A Life Through Latin Jazz History – Armando Peraza Interview Video

The recent tribute to Armando Peraza sparked some thoughts on history for me. Musicians like Peraza often travel through life contributing massive amounts of time and energy into their art form. They share their gift with the world selflessly – of course they get paid, but realistically they create music because their inner spirit drives them. They feel an obligation to reach further into music’s endless possibilities. They maintain a high standard that won’t settle for mediocrity. Their lives follow the evolution of the genre, and the music tells the story of their lives. As fans, we learn all we can about them, but their deeper stories too often get lost. The finer details about smaller gigs, who they knew, who they watched . . . it all fills in greater pieces of history that broadens our understanding of the music.

Peraza’s life follows the development of Latin Jazz, especially West Coast Latin Jazz. Many West Coast icons have passed, but Peraza represents a living treasure of the music’s history. Fortunately, Latin Percussion founder Martin Cohen realizes the importance of capturing this music’s history. In early 2007, he recorded an extensive interview with Peraza as part of his Profiles in Greatness series. They cover Peraza’s early musical life in Cuba, his first years in the United States on the East Coast, and then some great insights into San Francisco and the evolution of West Coast Latin Jazz. These videos are a historical goldmine, watch carefully and see Latin Jazz history unfold before your eyes.

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Part 4:

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3 Comments

Janine Rosales, January 21, 2008:

I believe that you haven’t done your research far enough because Armando Perazza was in the East Coast while my father, a man who has been forgotten in the music world, a man who has never been given any credit as one of those responsible for giving birth to Latin jazz in the west coast (Bay Area), was playing (percusson) with Cal Tjader. My father was playing with Cal Tjader years before Armando joined the band. I know this for a fact because I know Armando Perraza. He knew my father and was a beloved friend. Armando himself expressed this to me years and years ago. In fact if you could – better yet – do me a favor, I need to find all available information (or where I can find) regarding Cal Tjader’s band members during the ’50s and ’60s. Their names – Cal Tjader (vibes), los hermanos Duran -(The Duran brothers) Manuel (piano) y Carlos (bass), Bayardo Velarde (timbales, bongos) and EDGARD ROSALES (CONGAS). Gracias for your help. It is greatly and wholeheartedly appreciated.

Janine Rosales
chip, January 21, 2008:

Janine- I’m sorry if this post downplayed your father’s contributions to West Coast Latin Jazz; that was not the intention. I honestly don’t have a whole lot of information about Edgard Rosales, but I would like to correct that. Part of my goal with The Latin Jazz Corner is to bring forgotten voices to the forefront. Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I’ll contact you directly for info about your father and to give you any info that I can provide. Thanks again.
luis bolanos, October 20, 2008:

Hi Janine,

I guess you are my great aunt. I have been doing research about the family for at least two years. If you wnat to get in touch with me, please do so. I have a few pictures and newspaper articles about your dad that I would galdly send them to you. My mom is the one who has many pictures of your dad and probably tia gladys and tia mireya have also a bunch of them.

This was amazing. I mean to hear from you in this way.

Love,

Louis