FREE/CD RELEASE CONCERT IN VENTURA, CA, ON 2/19/10

On Friday, February 19 I will be having the first of several CD release concerts. This one will take place in Ventura, CA at "My Florist" Cafe and Bar, a very cool venue with a wonderful menu, a big stage and a beautiful grand piano ( 76 South Oak Street
Ventura, CA 93001-2702. (805) 653-0003), from 7 to 10:00 PM. The concert is "FREE" to the public. I will be performing material from the new release, "Invisible", with a sextet featuring Jonathan Dane on trumpet, Brad Dutz on percussion and marimba, Tom Etchart on bass, George Friedenthal on piano and Narciso Sotomayor on guitar. For more info, you can visit my official web site(luismunoz.net). We will also be at Soho in Santa Barbara, CA on 4/29 at 7:00 PM. Remember, the concert is free, so, first come, first serve. Hope to see you all. Best! Luis.

NAMM 2010

With old friends from Costa Rica: Narciso Sotomayor, Brett Harter and William Salas, plus Wyse LA Kid. Last time I saw Willy and Brett was in 1975.

"Invisible" Art work

This image, which will be in the cover of my new CD, was created from a photograph taken by the wonderful young Costa Rican photographer Agustín Vicente Fallas who is doing great stuff with his camera and imagination!

FIRST CONCERT OF THE YEAR/SOhO/SANTA BARBARA

Today at Soho at 1:00 PM!

All set up and ready to go for today's performance at SOho in Santa Barbara, at 1:00 PM!

EASY RIDER!!! :)

Saturday afternoon, on my way to the beach on my new "Harley"!

Aberikula en la Habana 1995

The Santa Barbara Jazz Society presents, live in concert, Luis Muñoz sextet

The Santa Barbara Jazz Society presents, Sunday, January 10, 2010, at 1:00 PM, live in concert, Costa Rican Composer/Percusionist Luis Muñoz sextet, with:
Brad Dutz: Marimba/Percussion
Jonathan Dane: Trumpet
Tom Etchart: Bass
George Friedenthal: Keyboards
Narciso Sotomayor: Guitar

Soho: 1221 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA.
For more info: www.sbjazz.org
(805) 570-1053
Luis will be performing music from his upcoming CD "Invisible", to be released in February of 2010.

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!!!!

"INVISIBLE" CD. Release date: February 13th, 2010

CHRISTMAS PAELLA IN TUCSON 12/24/09

Last night's dinner

Fresh Polenta with Parmessano Reggiano and spicy tomato basil sauce, and sauteed kale with toasted pine nuts, plus a bottle of good red italian wine...Good stuff :)

SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, 2010, LIVE AT SOHO!

The Santa Barbara Jazz Society presents, live, in concert, Luis Muñoz sextet, on Sunday January 10, at 1:00 PM, at Soho Music Club: 1221 State Street, Suite #205 Santa Barbara, CA 93101! For Dinner Reservations or Additional Information Call
Phone: 805-962-7776 FAX: 805-899-0047

Ernie and Bert go BRUTAL :)

I laughed my butt off when I saw this one!!!!

LAST RECORDING SESSION!!!

I am finally done with the recording of "Invisible" Last Monday was the last recording session. My buddy Jonathan Dane (I can't believe it bro, 12 years have gone by since you joined the band) Did a wonderful job with his trumpet, and I did the last "coloring" tracks with a few percussion toys. Now, mixing, mastering and that is 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.

Minestrone de Alice Waters (Chez Panisse)

Resultado final para esta noche. Alice Waters es considerada la "mama" de la cocina Californiana moderna, y esta receta es increible. Con un poquito de aceite de oliva, queso Parmesano Reggiano y un buen vino y vámonos, la cena perfecta para una noche de "Otoño" en Cali!!!!

Minestrone de Alice Waters (Chez Panisse)

¡Con tanta cortadera, por dicha que compré cuchillo nuevo! Dinner tonight.

FOOD!

Trying a few new things for dinner, easy and delicious; Pizza on the grill and a wonderful Butternut Squash and vanilla Risotto.

Thin crust pizza with Kalamata Olives, Basil and Fresh Tomatoes

Photos from session this last weekend!

A few images from last Saturday's session. 6 cuts in 10 hours. For those interested, these are my beloved drums...my baby: Yamaha Maple Custom, 18" kick, 10" and 12" toms, 14x14" floor tom. Paiste cymbals include 20" light ride, 18" and 14" crashes and 14" hi hats, all Traditional line. Also, a 21" dry ride and a Signature 20" Flat ride. Beautiful cymbals!!!!

Master percussionist Brad Dutz "Trash Talking" so to speak

Tantrum Studios, "Invisble" session, Montecito, CA.

Brad Dutz, Luis Muñoz and Emmet Sargent in session

Tantrum studios. "Invisible" Session. I talk, Brad listens and Emmet laughs...No one takes me seriously :)

NEW PHOTOS FROM COSTA RICAN SESSION

The first of many photos taken in Costa Rica last month by my buddy Agustin Vicente Fallas, who happens to be the son of my great friend, manager and collaborator Agustin Fallas Santana. I believe he did a wonderful job and we will be using his images for the cover of my upcoming CD "Invisible" to be released at the end of the year. Thanks Agus!!!!

TWO FANTASTIC JAZZ BANDS/BRIAN BLADE FELLOWSHIP

Donny McCaslin Group & Dave Douglas - Madonna #1 [2008]

Donny McCaslin Group & Dave Douglas - Madonna #2 [2008]

SUNDAY BREAKFAST/ MOM'S RECIPE/INVISIBLE!

My mom's old recipe for huevos con tomate: four eggs, roasted chiles and tomatoes, shallots and garlic(drop the tomatoes in boiling water for ten seconds in order to get rid of the peel), parsley, cilantro, salt and pepper to taste...HMMMMMMM!!! Delicious!. Add to that a salad of grape fruit, strawberries and bananas, with just a little hint of jasmine honey and rose water, some cafe con leche,and you are in for a great treat and a wonderful beginning of a lazy Sunday morning! After breakfast, back to the studio and some more editing on "INVISIBLE", my new CD to be out this December.

CAMARON DE LA ISLA Y TOMATITO/BULERIAS/ TWO MASTERS!

TOMATITO-1980-BULERIAS

Recent Readings

*Vera Stravinsky & Robert Craft - Stravinsky in Pictures and Documents"
*John Irving - "Until I Find You"
*Cormac McCarthy - "The Road" (Pulitzer Prize winner).
*Junot Diaz - "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" (Pulitzer Prize winner).

THE GREATEST ONES ALWAYS SEEM TO GO FIRST!

"An honest man is always a child" Socrates
RIP

Mar azul - Cesária Évora & Marisa Monte

A HAPPY MAN

Last night's dinner...Lots of olives and cappers, garlic, fresh basil... and a good bottle of wine... a happy man! When I hit the wall with music, cooking is always the answer.

BACK IN THE STUDIO 2

One of my favorite musicians in the entire world, the great chromatic harmonica player, Mr. Ron Kalina does his magic on "Manantial".

BACK IN THE STUDIO

After spending a couple of weeks in Costa Rica, having fun with old friends and family, I am back in the studio, doing the very last sessions needed to finish my new CD. Here, my friend and fellow band member, master percussionist Brad Dutz, lays some marimba and hand percussion tracks, while I do an alto flute track on "Tango y Sangre de la media Noche".

COSTA RICA

WITH MY DRUM TEACHER" PITUZA" IN COSTA RICA

I've only received about 9 drum lessons in my life, and several of them where in Costa Rica, in my early teens, with the wonderful "Pituza", whom I just saw last week for the first time in decades.

BACK FROM COSTA RICA

I am back from Costa Rica. I had a wonderful time with friends and family. On my flight back I had the pleasure of hanging with the members of the Club Sport Herediano Costa Rican soccer team, many of them part of the National Team. Here I am with Andy Herron, (ex Chicago Fire, ex Columbus Crew), center forward for the Costa Rican team that beat the US last week 3 to 1.

Costa Rica 3, USA 1

Having a great time...A brake from the business aspect of the trip. An incredible performance by Costa Rica. I had the pleasure of being at the stadium with my friend Agustin.( I am the one wearing a red shirt... :) ). Celebration with a delicious steak at "El Chicote" and a few cold "Imperiales" afterwards. Also working on a Central American tour for next spring. Back in the US on Tuesday.

RAICES

I AM OFF TO COSTA RICA FOR A FEW WEEKS...MY ROOTS...CHILDHOOD...OLD FRIENDS AND FAMILY...THE BEAUTY OF NATURE...

IMAGES FROM RECENT RECORDINGS #2

Jonathan Dane (Trumpet), Emmet Sargeant (Sound Engineer) and Luis (what does he do anyway...?).

IMAGES FROM RECENT RECORDINGS!

A few images from recent recording sessions at Tantrum Studios in Montecito, CA: With bassist Tom Etchart, my good friend Beto de Leon (el Incansable...) and violinist Laura Heckstein