#360 Victor Mendoza- Vibraphonist, Composer, Educator and More!Victor
This week’s guest is Victor Mendoza. Vibraphonist, producer, composer, and educator Victor Mendoza of Mexican origin is considered by international critics as one of the finest artists in the Latin Jazz and Contemporary Jazz world, in addition to his reputation as an educator. As a soloist, Mendoza’s performances include appearances with the World Festival Orchestra, NYC under the direction of Paquito de Rivera, Milan Svoboda Orchestra, Prague, Sinfonica Carlos Chávez in Mexico, Symphony Orchestra of the City of Granada, Spain, Kaunas Big Band in Lithuania and the prestigious Jazz Knights Big Band of West Point. Recent concerts include performances in Japan, Korea and Taiwan National Concert Hall and the International Jazz Festival ∫ Taichung for an audience of more than 100 thousand spectators. His recordings and concerts include collaborations with, Paquito D' Rivera, Claudio Roditi, George Garzone, Gary Burton, Dave Samuels, Giovanni Hidalgo, Horacio "El Negro" Hernández, Antonio Sánchez and Lee Konitz. The recordings If Only You Knew and This is Why were praised by international critics and, partly because of this, the prestigious magazine Latin Beat named him among the most outstanding artists in the genre of Latin jazz. Black Bean Blues, was named one of the best recordings of the year by Modern Drummer Magazine, and Jazziz Magazine mentioned Mendoza as "the leader of the vibraphone in this genre, and one of its most imaginative composers." As a former Professor at the Berklee College of Music and Artist/Clinician for Yamaha and Vic Firth, Mendoza achieved international recognition for his work as a vibraphone teacher, Latin Jazz improvisation and Contemporary Composition course work, as well as leading his prestigious Latin Jazz ensembles. Mendoza frequently conducts master classes in major universities and conservatories around the world including the Superior Conservatory of Paris, Reina Sofia Conservatory of Madrid, Royal College in London, Royal Northern College of Music and National Universities in Taiwan, Korea, and throughout South America. His clinics include lectures and performances at the International Association of Jazz Educators, and the Percussive Arts Society International Conference. Currently, Mendoza maintains an active schedule presenting Masterclasses at universities and conservatories around the world. Mendoza Vibe is the most recent project of the renowned vibraphonist, with which he presents a new original repertoire together with his quintet. His art of combining Contemporary Jazz wih the rhythms of the Latin America and Spain creates a great diversity of musical expression, which has enriched in a very special way his wide and brilliant execution of this genre
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to Ross Pederson! Ross is an explosive, sensitive, dynamic, and compelling voice on the drum set and in the studio, Ross has in the last decade emerged as an in-demand drummer and producer in Brooklyn, NY. Ross has shared the stage with renowned, diverse and prominent musicians/artists as Fred Hersch, Snarky Puppy (recorded on their first album, The Only Constant), The Manhattan Transfer, Take 6, Eddie Gomez, Kenny Werner, Patti Austin, Shayna Steele, David Cook, Chris Potter, Melissa McMillan, Grace Kelly, Emmy Rossum, Jessie James, David Binney, Lew Soloff, Nir Felder, Will Lee, Kevin Hayes, Jean-Michel Pilc, Rufus Reid, Mark Egan, Francois Moutin, Ben Wendel, John Ellis, Tim Lefevbre, Gary Versace, Oz Noy, Marc Johnson, Patricia Barber, Henry Hey, Lynne Arriale, Johannes Weidenmueller, Jon Hendricks, Madeline Eastman, Joe Martin, Taylor Eigsti, John Abercrombie, Billy Drewes, Rich Perry, Wycliffe Gordon, Gilad Hekselman, Pete McCann, Kate McGarry, Ralph LaLama, among many others. As a sideman, Ross has recorded on dozens of albums ranging from Jazz trio to Indie Rock. He is a current member of the bands of Shayna Steele, Melissa McMillan and Grace Kelly, The Manhattan Transfer, as well as a frequent member of the Kenny Werner and Fred Hersch Trios. In addition to his jazz roots Ross stays in touch with his rock, pop, and singer-songwriter roots, playing with and producing jazz, soul/R&B, folk, rock, and indie-electronic artists in Brooklyn at his home studio.
Happy Birthday to Richie Flores! Richie Flores is one of the most in demand percussionists of today’s active music scene. Born in Brooklyn, New York, raised in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, Richie was a prodigious child that began playing congas at the early age of 5. He embarked on his professional career by age 8 playing with Grupo Batacumbele and Roberto Roena and the Apollo Sound. By age 13, he traveled to New York to play with Roberto Roena at the Village Gate, making him one of the youngest musicians ever to travel with a band outside of Puerto Rico. He continued performing professionally while studying percussion at the highly regarded Escuela Libre de Musica in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico.
Richie’s musical career continued to evolve by playing with some of the most respected and celebrated artists in Music today such as Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Cachao, The Fania All Stars, Gato Barbieri, Hilton Ruiz, David Sanchez, Tropijazz All Stars, Jack Bruce of Cream, McCoy Tyner and even the Beastie Boys. He has participated on many notable recordings, including the Grammy Award Winning albums “Master Sessions – Volume I,” 1995 by Cachao, Dave Samuels 2003 “The Gathering” and The Celia Cruz 2002-2003 double Grammy winner album “La negra tiene tumbao”. Grammy nominated albums “Arete” by Eddie Palmieri in 1996 and on “Palmas” in 1994, as well as David Sanchez’s Grammy nominated album “Obsession” in 1997 and many more. He played for President Clintons Inauguration in 1998 and for the UN…All the Presidents around the world in 2000.
Happy Birthday to Giovanni Hidalgo! Gio was born in Puerto Rico in 1963 and grew up in home filled with the drums, bongos, congas and timbales used by his father and grandfather, both musicians themselves. Gio began playing on a home made conga crafted by his father from a wooden barrel, when he was just eight years old. He also practiced on other percussion instruments, applying his great talent to become one of the top Latin percussionists in the world today.
Gig Alerts
Friend of the show, Luis Conte will be leading his band, Super Bien at the Baked Potato in Los Angeles on December the 8th at 8 and 10pm. Friend of the show, Kevin Ricard will also be in that band.
The NYC Tree Lighting will be taking place on NBC networks and at Rockafeller Center on Wednesday November 29th at 7pm EST.
Damon will be playing on Nantucket for the Christmas Stroll from December 1st-2nd. 8-10pm with Emily Angell at the Brotherhood of Thieves, then 11-1am with Concrete Jungle at the Chicken Box, the hip hop cover band (both days).
The Rolling Stones have announced a brand-new tour sponsored by AARP, taking them back on the road across 16 North American cities to support their new album, Hackney Diamonds. Fans can expect to hear the Stones’ biggest hits, including “Start Me Up,” “Gimme Shelter,” “Satisfaction,” and more, as well as deep cuts and music from their latest album. -Article
Educational Spotlight
The educational spotlight is Cory Wong’s Syncopated Summer Camp, taking place in Nashville, TN between August 5-8th 2024.
Iconic Recording
The iconic recording was picked out by Victor. It is “La Inocencia” by Israel Fernández.
Added bonus is the Christmas Classics (and other Holiday Favorites) Spotify playlist that was created by Damon and Marcos Torres.
Music News
You can still donate to organizatons like the Percussive Arts Society AFTER giving Tuesday has passed!
The World Percussion Committee for the Percussive Arts Society has created social media pages. You can visit and subscribe to all of them HERE. The handles are @PASWPC on all platforms.
“Say It Isn’t So” – over 50 years after the formation of Hall & Oates, Daryl Hall is officially suing John Oates. Here’s what we know about the legal battle. -Article
Happy Thanksgiving, Live Nation: Weeks after reporting its “biggest quarter ever,” the Ticketmaster parent has been slapped with a subpoena from the U.S. Senate. -Article
Delayed or canceled flight? Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Erika Kullburg team up to show you what you’re entitled to when your flight is delayed or canceled for reasons within the airlines control.
Victor Mendoza Interview
The song leading into the interview is "Blue Picasso" feat. Paquito D´Rivera.
The seafood restaurant Damon refers to that they ate at is Pier 48 in Indianapolis, IN.
Victor lives in Valencia Spain and teaches at their Berklee Campus.
Damon mentions Teddy Brown, Lionel Hampton, and Milt Jackson.
Damon also mentions Orff instruments.
Victor brings up Gary Burton and Cal Tjader.
Mike Maninieri and Roy Ayers inspired Victor and his playing.
Victor talks about what he presented for his clinic at PASIC.
Victor talks about some of his forthcoming projects.
Horacio Salgán has written a book on Tango that talks about the instruments and rhythms that are played.
Victor has about 30+ Mexican wrestling masks on display.
Victor’s first instruments were the maracas then later piano and drumset before vibraphone.
Victor was born in Chihuahua Mexico, and also lived in Taos, NM and Madrid Spain as a kid.
Victor studied with John Grant in Taos, NM. Later with Sonny Payne.
Victor talks about the importance of finding a teacher and some of his teaching techniques.
Victor talks about how he chose to attend Northern Arizona University.
Victor studied with Marg Holmgren, Karen Nervin, and Mitchell Peters.
Victor later studied with the late Dave Samuels.
Damon mentions the “Latin Side of the Vibes” concert.
The vibraphonists with the Joe Cuba Sextet were Tommy Berríos and Phil Diaz.
Victor talks about being friends with the Nandayapa family and studying some Mexican marimba styles from Chiapas.
Victor mentions the marimba festival in Chiapas and the Roca Percussion Festival in Argentina.
Victor talks about his new projects.
Victor chooses the iconic recording. The honorable mention is Israel Fernandez and Niña Pastori from the latin grammys.
Victor uses Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets, Zildjian Cymbals, Yamaha Instruments and Mallet Kat.
Shout-out to Mike Mainieri, Gary Burton, Dave Samuels, David Friedman, Ed Sanidon and many more!
