ARTICLE IN COSTA RICAN NEWSPAPER "LA REPUBLICA"

http://www.larepublica.net/app/cms/cms_periodico_showpdf.php?id_menu=50&pk_articulo=39263&codigo_locale=es-CR">

NEXT GIG:1/15 12 AT 1:00 PM SANTA BARBARA JAZZ SOCIETY CONCERT!

"Our first performance of the new year". On Sunday, January 15, 2012, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM, we will be performing at Soho Music Club (1221 State Street, in Santa Barbara), as part of the monthly Santa Barbara Jazz Society gathering. Everyone welcome! We will be playing some music from our upcoming "LUZ" CD. With Tom Etchart on bass, George Friedenthal on piano, Jonathan Dane on trumpet, Narciso Sotomayor on guitar and yours truly on drums, flute and melodica. Hope to see you!!

"INVISIBLE REVIEW # 6 :SANTA BARBARA INDEDENDENT

"ONE OF THE MOST STYLISH, ROMANTIC AND FULLY REALIZED SUITES OF MUSIC OF ANY RELEASED THIS YEAR"
To read the full review, go to:
http://www.independent.com/news/2010/apr/26/luis-munoz-releases-eminvisibleem/

"INVISIBLE" AVAILABLE NOW AT LUISMUNOZ.NET

Although my new CD won't be officially released nationwide until March 16, it is already available exclusively at "Luismunoz.net".
Also, don't forget our upcoming shows:
2/19/10, 3/5/10 and 3/19/10, from 7 to 10:00 PM, all free!, at "My Florist", ( 76 South Oak Street, Ventura, CA 93001-2702. (805) 653-0003),
4/29/10 at Soho: 1221 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA.(805) 962-7776, at 8:00 PM. Hope to see you! Luis.

LUCKY DAY IN PARADISE!

I am riding my new scooter that I won in a raffle the day before Christmas. I am by the beach in beautiful Santa Barbara, CA on a perfect January "Summer" day (70 degrees). First time I ever win anything, and I am going to make sure I enjoy it!!!!

Last Friday session, 10/30/09

With master Costa Rican percussionist Ramses Araya, doing some Bata tracks on "Sobrevivenvia", last Friday night, at Tantrum Studios, in Montecito, CA. ¡Linda mae, gracias! L.

Recording "Tango"

My friend George Quirin at yesterday's session, doing the guitar track for "Tango y Sangre de la Media Noche". Tomorrow I will be at Sound Design Recording Studios in Santa Barbara, working with my old partner in crime, Dominic Camardella. We'll be recording some Hammond organ tracks with Jimmy Calire ( a great Buffalo, NY musician who used to play with the group "America". His son drums for Ozomatli). I am already more than half way done with the new recording, and very happy with the results so far. L.

BETWEEN RECORDING SESSIONS 2!

Taking a break from recording (next week i have lots of sessions), trying to clear the mind and after cooking a big Moroccan meal ( butternut squash and lentil soup, fennel and black olive salad with lemon vinaigrette, caramelised onions with chargrilled eggplants, spicy prawns, basmati rice, figs with rosewater, almonds and honey, and of course, moroccan mint tea, we went to an orchid show in search of the "Guaria Morada", the Costa Rican National Flower. Hundreds of flowers later, we walked out empty handed but joyful !

3RD SESSION, TAMTRUM STUDIOS, MONTECITO, CA 12/08

THIRD SESSION FOR NEW PROJECT ON 12/19/08. FIRST, WE REHEARSED AT MY STUDIO, THEN AFTER A GOOD HOME COOK MEAL, WE HEADED TO TAMTRUM STUDIOS IN MONTECITO, CA WHERE GUITARRIST CHRIS JUDGE AND BASSIST TOM ETCHART LAID DOWN SOME AWSOME TRACKS ON "DE ALMA Y SOMBRA" AND "ESPERANZA". GOOD URUGUAYAN FRIEND, EX MANAGER AND ALL AROUND GOOD GUY/ MUSIC LOVER BETO DE LEON JOINED IN. THINGS ARE GOING BETTER THAN EXPECTED. THIS MORNING AT 3:00 AM I AM OFF TO TUCSON, AZ. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!

SECOND RECORDING SESSION AT BEAGLE STUDIOS FOR NEW CD

Th greatest joy in the world for a composer is to get in the studio exactly what at one point only existed in his or her imagination. Lois Mahalia gave me just that last night with her performance of "HYMN". Beautiful voice, beautiful soul. Thanks Lois!

FIRST RECORDING SESSION AT BEAGLE STUDIOS FOR NEW CD

I was very glad to be back this weekend to Beagle Studio for the first session for a new CD to be released next year. Located in Montecito, CA, Beagle Studios is a beautiful place surrounded by fields of green and forests of pine trees and oaks. Singer Andy Zuñiga and studio owner Emmet Sargeant were also there. This coming week, beautiful and talented singer Lois Mahalia, along with guitarist Chris Judge and bass player Tom Etchart will cut some tracks including the lead vocals for a Gospel spiritual "Hymn"

HYMN


Blessed are the ones who surrender to Love
For they’ll inherit the Kingdom of Heaven
Few are the ones who will rise from despair
Many the ones who are bowed down and fallen (but)

Hope is a waking dream, it’s a sunrise
Hope…from a withered tree, flowers blossom.

Open your heart to the world and rejoice (and)
Live as if you’ll die tomorrow
Learn as if you’ll live forever and
Hope as if hope were the beat of your heart.

In the twilight each star is a dream
Blessed are the dreamers on top of the mountain
Wise are the ones who seek treasures within
For they will find and drink from the fountain

Hope is a waking dream, it’s a sunrise
Hope…from a withered tree, flowers blossom.

Open your heart to the world and rejoice and
Live as if you’ll die tomorrow
Learn as if you’ll live forever and
Hope as if hope were the beat of your heart.
----------------
Hope is a waking dream, it’s a sunrise
Hope…from a withered tree, flowers blossom.

Open your heart to the world and rejoice (and)
Live as if you’ll die tomorrow
Learn as if you’ll live forever and
Hope, step away from the shadow
Love with no fear and no sorrow

.

40 OF MY FAVORITE RECORDINGS OF ALL TIME

NEW FAMILY MEMBER!

This is our new family member. No name yet (any ideas?), but we are enjoying him very much! Welcome little guy!!!!

NEXT PERFORMANCES: 3/16 AND 3/26

On Sunday, March 16, at 3:00 PM, we will be performing at the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara ( 1535 Santa Barbara St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (805) 965-4583 ). On Wednesday, March 26, at 7:30 PM, we will be performing in Ventura at Bombay Grill ( 143 S California St Ventura, CA 93001-2803 Phone: (805) 643-4404). We will be posting more information about both shows in the upcoming days. Hope to see you!

WE WELCOME BRAD DUTZ TO THE BAND!

Marimba player and overall percussionist extraordinaire Brad Dutz is the new official member of the band and we welcome him. Brad is a veteran of the LA studio scene( you can hear his work on movies like "Ocean's Eleven", "Syriana" and "Hidalgo", or TV shows like "King of the Hill" and "Family guy", and on recordings by Vinnie Golia, Ricky Lee Jones, Willie Nelson or Alanis Morrissette among many). We are very happy to have him around. Luis.

ANOTHER GREAT REVIEW! LA JAZZ SCENE 11/07

LUIS MUNOZ/OF SOUL AND SHADOW (Pelín Music)

Based in Santa Barbara, composer and multi-instrumentalist Luis Muñoz combines the best of heart-rending Latin Jazz with the soul of Central America. He grew up in Costa Rica, attended the University of Costa Rica and the nation's National Music Conservatory; then moved to the U.S. in 1974. At UC Santa Barbara, he earned his degree in Music Composition and has written prolifically since then. His latest album explores the idioms of Costa Rican folklore, classical music and Jazz through 10 originals that swing hard or simmer gracefully: sometimes both.

Saxophonists David Binney and Tom Buckner give Muñoz the exciting sound that he wants, as his ensembles get into a groove. When trombonist Ira Nepus steps into the spotlight on "La Semilla", the heat is on. He is complemented by high note trumpeter Adolfo Acosta, as a wide array of percussion keeps the motion flowing strong. This one brings out the goose bumps! Then, Muñoz contrasts his program with Ron Kalina's soulful harmonica on "Al Silencio", which mourns confortingly to nurse the evening's woes away. The composer's drum set ties the unit together seamlessly, as blues turns into a hopeful dawn with all its positive magic.

Elsewhere, the composer brings us impressions of the tradition that has built Central America for hundreds of years. Vocals by Andy Zúñiga and more harmonica, saxophone and trumpet spotlights give the session personality. On flute, Muñoz carries a deep, heartfelt charm; on piano, he delivers with sensitivity. This recommended album rocks hard while highlighting the cultural background that makes Latin Jazz the emotional tool that has captured our heart and soul.

Jim Santella/ LA Jazz Scene

NYC 7/07 Jazz

With Adam at the Village Vanguard/Paul Motian's Quintet

NYC 7/07

THE LATEST ON "DE ALMA Y SOMBRA"

I am done mixing "De Alma y Sombra". I am now mastering and working on the art work, gigs and charts to start performing live the new material. Needless to say, I am VERY happy with the results. It took me two years to write, arrange and record it all, but it's been totally worth it. The CD will be out in June, on the City Hall Records label.
I 've made a few changes to the band's format. This time it will be a 8 piece ensemble, with the addition of percussionist John Nathan handling mainly the marimba parts. We will continue exploring the mix of Costa Rican flocklore and Jazz that we started to do on this new recording (John is on three tracks on "De Alma..."). Costa Rican percussionist Ramses Araya, also present on the new recording, will be joining us on several gigs. Regards! Luis.