There are a lot of elements that help build a music scene, but the true strength of any scene lies in the community members. The recordings, performances, and events are the glue that holds any network together, but they all happen as a result of the musicians, audience, and support people. Size doesn’t necessarily matter in this regard; small networks are sometimes as powerful as large gathering of many people. It’s not about numbers here, it’s about the passion, knowledge, skills, and energy that the group creates. One or two people sometimes make the difference between a ripple in the water and a massive wave hitting the shore – these are the types of people that make communities come alive. When these people sit among a community, it becomes strong and healthy, able to withstand whatever the future may hold.

The LJC community is about to get a lot stronger as we welcome writer and Latin Jazz expert Tomas Peña into the fold as a contributing writer. A graduate of Empire State College with a dual major in journalism and Latin American studies, Peña has spent years applying his knowledge and writing skills to the promotion of great musicians. A specialist in the crossroads between jazz and Latin music, Peña has written extensively on the subject. His writing has appeared all over the internet while he worked as a contributing writer for All About Jazz, Jazz.com, and The Latin Jazz Network. Throughout his work, Peña has conducted over 100 interviews with artists, building connections and getting the true scoop on the music. He worked in radio as the host of Under The Radar on WFDU FM and infused his local community with musical knowledge as a member of The New Jersey Performing Arts Center’s Advisory Board. Peña carries experience and insight into his work here at LJC – he has covered the New York music scene for two decades.

I’m truly excited about the opportunity to work with Peña, and I’m sure that you’ll appreciate his thoughtful writing. I’ve been reading Peña’s interviews, concert reports, album reviews, and more for years; he has always impressed, inspired, and taught me. You’ll get to know him through his great writing today and in the future here at LJC, and I think that you’ll enjoy what you read. He not only offers some refined writing skills, he also infuses his work with a studied knowledge of the style and a true love of the music. Without a doubt, we are very lucky to have Peña involved in the LJC community, and we will be stronger through his presence. So enjoy all the great upcoming articles, and give Tomas Peña a major LJC welcome!

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