On Sunday afternoon, October 3, 2004, there was a tribute concert
for the late Don Tosti, who passed away on August 2, 2004.
It was spearheaded by Tosti's nephew, Steven Lewis, and organized
and produced by Palm Springs keyboardist/vocalist Johnny Mesa
and his wife, singer Lolla Rossi. It was held at the
Riviera Spa and Resort Hotel in Palm Springs, CA. The
setting was elegant, with many large tables in a semicircle,
Las Vegas showroom style. There was also a very large
dance floor in front of the roomy stage, which stood about
four feet above floor level. When I mentioned the event
to legendary guitarist/producer Ry Cooder, he was enthusiastic
about coming and participating. He had recorded a new
version of one of Don Tosti's early recordings on his latest
project, yet to be released. Don had done a rap in caló
(Chicano slang) on the new Ry Cooder recording. The
best musician's in the Greater Palm Springs area showed up
to perform in Don Tosti's honor. Many of them had worked
with Don over the years here in the desert, where Don Tosti
lived and performed since the early 60s.
The concert started around 2:00 p.m. with a band consisting
of legendary Chicano musician Manny Lopez on vibes, Alan Diaz
on drums, Bill Siata on Fender and upright bass, Gil Quesada
on keyboard, Rod Kokolj on sax, Steve Madaio on trumpet, and
Chalo Eduardo on congas. Ry Cooder sat in with the
band for their entire set. The band sounded great
playing Latin and Latin jazz to the delight of the capacity
crowd consisting of several hundred guests. Several
guest artists were then backed by the band, starting with
legendary vocalist Herb Jeffries. Herb is in his early
nineties and
still sounded great crooning "Night and Day" and
his signature "Flamingo." The next guest artist
was legendary L.A. sax man, Gil Bernal. Gil played on
countless hit records in the 50s and 60s and played with many
major artists including Lionel Hampton. I came on next and participated
in four songs. I brought my own drummer, Bobby Dominguez,
for my mini-set and he did his usual great job. I started
by singing the lead vocal on Louie Jordan's "Let the
Good Times Roll," trading guitar solo's with Ry Cooder on the
slow blues shuffle. I was very pleased and honored to
play with Ry. Next we played a Don Tosti cha cha, "Chavelita." I sang the verses and Johnny
Mesa and I sang the choruses in unison. We followed
with my dad's "Los Chucos Suaves,"
originally written and recorded c. 1950 and utilized again
in the late '70s for the play and movie, "Zoot Suit"
by Luis Valdez. My dad, Lalo Guerrero, came up and traded
verses and choruses with me on the song. At 87 years
old he also managed to do a little dance during the instrumental
interludes. The place went nuts. We followed "Los
Chucos Suaves" with Don Tosti's "Pachuco Boogie."
The rap in caló was done by two young performers, Eddie Diaz
and Andres Madero. They did a great job on the rap and
the dance, while dressed in full zoot suit attire.
Many other musicians played as the day progressed,
including Marty Steel and Andy Fraga on keyboards, Steve Neilan
on drums, and Gus Angelo on vibes. I had to leave around
4:00 o'clock to make my 5:30 gig a couple of miles away at
Las Casuelas Terraza, so I missed the rest of the show.
However, other guest artists performed including blues guitarist/vocalist
Kal David and his wife, blues singer, Lauri Bono. At
the time, they owned a popular blues club in Palm Springs
called the "Blue Guitar." It has since been
sold. Also performing were singer/guitarist John Stanley
King, vocalist Mike Costley, saxophonist Pat Rizzo, Don Tosti's
nephew Paul Wood playing some blues, singer Carole Hampton
serving up some Latin jazz, vocalist Bill Farrell, and Bill
Renner. Other musicians who attended, but did not perform
included former bandleader and television personality Johnny
Mann, Bill Marx (the son of Harpo Marx), and drummer/composer
Ed Genovese, who composed and recorded a tribute piece for
Don Tosti, "Samba de Don," which was played
over the P.A. system. The event went extremely well
and the feeling was very good between the performers and with
the audience. The idea of the event was to celebrate
Don Tosti's life and amazing career. Our goal was definitely
accomplished.
Mark Guerrero, Bobby Dominguez, Bill Siata, and Ry
Cooder (2004)
"Let the Good Times Roll" words and music by Louis Jordan
"Los Chucos
Suaves" words & music by Lalo Guerrero
Click here for Don Tosti tribute
concert videos Mark Guerrero performing "Let the Good Times Roll" with
Ry Cooder
& Mark & Lalo Guerrero performing "Los Chucos Suaves"
with Ry Cooder
