Sat Mar 23 – Little Louie Vega, David Harness, Homero Espinosa
LITTLE LOUIE VEGA
Impossible to pigeonhole and irreplaceable to the scene which he has helped build over more than 20 years, Louie Vega is the quintessential music professional. He’s the ‘DJ’s DJ’, that name constantly thanked on an artist’s album copy, the one who has influenced and defined countless other DJ-producers, from today’s brightest stars to those still beat-matching in their bedrooms. In 2008, the Grammy Award-winning DJ, Producer, songwriter, label owner & band leader and tireless champion of House and world music is only getting better; from Latin to Salsa, afro-beat to jazz, hip-hop to classics and all forms of house/dance music the best is yet to come.
Whether performing with his own Elements Of Life collective at some of the world’s premier festivals and venues, producing and remixing for a diverse and exciting array of world musicians, DJing worldwide to packed clubs, promoting his own residencies and events from New York to Ibiza or just keeping his ear to the ground in search of the next big producer or artist, Louie Vega’s amazing career knows no bounds. Like many similar success stories, Vega’s career has humble beginnings and it’s perhaps not surprising that he comes from a family steeped in musical tradition and success.
The son of accomplished jazz and Latin saxophonist Luis Vega Sr. and the nephew of renowned salsa singer Hector Lavoe of Fania All Stars fame, Louie Vega emerged in the mid 1980s as an up-and-coming DJ playing at Bronx and Manhattan hotspots like the Devil’s Nest, Roseland, Hearthrob, Studio 54 and the Palladium. Vega was soon making a name for himself through production & remixing, quickly releasing over 100 original productions and remixes including Information Society’s ‘Running’ & ‘What’s On Your Mind’, Noel’s ‘Silent Morning’, the Cover Girls’ ‘Because Of You’ and Debbie Gibson’s ‘Only In My Dreams’. Linking with New York House pioneer Todd Terry on ‘And The Beat Goes On’ and ‘Give Yourself To Me’, Vega soon met Kenny ‘Dope’ Gonzalez, in doing so beginning one of the most successful partnerships in modern music in the form of Masters At Work.
Throughout the 1990s Vega and Gonzalez as Masters At Work were responsible for some of the most ground-breaking, critically-acclaimed and commercially-accessible House music tracks ever made. Barbara Tucker’s ‘Beautiful People’ and River Ocean’s ‘Love & Happiness’ featuring Vocalist India, became – and remain – seminal crowd favourites while innovative house remixes for the likes of Tito Puente, Madonna, Donna Summer, Nina Simone, Janet Jackson, Jamiroquai, Earth Wind & Fire and many more transcended genres and established Masters At Work as a production and remix duo at the top of their game.
The late 1990s saw Vega and Gonzalez continue to produce and remix under a number of monikers including Nuyorican Soul, KenLou and Sole Fusion, as well as launch their own MAW imprint with early releases including club hits ‘Moonshine’, ‘Everybody Be Somebody’, ‘What A Sensation’ , ‘To Be In Love’ & ‘Elements of Life’. Nuyorican Soul’s self-titled 1997 album saw the duo further explore elements of Latin, disco, jazz and down-tempo music. Some of music’s shining lights joined Vega and Gonzalez in the studio including Jocelyn Brown, Roy Ayers, India, Vincent Montana Jr., the Salsoul Orchestra, George Benson and Tito Puente, making the album another critical success for Vega and another influential and engaging release for music lovers worldwide. The duo followed in 2002 with their own Masters At Work album – ‘Our Time Is Coming’ – that again featured an eclectic range of sounds including Latin-Jazz and soca beats, with featured artists James Ingram, Patti Austin, Stephanie Mills all underlined by crisp, expert production.
The launch of Vega Records in 2003 was the boldest step in Louie Vega’s determination to embrace and spread vibrant rhythms from some of the planet’s most diverse musical hotspots. From the label’s first release – ‘Cerca De Mi’ featuring Raul Midon –Vega Records has showcased everything from Bossanova to Samba, Jazz to salsa, Latin to Afro beats and, of course, sexy, deep House. Vega’s A&R efforts have seen him sign and develop a varied Artist roster and one that continues to expand and surprise. The label is now routinely checked as one of the most forward-facing, adventurous labels out there, releasing tracks by some of the world’s most exciting producers & artists including Boddhi Satva, Agev Munsen, Mr. V, and Anané.
It has been through Vega Records too, that Vega has developed his latest performance collective, Elements Of Life. Originally formed in 1998, the collective has acted as yet another outlet for Vega to break down musical boundaries. Samba, Jazz, Salsa and Afro-groove blend together seamlessly, reflecting Vega’s desire to create culturally-unifying music that reflects upon love, family, spiritualism, celebration of life and social awareness. Vega Records artists including Gene Perez, Luisito Quintero and vocalist Anané – in addition to long time friends and collaborators Josh Milan and Kevin Hedge of Blaze fame – linked with Vega to release the full-length EOL album ‘Extensions’ in 2005 and the collective has since performed at some of the world’s premier jazz festivals and concert halls such as North Sea, Montreux Jazz Festival, Roskilde, Womad & House of Blues.
After being asked to compose and produce the song ‘One Dream’ (which he co-wrote with Blaze) for Cirque Du Soleil, Louie and Elements Of Life – with Anané on lead vocals -performed the song during the 2007 Superbowl Pre-Game Show in front of an estimated worldwide audience of over 140 million people. With their next album – ‘One Dream’ – slated for release in May 2009, Elements Of Life is set to continue Louie Vega’s vision. The first single, ‘Into My Life (You Brought The Sunshine)’ co-written by Blaze & Selan features two of Louie Vega’s long time collaborators Lisa Fischer & Cindy Mizelle. In Louie Vega’s words “This album will be a homage to women!”. Louie Vega has also produced Anané’s masterpiece album “Ananésworld” producing an album of rock, reggae, world, R&B and dance music within the world of Anané due to be released March 2009.
In addition to producing, remixing, releasing and DJing, Vega is also a successful promoter. His early infamous Underground Network parties with Don Welch & Barbara Tucker at New York’s Sound Factory Bar provided him with crucial experience he has since used to plan, promote and execute some of the most talked-about and anticipated parties in dance music. From his annual Magic Sessions appearances at Miami’s Winter Music Conference to his current Roots weekly club night at New York’s Cielo and his maiden Ibiza residency at El Divino in partnership with Soul Heaven, Vega – the true perfectionist – involves himself in every aspect of an event’s development, ensuring it is a success. The past few years have seen Vega produce albums for artists including Anané, Luisito Quintero and Los Amigos Invisibles as well as release individual cuts and compilations on the industry’s most revered imprints, Defected Records, Kingstreet & Azuli all the while building Vega Records into the independent powerhouse it is today. Ultimate recognition came in 2006, when he received a Grammy Award for the Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical category, with his remix of Curtis Mayfield’s ‘Superfly.’
Ever the innovator, 2009 promises to see Vega continue to revolutionize the musical landscape as only he knows how. Breaking down musical barriers and bringing people together through a love of music has always been Vega’s aim; after more than 20 years in the game his contributions continue to positively influence the global House, and world, music scenes.
DAVID HARNESS
David Harness is one of the most popular DJ/producers in the San Francisco Bay Area club scene. He has been described as ‘a man who lives, breathes and emanates everything that is beautiful about deep house music and classic garage.’ David is considered a ‘rising star’ within the dance community.’ With influences varying from Barry White and the Love Unlimited Orchestra, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Quincy Jones, the Jackson Five, Stevie Wonder, Parliament Funkadelic, the Isley Brothers and First Choice, among others it’s easy to see why funk and soul have always been strong elements in his sound. In 1990, David began DJ’ing at the After Dark in his hometown of Monterey, California. As his popularity grew past the boundaries of Monterey, he was invited to establish a residency at Tilt and the Sound Factory in San Francisco.
1994, David opened and DJ’ed at the popular club Lift at Club Dv8 (today known as Temple) in San Francisco. His success as a club DJ led to a DJ spot on commercial radio. David joined the popular radio show Your Mama’s House on the San Francisco Bay Area’s number one radio station 106KMEL FM. Your Mama’s House was the only ‘true’ house mix show on any major radio station in Northern California. As part of the Your Mama’s House crew, David played a key role in exposing the masses to House Music in the San Francisco Bay Area till 1999.
In 1995 David kicked off a seven year residency at San Francisco ‘s legendary Club Universe — San Francisco’s hottest Saturday night party. At Club Universe, David had the opportunity to play with many legendary DJs like Frankie Knuckles, Tony Humphries, Little Louie Vega, Tedd Patterson, Dave Morales, Danny Teneglia, London’s Simon Dunmore & Aaron Ross, Los Angeles’ Marques Wyatt, San Francisco’s Miguel Migs, Mark Farina and Kaskade, Quentin Harris, Dennis Ferrer, DJ Spen, Timmy Regisford, Doc Martin, Osunlade, Danny Krivit, Joe Clausell, Derrick Carter Mr. V, Kenny Dope, DJ Spinna— just to name a few. His growing popularity accelerated David’s natural progression into production. In 1998, he released a CD for Universe Sounds and Twisted America, ‘Welcome to the Universe’. This innovative CD, recorded live from Club Universe, reflects San Francisco’s unique ‘sound’ and introduced the world to David Harness. Recognizing his talent, Twisted America quickly signed him to produce his first single, ‘Get It Together’, for a Twisted America compilation entitled ‘A Little Bit of the Old, A Lot of the New’. In 1999, David started Taboo in San Francisco’s Mission District. Taboo started out of David’s love of House music and his desire to provide a showcase for Bay Area talent as well as internationally known DJs. Now in Oakland, this ongoing monthly party attracts a loyal crowd of househeads from around the San Francisco Bay Area and the globe to the this blending of spirit and soul.
In September 2000, David launched DHJ Productions and has established himself as a respected producer and remixer. To date, David has worked on projects featuring artists such as Mary J. Blige, Luther Vandross, Aretha Franklin, Simply Red, Alicia Keys, Floetry, Donnie McClurkin, India Arie, *NSYNC, and Donnell Jones, Ann Nesby, Anane, Barbara Tucker, Inaya Day, Shea Soul, Dawn Tallman, Heidi Vogel, Yoko Ono, Roland Clark as well as remixing for labels Defected, Kings Street, Vega Records, Foliage, Quantize Recordings, Making Moves, Tribe Records, Look At You, Yellorange/Tony Records, Chez, Slaag, Bargrooves. He is a partner in the Moulton Music label and divides his production time between his solo work and co-productions with Harlum Muziq (co-productions with Chris Lum). David is also affiliated with Loveslap Recordings label releasing 2 cd’s Loveslapped Vol2, & Heartbeat, as well as original production and remixes for the label. David Has performed at Coachella, Southport Weekender, Outside Lands, Pride Festival (SF-1995-2011, Oakland-2011/2012), Nextaid Benefit, Macy’s Passport, and countless clubs and event around the globe.
David has appeared in articles and interviews for Billboard Magazine, Paper Magazine, Surface, XLR8R, Streetsounds, Sweater, HX, Next, URB, DJ Mag, 5magazine, Gloss, Odyssey, The BAR, and the SF Bay Guardian.David continues to maintain a bust DJ schedule in the SF Bay Area and produces several events at Mighty, Fgag Fridays, Mars Bar, as well as frequent spots at SoulTogether (London) and other events around the world. David has received some great recognition with awards from The Monterey Weekly (1995), San Francisco Goldie Award (1995), Chicago/ Music Plant Dirty Dozen Award (2001), Nitevibe Top 10 DJ Dream Team (06, 07,08), & 2011 nomination for SF Pride Grand Marshall. David continues to maintain a bust DJ schedule in the SF Bay Area and produces several events at Mighty, as well as frequent dj spots at Fgag Fridays, Mars Bar, SoulTogether (London) and other events around the world. David Harness’ passion, talent and creativity has definitely created a new page in the history of house music and given him the deep respect of his peers.
HOMERO ESPINOSA
Homero Espinosa is a DJ, producer, and label owner who began his career in the pioneering San Francisco Bay Area party scene of the early ‘90s. He’s a hard-working and no-nonsense music lover who infuses passion into everything he does, from rocking a crowd, to engineering remixes, to producing modern dance music.
His highly-tuned feel for groove has led to collaboration with house music icon Mark Farina (who featured Homero’s tracks on his Fabric and Ministry of Sound DJ mixes), releases on prominent labels including King Street, Reel People Music, and iRecords, and featured singles on Defected Radio.
Homero’s latest passion project is Moulton Music, a boutique label he cofounded with the legendary Chris Lum. Homero and Chris are proud to be working with some of house music’s most important artists, like Tony Humphries, Fred Everything, and The Revenge to name a few.
Though it’s a new venture, Moulton Music is already making a name for itself, with several releases hitting #1 on the Traxsource Top 100 charts and Beatport Top 100.
Through his sets showcased in venues far and wide—from the clubs of Europe to the well-known venues of his home turf, San Francisco—Homero has proven to be a solid performer, professional craftsman, and tasteful musical guide, catching the attention of house music lovers globally. While his favorite accolades are the high-fives and pats on the back that follow playing a stirring set, the satisfaction that comes from hearing one of his tracks on a booming sound system during a night of party hopping or seeing a track he worked on hitting the top of the charts also fuels his passion. Homero’s elegant signature sound—a marriage of ‘90s rave elements and melodic jazz, soul, and hip hop influences—is being embraced by a wider, global audience. And he’s thrilled to share his music with the world.
