La Jornada Latina interview By Victor Ruiz
Pittsburgh Guitarist Jon Banuelos Since I have been in Pittsburgh the doors of opportunity have not stopped opening. One door in particular, that of Victor Ruiz, a Latin Jazz Guitarist, has given me the opportunity to share my musical history with him and the rest of Pittsburgh. To meet Victor for the very first time for me was so great for he embraced me with open arms and with a light pat on the head as if to say ” Welcome to your home and please stay awhile”. His light mood makes anyone feel easy around him and most important to feel easy around oneself.
In the few moments that I was with him I knew I was in for a great time with a great person. He quickly gave me the low down of the great music scene here in Pittsburgh and also where I might find some gigs for myself. His playing is that of a hard working musician, one that stays up late trying to create new melodies that must be swimming in his head, for the twinkle in his eye can tell you so. Victor graciously asked me to stay for dinner and I knew I had found my first friend in the Burg, a fellow soul to enjoy this journey that we are all on.
So please enjoy the article and please check out Victor Ruiz and his Band Puro Queso Jazz Band.
Flamenco Festival in Tucson
The 2nd annual Tucson Spanish Flamenco Festival is coming to Tucson Again and what a Lineup. Here is the website to see who is coming and who is going to knock your socks off. I really do wish I could be there to join in on the activities but this year I will be cheering them all on from Pittsburgh. Please take a look a the event Tucson Flamenco festival or you can go to Flamenco del Pueblo Viejo site. Rock on my brothers and sisters.
Playing at Cafe Notte 7/2/10 and 7/30/10
I will be playing from 7.30 pm til 10.30 pm both nights. Cafe Notte is a great place to enjoy tapas, some fine wine and the great summer nights. Cafe Notte is located at 8070 Ohio River Blvd in Emsworth just south of Sewickley. I also heard that they have a great Sangria that will bring you back to Spain or to Spain whichever comes first. See you there. Jon
Viva el Flamenco, Pittsburgh Performance
I will be performing along with my fellow Pittsburgh Flamencos this Friday the 18th of June at Christine Frichard Gallery. Showtime is at 8pm and their is a suggested donation of $10. Please come out and support Flamenco in Pittsburgh.
Now living in Pittsburgh
The Steel city called my name and I listened. I just moved here two weeks ago and I am available for gigs, parties, weddings or flamenco performances. I would like to thank the flamenco community for taking me in and come june 18th we will be performing in Squirrel Hill. So far I have played in Schenley plaza for the lunch hour and I would love to meet up with some new musicians to make the best thing in the world, Music. I will post any upcoming gigs so please stay tuned and please support your local musicians either here or there. Lots of luck and love from Pittsburgh.
Jb in Memphis
A great time in the old south. My trip into Memphis was like going back home, my musical home. Please enjoy and if I ever am lost you can find me in Memphis. Jb in Memphis
Plush Show 4/26/10
I have another show at plush that I want to invite you all to. I am going to bring out the neo-soul that is in me. I will bring some friends to help me jam it out. Please come for your listening pleasure. Plus I will have CD’s on sale at the gig.
Memphis Pics
Road to Memphis
This past week Rachael and I hit the road en route to Pittsburgh, our new home, but we got stuck in Memphis. Not stuck like brokedown but stuck like stuck in a groove of some sort. We crossed the Mississippi into a town of Music, soul and BBQ. You really could smell it. We landed by Elvis Presley Blvd and I immediately broke out my guitar to try and catch the blues in the Air. It was Electric. I could hear the sounds wailin from above. Melodies formed at the beginning and end of any idea and accompanied us on our journey.
So here we rested some. Made dinner plans, ate some award winning BBQ and passed on by Graceland. A wonder at night for Elvis, yep Elvis lived there. I thought I saw him too, somewhere walking the streets, making music, singing like he was Elvis. It is a little addicting. Then Sun records, the first recording of Elvis and Johnny Cash, Sam Phillips a genius in his own right who exposed blues and roots to the masses, with a recording.
I truly felt home. Felt as if I could Lay around and watch my dog run. People happy to see her. See my girl come back from her jog. Go catch her, go walk along the water. Listen to the wind blow the river downstream. I need to go back and see it again, I know this. We made it though. To Pittsburgh, to start over, or under or around or straight or crooked, just going to have fun enjoying the now, so they say. I will post videos next.
El Charro Cafe Fridays and Saturdays in March
Please come out to a Tucson Original to enjoy the best Mexican food in town. Carne seca, Chicken enchiladas, Shrimp Tacos and Number one Margaritas that are so good the cab company comes for ya. I will be there Every Friday and Saturday. Downtown and Oro Valley locations.