The rhythm is gonna get you

Published: Monday, February 1, 1999

Monday, February 1, 1999

MUSIC: Latin Percussion Music celebrates 35 years

of success

By Michelle Zubiate

Daily Bruin Staff

Despite popular belief, the world does not move to the beat of just one drum. In fact, it takes many drums of different shapes, sizes and sounds to make a party really rock. If you want to do it right, do it the Latin Percussion (LP) way.

Friday night, LP Music created a storm of passionate percussion sets in the Golden State Room of the Los Angeles Omni Hotel. In honor of its 35th anniversary, the 60th birthday of its founder and the music showcase called NAMM '99, LP Music brought together talented Latin percussion acts to blow away an audience appreciative of the Latin jazz scene.

LP Music had a lot to celebrate, marking 35 years of success and rhythm-making. It began in New York City when Martin Cohen realized his own passion for the sounds of Latin jazz. Because of the government-imposed trade embargo on Cuba in the 1960s, Cohen felt that good percussion instruments were hard to find. To alleviate the dilemma, starting from his own garage, he created his own company featuring a variety of instruments ranging from the bongos to cow bells.

On his 60th birthday, surrounded by family and friends, Cohen held a party fit to please anyone in love with pure beats.

The night's line-up revealed acts of many different styles, reflecting the same basic foundation. In one act, an artist delivered a solo performance of freestyle expression and interpretive beats accompanied by a talented pianist. The set showed an amazing individual side of music in which feelings were reflected by their unique sound.

In the next swoop, the salsa jams of a large band overcame the room with music that derived its passionate hooks from its ethnic pride. The music left everyone bopping their heads, tapping their feet and shaking their hips with the carrying hooks of "Just Another Day in the Park."

Even though the room remained too crowded to dance, various instances of lone jigs broke out when the compelling beats could no longer be contained. A classic case of "the rhythm is gonna get you," every person dealt with the excitement in their own way by dancing, screaming or singing along.

The next act took the craze to yet another level when a performer invited the audience to partake in his own passion for Brazilian music. Saying that the music called for a "family vibe," he threw out various exotic percussion instruments to audience members so they could join in the fun.

Joining along with claves, maracas and wood blocks, the crowd played along with both bongos and traditional drum sets while a dancer joined the stage. Marked as the highlight of the evening, audience members were part of the show instead of passive watchers. The beat remained simple yet moving enough for everyone to feel like they were part of the rhythm unraveling.

The entire company also sang "Happy Birthday" for Cohen in a distinctly Latin style, featuring Giovanni Hidalgo on the congas. Complete with birthday cake and candles, the members on stage first led the audience in singing the traditional song, then took off into their own version. The pace became faster and slower while Hidalgo impressed the entire room with an outstanding solo performance.

In this one set alone, it remained easy to see exactly where beat finds its foundation. Everything from rock to country to hip-hop derives a little from its beginnings in jazz and cultural percussion.

Suitingly, the event took place the weekend that the International Music Products Association held NAMM '99 in the Los Angeles Convention Center. The group serves as a non-profit, international organization of retailers of instruments dedicated to education and promotion of the music scene.

What made the night so special, however, had nothing to do with a corporate big-wig flashing money around by buying an impressive lineup. Instead, even an outsider could feel the loyalty and homey vibe reflected in each band's love for a quality company. By making it a night of family and newly welcomed friends, the music reflected that much more meaning and passion.

In a night dedicated to the enjoyment of music stripped down to its basic roots, an audience found love and solace in the fact that real music can be both communal and intensely personal.(Right) Ron Powell began his solo set on the congas and moved from instrument to instrument, and even passed out drums to the audience and had them participate.

(Far right) World renown percussionist Giovanni Hidalgo hammers out a version

of "Happy Birthday" for the founder of Latin Percussion Music on Saturday night at

the Los Angeles Omni Hotel.

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