December 30, 2012 ~ Updates on Karlos Paez and Steve Harris ... Live at Casbah!

I have had the pleasure of working with so many great bands in San Diego and I am so excited about many of them performing within the same setting tonight at The Casbah.

I interviewed B*Side Players' frontman Karlos Paez for Reggae Nucleus Magazine in the late 1990's and wanted to catch up with him on his thoughts on his performance this evening.

I have been a fan of B*Side Players for many years and I am sure that quite a few San Diegans have seen them perform; however, I rarely (if ever) see them on the same bill with The Styletones (of which singer Steve Harris, who is also performing tonight) is a part. I sense a similarity in conviction and personal mission with regard to music and promoting soul music from various regions.

Karlos will be performing with special guests and creating a more latin/dance/party set with Cumbias, Reggae and Rancheritas. He "has been representing the South Bay for twenty years and continues to live within and inspire his community through conscious music and lyrics." His goal is to "continue to tour the U.S. and Mexico 6 months a year and have toured with The Wailers, Toots and the Maytals, Ben Harper, The Headhunters & Arrested Development." He is also excited about finishing a new record "with Mexico's best Banda musicians from Sinaloa" and intends to "travel the world and unite different cultures through Music!"

During my conversation with Steve Harris he commented on several bands that are performing tonight. He has played several times with The Amalgamated and attended high school with the frontman, Raphael "RIP" Pena.

Harris says he respects the way The Amalgamated honor Caribbean rude boy culture and their role in rebuilding the scene locally -- which he believes has infused it " ... with fresh musicians and faces."

Harris says that he has known Karlos Paez since the 1990's, performed with him recently during a Gregory Isaacs tribute and considers him "a star" and that his style "is impeccable as is the way he represents his people."

The mutual respect I sense among these performers is exciting in itself; it definitely brings an energy and enthusiasm that will positively impact this evening's show.

The Amalgamated, Karlos Paez, Steve Harris, and The Soulfires all perform Sunday, December 30, 2012 at The Casbah, 2501 Kettner Boulevard, San Diego. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. and tickets are available online at www.casbahmusic.com as well as at the door.

12/30/12: Local Painters featured with Bands at The Casbah

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2012 at The Casbah:

Local artists Martin Nasim, True Delorenzo and Nick Bahula will be displaying art and painting live as part of the December 30, 2012 Casbah show with the following bands: The Amalgamated, Karlos Paez of B*Side Players, The Soulfires and Steve Harris of The Styletones. Tickets are on sale at www.casbahmusic.com.

MARTIN NASIM

"I was born during the summer of 1977 in the capital of my country Bulgaria, Sofia. My name is Martin Nasim, I am a son of two cultures. My father is from Afghanistan and my mother is from Bulgaria. Now we all live in sunny San Diego, California. I’ve loved drawing from as far back as I can remember. As a teenager, I fell in love with black and white photography and went on to study it for 5 years in school. I won an award in International Assembly of Photography 1996 organized by The Red Cross.

After serving in the military for 1 year, my life went in different directions as I was searching for my way. During those years, I designed primarily with pencils and black markers. I started tattooing professionally in 2004. I am a self-taught painter inspired by objects in nature that I observe and rearrange through my own thought interpretation. I love to find solutions with the help of my imagination. I work two with very different medias.

I use paint markers and Plexiglas for canvas or needles and skin, but each piece gives me the energy of new love that I am creating. Sometimes when I paint I just see the image. Other times, I have no idea what is coming next and what will happen. Sometimes it’s just relaxing, like a meditation. My canvas, no matter skin, Plexiglas or paper, is like my personal diary. I want to share my art journey through life with whoever finds it interesting, inspiring, and touching."

TRUE DELORENZO

"When I was in Milan, Italy, I saw the New York Museum Travelling Exhibit of Modern Art Collection. I was so impressed by the American artists that I came back to California to become a full-time artist. My style is called post 9/11 abstract expressionism. Before 9/11, I was a graphic designer and after 9/11, I recognized how life can be cut short and it’s important to do what makes you the happiest. So I became serious about expressing myself with paint rather than digitally.

The artists that have inspired my work would start with Van Gogh, Gauguin, the impressionists, Pablo Picasso, Matisse, Modigliani, and the New York School, especially Willem de Kooning, Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, Phillip Guston, and pop artists Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, and Basquiat. Each inspires me in a different way, but I am especially inspired by color and emotional brushwork and accidental drips that have an organic feeling.

Each work of art that I do is always unique and original in itself unless I paint a bunch of canvasses at the same time. Those are generally in the same theme, style and color pallets. But the most unique paintings that I do are my self-portraits because each one shows my emotions as an artist at the time I’m painting it."


NICK BAHULA

"Nick Bahula has emerged over the past 12 years, making a name for himself throughout Southern California. He mixes Jackson Pollck-style drips with environmental themes, using watercolor, powdered paint and, if the weather permits, a little rain. His performance painting skills have been seen as part of the Summer Rooftop Series at the Riverside Art Museum.

Nick has been a donating artist for Sea No Evil show and the Mayor's Ball for the Arts."

Thursday, December 13th: Sweet Indulgence (South Bay Holiday Edition)

TONIGHT! Thursday, December 13th at 7:00 p.m., we are at Ono's Cafe in Bonita (4154 Bonita Road) for delicious Asian-fusion cuisine, accompanied by the music of Justin Werner, art by Holly B Designs, Quentin Anderson 2 and Magno Designs. Holiday gift ideas galore, beautiful community setting, and specials on fabulous rolls until 10 p.m. Looking forward to seeing you there.

If you have any questions on this or any other events, please email suitebrigitte@gmail.com. See you soon!

Artist Quentin Anderson 2 Appearing at Ono's on December 13th!

Sweet Indulgence on December 13, 2012 features Artist QUENTIN ANDERSON 2, who will be painting and selling art for the holidays this month at Ono's Cafe in Bonita!

About Quentin:

"I feel like I have always had a beautiful perspective on life growing up in San Diego, California. I have always had a running imagination and there has been much inspiration around me to fuel my creativity. My family and friends did and still continue to cheer and support every artistic effort I embark on, which is a continuous learning experience in every way.

Through the years I have found many different ways to create and show my artistic expression, and it is always a blessing to see the beautiful inspiring work others have done. I believe there is art in everything around us, it just takes an open mind to see it."

You will love the energy and beautiful creations that Quentin offers. The special holiday party at Ono's starts at 7:00 p.m, 4154 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA.

12/30: The Amalgamated, Karlos Paez of B*Side Players, Steve Harris of The Styletones and The Soulfires at The Casbah!

Sunday, December 30, 2012: An Evening of Eclectic Live Music + Art

The Amalgamated, Karlos Paez of B*Side Players, Steve Harris and The Soulfires perform at The Casbah in San Diego. Also included in the evening -- live art and displays by True Delorenzo, Martin Nasim and Nick Bahula. Tickets available now via the Casbah website. Doors open at 8:30 p.m.

KARLOS PAEZ of B*SIDE PLAYERS

"Karlos Paez born July 22, 1972 and raised in Tijuana, Mexico by his mother Refugio Mujica from Tecate, MX and Father Ezequiel Paez from El Recodo, Sinaloa. His father Ezequiel Paez is a world-renowned trombone player and musical arranger who spent 17 years in Los Moonlights from Tijuana and 10 years in La Banda El Recodo. Paez, Sr. still composes and arranges music for Banda El Recodo, Los Recoditos, La Arrolladora Banda Limon de Rene Camacho, Diana Reyes, Rey Sanchez, Nico Flores, Ezequiel Peña, Banda Astilleros, Banda el Recreo, Banda Carnaval, Pedro Infante, El Coyote, Patricia Navidad, Banda La Costeña, & Marisela.

While he was still in grammar school, Karlos heard the music of Bob Marley & Carlos Santana; he started playing guitar, trombone, trumpet, and began to write songs. He met the musicians that would become the first incarnation of The B*Side Players in an African Drumming class at Southwestern Community College in San Diego in 1994. “We were all playing with bands in the local funk, punk rock, and acid jazz scene in the early 90s,” Paez recalls. “When we started playing together, our sound was different because we brought an Afro-Latin edge to the music.”

Karlos Paez has recorded and collaborated with Akwid, Poncho Sanchez, DJ Dus, Fred Wesley, Big B, War, Asdru & Raul Pacheco of Ozomatli, Quetzal, Brian Jordan, Harold Todd, Mike Clark & The Headhunters, RYMO of Slightly Stoopid, P.O.D., DJ Unite, Elijah Emmanuel & The Revelations, Hyena & Gilbert Castellanos.

After 18 years, Karlos Paez is still touring and recording with the B*Side Players but has made time to produce and create many other musical projects. As the creator, lead singer and songwriter of Maiz, Chula Vista Soldier Club, Black Market Discipes, Sonido De La Frontera and Solrak and the New Aztec Empire, Karlos Paez celebrates his first solo record Music, Culture, Love. With the help of San Diego’s most talented musicians and producer/musician Bryan Stratman, the record delivers organic, soulful, cosmic grooves with conscious lyrics inspired by the MUSIC, CULTURE, and LOVE of Karlos Paez." www.karlospaez.com

THE AMALGAMATED

"Based in San Diego, the Amalgamated spun off from the Hi-Lites in early 2007. Five members of the Hi-Lites -- an eight-piece ska band -- left the group due to a falling out with bassist James Trent, who also writes the band's original tunes.

The five members who bolted and two other former Hi-Lites formed the Amalgamated, a ska-jazz band with early-1960s rock-steady and reggae influences.

“We are an incredible live band that makes everyone dance to up-tempo beats and can also get you into a groove with light reggae textures. We open each song up for solos, allowing all members the opportunity to show off their improvisation talents. The creativity flowing may remind the audience of great jazz standards being performed.”

The band has appeared at the Belly Up Tavern, Casbah, Soma, Queen Bee’s Cultural Center, Winston’s, O’Connell’s, Royal Dive, Hensley’s Flying Elephant, Kensington Club, Radio Room, and the Ramona Mainstage.

Founding Amalgamated trombone player Keith Duncan left the group in 2009, followed by founding percussionist Chris Wise, who also co-founded the Hi-Lites. The band also lost August Christman (bass), Dave Polnik (sax), Sean Conway (trumpet), Mark McLemore (drums), and Charles Roy (guitar).

Drummer Jason Yandall left the band in June 2011, to concentrate on his new band Ottly Mercer. Amalgamated guitarist Reggie Costa is mixing and co-producing OM’s upcoming debut album, while Amalgamated singer Raphael “Rip” Peña has helped them book shows as their promoter."

STEVE HARRIS

"Stevie Harris is an American musician from Cleveland, Ohio, whose music blends elements of rock, funk, soul, hip hop, and blues. After relocating to San Diego, CA, he started recording for Cargo Records, writing and co-producing the eclectic acoustic album Pebble, and the record Armeghetto for his post punk funk outfit, Conglomerate. Released from the label, Harris moved to Oakland, CA, where he released several independent albums in various styles while performing around the world as a member of the Remarkable Current, most notably recording songs with Talib Qweli and Mos Def.

Upon his return to San Diego, Harris transformed himself into the James Brown-esque frontman for the Styletones and the post apocalyptic funk bluesman of Stevie & the Hi-Staxx receiving best new artist nominations at the San Diego Music Awards, two years in a row for two different bands."

THE SOULFIRES

"The Fire Eaters began as an instrumental soul jazz and funk band that includes members of The Styletones and Pocket. Drummer Jake Najor also plays with Connie Price and The Keystones. In 2012, the band changed its name to The Soulfires.

In a way, the band is the next generation in a rich local history of soul and acid jazz. According to keyboardist Tim Felten, “As far as how we fit into this, Jake has played with both Robert Walter and Karl Denson, and Jake’s brother Zak was an original founding member of the Greyboy Allstars. So, there’s some lineage here with Jake.”

The band started in 2009, when they backed Ikah Love during his El Dorado residency. “That was the catalyst that got this band going. We moved on to El Camino and ended up parting ways with Ikah and doing our own stuff,” says Najor.

They cut their teeth playing standards in the genre and got tight through constant gigging, armed with vintage equipment, warm tones, soulful arrangements, and chops. “The goal is to write more originals. Opening it up to different influences. That soul-jazz music is very prevalent in what we do, but we do want to move it forward,” says Najor."

December 21, 2012: Eklektic Soul + Foreign Film at Go Lounge