The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Students jam with Latin jazz ensemble
Lorain was filled with the sweet sound and pounding rhythms of music Aug. 11 as the Mexican Mutual Society played host to a Latin Music Jam Session.
Jamming along with Latin City Soul were four Lorain students who took part in Roberto Ocasio Foundation Latin Jazz Camp which wrapped up June 14. The camp attracts students to Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland for a week of intense rehearsals, lessons and cultural experiences.
Eileen Torres, who organized the event, said Elmer Arocho, of Latin City Soul, heard the students play and wanted to work with them.
“So five of them decided they wanted to start rehearsing with Elmer’s band and today they’re going to be performing,” she said. “We thought it would be a great idea just to have them come out and show what they’ve been doing.”
The students, Kiliyah Mair, 18; CVO Oquendo, 14; Pablo Oquendo II, 15; Omar Vargas, 18; and Julissa Vargas, 18, had previously only played written music by the notes on the page, but
Torres said Arocho taught them to play “by ear” or without sheet music.
Julissa Vargas was not present at the jam session due to illness.
The free event was open to the public and local musicians were invited to bring their instruments and sit in with the band.
Pablo said the whole thing has been a learning opportunity.
“I get to play more of the music I know a little bit about and I get to learn a lot,” he said.
Arocho said all of the students are very talented.
“I was surprised,” he said. “You’ve got Pablo here playing a violin and next thing you know he’s pulling out a trombone. You’ve got Kiliyah here she’s amazing; catches on real quick. They all do. They’re amazing kids; a lot of talent.”
Torres also used the event to announce the new Latino Festival Lorain which will take place Sept. 28 at Black River Landing, 421 Black River Lane in Lorain.
“We’ve got a very heavy lineup of musicians and dancers and at the end of the evening we are going to screen the film ‘Shine’
which has some Lorain connection,” she said. “We intend to make this an annual event and it’s our first foray into a Latino festival and having Black River Landing we think is something that has been a long time coming.”
Torres said Latin music has been conspicuously absent on the stage at the landing especially considering the deep roots the music has in the community and the fine musicians that call Lorain their home.
“We feel like we’re left out, so we’re going to hold our own festival and celebrate the beauty of Latino culture and educate the public about who we are as a community,” she said.