LIVE AT REDS!

Today, Saturday, September 24th, from 6 to 8:00 PM, live at REDS with Dan Zimmerman on guitar and Brandon Statom on bass. Hope you can make it!!!!

REDS
211 Helena Avenue
Santa Barbara, CA 93101-2319
(805) 966-5906

Luis Muñoz Quintet live at The Yellow House/7/30/11

Great time last night!!!!!!!

First recording session for "LUZ"/7/29/11

First recording session for my upcoming "LUZ" CD, today with NYC pianist and old friend Adam Asarnow.

NEXT PERFORMANCE/SATURDAY JULY 30!

NEXT CONCERT: THE YELLOW HOUSE CONCERTS: Saturday July 30th, at 7:00 PM. Ridah Omri's (owner of the wonderful Jazz Hall) concert series, this time, in a beautiful. intimate venue in the Santa Barbara hills. (The address will be giving to you once you purchase tickets). We'll be presenting music from our award winning CD "Invisible" (Jazz Composer of the Year), plus songs from our upcoming "Luz" CD. Hope to see you.

TO PURCHASE TICKETS, GO TO: http://www.yellowhouseconcerts.com/Calendar_&_Tickets/Entries/2011/7/30_An_Evening_with_Luis_Munoz.html/

RADIO INTERVIEW ON "COOL JAZZ CONVERSATIONS"!

This coming Monday, June 6, at 7:00 PM Eastern time, I will be a guest on "Cool Jazz Conversations" with Trish Hennessey and Joyce Hall, on Blog Talk Radio, .
www.blogtalkradio.com/CoolJazzConversations
Hope you can join us!!
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/CoolJazzConversations">

ACAM AWARD/PREMIO ACAM

I got the award: Jazz Composer/Author of the Year 2011 in Costa Rica by ACAM (Association of Musical Authors and Composers), for my work on my 2010 "INVISIBLE" CD.
Me gané el premio ACAM (Asociación de Compositores y Autores Musicales)Compositor/Autor de Jazz del Año 2011, por mi trabajo realizado en el CD "Invisible".

NOMINATION FOR JAZZ COMPOSER OF THE YEAR 2011!

I am proud to announce my nomination for Jazz Composer/Author of the Year 2011 by ACAM (Association of Musical Authors and Composers), for my work on my 2010 "INVISIBLE" CD.

Anuncio la nominación recibida esta mañana, de parte de ACAM (Asociación de Compositores y Autores Musicales), como Compositor/Autor de Jazz del Año 2011, por mi trabajo realizado en el CD "Invisible". La ceremonia de entrega de premios se llevará a cabo en el Teatro Melico Salazar, en San Jose, CR, el 30 de Mayo.

http://www.nacion.com/2011-05-05/Entretenimiento/NotaPrincipal/Entretenimiento2767631.aspx/

NEW "INVISIBLE" REVIEW: GERMAN PUBLICATION "JAZZDIMENSIONS"

A new review of my latest CD "INVISIBLE", this one on the German "JazzDimensions" publication. Is it a good one? A rotten one? I have no idea :-)
Esta semana salió una nueva reseña de mi CD "Invisible". Esta, en la publicación alemana "JazzDimensions". ¿Les habrá gustado la música o no? No tengo ni idea de lo que dicen :-) Ich spreche Deutsch nicht. Ayuda, alguien que hable alemán!!!
http://www.jazzdimensions.de/reviews/jazz/2011/luis_munoz_invisible.html/

"TANGO Y SANGRE DE LA MEDIA NOCHE" VIDEO

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150136162178755&comments

LOIS' PHOTOS/ IN CONCERT

A nice gallery of photos of Luis Munoz Jazz Sextet live at Soho last night, by the wonderful photographer and dear friend Lois!

https://picasaweb.google.com/lotipix/LuisSohoGig#/

SANTA BARBARA INDEPENDENT/TONIGHT, LIVE AT SOHO

http://www.independent.com/news/2011/mar/10/luis-munoz/

POLENTA WITH MUSHROOMS

Last night's dinner: Three kinds of mushrooms with shallots, garlic, lemon thyme, white wine, rosemary and parsley, over creamy polenta with lots and lots of Parmigiano-Reggiano!!!

PHOTOS FROM TEDx 2011 in Costa Rica

http://www.flickr.com/photos/59961100@N07/5478863784/in/photostream/

NEXT PERFORMANCE: MARCH 10 AT 7:00 PM IN SANTA BARBARA, CA.

Próxima Presentación/Next Performence: Soho Club (1221 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA. (805) 962-7776), on Thursday, March 10, at 7:00 PM

LUIS MUNOZ JAZZ SEXTET TOMORROW LIVE AT "MY FLORIST" IN VENTURA, CA!

Luis Muñoz Jazz Sextet next performance: TOMORROW SATURDAY FEBRUARY 19, 2011, from 7 to 10:00 PM at "My Florist" 76 South Oak St. in Ventura, CA. 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: (805)653-0003. Concert is FREE!!! Hope to see you!

WATCH VIDEO INTERVIEW IN "LA NACION" NEWSPAPER

You can watch a video interview done on 2/10/11 for La Nacion newspaper in San Jose, Costa Rica, just before my participation in the TEDx conference. Just click on the left hand side black box, just bellow the image, where it says "Luis Pelín, Conferencista Tedex"

http://www.nacion.com/2011-02-10/AldeaGlobal/FotoVideoDestacado/AldeaGlobal2676622.aspx

NEXT CONCERT: TEDXPURAVIDA IN SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA-2/10/11

I will be participating in a TEDxPuraVida conference in San Jose, Costa Rica, on february 10. The performance will be broadcasted live on the internet. There will be 12 speakers (among them, Laura Chinchilla, president of Costa Rica) and 4 artists, for a full day of "Ideas worth spreading". I will be playing with George Friedenthal (piano), Checko D'Avila (Soprano sax), Ivan Rodríguez (violin), Narciso Sotomayor (guitar) and Marco Ortiz (bass). I will be playing alto flute on this occasion. For more info, and to watch our performance live, go to: http://www.tedxpuravida.org/

"INVISIBLE" in "Top 10 Jazz CDs of the Year" list!

GREAT NEWS: MY "INVISIBLE" CD MADE IT INTO JAZZ.NET'S LIST OF THE TOP 10 JAZZ CDs of 2010. Thanks so much Brad!!

http://www.jazzchicago.net/reviews/2011/Bestof2010.html

Dinner tonight...What a feast!

Local, grilled halibut (with sea salt, Syrian olive oil and grilled Meyer lemons), with kale with shallots and anchovy paste, grilled cauliflower with capers, sprinkled with Parmigiano Reggiano, over brown rice…Yuuuuuuuuuuuuuuummmy!!!

SATURDAY JANUARY 15, 2011, LIVE AT "MY FLORIST"

Luis Muñoz Jazz Sextet next performances: SATURDAY, JANUARY 15 AND SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2011, from 7 to 10:00 PM at "My Florist" 76 South Oak St. in Ventura, CA. 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: (805)653-0003. Concerts are FREE!!!

LUIS MUNOZ "INVISIBLE" CD 2010

mages from the recording of Costa Rican Composer/percussionist Luis Munoz's lastest CD "INVISIBLE", on Pelin Music, featuring singers Lois Mahalia and Teka Penteriche, plus David Binney on alto sax, Jonathan Dane and Jeff Elliott on Trumpet, Ramses Araya and Brad Dutz on percussion, George Friedenthal on keys, Narciso Sotomayor and Chris Judge on guitars, Laura Hackstein on violin, Tom Etchart on bass, Ron Kalina on chromatic harmonica, Jim Calire on Hammond organ and Luis Munoz on drums, percussion, alto flute and keyboards. For more info:
Luis J Muñoz Inc. / Pelin Music
PO Box 30943
Santa Barbara, CA 93130
Ph: (805) 451-6196
/Fax: (805) 569-1257
E-mail: luismunozmusic@cox.net
www.luismunoz.net
http://luisjournal.blogspot.com/
www.cityhallrecords.com

PERFORMANCE/ "TED" CONFERENCE IN FEBRUARY IN COSTA RICA

On Thursday, February 10, 2011, I will be participating in a TED conference in San José, Costa Rica. The performance will be a collaboration between three Costa Rican musicians ( Checko D'avila on soprano sax, Iván Rodríguez from the group "Malpaís" on violin and a bass player to be determined), and three members of my Jazz sextet (George Friedenthal on piano, Narciso Sotomayor on guitar and myself on Alto Flute). We will be performing "Tango y Sangre de la Media Noche", an eleven minute composition from my most recent "Invisible" CD. For more information, visit: http://tedxpuravida.org

NEXT GIG: 10/14/10 5 TO 7:00 PM/FREE AT LA CUMBRE PLAZA IN SANTA BARBARA

I will be performing next on Thursday, October 14, from 5 to 7:00 PM, at La Cumbre Plaza Mall in Santa Barbara, CA. I will be joined by Brad Dutz on marimba and percussion, Tom Etchart on bass, Jonathan Dane on trumpet, George Friedenthal on piano and Narciso Sotomayor on guitar. The concert is FREE!!!! Hope to see you all!

ARTCLE ABOUT "INVISIBLE" IN "EL MEXICANO"

An article about my latest CD "INVISIBLE" was published today in the Spanish language "El Mexicano". newspaper. To read more:


http://morenews2.newspress.com/elmexicano/issue33/pageflip.html

My short story "Bernarda y la Lujuria" is published by "Palabra Abierta"/ August 2010

My short story "Bernarda y la Lujuria" was published in the cultural magazine "Palabra Abierta" last month. "Palabra Abierta is part of the cultural web site"Hispanic LA", directed by Gabriel Lerner and edited by Manuel Gayol Mecías. To read more:
http://hispanicla.com/palabra/bernarda-y-la-lujuria-7726

WORLD STREAMS RADIO INTERVIEW 4/2008

I just happened to run into this two year old radio interview I did in April of 2008 for World Streams, right after the release of my "Of Soul and Shadow " CD. World Streams is a wonderful internet radio program which has featured all kinds of people, from musicians like Omar Sosa, Mose Allison and Terence Blanchard to Linguist Noam Chomsky. Enjoy!!!
http://www.worldstreams.org/past10.html

INTERVIEW IN "LA REPUBLICA" TODAY!

Second interview of the day with the Costa Rican press, this time published in "La República" newspaper.To read more click on post title, or:
http://www.larepublica.net/app/cms/www/index.php?pk_articulo=39263/

INTERVIEW IN "LA NACION" TODAY

INTERVIEW PUBLISHED TODAY IN "LA NACION", COSTA RICA'S MAIN NEWSPAPER!
To view, click on title!, or:
http://www.nacion.com/2010-09-06/Entretenimiento/NotasSecundarias/Entretenimiento2510717.aspx/

ON MY WAY TO COSTA RICA

On my way to Costa Rica for two weeks: family, old friends, lots of music, ocean. rainforest, a few radio and newspaper interviews to promote "Invisible","pinto con pescado"...Over and out!

Herbie Hancock,Wayne Shorter,Dave Holland,Brian Blade QUARTET

BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS

Lentils with garlic and red wine, chard with anchovies and capers, toast with melted parmigiano-reggiano and steam-basted eggs! Delicious!!!!!!!

SANTA BARBARA FIESTA/SUMMER 2010

Children's Parade. Photos by Holly Ann

NEW "INVISIBLE" REVIEW: JAZZTIMES MAGAZINE, SUMMER 2010 ISSUE

It might seem odd that Luis Muñoz, a Costa RIcan pianist, percussionist and composer would title an album with such vibrant presence "Invisible"; this is music that practically begs to be noticed, not hidden away. But perhaps he chose it because, although he is undeniably the leader, Muñoz is as interested in delegating as he is in starring. Bassist Tom Etchart often takes the melodic reins in addition to providing an anchor, particularly when employing his fretless instrument.

The opening track, "ADam's Dream", unfolds slowly, then spreads out, Etchart paving the way until trumpeter Jonathan Dane and second pianist George Friedenthal arrive to have their say. On "Malabarista", Etchart's bass again performs a vital leadership role, volleying with marimba, a pair of trumpeters, tenor saxophone and more. "Luz del Sur" is a feast of seemingly incongruous elements ranging from pedal steel guitar to trumpet, to marimba, and the closing "Tango y Sangre de la Media Noche" is mark with tension and release as Laura Heckstein's violin, Dane's trumpet George Quirin's acoustic guitar., Etchart's acoustic bass and Muñoz-on piano, alto flute and pad-take turns for nearly 10 minutes exploring the main theme.

For "Hymn", a soulful gospel tune featuring the amped-up vocal of Lois Mahalia, Muñoz lays back on piano while allowing Hammond organist Jimmy Calire to lead the way, and on "Sobrevivencia", it's David Binney's alto saxophone that provides the bulk of the fireworks. "Esperanza" in fact, finds Muñoz altogether absent, handing over the track completely to classical guitarist Chris Judge and Etchart. Despite this seeming invisibility, however, Muñoz is rarely idle, filling gaps, fleshing out parts, creating percussive atmospheres and stepping up front with well-measured piano solos on several tracks.

With "Invisible", Muñoz has created a work of radiance and nuance, alternately fiery and placid, diverse yet wonderfully cohesive!

Jeff Tamarkin/JazzTimes Magazine

SAN FRANCISCO!!!!

Off to San Francisco for a week of music, baseball, theater, some of the best food in the world, and just some quality time with my wonderful family in one of my favorite cities in the USA. Over and out...

SIMPLE, DELICIOUS FOOD, PART 2!

Butternut squash with curry, over brown rice and grilled tofu with honey, soy sauce and fresh ginger....Hmmmmmmmmmm!!

"CD "INVISIBLE' FEATURED IN SUMMER ISSUE OF "SEASONS" MAGAZINE

My Latest recording "INVISIBLE" is featured in this summer's issue of "Seasons" magazine...
http://www.sbseasons.com/

LUIS MUNOZ JAZZ SEXTET/NEXT PERFORMANCE THIS FRIDAY JUNE 11

This Friday, June 11 at My Florist" Cafe and Concert Hall in Ventura, CA . (805)653-000 76 South Oak St.Ventura, CA. 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
We'll be performing music from our recently released "INVISIBLE" CD on City Hall Records. 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: (805)653-0003. No Lakers game or World Cup games at that time, so come and hang with us. Concert is FREE!!!

LATEST "INVISIBLE" CD REVIEW, BY DON HECKMAN

Don Heckman wrote about Jazz in the Los Angeles Times for decades. Here is what he has to say about "Invisible" on his blog, "The International Review of Music":

Listening to this recording, experiencing its warm embrace, I can only marvel that Luis Muñoz does not have wider visibility. The Costa Rican-born composer’s music begins with the subliminal qualities of his native roots, then blossoms into a creative expression that transcends boundaries reaching from jazz to classical to pop and beyond. To read more: http://irom.wordpress.com/2010/05/25/jazz-cd-reviews-luis-munoz-and-jon-gold/

SIMPLE, DELICIOUS FOOD!

Nothing like a plate of fresh, grilled vegetables. A little olive oil, salt and pepper is all you need!

LUIS MUNOZ JAZZ SEXTET NEXT PERFORMANCE! THIS SATURDAY. 5/22/10

My Florist" Cafe and Concert Hall in Ventura, CA . (805)653-000 76 South Oak St.Ventura, CA. 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
We'll be performing music from our recently released "INVISIBLE" CD on City Hall Records. 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: (805)653-0003. Concert is FREE!!!

NEW "INVISIBLE" REVIEW: LATINJAZZNET.COM

Luis Muñoz thinks with an open palette of sound. His vision of music is as sweeping as the eye can see and absorbs a wide spectrum of color and tone texture, from the sophisticated rough and tumble of the trance-like sound of Afro-centric worship music to the delightful swing of idiomatic phrases that spring from the joyous spirit of jazz. He also draws from the habanera to the calypso and tangos and rondos and other European forms of ecclesiastical music to the heartfelt emotion of gospel. There may be other composers and musicians who “hear” music like Muñoz, but his background in special geometry enables him to see the sound of music sitting on virtual lines and between spaces. This is why his music—especially here, on Invisible sounds as if the sounds are as close to breathing as musical notes will ever get.

TO READ MORE:http://www.latinjazznet.com/2010/05/02/reviews/cds/luis-munoz-invisible/

IMAGES FROM OUR CD RELEASE CONCERT IN SANTA BARBARA,CA. GREAT NIGHT!

All photos by Lois Haymes. For more images go to:http://picasaweb.google.com/Lotipixpub/LuisMunozCDReleaseAtSoho#

"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/

4/29/10: OFFICIAL CD RELEASE CONCERT AT HOME/SOHO, SANTA BARBARA, CA,

OFFICIAL CD RELEASE CONCERT AT HOME/SOHO, SANTA BARBARA, CA, 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:1221 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA.(805) 962-7776

CD RELEASE PARTY
Thursday, April 29, 2010 at 7:00pm
SOHO, SANTA BARBARA , CA

RADIO INTERVIEW ON KCSB 91.9 FM SANTA BARBARA

I will be doing a radio interview on Wednesday, April 28, at 11:00 AM on the program "Jazz Straight Ahead" with host
Stanley Naftaly, on KCSB 91.9 Santa Barbara. This interview will be to promote the CD release concert which will take place the following day, Thursday, April 29 at Soho in Santa Barbara (1221 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA.(805) 962-7776,), at 7:00 PM. We'll be chatting and playing a few cuts from my new "INVISIBLE" CD. Please join us!

To listen live, go to : http://www.kcsb.org/

PURA VIDA BAND WITH JIM MESSINA, FLORA PURIM AND OTHERS

My old Costa Rican friend and master precussionist Pepe Chacón just posted a bunch of great photos from the 80s and 90s, among them, many from Santa Barbara's premier Latin Jazz band Pura Vida. We ended up performing and/or recording with artists such as Jimmy Messina, Airto Moreira, Joe Cocker, Flora Purim, Pauline Wilson (singer of Seawind), Joe Farrell and many more. Check it out. Thanks Pepe, we miss you here in SB.

WEEKEND IN PASADENA, CA

Just walking around in Pasadena, relaxing before getting back in the groove with upcoming"INVISIBLE" shows. Made a few new friends, among them, my favorite French Bulldog Fifi...