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By
Les Rivera.
“Music is a universal
language; it has no boundaries or restrictions; no race
or creed. It is the only form of unity we have where two
or more individuals from different ethnicities can
communicate without speaking a word to each other &
still know what each one is thinking. Even a person, who
cannot hear, can feel the rhythm in their heart and
soul. It is the only form of peace this world will ever
know.” Chino Nunez
On
February 13, 2005, the Spanish Harlem Orchestra (S.H.O.)
won the Grammy Awards for the best salsa album of 2004.
Each and every band member of S.H.O. had equally
contributed to receive that well deserved and coveted
prize. The results of endless hard work had gradually
culminated over time.
S.H.O.’s popular band member Chino Nunez had provided
the drumming part of the team. The great bandleader
Oscar Hernandez, with his always consummate
gentleman-type personality expressed his genuine thanks
to every one in his band.
2005 had provided a landmark for the S.H.O. musicians.
For Pablo Chino Nunez, the year had barely begun. The
Grammy Award also marked the official beginning of a
strong increase in Chino’s already busy schedule.
Nearing the completion of his first CD as a bandleader
of his own band, Chino is ready to launch yet another
era that may propel him into new heights. We catch up
with him as he is fresh out of a DVD recording session
at Martin Cohen’s famous LP studio:
Les Rivera:
Chino, we’d like to congratulate you on a milestone year
in your artist career! This is all so great for the
salsa world. How do you feel about the all this
excitement?
Chino Nunez:
I am totally blown away with the outcome of everything.
I keep asking my fiancé Elaine to pinch me to see if I’m
dreaming, I just feel truly blessed and honored to be a
part of something special and represent my music and
culture through my music.
LR: You are now the bandleader of your own band.
What’s the name of your band?
CN: Simply, Chino Nunez & Friends! I have also been
blessed with the friendships of many and of the many
years. Not all are musicians; some are from my
childhood, and they have given me the encouragement to
continue when I have thought about quitting, But in the
industry I have friends for over 30 years and this is my
tribute to my friends.
LR: Who are some of the regular band members in your
new band.
CN: Well as for regulars, I don’t think that term
exists; unless you’re working your butt off with a
particular band like Spanish Harlem Orchestra or Jimmy
Bosch or Frankie Vazquez y Los Soneros del Barrio. But I
will tell you this, when the band I put together takes
the stage the bar will be raised one more time, and
several notches up! And I welcome anyone to raise it
after me as well for the betterment of our music and
culture.
This is not a competition; it’s what music is about. You
saw it with Tito Puente and Tito Rodriguez, a
Timbalero/Arranger and a Singer/Crooner and not to
mention Machito. What a time! I could only imagine how
the adrenaline must have been pumping in each musician
when they took stage. It’s an awesome feeling!
LR: You are close to releasing your new CD. Tell us
about the CD.
CN: I didn’t know in which direction I wanted to go,
but I got together with my best friend, mentor, and
partner in crime, Willie Ruiz, as well as the Executive
Producer William Melendez. We worked several different
ideas as to what should be done, and we went with the
following:
Some vocalists who are indeed a part of this industry
were brought in, and they were reintroduced to their
respected fans. They were vocalists Ray Sepulveda and
Van Lester, who through unfortunate circumstances have
not had an opportunity for air play or a chance to do a
solid new project. The very popular Frankie Vazquez was
brought in, as well as a young new talent with sonero
qualities, Hector Luis Pagan. Pagan currently sings with
Conjunto Classico.
They are coupled with musicians like Raul Agraz, Willie
Ruiz, Pete Nater, Willie Torres, Marcos Bermudes, Oscar
Hernandez, Bobby Allende, Marc Quinones, and Mitch
Frohman, just to name a few.
But there will be other surprises, especially if you
love to dance or want to learn to dance! By the way, the
title of this production is something I love and forever
hold in my heart: Chino Nunez & Friends “It’s S.H.O.
Time”! I just thought it would be appropriate, since
Spanish Harlem Orchestra’s abbreviation is S.H.O. Kind a
cool, huh (laughing)?
LR: Will you continue playing for S.H.O. as a band
member?
CN: Absolutely, unless I’m called into the Board
Room and Oscar says: “You’re fired” (laughing). Just
kidding; I have no intentions of leaving S.H.O. at all!
LR: Many people are comparing you to the likes of
Tito Puente and other greats. Each artist has his or her
own unique style and you have yours. How would you
describe the Chino Nunez style of drumming?
CN: A cynical but yet diverse, beyond reason, and
temporarily insane musician. Does that give you the full
spectrum of my drumming style? Just kidding; I am just
being myself. I just love to play man, I love to watch
great players and bad ones alike, and you learn from
everyone. I’m not into the rudiment thing, or the speed,
though I think I hold my own in that department. I am
just into my music and the properties needed to make it
happen.
My idol is Orestes Vilato. My mentor is the Great Tito
Puente, and the Late Louie Ramirez, who wasn’t a flashy
player but was one of my favorites. Some other favorites
are Manny Oquendo, Mike Collazo, and Nicky Marrero, whom
I owe so much because of their contributions to salsa
and the influence on my playing.
My colleagues that I par take with and sometimes
interchange ideas with are Marc Quinones, Ralph
Irizarry, Chago Martinez, Luisito Quintero, Tito
Degracias, Karl Perrazo, Bobby Allende, and Bobby
Sanabria. But as for putting me into the likes of Tito
Puente, I’d like to speak to that person, because I have
a bridge I can sell him or her; for cheap too!
Again, just kidding, I am truly humbled by that
comparison. But, there will never be another Tito
Puente, at least not in my lifetime. He is The King and
he will forever be “El Rey Del Timbal”. I’ll just be the
Court Jester, if you don’t mind (great laughter).
LR: Do you play other genres of music, such as Latin
jazz, jazz, or yet other styles?
CN: I have worked in the Latin jazz & jazz scene
here in New York City. I’ve worked with different
artists, such as Randy Brecker, Chris Washburn, Luis
Bonilla, Dave Valentine, Patato Valdez, and many
more. As for other genres of music most recently I
played with Cindy Lauper.
LR: Elaine, your other half, appears to be a great
help for you in juggling your busy schedule.
Artist-wise, what does she do for you?
CN: Wow, what can I say, Les, I have hit the lottery
with this woman! I have been blessed in every sense of
the word with Elaine. She is a God sent angel. Elaine
has taken me into the world of the internet and has
marketed Chino Nunez & Friends; she is my publicist, my
website manager, my secretary (pause) with all the
benefits, if you know what I mean (laughing). She does
it all Les. She has her day job, she gets home, she
cooks, and she cleans.
We have two teenaged girls at home, Keisha and Maggie.
Keisha is graduating from high school this year, and she
got a full ride to Toledo University. Maggie will also
graduate and head for college next year. Lisette is the
eldest and she is married with two beautiful children,
Sabrina and Raymond Jr. Then Elaine has the task of
taking care of me, which is no walk in the park to say
so myself. Elaine is the super woman I’ve always dreamed
of having, and I thank God for her everyday.
LR: You are wearing many hats. You are the Musical
Director for Ray Sepulveda and Johnny Rivera, you are
endorsed by LP, and it appears that you are about to
come out with a signature line of sticks for Unigrip.
How do you find the time to fulfill all your
responsibilities?
CN: It’s simple. I drink Café Bustelo (laughing),
and I just do what I love and I love what I do! Sleep is
an option after the parade; not before.
LR: Your “Rhythmic Construction of a Salsa Tune”
video is used by many aspiring artists to learn
their trade. You are a drumming instructor at many other
capacities as well; one significant one coming up being
the West Coast Salsa Congress. There you are scheduled
to be an instructor at the Musician’s Seminar. How does
one become a great drummer?
CN: Practice, practice, practice. As a child I would
practice every day, and in the summer time when school
was out, I would practice all day. I remember my father
would leave to go to work at about 6:30 a.m., and since
we owned the house I would be up by like 7 a.m.,
practice for a half hour and then go to school.
When I got home from school I’d practice some more until
my father got home from work. After that I would do my
homework. The way I see it, it’s the same with anything
you want to be or want to do (pause) “You must practice
to perfect it and nobody is perfect”!
LR: Where were you born and where did you grow up?
CN: I was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. My
biological parents are Andres and Lydia Pena. Adopted by
Pablo Nunez Sr. and Margarita Nunez I was raised in
Brooklyn, New York, in the Sunset Park Section. Just a
little shout-out to all my peeps in Brooklyn!
LR: How did you get started on the drums?
CN: Hitting my mom’s pots and pans and then getting
hit for it when I broke them. Lesson number one: “Do not
hit the pots with a hammer stick”! Lesson number two:
Don’t break the hammer stick! Now, you just tee’d off
your mom and your dad, and that’s a lesson well taught.
My butt still aches!
LR: What are some milestones for Chino Nunez from
humble beginnings as an artist until today?
CN: Playing with Ray Barretto, Tito Puente, Hector
Lavoe, Johnny Pacheco, Willie Colon, Oscar DeLeon,
Adalberto Santiago, Luis Perico Ortiz, Mon Rivera, Ray
Sepulveda, Johnny Rivera, and now Spanish Harlem
Orchestra.
But my biggest accomplishments were my training grounds
with local acts like Conjunto Acere, Caesar y La
Ritmica, Amaury y su Tipica Latina, Orchestra Realidad,
and many more.
LR: Salsarican.com is a free publication to the
service of the salsa world. Every day the salsarican
staff gets hundreds of e-mails from worldwide salsa
fans, turning to us for answers to about anything and
everything salsa.
Recently we received an e-mail, inquiring about “that
drummer in the S.H.O. band, who was considered by many
Japanese as being the greatest drummer in the world
today, regardless of any musical genre”. This e-mail was
kind of “different”, as the sender wanted to know if
Chino Nunez was Chinese. “Chino” in Spanish means
“Chinese”.
How did you get the nickname “Chino”?
CN: When my mom and dad purchased the house I grew
up in, I made friends rather quickly. One in particular
by the name of Louie Lamboy looked at me and said “we
need to give you a nickname”. He looked at me for
seconds, and I mean maybe 15 seconds. He made me laugh
with his stare, and at that moment he said, “Chino!”
From that day on I was Chino.
LR: You have a new website. Tell us about your site,
how people can book your band, and how people can
contract you.
CN: Well, Elaine my better half designed it and did
it for me. And I must say it’s awesome. I just love it,
especially that song that comes on when you log onto the
site. My website address is
www.chinonunez.com.
As for booking the band, there is a button called “Bands
to Book”. In that section (of the website) you will see
Ray Sepulveda, Johnny Rivera, Spanish Harlem Orchestra,
George Delgado and Chino Nunez & Friends. More bands
will be added as we progress with its construction. The
“Cool Links Page” also contains the links to a multitude
of information from Dance to Merchandise and Performers.
The photo gallery is awesome. It has a selection of
friends, musicians and family, with links to many more.
You can contact me directly for anything ranging from
musician’s clinics to productions.
LR: Chino, it has been a true pleasure speaking with
you. We wish you the best of luck in your new endeavors.
We’re looking forward to your contributions to the salsa
world for many more years to come!
CN: Les, thank you for the contributions you are
making to salsa and its culture. It’s a true honor to
have spent this beautiful moment with you as well as
your readers. Thank you! God bless you all, “Y QUE VIVA
LA SALSA”! |
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