Marco Mendoza at LaVeLee

Pina
Gothmog, the Moderator

Smart-ass, tongue planted firmly in cheek, foot perpetually in mouth, but with a heart of gold

Posts: 2,422

Marco Mendoza at LaVeLee Dec 17, 2004 22:12:26 GMT

Quote

Post by Pina on Dec 17, 2004 22:12:26 GMT

During our trip to Los Angeles, Cindy took Paulo and I to LaVeLee (http://www.laveleejazzclub.com) to watch Marco perform with his Latin funk trio: Mendoza - Heredia - Neto. We stayed for the 2 shows and by the time they started the second set, they were really cooking! The three musicians hadn't played together in over a year. Renato Neto has been on tour with Prince for the past year. It was amazing to watch these musicians. You can tell they really enjoy playing together. In fact, Marco told me that he has been playing at LaVeLee for over 14 years and he really loves letting loose and just enjoying himself... with no pressure. You can see that in his performance. The place is a very small restaurant/club but it was packed, especially for the second set! And none other than Prince walked in to watch the trio perform. It was surreal. And it was also Renato's birthday and I was the first person to go and give him a birthday hug. I spoke to him briefly after the show and he is a really nice guy. It is so unbelievable to have such close access to these accomplished musicians! I feel truly blessed. Marco is an incredibly talented performer and he has an awesome singing voice! Apart from playing the bass, he does this scat-type, human-bongo thing with his voice. Everyone is in awe when he does that! The trio performed very original versions of songs by Stevie Wonder and James Taylor, as well as their own material.

Everyone knows Marco and it seemed he couldn't walk more than 2 steps without someone wanting to talk to him. So we feel really lucky that he took the time to speak to us before and after the shows.

The opportunity to watch Marco perform in that capacity was worth the flights from Toronto and London!! If I could only be in LA for one day, my choice would be to watch these guys perform again!! I wouldn't want to be anywhere else!

Here are some photos:

LaVeLee

Renato Neto

MORE PHOTOS TO FOLLOW

Last Edit: Sept 2, 2006 19:00:04 GMT by Barrow-wight aka MELLON

mellon.topcities.com/SubDirectory/smilies/FIREdevil.gif[/img]"All in all it's been a rocky road, twists and turns along the way, but I still pray for tomorrow, all my hopes, my dreams don't fade away." (David Coverdale)

Pina Gothmog, the Moderator Smart-ass, tongue planted firmly in cheek, foot perpetually in mouth, but with a heart of gold Posts: 2,422	Marco Mendoza at LaVeLee Dec 17, 2004 22:16:38 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Pina on Dec 17, 2004 22:16:38 GMT Couldn't resist posting this one! ;D You can tell he's really enjoying himself!
	Last Edit: Sept 2, 2006 19:00:35 GMT by Barrow-wight aka MELLON mellon.topcities.com/SubDirectory/smilies/FIREdevil.gif[/img]"All in all it's been a rocky road, twists and turns along the way, but I still pray for tomorrow, all my hopes, my dreams don't fade away." (David Coverdale)

Pina Gothmog, the Moderator Smart-ass, tongue planted firmly in cheek, foot perpetually in mouth, but with a heart of gold Posts: 2,422	Marco Mendoza at LaVeLee Dec 17, 2004 22:20:19 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Pina on Dec 17, 2004 22:20:19 GMT Marco is giving Renato a birthday hug! Marco doing the "human bongo"!
	Last Edit: Sept 2, 2006 19:01:08 GMT by Barrow-wight aka MELLON mellon.topcities.com/SubDirectory/smilies/FIREdevil.gif[/img]"All in all it's been a rocky road, twists and turns along the way, but I still pray for tomorrow, all my hopes, my dreams don't fade away." (David Coverdale)

Pina Gothmog, the Moderator Smart-ass, tongue planted firmly in cheek, foot perpetually in mouth, but with a heart of gold Posts: 2,422	Marco Mendoza at LaVeLee Dec 17, 2004 22:24:33 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Pina on Dec 17, 2004 22:24:33 GMT Renato Neto Marco Mendoza and Joey Heredia (drums) Joey Heredia (sorry, it was hard to get a good pic!)
	Last Edit: Sept 2, 2006 19:01:45 GMT by Barrow-wight aka MELLON mellon.topcities.com/SubDirectory/smilies/FIREdevil.gif[/img]"All in all it's been a rocky road, twists and turns along the way, but I still pray for tomorrow, all my hopes, my dreams don't fade away." (David Coverdale)

Barrow-wight aka MELLON The Red Eye of Sauron Evil Incarnate Posts: 2,085	Marco Mendoza at LaVeLee Dec 17, 2004 22:46:57 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Barrow-wight aka MELLON on Dec 17, 2004 22:46:57 GMT Welcome back, Pina !!! Good to see you back from the Wild West (Coast). ;D Great pics !!!!! A bit satanic, but nonetheless great ! ;D You must have had real blast !!!
	Last Edit: Dec 17, 2004 22:54:07 GMT by Pina When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me. Hunter S. Thompson ;D Feel free to visit (at your own risk) www.myspace.com/troops_of_tomorrow ;D

Pina Gothmog, the Moderator Smart-ass, tongue planted firmly in cheek, foot perpetually in mouth, but with a heart of gold Posts: 2,422	Marco Mendoza at LaVeLee Dec 17, 2004 22:55:02 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Pina on Dec 17, 2004 22:55:02 GMT I wish I was still in Los Angeles! ;D Marco has beautiful greenish eyes and they're hard to photograph! But he does look devilishly handsome!
	mellon.topcities.com/SubDirectory/smilies/FIREdevil.gif[/img]"All in all it's been a rocky road, twists and turns along the way, but I still pray for tomorrow, all my hopes, my dreams don't fade away." (David Coverdale)

Post by Pina on Dec 17, 2004 22:12:26 GMT

Post by Pina on Dec 17, 2004 22:16:38 GMT

Post by Pina on Dec 17, 2004 22:20:19 GMT

Post by Pina on Dec 17, 2004 22:24:33 GMT

Post by Barrow-wight aka MELLON on Dec 17, 2004 22:46:57 GMT

Post by Pina on Dec 17, 2004 22:55:02 GMT