Ideas flowed, and the three double bass players decided to call a convocation of musical artists for a dialogue about organizing for the benefit of the musicians and the community
Patrick O’Heffernan.
Three double bass players – Evaristo Leyette, Gilberto Rios, and David Calvario – ran into each other at the Plaza recently and talked – as three musicians will – about ways to promote music in Lakeside. They were joined by the new Director of Culture for Ajijic and San Antonio Tlayacapan, Santiago Baeza ,who also happened to be in the plaza.
Ideas flowed, and the three double bass players decided to call a convocation of musical artists for a dialogue about organizing for the benefit of the musicians and the community. Baeza agreed to attend as a guest, andEl Barco offered them meeting space. Evaristo sent out an online invitation to the music community. The response was enthusiastic.
About 30 people filled the chairs on a sunny afternoon, mostly from the music community, including local band leaders, producers, and artists. The meeting was conducted in English and Spanish and was chaired by Evaristo. Culture Director Baeza spoke, giving a little of his background in the arts and pointing out that as yet he did not have an office so his office “was in the streets,” which allowed him to give artists his full attention, which he did.
He outlined his vision for the “Good times ahead for art and culture in this area”, including musical events held in many public and private places, a possible international jazz festival, and increasing the opportunities for musicians to play.
“My job is to give you more options – I want to use every inch of Ajijic and San Antonio Tlayacapan for cultural activities,’ Baeza told the crowd.
I love that vision – it reminds me how the South By Southwest festival uses every inch of Austin, Texas, and puts the small Texas city solidly on the map as an American music and creative hub. As a music writer who has been covering fusion music (Mariachi blues, recuerdo rap, alt. cumbia electronica, chicana rock – you get the picture) in the US, Europe and Mexico for almost 15 years from Los Angeles, I was heartened to see that the instigators were Mexican, that about a quarter of the audience was Mexican, and that it was bi-lingual from the start. I was also encouraged that some of the area’s heavy music hitters were there from all genres – major producers, band and orchestra leaders, popular artists – and they seemed to be buying in.
After the meeting, Baeza told me how unique and vibrant the music scene has become in Ajijic and San Antonio Tlayacapan. The energy and vision that Evaristo and his double bass co-conspirators surfaced clearly demonstrated that the music scene here is not only varied but high quality and dynamic. Baez’s energy and commitment supercharges this energy.
So what now? The convocation was not an official event but it was an important event. Many independent musical artists got together, added their names to a directory, and offered ideas and proposals. More importantly, they offered their commitment and their energy.
The double bass trio have a plan, determination, and allies. The product of what they have started could be music festivals, jobs and audiences for musicians, and tourism. But what is more exciting is how they may just lay the foundation for a reputation that goes far beyond Pueblo Magico, branding Ajijic/San Antonio Tlayacapan nationally and worldwide not only as Mexican centers for art, but as a creative hub for music. We shall see, but the possibilities are music to my ears.
(see a personal statement by Director of Culture Santiago Baeeza elsewhere in this edition)
Patrick O’Heffernan
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