UPCOMING EVENTS

July 14-18 - Miami, FL - Filming with "Cuban Pete" and Barbara Craddock

In fondest memory of Israel "Cachao" Lopez

Cachao, who died the morning of March 22 in a Florida hospital, was a Cuban bassist and composer, who was instrumental in turning Arsenio Rodriguez's "mambo" rhythm of the "danzon" into the extended mambo rhythm of present day.

During the Palladium-era, there were only 2 bassists that shared the most in-demand style of many orchestras in the New York music scene: Cachao and Alfonso "El Panameno" Joseph - both whom have worked with Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Machito and many others. In fact, during the early 1960's, while Cachao was performing with Machito's Orchestra, Alfonso "El Panameno" was performing and recording with Candido Camero - and when Alfonso left Candido's band to join Johnny Pacheco, Cachao took his place as Candido's bassist.

"Cachao's name was mentioned very often in my family and he'll be missed," says Executive Producer Josue Joseph of La Epoca, "Cachao was scheduled to be interviewed for the film on the afternoon of April 16, '08 - hearing the news of his death makes me even more sad, not only because he was a man that I've respected, but also because I've lost an opportunity to document his legacy and share it with the world. It is a great loss for all of us."

In fondest memory of Julian Llanos

Julian Llanos, born in Puerto Rico and moved to New York in 1954 and began recording with Hector Rivera and Arsenio Rodriguez, died on April 25. He was a Palladium-era vocalist.

Llanos was interviewed for "La Epoca" in the summer of 2007, referred to producers by Palladium-era bongocero Luis Mangual, who also appears in the feature film production, expected in theaters this September '08.

Llanos's contribution to "La Epoca" is quite valuable, as he was a member of the conjunto of Arsenio Rodriguez with Alfonso "El Panameno" Joseph on bass, Renee Hernandez on piano, Gene Jefferson on sax, and with Marcelino Guerra and Santiago Ceron as vocalists during the mid and late 1960's.

Remembering Julian Llanos - we shall keep his family in or prayers. Be sure to watch "La Epoca" when it is released in select theaters nation-wide as we document some of the legacy of Julian Llanos.