|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
 |
|
| Title: Divine Intervention |
MP3, WMA, MPC, OGG, M4A, FLAC, WAV |
| Artist: Alfonso |
| (c): (C) 2002 Alfonso |
| (p): (P) 2002 Alfonso Joseph |
Genre: |
Record Label: |
Price: |
Digital release date: |
|
|
10.08 $ |
2005-08-01 |
|
|
|
| Track: |
Artist: |
Length: |
Price: |
Select: |
Demo: |
| |
| |
  |
  |
|
The musical style of Alfonso Joseph is a unique and thus far an unclassified style; but it is simple enough to define. The music, instrumentation and genre are a combination of symphonic and Latin. The lyrics are Christian and biblically based themes. So, you can either decide for yourself or leave it to the industry pundits to categorize this musical style. Whatever you do, let it not fall away into the obscurity of "other". It is not deserving of such a fate.
In the late sixties/early seventies, Alfonso played bass at Birdland, where all the Jazz and Latin-Jazz greats performed.
As a bass player and vocalist, he accompanied, recorded and performed with some of the most popular and prominent bandleaders and musicians during the heyday of Latin music and Latin-Jazz. Historians and fans of this era as well as the older generation of Latinos, will remember most of these artists.... Arsenio Rodriguez, Candido, Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Machito, Johnny Pacheco, Yomo Toro, Cachao, Miguelito Valdez, Doc Cheetham, Alfredo "Chocolate" Armentero, Mauricio Smith, Richie Ray and Marcelino Guerra to name a few.
Arsenio Rodriguez was a tres guitarist and earned renown as a master of Afro-Cuban music and in particular is regarded by many as the originator of a Latin style called the "son montuno". Arsenio personally taught Alfonso the intricate techniques of Cuban bass rhythms and syncopation. Alfonso performed with Arsenio at Carnegie Hall and recorded with Arsenio on Ansonia Records ("Arsenio Rodriguez y Su Conjunto", Vol.2) and Tico Records ("Arsenio Dice... Arsenio Says").
Candido, the great Cuban Latin-Jazz percussionist, also personally coached and trained Alfonso on Cuban bass rhythms and syncopation. Alfonso recorded with Candido as vocalist, with Tito Puente conducting and playing vibes and timbales and Cachao on bass, (Tico Records, "Candido's Latin McGuffas Dust").
The symphonic influence comes from his education and experience. Alfonso has had more than 15 years of private and formal academic training on double bass, bass guitar, voice, harmony, theory, composition, orchestration and arranging. He attended Hartnett Music Studios and Lyn Oliver Studios in New York City, and studied double bass with private tutors as well as attending jazz workshops. He has performed with symphonies and chamber orchestras... Center Symphony Orchestra, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and Connecticut Festival Orchestra, respectively, to name a few.
After the death of his mentor, Arsenio Rodriguez, Alfonso partially retreated from performing and relocated to the Litchfield hills of northwestern Connecticut, dedicating most of his time to composing and orchestrating. In this undertaking, he conceived the vision of employing his knowledge, skills and technique as acquired from Latin and Classical music into one form. He spent hours, weeks and months which turned into years, diligently writing and rewriting orchestrations to produce many works, some of which are recorded on his first album, "Divine Intervention".
The Christian influence has more to do with who Alfonso is as apart from what he does. Like many of us who question and shed the religious upbringing imposed by our parents, so also did Alfonso as an adult. Disappointed with himself and his life, Alfonso turned away from his religious roots, and became an agnostic. That philosophy brought no positive change to his life, except to dull the sin consciousness.
The loss of family, friends and jobs sent him on a sinful path to what appeared to be destruction. Only God knows when to intercede to rescue the desperate! Without fail and right on time, God sent believers into Alfonso's life who testified of the life changing power of Jesus Christ. Through the miraculous healing of a dying friend, Alfonso eventually experienced a spiritual awakening and recommitted himself to walk with the Lord and in His ways for the rest of his life.
With this conversion, Alfonso dedicated his talents and time to composing music that brings forth the message of God's love and teachings. He also is an avid and perpetual student of the Bible and ministers the Word as the Lord leads.
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
