Bay Areas first tribute to the great Mexican songwriter Jos Alfredo Jimnez October 9, 2008

Three singer-composers offer the Bay Areas first tribute to the great Mexican songwriter Jos Alfredo Jimnez on Thursday, Oct. 9, starting at 7:30 PM at La Pea Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Avenue,
Berkeley.

Tickets are $8 for general admission and $6 for students and seniors. For details, please see: http://www.lapena.org/event/880 or call 510-849-2568.

Presenting the Jimnez homage will be Berkeleys Steve Taylor-Ramrez (http://www.myspace.com/thestevetaylor), Oaklands soulful groove goddess Theresa Perez (http://www.myspace.com/theresaperez) and San Franciscos prize-winning trovador Alfredo Gomez (http://www.myspace.com/alfredoguitarra).

ABOUT JOS ALFREDO JIMNEZ
Fans of ranchera music, young and old alike, are familiar with Jimnez' life and work. Hes a hero in his home country, where his standing could be compared to that of Hank Williams in the U.S. Each were great singer-songwriters, and the songs of each have been interpreted by countless other world-famous artists in genres ranging from punk rock to pop.
I became familiar with Jimnez' music when, after graduating Berkeley High School, I began working at the race track stables of California, said Steve Taylor-Ramrez, the Berkeley-based troubadour who organized the tribute show. Most of my fellow workers were, like my mothers family, immigrants from Mexico. We spent many a pleasant evening drinking tequila and enjoying the emotion and poetry of Jimnez' music.

Songs such as Cuando Vivas Conmigo, about an elderly man overjoyed at having found love, and Llego Borracho el Borracho (The Drunk Arrived Drunk) will stay with me forever.

For an excellent article about Jimnez life and music, please visit: http://www.ocweekly.com/music/music/if-they-allow-us/25839/%20rel=/. For samples of his music, please visit: http://www.myspace.com/josealfredojimenezelrey.

ABOUT ALFREDO GOMEZ
Alfredo Gomez was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico in October 1958. In 1976 he entered the Music School in the University of Guadalajara, where he graduated as a music instructor. Gomez participated in vocal groups formed at the same school, participating in works of what is known today as the Orchestra Filarmnica de Guadalajara. He sang in festivals at the state level, as well as in local music communities, and won prizes.

In 1981, Gomez immigrated to the United States, where he temporarily left the music scene, and dedicated himself to literature and learning the new language. Arriving in San Francisco in the 90s, Gomez took up the guitar again and performed at venues such as La Pea Del Sur in SF, La Pea Cultural Center in Berkeley and in Latin music shows organized by Noches Bohemias (today called La Bohemia Productions). He began to write songs as well.

Today, Gomez plays an integral role in the Bay Areas Latin and bilingual musical movement not only as a solo artist but also as accompanist for other excellent singers and groups. In 2007, he recorded his album Quien Es? (Who Is it?) that includes ten of his own compositions. He is now working on his second album.

Alfredo Gomez nace en Guadalajara Jalisco en Octubre del 1958. En 1976 ingresa a la Escuela de Msica de la Universidad de Guadalajara donde se grada de instructor de msica. Participa en grupos vocales formados en la misma escuela, participando en trabajos de la hoy Orquesta Filarmnica de Guadalajara. Canta en festivales a nivel estatal donde gana algunos premios, as como en peas locales. En 1981 emigra a Los Estados Unidos donde por algn tiempo dejo de actuar pblicamente, y dado a la falta de foros, se dio a la lectura y a aprender el nuevo idioma. Llegando a San Francisco en los 90s, toma de nuevo la guitarra y se encuentra con foros como La Pea Del Sur, La Pea Cultural Center en Berkeley y Noches Bohemias (hoy La Bohemia) donde despierta de nuevo su guitarra y empieza a escribir canciones. Participa activamente en el movimiento musical latino y bilinge en el rea de la Baha no solo como solista sino acompaando a cantantes y grupos locales. En el 2007, Alfredo graba su lbum titulado Quien Es? como produccin propia con 10 canciones de su autora. Continua trabajando en su segundo disco.

ABOUT THERESA PEREZ
A one-word description of Theresa Perez is multifaceted. This young artist is as versatile on stage as she is in the studio and in her musical expression.

From singing and playing the guitar to roaring on the piano or becoming lost on the rhythm of the drum, Perez stage presence captures you and invites you into the mystery of spontaneous creativity. Pick a genre from Hip Hop to Samba to Gospel and it is likely this performer has fused it into one of her original compositions, lyrics or beat boxes.

Perez has already written and produced her own album and two others from past band experiences and a new EP is the way. Her comfort in the studio is extraordinary, and her willingness to learn from her elders is inexhaustible. Venture into her world it is a unique offering that will leave you in bliss, peace, excitement and enthusiasm for life.

ABOUT STEVE TAYLOR-RAMREZ
The appeal of Steve Taylor-Ramrez music crosses borders of age and culture. I love it! said multi-platinum songwriter/producer Eddie Galen of Steves song ONLY ADVERTISING. Based in L.A., Eddie G. is a Grammy voting member and major force behind internationally known teen sensations The Clique Girlz.

"Critic's Choice: Fancy finger picking, weathered vocals ... charisma ... socially conscious originals," wrote j. poet, music critic for the East Bay Express (as well as No Depression, Harp, Paste and other magazines). Stellar gig, said senior music critic Joel Selvin of the SF Chronicle. Contra Costa Times critics have given Steve's shows "Best Bet" ratings twice.

Steves a finger-pickin pro with songs of revolution and love, said Kaitlin McGaw, formerly of the SF Grammy office, which she left recently to devote her life to performing and marketing her critically acclaimed children's CD, Alphabet Rockers.

Steve's work has also earned praise from Kevin Vance (host of "A Patchwork Quilt," KALW 91.7 FM); Alan Kalter of The Late Show; Corey Mason of worldOneradio (KECG 88.1 FM); and bluegrass Grammy winner Laurie Lewis. Steves songs have aired on radio stations KALW, KUSF, KYCY and KECG. He's performed live on KALW, KALX and KUSF.

"I like music that has an edge," he says, "songs that deliver a message, a story, and a bit of humor." For two years, Steve was guitarist for an Oakland gospel band. He first performed his own songs in 2004 at a UC Berkeley International House concert. That fall, he formed the band Cowpokes for Peace and played in the "How Berkeley Can You Be?" Parade.

Steve has since performed at La Pea Cultural Center (as headliner), Starry Plough Pub (twice as headliner), Make-Out Room, Caf du Nord, SF Folk Festival, L's Cafe, Plough and Stars Pub (headliner), the Mission Cultural Center and many other venues. He will open for Tania Libertad, one of the main voices of the trova movement in Latin America, at the Great American Music Hall, SF, on Oct. 26 (http://www.gamh.com/artist_pages/tania_libertad_102608.htm).

Steve worked as a journalist after earning a master's degree in Latin American studies and journalism at Columbia University, New York, and a BA at Occidental College, Los Angeles. He began his career as a newspaper reporter, and served as a correspondent for the AP and SF Chronicle, and as book critic for the Napa Register. Hes also worked in radio as a news writer, reporter and producer.

Event submitted by Eventful.com on behalf of taylorcomms.