JACKSON – Attendees were literally dancing in the aisles during a performance of the David Cedeno Band who brought their iconic Latin sound to the Jackson Library recently in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Cedeno, a resident of Brick, has a 14-piece orchestra but due to the space limitations of the meeting room of the Jackson Library, he was joined by four members of his band. Cedeno plays trumpet and sings.
He provided a free CD to members and at the close of the performance held a contest for most energetic dancer.
At the age of 14, he had already begun his path as an artist. As his career progressed, he wanted to share his passion with everyone. Together with his orchestra, Cedeno played a large variety of music including Latin salsa, Latin jazz, meringue, ballads, and waltzes.
Believing that music was “made to be shared,” he arranged some popular English hits by adding a Latin salsa beat while still keeping the original lyrics in English. These English titles include “Lady in Red,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” “Somewhere,” and “Sealed with a Kiss” – all of which were sung during the afternoon program at the library.
“You don’t have to be a dancer you can just move,” Cedeno told the audience. Taking to heart that message was Jackson resident Brenden Tye who was enjoying the program and moving in his seat. “I am not familiar with this band and this is not the primary type of music I listen to. I am more of a hard rock, heavy metal type of person.”
“I did musicals during high school and am musically inclined so try to branch out as much as possible,” Tye added.
Dorothy Clifton, a 33-year resident of Jackson is a regular at the library. “I enjoy the library and the music programs. I was here when they had the guitar program which was fabulous and I am looking forward to their upcoming 1960s program.”
“I am Italian and Swiss and I grew up with Italian music and country music. We always had music in the house. My mother was a ballroom dancer but I’m not a dancer. I have no rhythm. In my head I’m dancing but the feet do not connect with the head,” she joked.
She wasn’t familiar with Spanish music but decided to come out and get a taste of another flavor of music.
The audience dances as David Cedeno plays the trumpet during a National Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at the Jackson Library. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
Cedeno opened the gate for other Latin performers to crossover and introduce their music to America. As a Latin musician, his success stretches beyond the borders of the United States. He told The Jackson Times “We formed the band in April of 1969.”
“We have traveled through Germany, Spain, Columbia, Canada and we started a two-week tour to Japan in 1996. Our manager told us they wanted us to stay for another six weeks. We ended up staying six months,” the performer said.
The band leader said, “two weeks before we had to come back they wanted to book us for another three weeks but we had to leave Japan because you only get six months. They wanted us to go to Korea and stay there 24 hours and come back into Japan. That is how much they wanted us.”
He was able to get in touch with a fan base he only heard about in letters and phone conversations.
Cedeno’s career also includes performing in the 2007 motion picture “EL Cantante” (The Singer) starring Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony. In the film he played a Fania All Stars trumpet player.
As Librarian Rachael Montez told the audience present for the 90-minute program, the Ocean County Library system was offering several programs at its branches to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15 by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
The observation began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was later expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and concluding on October 15.
It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988. The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.
Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18 respectively. Columbus Day or Dia de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this month-long period. This year’s theme is “Latinos: Driving Prosperity, Power, and Progress in America, pays tribute to the immense economic and political strides Latinos have made in the U.S.”
National Hispanic Heritage Month traditionally honors the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans as we celebrate heritage rooted in all Latin American countries.
The post Musicians Bring Rhythm And Energy To Hispanic Heritage Month appeared first on Jersey Shore Online.