OCHUN
ON THE BALLOT FOR 3 GRAMMYS CATAGORIES
Best Traditional Tropical
Best Engineering Latin
Producer of the Year

Interviewed by: Kristin

Who is in Ochun and what do they play?

Ochun is: Miguel Garcia, vocals / composer,
Paul Artmstrong, piano / composer/ musical director
Pablo Moya, tres / composer / arranger
These three are the primary members of the band. Ochun also performs with many of New York’s great Latin musicians including: Gabriel “Chinchilita” Machado (congas), Nestor Villar (timbals), Giullermo Edgehill (bass), Jon Hines (trumpet) and Marshall Gilkes (trombone).

Where did the name Ochun originate and what does it mean to you?

Ochun is the name of a goddess that came to the Caribbean islands from Africa. We chose the name because she represents many things including love, water, and positive energy and we wanted to incorporate that feeling into our music. Ochun is also associated with “La Caridad del Cobre”, the patron saint of Cuba.

Since you incorporate so many types of music, how would you describe your music?

We play the traditional styles of Cuban music: guaracha, danzon, cha cha, guajira and bolero. These songs are played by musicians from many different countries and they all bring their own flavor to the sound.

Is your music exclusively in Spanish or do you have English songs too?

Our music is sung exclusively in Spanish but I would like to write a song for the band in English some day.

Where is your main fanbase?

Our fanbase is in New York City and New Jersey just across the Hudson.

Do you have fans outside of the USA?

We do have fans outside the USA. We have been getting a lot of radio play in Canada and we have been selling records in Canada, England and Italy. We have received great e-mails from those places and I would love to take this band on the road and over seas.

How long have you been in the music industry?

Miguel, Paul and Pablo started working together three years ago, but have all been performing professionally and producing albums for many years.
Miguel: 30 years
Paul: 14 years
Pablo: 42 years

How do you think the group has changed over the years?

Over the years that we have been working together we have developed a lot. Pablo’s arrangements are often very complex and that has pushed all of us to excel at our craft.

Do you feel that your music has become different since your start in the music industry?

Our music has definitely changed since we first started playing music together. In the beginning, we played the same set of Cuban standards that all the Cuban restaurants bands play in NYC. I still love to play some of those songs, but now we focus our attention on our original music.

How do you feel when you are on stage at a concert and you see all of your fans “jamming” to your music?

For me, to have an audience dancing is one of the great experiences. That is when the show is not about the band on stage, but about everyone being in the room together, at the same time, giving their energy to everyone in the room.

Is there any one group or person that you have worked with that really had an impact on you?

The one person that stands out the most as having an impact on us is Pablo Moya. His understanding of this music and the arrangements he has brought to the band have made all of us grow as musicians.

Do you see the band still together playing and going strong in 5 years?

I absolutely see the band going strong for five years. I love this music and I have so many ideas for Cd’s for Ochun.

You obviously have your own personal styles, what does each of you bring to the group?

Miguel has the spirit of Bene More.
Paul is the musical director and has an undying spirit and love for this music.
Pablo was the second director for the Ecuadorian National Symphony and made 18 albums with band Karachi and now arranges for Ochun. We all compose music for the band.

Is there any new albums, demos, videos or anything else scheduled to be released in 2005?

We have finished our second album “En El Año De Ochun” and it will be released in 2006. We are also starting work on a bolero album this month that will be released in 2006.

What is your official website?

www.ochunmusic.com

Is there anything else you want to say to your fans and other up and coming musicians?

Be true to the music you love!