City son Lebron set bar for Levitt Amp Music Series
Edwin Lebron and an accompanying band delivered high energy during their appearance at the Levitt Amp Music Series in Mill Hill Park Trenton last week.
Their hot salsa sound which started with a blaring trumpet that pierced the air in the historic downtown landscape, ended with much deserved applause as Lebron, born and raised in the capital city, made good on his promise to excite a crowd that included many family members.
While the Mill Hill music party required stamina, the after party fatigued Lebron as his visit demanded time with family and friends. The morning after found the 38-yearold performer exhausted by in good spirits.
“I’m a little rested. Not much,” Lebron noted, as his voice delivered his condition ahead of his admission. “I should be better by tomorrow. I had a long night. My family came over and we just had a great time, eating, drinking and lots of laughing mixed with memories. You always leave room for talking about the old days.”
Lebron added a historical reference to his Mill Hill show as his former kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Alexander, and third-grade teacher, Carmen Molina, attended. Lebron, a 1997 Trenton Central High School graduate, said their appearance surprised him.
“And what an honor to have them there to watch and hear our music. I don’t remember many of my teachers but Mrs. Alexander and Ms. Molina watched over me. I keep in touch with (Molina) on Facebook. It’s always good to remember good things from your past.”
Lebron said his after-party included a reconnect with godparents Lorraine and Kike Soto. “My godfather Kike is one of the most famous cuatro (guitar) players. He played in this group named Estrellas de Caribe. Music from New York, Philadelphia and Trenton have played with him.”
Salsa music lovers who missed Lebron last week receive another chance when he appears as part of the city’s Puerto Rico Parade on Sept. 8.
Connect with Lebron at www.instagram.com/EdwinLebronBaby. Www.facebook.com/ EswinLebronSalsero
Music is available on ITunes, Google Play, Spotify, Pandora and all Digital Download online stores and Streams.
The free music series continues Thursday, Aug. 22 as La Misa Negra headlines. Trenton Downtown Association noted that the seven-piece band hails from “Oakland, Calif. and delivers an electrifying blend of heavyweight cumbia and highenergy, Afro-Latin music to create infectious dance grooves with punk rock energy. Powered by horn and accordiondriven riffs, a fierce rhythm section, and a vintage Colombian sound, the band was founded by composer, guitarist, and accordion player, Marco Polo Santiago, and consists of Colombian-born Diana Trujillo (lead vocals), Justin Chin (tenor and baritone sax), Morgan Nilsen (tenor sax and clarinet), Craig Bravo (drums and percussion), Elena de Troya (percussion) and Paul Martin Sounder (upright bass and percussion).”
La Misa Negra will have to bring it if the group intends to match the performance delivered by Lebron.
Interminable opens the eighth concert as a Phillybased futuristic fusion effort that “explores the modern diasporic experience, with covers and originals both in English and Spanish. Through their music, Interminable gives voice to socio-political themes often ignored, like displacement, migration, and identity. Interminable searches for common threads of improvisation throughout son jarocho (from Veracruz, México), jazz, rock, classical, and electronic music.”
The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with La Misa Negra on at approximately 6:30 p.m. Food, fun and art. Blankets, beach chairs and positive energy welcome.
L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter @LAParker6 or email him at LAParker@Trentonian.com.