The Spa Resort Casino
Art Laboe's Latin Jam
Palm Springs, California
January 14, 2017
El Chicano performed at
Art Laboe's Latin Jam in my neck of the woods on the bill
with Rose Royce and Tejano music legends Rene Rene and Sunny
Ozuna. El Chicano closed the show. I had shown
up the morning of the concert to have breakfast with my
friend Rene Ornelas, now known as Rene Rene. By sheer
coincidence, I ran into the leader of El Chicano, Fred
Sanchez, at the casino. After saying hello he asked me
if I wanted to play with them that night. I was kind
of blown away because we weren't going to have time to
rehearse, but agreed to play. At the sound check there
was no time to go over anything so I went home and reviewed
the songs on you tube for about a half hour. I was
familiar with the material and had played most of it before
at some point. It worked out well and I had a great
time.
Musicians: Fred Sanchez
(bass, lead and harmony vocals), Jerry Salas (lead vocals,
rhythm and lead guitar), Mickey Lespron (lead guitar and
harmony vocals), Joey Navarro (Hammond organ and harmony
vocals), Eddie Avila (drums), Mio "Timbalero" Flores
(timbales), David "Chango" Chavez (congas), Rosella Hamilton
(tamborine and harmony vocals), and Mark
Guerrero (rhythm guitar and harmony vocals)
Songs
performed on videos below:
"Brown Eyed Girl," "Viva Tirado," and "Tell
Her She's Lovely"
"Brown Eyed Girl" word and music by Van Morrison
"Viva
Tirado" music by Gerald Wilson
"Tell Her
She's Lovely" words & music by David Batteau
