Here is information about the 6th Annual Voices of Latin Rock Autism Awareness Benefit for The Alex Speaks Foundation. The Alex Speaks Foundation’s goal is to help support children struggling with an autism disorder by contributing to autistic programs at local schools. The Alex Speaks Foundation was formed to partner with the Voices of Latin Rock event to raise funds for those programs. We are pleased to announce that this year’s recipients will include The MIND Institute and the San Carlos Special Ed Program.

This year we are thrilled to announce not one but two shows, bringing the event back to its roots at Bimbo’s 365 Club on Thursday January 21st and Friday January 22nd. Look for a second email with the lineup for the other date and get more details at: http://www.rbpevent.com/volr/

Could you please make sure to list these upcoming benefits in the calendar section of your publication and possibly do a pick or run a photo?

You can download hi-res photos for the artists at the links to the left, or read more at their downloadable bio.

Taj Mahal
Composer, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and actor Taj Mahal is one of the most prominent and influential figures in late 20th century blues and roots music. Though his career began more than four decades ago with American blues, he has broadened his artistic scope over the years to include music representing virtually every corner of the world – west Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, the Hawaiian islands and so much more. He was also a remarkable figure in the movie “Sounder”, performing alongside Cicely Tyson and Paul Winfield. What ties it all together is his insatiable interest in musical discovery. Over the years, his passion and curiosity have led him around the world, and the resulting global perspective is reflected in his music. www.Tajblues.com

Lenny Williams
of Tower of Power
Former lead singer for Tower of Power, California native Lenny Williams possesses one of most distinctive voices in contemporary music. Lenny is rightfully regarded as of one R’B's most recognizable vocalists and began his musical career making records that have subsequently become R’B and Pop Classics, such as “Cause I Love You” from the movie “Kings of Comedy” which has been sampled by artists such as Kanye West and Twista, garnering Lenny Hip Hop Songwriter of the Year in 2007. Lenny also had hits like “Don’t Change Horses”, “What is Hip?”, and “So Very Hard to Go” as the lead vocalist for Tower of Power in the 70′s. As an icon of the past and the present, Lenny Williams continues to tour nationally and has recently added acting to his entertaining skills. www.LennyWilliams.com

Lester Chambers
of the Chambers Brothers
Lester Chambers is a Singer, Harmonica and percussion player extraordinaire, pioneering the rock, soul and psychedelic music of the 60′s that inspired so many people. Lester is an American musical Icon performing and recording nearly every musical genre America holds true. The soulful funk of his band drives the audience to get up out of their seats and groove. Lester Chambers is the ideal performer to bring a diverse, cross-generational audience to any venue. Lester Chambers appeals to every lover of contemporary music. Lester knows rock and roll. He Is Rock and Roll! lester-chambers.com

Members of The Doobie Brothers with Tommy Johnston and Marc Russo along with Lara Johnston
As one of the most popular Californian pop/rock bands of the ’70s, the Doobie Brothers evolved from a mellow, post-hippie boogie band to a slick, soul-inflected pop band by the end of the decade. Along the way, the group racked up a string of gold and platinum albums in the U.S., along with a number of radio hits like “Listen to the Music,” “Black Water,” and “China Grove.” Guitarist/vocalist Tom Johnston and Saxophonist Marc Russo will bring the sounds of the Dobbie Brothers to life for this special night at Bimbo’s. www.doobiebros.com

Carlos Reyes &
his Electrick Symphony
Carlos Reyes recording artist, producer, engineer, harpist and violinist– has been breaking musical barriers since his first public performance at the age of five. He made his debut on harp with the Oakland Symphony and his debut on the violin with the Oakland Youth Symphony at just fourteen years of age and then played all over the SF bay area with the Jazz-Rock group Merlin. Along with an international musical reputation, Mr. Reyes has amassed a large enthusiastic Bay Area following, always wondering what new surprise or style of music he’ll bring to the stage. His charismatic personality and outstanding musical talents are a potent combination with which he performs an extensive and entertaining repertoire. www.Carlosreyesmusic.com

Voices of Latin
Rock Experience – Led by legendary percussionist Karl Perazzo with members of Santana, Malo, El Chicano, War, Etta James Band, and Avance
Every musician has an idol, a performer or group that embodies what they wish to become. From his childhood in San Francisco, Karl Perazzo wanted to play with Santana. “I used to play with the band when I was younger,” he jokes, “but then the needle broke.” However, young Perazzo did have considerable talent, and had played with Cal Tjader, Malo, Ray Obiedo, Prince and Andy Narell by the time he was 12. His life-long dream was realized in 1991 when he joined Santana to play timbales. Perazzo has also performed and recorded with Mariah Carey, Dizzy Gillespie, Phish, The United Nations Orchestra and John Lee Hooker. www.myspace.com/karlperazzo

Holly Stell
Dubbed “Petite Pavarotti” by Oprah Winfrey, Holly Stell is a 17 year old beauty with an exceptional gift for singing opera. At age 11 she recorded a duet with Andrea Bocelli and has twice been a soloist at the White House Christmas Tree Lighting. This vocal prodigy has since garnered worldwide acclaim for her angelic stage presence and heartfelt emotional delivery. Just as comfortable performing with a live orchestra in a concert hall as she is playing with her friends in her neighborhood, one thing is certain-Holly Stell will leave a lasting impression. www.hollystell.com

Tickets and Info
Table Reservations Only
Tables for 10: $1,750-$1000 Packages
Tables for 6: $600-$900 Packages
Tables for 4: $600 Packages
More Info at: http://www.rbpevent.com/volr
Table & Raffle Tickets at: http://www.rbpevent.com/volr/paypal
CLICK HERE FOR PURCHASE ORDER/DONATION FORM

Location:
Bimbo’s 365 Club
1025 Columbus Avenue (at Chestnut Street)
San Francisco, CA 94133

http://www.bimbos365club.com

Jim McCarthy
Sussex England
April 2009

Los Lonely Boys’ music and mission is described by the band as their ‘musical burrito theory.” Their music is a sensational meld of Tex-Mex, country, Latin rock, blues and R&B influences, overlaid with a strong pop sensibility. Since their breakthrough recording debut in 2004, Los Lonely Boys have traveled an invigorating creative path. They are a live crowd favourite with some classics already extant in their
powerful song repertoire. Their brand of “Texican” Latin rock is on the rise………….

Los_Lonely_Boys

Los Lonely Boys (Playlist)

This is an essay for the recently released CD Los Lonely Boys – Playlist
for Sony/Legacy.

The first time I heard Los Lonely Boys was, appropriately, when I was pulling into a garage in San Francisco. Both my friend (Ron Sansoe) and I commented on a vivid Latinesque cut coming over the car radio speakers sporting a bright new confident sound with a hard-edged garage-band feel. (By the way, the song was “Mixed Emotions” from their debut album).
Was it a new Santana song? No! It was the sound described by Los Lonely Boys group member Henry Garza thus,” We put all the melodies and stuff that we gathered from the greats man. We put it into a tortilla and make a burrito and feed it to the world man! We got some Stevie Wonder, some Santana, we get some Beatles, some Richie Valens, some Willie Nelson, its what we call the Musical Burrito Theory Man- I ain’t joking!!” The group have further dubbed their musical style as “Texican” in a nod to their Mexican- American heritage.

Los Lonely Boys are comprised of the three brothers, guitarist /vocals Henry Garza, bassist/vocals JoJo Garza and drummer/vocals Ringo Garza Jr. In the 1970’s and 80’s, backing their musician father Enrique “Ringo” Garza, playing conjunto music in The Falcones, the brothers honed their tight harmony vocal style, strong song structures and solid rhythm section with glorious shredding guitar from Henry Garza. Originating from San Angelo, Texas, the band worked the club circuit in Nashville, where the family had relocated.

Moving back to Texas, they recorded their first album at Willie Nelson’s Pedernales studio. The band was picked up on a deal by Epic Records and received national distribution. The “Musical Burrito Theory” was certainly quick to pay the group dividends, with the band experiencing an explosion of success in 2004. In 2005 the group won a Grammy for Best Pop Performance with a Group or Duo Vocal.

Heaven. (H. Garza–J. Garza–R. Garza)
The first single taken from the Los Lonely Boys debut recording, the song is in a crisp, romantic medium tempo with more than a hint of the Tex- Mex blend that heralds their vocal and musical style. Heaven is an encapsulation of their unique West Texan roots and was a successful debut, charting in various categories, including Hot Country Songs. It is also notable for a clear production by famed British record producer John Porter.

Los_Lonely_Boys

Produced by John Porter.
Reese Wynans – organ, piano
Diego Simmons – percussion
Charted (pop) 5/15/04; weeks: 30; peak: #16
Charted (country) 7/31/04; weeks: 20; peak: #46
From Epic single 34K76813 and Epic album Los Lonely Boys (EK 93549), released 2004

Diamonds; (D. Powers–H. Garza–J. Garza–R. Garza)
This cut was the first single from the second album Sacred. It is a rousing anthemic song with constant harmony vocals and rough-hewn melodically rhythmic guitar playing from Henry Garza. Sacred made another high spot in the Billboard chart, arriving at Number 2. Produced by John Porter, Mark Wright & Los Lonely Boys
Reese Wynans, Mike Finnegan – B3 organ
Eric Darken – percussion
John Porter – guitar
From Epic single 82876 83543-2 and Epic album Sacred (82796 94194 2), released. 2006

Staying With Me (H. Garza–J. Garza–R. Garza)
With a hint of Carlos Santana in the intro guitar refrain over an acoustic cha-cha beat, Staying With Me is pure pop perfection with strong hooks and a carefree vibe, overlaid with some fluid solo guitar.
Produced by Steve Jordan & Los Lonely Boys
From Epic single 88697 30453 2 and Epic album Forgiven (88697 17428 2), released. 2008

More Than Love radio remix (H. Garza–J. Garza–R. Garza)
A gentle, soulful song with their trademark close harmonies, a ballad with a bluesy doo-wop lilt, that inhabits an earlier musical time, with a excellent main vocal from Henry Garza. The Live at the Fillmore CD also features a beautiful accapella version of this song. Produced by John Porter
Reese Wynans – organ, piano
From Epic album Los Lonely Boys (EK 93549), released 2004

Heart Won’t Tell A Lie (H. Garza–J. Garza–R. Garza) The intro track to third album Forgiven, sports some startling guitar from Henry Garza and is a straight-ahead blues rock vehicle for some chugging riffing and some strained wah-wah guitar, it is the leading single from the Forgiven album.
Produced by Steve Jordan & Los Lonely Boys
From Epic single 88697 40442 2 and Epic album Forgiven (88697 17428 2), released 2008

Nobody Else (H. Garza–J. Garza–R. Garza)
With his crystal clear, rhythm Fender Telecaster tracing the influence of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Henry Garza lays down the guitar-led start to a blistering love song to that special senorita. The song owes a little to their other big influence, The Beatles, blending succulent harmonies with Texas style power pop. The song also manages a verse in Spanish that further enhances its romantic yearning stance.
Produced by John Porter
Reese Wynn’s – organ, piano
Diego Simmons – percussion
From Epic album Los Lonely Boys (EK 93549), released 2004

I Walk The Line (J. Cash)
Included on the Los Lonely Boys Special Edition version, this Johnny Cash penned classic gets a make over but retains it’s authentic country feeling and the Garza brothers reverence for Mr. Cash’s original.
Produced by Mark Wright & Josh Rabinowitz
Reese Wynans – organ, piano
From Epic album Los Lonely Boys (EK 93549), released 2004

Roses (H. Garza–J. Garza–P. Simmons–R. Garza)
Co-written with Pat Simmons, guitarist from The Doobie Brothers. Roses is another mid-tempo rocker, with an uplifting rhythm section, which creates tension musically, considering the song deals with the pain of a relationship break up! The superb Karl Perazza from Santana supplies extra Latino fire on percussion and stokes the performance even higher.
Produced by John Porter & Los Lonely Boys
Mike Finnegan – organ & Wurlitzer
Karl Perazza – percussion
John Porter – acoustic guitars
From Epic album Sacred (82796 94194 2), released 2006

Texican Style (H. Garza–J. Garza–R. Garza)
With a florid accordion from Michael Guerra, this is a torch song aimed at primo seduction. Again the band features Karl Perazza, Santana’s powerhouse timbalero, adding fire and extra magic to the performance with his fine conga playing.
Produced by John Porter & Los Lonely Boys
Michael Guerra – button accordion
Mike Finnegan – organ
Karl Perraza – percussion
From Epic album Sacred (82796 94194 2), rel. 2006

You Can’t See The Light (H. Garza–J. Garza–R. Garza)
With a stirring guitar opening from Henry Garza, this is about surviving life’s setbacks and a holding onto hope. A song of the value of friendship and the anticipation of better days, A song that is very redolent in these harsh financial times and which contains the spiritual undertones of much of their material.
Produced by Steve Jordan & Los Lonely Boys
Dr. John – Hammond B3
From Epic album Forgiven (88697 17428 2), released 2008

Velvet Sky (H. Garza–J. Garza–R. Garza–K. Wommack–R. Rosen)
Another tune that brings to mind an earlier, simpler time in music, a straight-ahead, organ inflected romantic song. The soaring harmonies, give way to a meaningful wah-wah guitar solo, full of emotion and blues feeling. Like many great Latino musicians the band have that brown–eyed soul vibe, with a nod to their Afro-American roots. The song fades with more feeling drenched guitar playing.
Produced by John Porter
From Epic album Los Lonely Boys (EK 93549), released 2004

Heaven live acoustic version (H. Garza–J. Garza–R. Garza)
This version was included on the single release of the “electric” version of Heaven, it cools the song down but retains the open–ended optimism that is one of the many aspects of this groups musical purpose. It also features some beautiful Spanish vocal interjections.
Produced by John Porter
From Epic Heaven single B-side 76813 and Epic album Los Lonely Boys
(EK 93549), released 2004

La Bamba (R. Valens)
La Bamba put simply is the Johnny B Goode of Latino rock music, it was made famous by Richie Valens in 1958 and was a huge hit. The song is historically a wedding song, originating from the Veracruz area of Mexico. Los Lobos previously made their version from the film soundtrack to La Bamba, based on Valens’ life story and electrified the song to such great effect in 1987 that it earned them a Billboard Number One. Los Lonely Boys here don’t mess with a good thing and before a capacity, fervent San Franciscan Fillmore crowd; they add superb harmonies to the rocking anthem. Part of a stoking set played for the Fillmore audience on October 23 2004.
Produced by Rosalyn Rosen & Kevin Wommack
Reese Wynans – keyboards
From the Epic album Live At The Fillmore (EK 93990), released 2005
My Way (H. Garza–J. Garza–R. Garza)
Some down and dirty rhythm guitar heralds this horn driven blues shuffle with a super funky bass and drum section, locking this down to a seriously tight groove. The horns up the musical ante before a crazily riffing guitar solo, part lead and part rhythm playing over an “oooooooh” harmony refrain.
Produced by John Porter & Los Lonely Boys
Mike Finnegan – organ, keyboards
Lennie Castro – percussion
The Texas Horns
Mark “Kaz” Kazanoff – tenor sax
John Mills – baritone sax
Al Gomez – trumpet
Randy Zimmermann – trombone
From Epic album Sacred (82796 94194 2), released 2006