I AM Podcast

Grammy and Latin Grammy winner, Composer, Musical Director, Arranger, Producer, Conductor, Performer Cheche Alara was Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  He moved to the U.S. after receiving a talent scholarship from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he obtained a B.A. in orchestration.  This was followed by a telnet scholarship from the University of Southern California, where he obtained his Masters Degree in Jazz Studies.  As well as being a Grammy award winner, he has been Musical Director/ Conductor for the Grammy Awards Premiere Show, “American Idol” tours, Chrstina Aguilera (Asst. Director), Disne’s “High School Musical” Tour, Latin Grammy’s “Person of the Year” concerts, “The Alma Awards” and a number of tv shows including “To Tell The Truth”, “Titan Games” and “Death by Magic”.  Cheche’s arranging and performance credits are extensive and include artist and shows such as Lady Gaga, Cristina Aguilera, Barbra Streisand, Natalie Cole, Gloria Estefan, Dionne Warwick, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, Alejandro Sanz, Ricky Martin, Pink, Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Andrea Bocelli, Carole King, Patti LaBelle, Marc Anthony, David Foster, Mya, Destiny’s Child, Eric Benet, Patti Austin, The Nobel Prize Awards Ceremony with the Oslo Symphony Orchestra, The Latin Billboard Awards, Enriqu Iglsias and the Los Angeles Philharmonic under conductor Gustavo Dudamel.

What you will hear

Quotes

“There’s a lot of people from which I learn and I get to experience different things.”

“I’ve been very fortunate to work with people that I admire a lot, and that on it’s own makes you become a better artist.”

“I truly feel that I’m expressing myself through the projects that I’m working on.”

“I look at music like food, I feel like I’m in a beautiful, super high quality buffet.”

“My ambition is to elevate.”

“Let’s aim for greatness and then let’s have a party.”

“I expand into new things but I don’t necessarily let go of the things that I’ve been doing.

Mentioned

Maluma

Mike Patton

Enyo Morricone

Grammy and Latin Grammy winner, Composer, Musical Director, Arranger, Producer, Conductor, Performer Cheche Alara was Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  He moved to the U.S. after receiving a talent scholarship from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he obtained a B.A. in orchestration.  This was followed by a telnet scholarship from the University of Southern California, where he obtained hes Masters Degree in Jazz Studies.  As well as being a Grammy award winner, he has been Musical Director/ Conductor for the Grammy Awards Premiere Show, “American Idol” tours, Christina Aguilera (Asst. Director), Disne’s “High School Musical” Tour, Latin Grammy’s “Person of the Year” concerts, “The Alma Awards” and a number of tv shows including “To Tell The Truth”, “Titan Games” and “Death by Magic”.  Cheche’s arranging and performance credits are extensive and include artist and shows such as Lady Gaga, Cristina Aguilera, Barbra Streisand, Natalie Cole, Gloria Estefan, Dionne Warwick, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, Alejandro Sanz, Ricky Martin, Pink, Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Andrea Bocelli, Carole King, Patti LaBelle, Marc Anthony, David Foster, Mya, Destiny’s Child, Eric Benet, Patti Austin, The Nobel Prize Awards Ceremony with the Oslo Symphony Orchestra, The Latin Billboard Awards, Enrique Iglesias and the Los Angeles Philharmonic under conductor Gustavo Dudamel.

What you will hear

Quotes

“Business is definitely one of the links of the chain of what we do but it doesn’t define what we do and if it becomes the defining factor I think we are missing the huge picture of what we are supposed to be doing with the art.”

“Anyone who goes into music to make money has made a terrible decision.”

“I have to keep constantly learning and adapting.”

“I’m proudly eclectic.”

Mentioned

Manuel Fraga

Heitor Pereira

Ramon Stagnaro

Vinnie Colaiuta

Musical director, arranger-composer, artist, producer and world renown guitarist, Greg Poree,was influenced by a lot of great music growing up.  Falling in love with the guitar, he started playing seriously at the age of 15 years old.  At 23 he received the first break in his career, as musical director for Sonny & Cher. In 1970 he became the musical director for Gladys Knight and the Pips and soon was working with many of the Motown acts, serving as musical director and guitarist for Diana Ross, Thelma Houston, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, the Four Tops, and The Jackson 5.  By the late 1980s  he was becoming more active as a composer and producer, writing music for the Martin Lawrence Show and arranging for the National Symphony Orchestra and making significant contributions to the music of dozens of musical legends including Paul Anka, Sammy Davis Jr, Aretha Franklin, Isaac Hayes, Michael Jackson, James Brown, Joan Baez,  Al Green, Herbie Hancock, Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder.  Greg is the music director for the California Jazz Foundation and organization dedicated to helping  California jazz musicians in financial and medical crisis.

What you will hear:

Sonic Tonic podcast

Confronting yourself

Music and business

Recording arts vs performing arts

Stevie Wonder, harmony and intelligent music

Composition and inspiration

Staying true to your authentic self

Self doubt

Curiosity and growth

Horseback riding

Quotes:

“That’s the beauty of life, it’s not about our differences, it’s (about) where we can find common ground.”

“Humans are messy, but It’s that messiness that makes the art grow.”

“99% of what we hear is processed music.”

“No one can take away your knowledge.”

“Either your going to deal with your art or your art will deal with you.”

“The common thread for me still is curiosity and a love of life and learning.  I have no real love for people who are proud of being stupid.”

“Having ego is a good thing…...to impose it on other people, that’s what’s wrong.”

Mentioned

Bill Hughes

Johann Sebastian Bach

Jacob Collier

IG@ AnitaPoree

Gregporee.com

Sonic Tonic Spotify

Sonic Tonic Google

Musical director, arranger-composer, artist, producer and world renown guitarist, Greg Poree,was influenced by a lot of great music growing up.  Falling in love with the guitar, he started playing seriously at the age of 15 years old.  At 23 he received the first break in his career, as musical director for Sonny & Cher. In 1970 he became the musical director for Gladys Knight and the Pips and soon was working with many of the Motown acts, serving as musical director and guitarist for Diana Ross, Thelma Houston, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, the Four Tops, and The Jackson 5.  By the late 1980s  he was becoming more active as a composer and producer, writing music for the Martin Lawrence Show and arranging for the National Symphony Orchestra and making significant contributions to the music of dozens of musical legends including Paul Anka, Sammy Davis Jr, Aretha Franklin, Isaac Hayes, Michael Jackson, James Brown, Joan Baez,  Al Green, Herbie Hancock, Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder.  Greg is the music director for the California Jazz Foundation and organization dedicated to helping  California jazz musicians in financial and medical crisis.

What you will hear:

Quotes:

“My life’s journey has been to get back to my original self.”

“Any artist that buys into a fad will not survive.”

“Everything before 50 is practice.”

“I’ve always considered the piano the novel and the guitar the short story.”

“You’re only a half step away from the right note.”

“We’re always chasing melody.”

“Learning should be a mixture of curiosity and fun.”

“A good teacher and a parent should inspire.”

“To be true artists they had to find their own voice.”

Mentioned

Sydney Bechet

Count Basie

Duke Ellington

Nick Bonnie

IG@ AnitaPoree

Sonic Tonic Spotify

Sonic Tonic Google

Recording Artist, Composer, Pianist, Songwriter, Musical Director, Music Educator and TrailblazerPatrice Rushen has spent a lifetime honing the skills that makes her one of the music industry’ss most versatile and sought after artists.  She has performed with and produced with such esteemed artists such as as Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Prince, Tom Jones, Carlos Santana, Boys II Men, George Benson, Nancy Wilson Micheal Jackson, Sheena Easton and many more.  An award winning composer and songwriter, she has performed with and composed works for Philharmonic Orchestras, Film and Television.  She constantly receives requests to sample her music, one of the most notable uses being Will Smith’s “Men in Black” which samples her 1982 Grammy Nominated recording “Forget me Nots”.  As an advocate for music education she holds the position of Ambassador of Artistry and Education at the Berklee College of Music as well as the chair of the Popular Music Program at USC’s Thorton School of Music.  She holds an honorary doctorate from the Berklee College of Music for her “outstanding contribution to music and culture.”

What you will hear:

Breaking glass ceiling.

Black excellence .

Moments of self doubt.

Meeting and working with Prince.

Inspiring young and upcoming musicians.

Future opportunities.

Unconventional strings

Quotes:

“You pick your battles and you pick your statements and you find your ways to do it but you don’t compromise the end game.”

“One of the things I’ve always learned to appreciate is being honest and being upfront.”

“When you are trying to make a difference or do something differently or you are trying to change an old habit you have to do it with intention at first until it becomes natural.”

“Set your eyes on that prize, set your eyes on that goal and your don’t sacrifice that intention.”

“We are now the gatekeepers we have to keep the level high.”

Recording Artist, Composer, Pianist, Songwriter, Musical Director, Music Educator and Trailblazer Patrice Rushen has spent a lifetime honing the skills that makes her one of the music industry’ss most versatile and sought after artists.  She has performed with and produced with such esteemed artists such as as Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Prince, Tom Jones, Carlos Santana, Boys II Men, George Benson, Nancy Wilson Micheal Jackson, Sheena Easton and many more.  An award winning composer and songwriter, she has performed with and composed works for Philharmonic Orchestras, Film and Television.  She constantly receives requests to sample her music, one of the most notable uses being Will Smith’s “Men in Black” which samples her 1982 Grammy Nominated recording “Forget me Nots”.  As an advocate for music education she holds the position of Ambassador of Artistry and Education at the Berklee College of Music as well as the chair of the Popular Music Program at USC’s Thorton School of Music.  She holds an honorary doctorate from the Berklee College of Music for her “outstanding contribution to music and culture.”

What you will hear:

Quotes:

“In the arts, there is an effort that is being made to the larger picture than just your own excellence.  It calls for personal responsibility but also calls to the responsibility to the collective.”

“I was a music ed major, with a minor in classical piano, with the intention of doing neither one.”

“Whatever your gonna do you need to be really good at it and you need to love it.”

“While you may not initially get to do the thing that you are aspiring to do, there’s 15 other things that will lead you to that same place, and to have multiple options to get to where you are trying to go is what it’s all about.”

“The 21st century musician is a musician who can weep at Brahms,  James Brown and Hip Hop all at the same time.”

“We were all training to be so bad we could play with anybody.”

Mentioned:

Mary Clay

The Colburn School

Reggie Andrews

Donald Dustin

Frank Harris

Soul Train

Melba Liston

Mexican-American bassist, Abraham Laboriel, has left an indelible mark on the music industry by adding his personal touch to more than 5000 recordings during his 4 decades as one of the busiest studio bassists in Los Angeles.  Recognized as "the most widely used session bassist of our time" by Guitar Player Magazine Abe's career has taken him through an incredible journey of love, sacrifice, uncertainty, spirituality and blessings. A classically trained guitarist, he switched to bass while studying at the Berklee College of Music.  In 2005 he was awarded an honorary doctorate of music by the Berklee College of music.  He has an unmistakable playing style that is rhythmic and soulful, yet complex and so playful.  Abe has recorded and toured with artists such as Al Jarreau, Barbra Streisand, Dolly Parton, Madonna, Micheal Jackson, Luis Miguel, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Herb Alpert, Herbie Hancock and many many more.

What you will hear:

Quotes:

“If you put your whole being into playing simple then whether the music is simple or complex you are totally engaged.”

“You want the identity to belong to the people that are hiring you.”

“There is so much uncertainty it’s important to remember that we are safe because we are created in to be safe in the love of the Lord.”

Mentioned:

Berklee College of Music

Abe Laboriel Jr.

Mateo Laboriel

Mexican-American bassist, Abraham Laboriel, has left an indelible mark on the music industry by adding his personal touch to more than 5000 recordings during his 4 decades as one of the busiest studio bassists in Los Angeles.  Recognized as "the most widely used session bassist of our time" by Guitar Player Magazine Abe's career has taken him through an incredible journey of love, sacrifice, uncertainty, spirituality and blessings. A classically trained guitarist, he switched to bass while studying at the Berklee College of Music.  In 2005 he was awarded an honorary doctorate of music by the Berklee College of music.  He has an unmistakable playing style that is rhythmic and soulful, yet complex and so playful.  Abe has recorded and toured with artists such as Al Jarreau, Barbra Streisand, Dolly Parton, Madonna, Micheal Jackson, Luis Miguel, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Herb Alpert, Herbie Hancock and many many more.

What you will hear:

Quotes:

“Don’t get angry because you have to work twice as hard to get back to peace.”

Mentioned:

Garifuna

Paul Jackson, Jr. is a accomplished composer, arranger, producer, and guitarist. Born and raised in Los Angeles into a musical family, Jackson majored in music at the University of Southern California and became Artist in Residence at the USC Thornton School of Music in 2016.

Jackson was one of the most prolific R&B guitarists of the 1970’s and 80’s, performing with artists such as Michael Jackson, the Temptations, Luther Vandross, Bobby Womack, Patrice Rushen, the Pointer Sisters, Chicago, and Whitney Houston, among many others. An accomplished recording artist in his own right, Jackson’s 1988 album I Came to Play was nominated for a GRAMMY Award.

More recently, Jackson has performed on the soundtracks for “Get On Up,” “Zootopia,” and “The Color Purple,” played with the house bands on NBC’s “Tonight Show With Jay Leno” and Fox’s “American Idol,” and earned GRAMMY recognition for his contributions to the Daft Punk album.

Paul Jackson, Jr. is a accomplished composer, arranger, producer, and guitarist. Born and raised in Los Angeles into a musical family, Jackson majored in music at the University of Southern California and became Artist in Residence at the USC Thornton School of Music in 2016.

Jackson was one of the most prolific R&B guitarists of the 1970’s and 80’s, performing with artists such as Michael Jackson, the Temptations, Luther Vandross, Bobby Womack, Patrice Rushen, the Pointer Sisters, Chicago, and Whitney Houston, among many others. An accomplished recording artist in his own right, Jackson’s 1988 album I Came to Play was nominated for a GRAMMY Award.

More recently, Jackson has performed on the soundtracks for “Get On Up,” “Zootopia,” and “The Color Purple,” played with the house bands on NBC’s “Tonight Show With Jay Leno” and Fox’s “American Idol,” and earned GRAMMY recognition for his contributions to the Daft Punk album.

What you will hear

Quotes

“Music is something that you never master.”

“We work really, really hard to make it look easy.”

“What is a good sounded melody and what do I sound good playing.”

Mentioned

Doyle Dikes

Gary Bell

Greg Poree

Lee Ritenour

Geroge Benson

Ray Parker Jr.

Earl Clue

Isaiah Sharkey

Tyrone Davis

Troy Brenningmeyer

Willie Gonga