito Puente.
What are your all time favourite tracks?
Ran Kan Kan
Royal T
Cuban Nightmare (Tito Puente)
Feeding the Chickens
El Jamaiquino (Machito & Mario Bauzá)
Bang Bang (Joe Cuba)
What are your favourite albums?
Kenya (Machito & Mario Bauza)
Instant Party (Tito Puente)
Tito Puente, the Best of the Concord Years (Tito Puente)
Salsa Around the World (collective)
What was the last CD you bought?
Salsa Around the World (collective)
What music is in your car/cd player/tape player at the moment?
Instant Party (Tito Puente)
Who are your favourite artists?
Gene Krupa, Tito Puente, Mario Bauzá, Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Dizzy Gillespie, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Brian Adams, Charles Aznavour, Arturo Sandoval, etc.
If you were not a successful Musician/Singer, what would you be doing instead? Or if you also have a full-time job, what do you do?
The band takes all my time.
Tell me something most people wouldn’t know about you?
I have just finished writing a book for the salsa and mambo dancers. It is not published yet though.
What’s your all time favourite salsa club/event that you have played at?
Plaza Theatre in Montreal. We performed there with 10 dancers. You can see a part of this show at http://www.youtube.com (search for Les Jazzmen de la Salsa).
What has been your most memorable moment?
When I realized that my dancers appreciated doing their own choreographies on my compositions and respected and enjoyed each of the different themes.
Have you had any embarrassing/nightmare-ish moments in on stage or at a salsa club?
One month before our first show, I skidded on an ice plaque and fell down the cement stairs in front of my studio. I broke my left leg and my collarbone and had to have 2 weeks of hospitalization. The day of the show, I was in a wheelchair and my musicians transported me onto the stage. I had to play with my leg in a plaster. The pain was horrible.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Yes, I would like to thank you, Salsa-Central.co.uk for your interest and your kindness in helping me and my band to be backed by you at the promotional level.
http://www.thejazzmenofsalsa.com
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