Culture Lust by Angela Carone

By Acarone, KPBS Public Broadcasting

Published March 26, 2008 at 1:30 PM PDT

This story was published more than 16 years ago.

Miracosta Latin Jazz Orchestra Plays Tonight At Anthology

Yesterday, we at KPBS pulled off quite a feat. We did an hour long interview and performance show with the 22-piece Miracosta Latin Jazz Orchestra , which we filmed in our TV studios for your viewing pleasure on Culture Lust . 22 PIECES. 22 people with 22 instruments. And, here's the clincher, we did it all LIVE ON THE RADIO.... AT 10am! HUGE. Like, HUGE. As someone who has booked a lot of bands, do you have any idea how difficult it is to get musicians up before 12 noon? Now imagine getting 22 musicians here at 7:30am.

To my great surprise, these musicians arrived early! They were wonderful to work with and the show went off without a hitch. You can hear the These Days interview here . The orchestra is composed of talented student and community musicians, all under the guidance of orchestra director Mario Gonzalez. Mario has an interesting background: he runs a local and very successful music prodution studio called G Studios. He's also had a long career as a studio musician playing with big time acts , and he currently plays trumpet in Sheila E's band. Don't sleep on Sheila E now, she's still out there. She called out golddiggers way before Kanye West did and here's the proof , in all its 80's glory. Love the hair... love the shoulder pads. I know some of you rocked the shoulder pads back in the day. It's ok, I did too. 80's nostalgia aside, Sheila E is a seriously talented percussionist and Prince knew what he was doing when he helped launch her career.

But back to latin jazz, you can watch the video of the Miracosta Latin Jazz Orchestra below. You can also go see them perform live tonight at Anthology in Little Italy. It's always a treat to see a big band perform live and they play interesting pieces from composers like Oscar Hernandez. This orchestra is a hidden treasure right here in our sunny California midst... go check 'em out.

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DIANA M. RIVERA from DELRAY BEACH,FLA.33444
March 27, 2008 at 10:02 PM
THE DRUMMER-WITH GLASSES IS MY 31 MASTERPIECE-SPENT EVERY JOYFUL HOUR OF HIS AND BROTHERS LIFE,EDUCATINING THEM WITH MUSIC-FOR MUSIC BRINGGS MAN-KIND TOGETHER-SO GLAD HE HAS TURNED OUT TO BE SUCH A :"-GRANDIOSO"..MANY THANKS FOR THE HOT ,HOT HOT LATIN VIBE-YOU ALL ARE UNBELIEABLE-AND THANK GOD HIS TURN TO MY ROOTS-PUERTO-RICAN-COUSIN "AMUNI NACER-UNCLE CREATED "TELEMUNDO" IN PUERTO RICO-AND I KNEW TITO PUENTES WHEN SMALL,AND HE USE TO COME OVER TO PLAY "DOMINOS"LISSETTE-MY FIRST LATIN MENTOR/ALONG WITH CELIA CRUZ-OLGA GUILLOT,ETC-THE BEST OF LUCG-CONTACT-mICHAEL WALDEN(NARADA)IN SAN RAFAEL,CALF-OR TIBURON-HE WROTE "PINK CADILLAC"FOR ARETHA FRANKLIN-"VISIONS OF LOVE",FOR MARIAH CARRIE-WILL HELP YOU GLOBALLY"TARPON STUDIOS-ASK JULIEN HOW TO CONTACT ME OR IF I CAN HELP GUIDE YOU TO THE A WORLDLY ROAD..MY GREATEST APPRECIATION.I'M ON MY SPACE-FAMILY HISTORY OF JULIEN AND US-ASK JULIEN..BUENA SUERTE'...

Erica from Oceanside, Ca
March 29, 2008 at 07:02 PM
It brought tears to my eyes to hear such beautiful music so well played! That band sounds more like a professional group rather than a student ensemble. Congratulations to KPBS, Miracosta and all of us lucky enough to experience this. Thanks!!!

DIANA RIVERA from FLORIDA
April 19, 2008 at 08:07 PM
MARAVILLOSO'..

DIANA RIVERA from FLORIDA
July 03, 2008 at 02:37 PM
LOVE THE "MIRACOSTA LATIN JAZZ ORCHESTRA-PROUD PARENT OF MY "DRUMMER-SON..

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prasala
July 24, 2008 at 02:06 PM
It is my pleasure to hear about the great work done by the great musicians.I would like to be the part of this.It si really amazing. http://www.sonicboomers.com