Interview with Trumpet Player, El Niche Gozador
by Raine Jordan for AKR Magazine (originally published 7/2023)
“When you work with great musicians, they are always a part of you. Their spirits are walking around in me. So they're still here and passing it on to others.” Miles Davis
When I first heard El Niche’s trumpet, I was taken aback by the sheer power and beauty of the sound he was blowing through it. I initially thought it was mic’d, but as I looked closer, I saw that it was all him. Unfortunately, he was standing next to the saxophone player, who was also unplugged, and I could not hear him at all. My point is that he got my undivided attention. After that, although there was a full band playing, and vocals, I couldn’t stop hearing him. That kind of experience doesn’t happen often for me, but when it does, it always turns out to be very special. So, this interview is my tribute to his incredible talent and my way of sharing it with a wider audience who I believe would love to hear him. In the interview that you are about to read, El Niche said after touring with a famous dance-orchestra called “Manolin El Medico de La Salsa” through 15 countries when he was just 17 years old, he decided to stay in the USA because he wanted to spread his wings wider. Well, I think he’s about to do that, or more precisely, I think he is doing that. El Niche tells us an intriguing story about his childhood and his musical family in Cuba, and how his ancestral roots and experiences continue to inspire his art and career as a trumpeter. I am thrilled the spirits of his musical ancestors have led him here. Please welcome him into your heart and ears.
(RJ) How did you first become interested in music and playing the trumpet El Niche?
(ENG) Well, I'll tell you that I was born into a completely musical family. My grandfather was a musician. He played tenor sax and he had nine children and he taught them all to play an instrument since they were children. But my uncles and aunts grew up and some left the path of music and dedicated themselves to medicine. In the end only my dad who still plays saxophone and my uncle who plays trumpet remained. Since I was born, I was surrounded by music and musicians. Everywhere in my house family and friends would gather every Saturday and Sunday to sing, play, and spend some very nice moments. That was something very normal in my house. For me the greatest blessing was that my grandparents raised me from the time I was born. Well, you see, I came into the world with many health problems, such as anemia, low weight, and little muscle mass. I was in an incubator for several months. And worst of all is that I was born with asthma, and it is still with me today. So basically, my grandparents took care of my upbringing my whole life until they passed away when I was 20 years old. I always remember them with so much love and gratitude for everything they did for me. And for the great man of respect and dignity that I am today. I keep telling you about my grandfather, Juan Jose, that was his name. He gave the same kind of upbringing to me and my cousins. He taught us how to play all the instruments. When I was 8 years old my grandfather already had me teaching guitar, piano and sax. But honestly I didn’t like any of them. One day my uncle who was already a professional musician gave me his trumpet to play. I knew absolutely nothing about playing the trumpet. I put the trumpet in my mouth, and I got a really good sound out of the instrument. Instantly I told my grandfather I was going to be a trumpeter. That same year on May 20th, the day of my 8th birthday, my grandfather gave me my first trumpet and from that day, my musical life began.
(RJ) As a young person learning to play the trumpet, who and what influenced your love for music and style of playing?
(ENG) My love for music comes from the fact that I was born into a musical family. Since I was a child, I grew up listening to music 24/7. My grandfather had a lot of cassettes and vinyl records. You know, those that were big, black and round, and you put a needle on top of them to make them make a sound. And I had a bit of everything to listen to, Brazilian music, Mexican music, classical, music and American music which I enjoyed and sang the most. Although, I didn't know what the songs meant or said. I played Barry White, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, every day. Also, Donna Summer, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, Bobby McFerrin, Dizzy Gillespie, etc. And also, of course, Cuban music from my grandfather's time, like Benny More’ Roberto, Felix Chappottin, Muguelito Cuni, etc. They were stars of Cuban music. As a child, my musical collection was absolutely wonderful, and it filled me with pure energy when listening to it. But my favorite trumpet player was, is, and will be forever, Miles Davis. And every day listening to these great artists made my love for music and the desire to play like them stronger and stronger. I was challenged every day to be better even though my musical career was just beginning.
(RJ) What are the differences and similarities between Latin Jazz and American Jazz?
(ENG) I believe one of the most notable differences between traditional American jazz and Latin jazz is the rhythmic base. The percussion of Latin jazz has a broad rhythmic base based on indigenous Latin and also African rhythms from when the slaves arrived in Cuba. We still keep alive those rhythms in our culture. Cuban or Latin jazz is famous and recognized worldwide in fact every year there is a festival in Cuba called Jazz Plaza, and many musicians from the USA and other parts of the world come. The similarities are many, because in Cuba we are influenced by the USA in all aspects of our music. Remember that we are only 90 nautical miles from Florida. And before 1959, there was a great musical brotherhood between Cuba and the US. But Fidel Castro arrived with his dictatorship and regime, and everything collapsed. It was forbidden to listen to American music. If the police surprised you, then you were sleeping in jail that day. I did not experience that but older people told me when I asked them about that time.
(RJ) Can you talk a little about your creative process?
(ENG) For my creative process I don't have or do anything special. I just let my ideas flow. My mind connects with my musical ancestors, with the universe, and with the spirit within me. And little by little magic happens. I transmit through my lips what I am connecting with and when my lips vibrate, they make the trumpet sound the way it wants me to play it. And that is what you hear. It is in my head at that very moment, and every second it is different. Every second I have different ideas coming through. But sometimes I have days that Idon't connect at all with that “5G network” inside of me ha, ha, ha. And that day my trumpet doesn't sound right to me. I don't do the job as it should be done. It's not that I play badly, it's that I don't feel it like I do when I’m in direct connection with the gods. For example, the day of the Music Medicine show at Yoshi's. I was super connected. If they had let me play longer it would have been something more incredible. From the moment I played the first note, I felt that I was in connection with my musical gods who accompany me.
(RJ) What has continued to inspire you over the years to create and play music?
(ENG) What has always inspired me and will continue to inspire me to never leave my trumpet is the love and respect that I have for music. Since I was born I knew that music is love, passion, sweetness. And through music we touch the soul of people who listen to it. We must continue creating good music so that future generations learn to listen and recognize the true music quality. Because today it is being lost little by little, and the youth do not know of Thelonious Monk or John Coltrane or Dizzy Gillespie, etc. And that's why we have to work on making more programs for public schools so that children can learn about music.
(RJ) What is your primary intention or purpose as an artist? And can you name what it is that you are expressing or giving to your audience through your music?
(ENG) As an artist my first intention and what I want most is to leave a musical legacy for the new generations. That's why I give classes to children and young people. So they can learn the art and magic of music. And I try to record music with everyone who calls me to do so. The recording remains a trace in time and someone at some point will listen to it.
(RJ) Who were some of the most influential people or artists in your life and why?
(ENG) The most influential person in my life has been my grandfather.Thanks to him today I'm here talking about my musical life. He was everything to me, my hero. And as I told you before, I love all the trumpet players you can imagine, but Miles Davis was unique in his time. He did things that revolutionized the way of playing the trumpet. I don't think he himself knew he was a genius. His warmth, versatility, and delivery when playing were unique. That is why Miles will always be the most influential, together with my grandfather. My champions.
(RJ) Can you talk about some of the musicians and artists that you’ve collaborated with over the years and what that was like for you?
(ENG) At the age of 17, while still in Cuba, my professional life in music began. Since my grandfather had taught me Solfeggio and Trumpet at 8 years old, at 10, I started art school. Two years later I was offered a scholarship at the prestigious National School of Art of Cuba (ENA) and I was there until I was 19 years old. But I couldn’t graduate because I was already touring and earning a good income with one of the most famous popular dance music orchestras (Cuban salsa) that Cuba has produced. The orchestra was called, Manolin El Medico de La Salsa. I traveled with them to more than 15 countries on international tours. And I shared the stage with many artists, B.B.King, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Oscar de Leon, among others. In 2000 we toured the USA for a month and when the month ended, I decided to stay in this wonderful country. I stayed because I needed to spread my wings, fly higher. Little by little, I began to make relationships. In 2002, I worked under a contract for one year with the famous Cuban singer based in Miami, Albita Rodriguez. Also, at that same time I shared the stage with the Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz. In Miami, I recorded many CD's and played with local artists. They also called me to play at shows with international artists who came to Miami, for example, the Mexican singer Emmanuel. He even had me in his videos. And in 2010, I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area. There are so many artists with whom I have played and recorded with here as well. Out of all the incredibly beautiful things I’ve learned, and all the unforgettable moments I've had, the common thread is that they have all been with the public. It is the chemistry, a unique energy, between the artist and the one in front of you. So many people know what I'm talking about. It’s that connection that is very important for an artist.
(RJ) As an artist, what do you consider your most meaningful accomplishments so far?
(ENG) For me the most significant achievement so far in my career has been the fact that they called me to record my trumpet on a CD of children's music for children where all the musicians were from different countries of the world and that CD won the Grammy Award in 2022 for best children's album. That was something wonderful but it's also something super beautiful to be able to teach my students the trumpet that's worth more than 100 Grammy Awards.
(RJ) What was it like to be involved in Mickel London’s UCSF Children's Hospital Music Medicine Benefit Concert at Yoshi's this year?
(ENG) For me it was an unbelievably beautiful experience. I made new friends, all with a big heart of gold. And as musicians they are exceptional. I felt super good knowing that we were contributing to a noble cause. And our art is like a little grain of sand that may have influence. Mickel London is a great man, and God and the universe reward guys like him.
(RJ) Are there creative projects or plans that you are involved with now that you’d like to tell us about?
(ENG) Right now, I am waiting for a call back from a friend who is making a CD of traditional Cuban music. His wife is from Israel, so I said to him that it would be something exotic and unique to record her singing in Hebrew on the CD. He liked the idea, and we are working on it. Also, I want todo something with the band of musicians that I played with at Yoshis. Maybe a fusion of Latin jazz, R&B and pop. I don't know exactly what that is yet, but there is something there. Once I connect with my gods and we line up some exquisite ideas, it’s going to come right out of my little head. Thanks for this wonderful interview.
