Internationally renowned percussionist, Bashiri Johnson has recreated the iconic song “I’ll Be Home For Christmas”. The song and its video are dedicated to our troops at home and abroad, with the USO and the Vietnam Veterans of America receiving proceeds from its sale. “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” is the first single from the newly released holiday CD, “I’ll Be Dreaming”, both the CD and single are available on CD Baby.
Bashiri has posted the “Viral Explosion of Love” video on YouTube . “Through the “Viral Explosion of Love” campaign, one can show support for our troops just by clicking and viewing this video (see above)”, says Bashiri. “The more ‘clicks’ the video gets, the more love we will be spreading. Imagine the excitement for the troops and the viewers watching the numbers explode throughout the holiday season!”
May 31st marked the 10th anniversary of the passing of El Rey del Timbal, Ernesto “Tito” Puente, at the age of 77. So much has been said about his gift of dance, music, and arranging. And his legacy will certainly live on through his art.
Here at LP we remember another side of Tito; the Tito Puente who used to visit our office in Garfield, NJ, without any need for an entourage or a car to pick him up. He drove himself here, met his “fans” at our company (for whom he’d accommodate every autograph request he received), and would joke around with company Founder Martin Cohen and the rest of the LP family.
Those of us who were lucky enough to meet and work with this legend will never forget him or his contribution to the genre and to our music instruments. To us, he was more than Tito Puente. He was LP. “Para Siempre El Rey Del Timbal.”
Please help us remember Tito by sharing your thoughts on this blog!
However, I have to say that the hit of the day came from the CoverBand 2010 winners and their performance on Saturday night at the Hilton. Check the two clips below for a taste of what happened and for drum phenom Didi Negron’s killer solo.
LP was a sponsor of the CoverBand 2010 amateur musician contest this past year. The winners were flown to the NAMM show and will perform on Saturday night here in Anaheim. I was lucky enough to catch some of the first rehearsal. I will say there was some trepidation. When you put 7 musicians, who have never met before, in one room and tell them to play, anything can happen. What makes this even more challenging is when your only knowledge of their is abilities is from a 2 minute video clip. I was lucky enough to catch some of the first rehearsal and I will say there was some trepidation as to what might happen. After a bit of tuning and noodling around they jumped into their first song, it was a bit clunky as they tried to connect with each other. Then, it happened. The groove was laid down and they started to lock in. Here is a quick clip of some of that rehearsal.
Wow! What a day! Carlos Santana was gracious enough to visit the LP Booth to help us launch our new LP Aspire Santana Abraxas Congas and Bongos. First off you have to take a look at the crowd that gathered at the booth to see the festivities.
Now for the real show! Starting with Karl Perazzo and finally the man himself, Carlos Santana.
LP made the new LP Jim Greiner Shekere to Jim’s exacting standards. Known as one of the top Shekere players in the world, watch this video of him demonstrating his new instrument.
Chembo Corniel brought his killer jazz quintet out to the NAMM show to perform…and did they ever. Check out this video of Chembo pulling off a killer solo.
