FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE
1. SPEAKING THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE, CUBAN SENSATION ALBITA
2. LATEST WALK ACROSS AMERICA UPDATE FROM PANA, ILLINOIS
3. CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Please Note: Sebastian Bach's March 29th & 30th shows have been postponed to May 10th & 11th. Tickets from the postponed shows will be honored, or refunds provided at point of purchase.
She's been a star on the Miami music scene since she defected from Cuba in 1993. From her first album, Habrá Música Guajira (Egrem-Cuba), she has set a benchmark for both Cuban standards and with her original material, a process which has continued through her most current release, 2000's Son (Silva America). Her star-studded shows in Miami led to collaborations with Emilio and Gloria Estefan, who helped continue the development of her music, her dynamic stage presence and powerful vocal style. On Saturday evening, March 23rd, fans at the Stone Pony will have a rare opportunity to experience this performer in the intimate confines of the club. Past shows featuring Cuban and international styles have been very well-received and popular with fans at the club, and Albita's appearance should continue that tradition. The newsletter asked Albita about her soon-to-be-released new album, her upcoming performance at the club and the state of Cuban music today. She answered our questions in Spanish, with partial English translations provided by a member of her staff. We are pleased to include both sets of answers here to set the stage for a spicy and energetic performance at the club on the 23rd.
The Stone Pony: Please begin with a brief introduction to your sound. What are the characteristics of Cuban Country, the Son, and other forms of traditional Cuban music? How have you built upon those musical traditions to create your own style and sound?
Albita: Yo he trabajado
desde el inicio en el rescate de las formas más tradicionales de la música
de Cuba. La búsqueda, la fusión con otros ritmos, ha sido mi constante.
La música cubana posee una gama de formas que hacen muy enrriquecedora la
investigación. Es una cultura que proviene de las influencias de España,
Africa, Francia, etc. [I have always worked to rescue
traditional Cuban music. In this endeavor, I have tried to combine the
different rhythms found in our music.]
The Stone Pony: You are in the process of finishing work on your next album, Hecho a mano. What is the schedule for releasing this album? Will it focus on traditional songs, or your original songwriting? Will fans notice any musical differences between this album and your past ones? Will you be performing any of the music from this upcoming release at your Stone Pony appearance?
Albita: No sé cuando está prevista la salida del disco, supongo que en los próximos dos meses. Todas las canciones están compuestas por mí. Son canciones que nunca he grabado y me gustaría que la gente las escuche. Es un disco más íntimo, más cálido y más actual. Pienso estrenar algunos de los temas en New Jersey. [The new recording will be released on or about May 11, 2002. I composed all the music and lyrics. This [is a] very intimate and personal project. I will be performing some of the new songs in New Jersey.]
The Stone Pony: Some of your past recordings have been notable for being recorded live, without a lot of technical manipulation in the studio, sometimes even recorded in a single take. Has your approach to recording changed at all on your sessions for Hecho a mano? Do you feel it is important for music to be recorded as naturally as possible? Is there something in your live performances that gets lost in the recording process?
Albita: Como su título lo indica es totalmente Hecho a mano, con pocos, pero excelentes músicos. Grabar en vivo o con secuencias preparadas depende del concepto, de la propuesta del artista, eso es lo bueno de la creación artística, todo puede ser bueno y también, todo lo contrario. La actuación en vivo, te ofrece el insustituible contacto con el público, la energía, el calor humano. Pero el disco, tiene la magia de la creación, de la propuesta nueva. Es otro desafío igual de interesante. [As the title indicates, this recording was "hand made." It was put together with fewer but very talented musicians.]
The Stone Pony: Your last album, Son, was originally recorded for major-label Sony records, but was eventually released by Times Square Records. Ever since you came to the United States, you’ve been courted by heavy-hitters in the music industry, but seem to have more creative success when working in more intimate situations. Do you feel your style is too personal to work on a large, more corporate, scale? Are you happier having greater creative control over your music?
Albita: Yo soy feliz creando.Teniendo la posibilidad de hacerlo. NO es importante el intermediario. Los intermediarios solo son, en estos tiempos, necesarios. [I am fulfilled when I am actively involved in composing and creating new music. I am especially grateful for the opportunity to do so.]
The Stone Pony: Son features the work of eleven musicians, contributing sounds from instruments as diverse as the twelve-string guitar, the flute and the tres. Can you describe for our readers what a tres is? How many pieces will be accompanying you during your show at The Stone Pony, and who are some of the musicians who be sharing the stage?
Albita: El tres es una guitarra acústica con tres pares de cuerdas metálicas. Es una versión de la guitarra española, absolutamente cubanisada, con una sonoridad única. Era como el piano de la época. Viajaré a Stone Pony con seis músicos: Fernando Pina - Drums y percusión, Jorge Bringas - Bass y coros, Mayra Ibarra - Tres y coros, Jorge Gómez - Piano y coros, Onel Mulet - Sax y Flute, Willian Polledo - Trumpet. ["El tres" is an acoustic guitar with three pair[s] of metallic strings. [It] is a version of a Spanish guitar, absolutely Cuban style, with a unique sound. I will travel to Stone Pony with six musicians: Fernando Pina - Drums and percussion, Jorge Bringas - Bass and chorus, Mayra Ibarra - Tres & chorus, Jorge Gomez - Piano & chorus, Onel Mulet - Sax & flute, William Polledo- Trumpet.]
The Stone Pony: You’ve been quoted as saying “I just want Cuban music to triumph." What is the state of Cuban music in the United States today, and how has it changed since you came to the U.S. in 1993? Are there other Cuban artists in the United States who you feel well-represent traditional Cuban music?
Albita: La música cubana de una manera u otra, siempre ha estado en buenos momentos y ha tenido y tiene tantas variantes y formas, que es difícil a veces reconocerla. Aquí en U.S.A tienes artistas como la gran Celia o Santana, entre otros. Celia, con sus interpretaciones únicas de la guaracha más tardicional hasta las más contemporáneas. Santana, con ese aporte maravilloso que ha hecho al cha-cha-cha y al rock al mismo tiempo. [Cuban music, or forms thereof, has always enjoyed success partly due to its various rhythms. Celia Cruz and Santana are a few of the artists who have enjoyed success with this music. Celia has brought us her unique interpretation of traditional "guarachas." Santana has fused the rock and cha cha cha.]
The Stone Pony: Has the reaction of American audiences to your music changed over the past few years as other forms of Spanish and Latin music have entered the mainstream of American culture? Do you think Americans understand the differences between all of the musical styles from South America and the Caribbean?
Albita: Cada dia, con cada nuevo exito,con cada nuevo artista, se abre un huequito más en el mundo americano. Cada dia hay más oídos abiertos a nuestras culturas. No creo que todavía el americano sepa distinguir mucho del todo, pero hay un dicho en mi pais que dice: "Poquito a Poco se llega a Roma". [The American public is slowly but surely opening their ears to Latin music. Each new release and each new hit makes a contribution towards this effort.]
The Stone Pony: Can you speak at all about the musical community in Cuba itself? Are there artists in Cuba who are creating new sounds, or preserving the traditional ones? Are you supportive of initiatives which would permit musicians and other artists to engage in cultural exchanges with Cuba?
Albita: Cuba ha sido es y será, una isla paridora de talentos musicales. Creo que ahora msimo hay una gran búsqueda y ya han salido nuevas sonoridades bien interesantes. Yo me siento orgullosa de pertenecer a ese gran movimiento. Cuando yo pueda y se me permita cantar y pensar libremente en mi pais, podremos hablar de un intercambio cultural verdadero con Cuba, no olviden que nosotros los que estamos fuera somos Cuba también y nadie nos regala ese derecho, es nuestro, por lo que un intercambio cultural con Cuba en estos momentos sería solo un intercambio político y ese, no me interesa. [Cuba has always been a rich source of musical talent. I am very proud to be a part of a new wave of Cuban musicians who are constantly striving to find new ways to bring this music to audiences.]
The Stone Pony: Asbury Park prides itself on a scene filled with great bands and the renowned “Asbury sound”. What is the musical community like in Miami? How supportive is the local Cuban community of your career?
Albita: Miami es una ciudad joven, 100% de emigrantes, lo que hace que sea una ciudad muy rica como diversa, pero al mismo tiempo compleja. Desde el punto de vista cultural como económico es bien difícil empezar acá. Yo sin embargo conté desde el principio con el apoyo de toda la comunidad latina en sentido general y siempre que me presento en vivo me alienta mucho la presencia de gran numero de afroamericanos (puede que por la fuerza de la cultura africana en mi música). Sin embargo no ha sido así con la radio local, la cual me tiene prácticamnete prohibida. [Miami is a very young city. It is comprised of immigrants, which makes it very culturally challenging. Therefore, it may be difficult for musicians to begin their career here. However, I [have] always been warmly received by all audiences in Miami. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same about local radio, who have for all intents and purposes "banned" me.]
The Stone Pony: What are your expectations for your upcoming show at The Stone Pony and the New Jersey crowd? What words of encouragement would you give to fans who might not be Spanish-speaking or familiar with the Cuban sound, to get them to stop by the club and experience your performance?
Albita: Quiero que el público se la pase bien con mis canciones, la música es un lenguaje universal y no es necesario hablar determinado idioma para que el cuerpo y el corazón entiendan la música. Yo crecí escuchando a los Beatles, Sara Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, Barbra Streisand, Queen y aún hoy, no hablo inglés. [I want to make the audience feel good [when they] hear my songs. Music is the universal language. You do not need to understand the lyrics for it touch your heart and soul. I grew up listening to the Beatles, Sara Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, Barbara Streisand, and Queen to name a few, and I do not speak English.]
Music is truly the international language and the Pony continues its effort to bring diverse and exciting new sounds to our stage. More about Albita's career and music can be found on her official web site, www.albitaonline.com.
The newsletter thanks Maria Lopez for her assistance with putting this interview together and for providing the English translations.
Now at asburypark.net: The proposed revision to the city's waterfront redevelopment plan has been released to the public. It can be viewed on line in an asburypark.net special section.
An update from Jim Hickey, who is walking across America to raise money and awareness for Cancer research.
It’s been awhile since my last update so I have a lot to catch you up on. I have currently walked 958 miles to Pana, Illinois and the kindness I’ve been showed earlier in my trip has continued. Indiana treated me great. I had great experiences in Franklin, Whiteland, Greenwood, Mooresville, Greencastle, Brazil and Terre Haute. I even had the Sheriff’s Dept. in the last three counties keep an eye on me, arranged by John Maruel who is running for Sheriff in Vigo County. Although I was delayed for over two weeks in central Indiana (I had a severe stiff lower back) I’m feeling fine now. Indiana was great and so has Illinois been. Through Paris, Kansas, Charleston, Mattoon and Pana, but especially Shelbyville, Illinois. On the last nine miles of my walk into Shelbyville, I was joined by a woman by the name of Julie Szabo and her son Kyle. Julie owns Lake Shelbyville Sports and Fitness Center and earlier had stopped along the road to ask me if I needed anything and to arrange for media exposure. She came back out with her son and joined me. Kyle walked five miles with us and Julie walked nine miles. The amazing part of the story is that they did this in a blinding snowstorm with 20 to 30 MPH winds. Not only did Julie walk with me longer than anyone else has, but in the worst weather I’ve had to walk in. The Shelbyville paper has a great shot of the three of us walking in the snow. She arranged for people to meet up with me in Litchfield, IL and in St. Louis. She has done so much to help me that I will never be able to thank her enough. Shelbyville has been great also and I will never forget her and her family or this town. Along the way, in Illinois, I heard about a 4-year-old boy is going through chemo at St. Louis Children’s Hospital in St. Louis. I’ve asked the papers I’ve been in, T.V., and radio stations to help him and his family, the same way I was able to help Liz in Cincinnati. I’ve dedicated my walk through Illinois for him. I’ve also asked children I’ve talked to at their schools to send him cards and letters. The Hooter Girls in St. Louis will walk with me for a time to support him and the other children at Children’s Hospital. I’ve felt really blessed to have met so many wonderful people who have helped me on my journey and for their words of encouragement. This isn’t just a story of walking across America, or cancer. It’s also a story of America and what a great country we really are. I would like to thank the Fraternal Order of Eagles, The American Legion, Holiday Inn, Days Inn, Super 8 Motels, Ameri-Host Hotels, Walden Inn, Wireless Mike’s in Mattoon, Lake Shelbyville Sports and Fitness Center in Shelbyville, IL (they also made me a shirt) and so many others. My walk has now appeared in 30 newspapers, 14 T.V. stations and 10 radio stations. The media has been great getting out the word. I’ll be in St. Louis in 1 ½ weeks. Congratulations to everyone at the Stone Pony. I heard the good news that you’re staying open in an Illinois newspaper. Tell everyone I said HELLO and I’ll update you from St. Louis.
More on Jim's walk can be found in the November 2nd, December 2nd, December 30th and February 5th issues of the newsletter on the Newsletter back issue page of the Pony's web site.
Have your party at the Pony! -- The Stone Pony is the perfect place for your party. We can accommodate six or 600, or anywhere in between. Of course, we can arrange for entertainment as well. Call 732-502-0600 Ext. 12.
New in The Stone Pony Photo Gallery! Photos from Luxx's February 27th appearance at the club, as well as Vanilla Fudge's January 25th performance.
Thursday Nights. Bounce Thursday: The Ultimate Dance Party with DJ Matrix and MC BJ, 20-oz. $1 drafts and $1 tube shots all night long, ladies free until 11, $5 with Monmouth University ID, 18 & up for everyone with two forms of ID, doors at 9:30.
