Musician’s Market: Musician profiles

  SAG Chantz R. Powell, a 14-year-old trumpet player,
returns to the Farmers’ Market as a featured artist.

Orquesta Son Mayor With a regular weekly gig at
the world-famous Conga Room in Los Angeles, Orquesta Son Mayor has
steadily made a name for itself over the past eight years. It will
be playing at the Westwood Village Farmers’ Market for the
second time today. After a positive experience during their
previous performance, the group was eager to participate once again
in the local event. “I always take the opportunity to play at
community events like this. We get to play for people who
haven’t heard us before,” said Eddie Ortiz, leader of
the 12-piece salsa band. “We’ve done the clubs for so
long that this is a great change for us.” Last time they
performed at the Westwood Village Farmers’ Market, the crowd
showed a warm and active response. Though audience members were
slow and timid at first, by the end of the show Ortiz said the
assemblage of people were dancing and getting into the music. They
will be playing essentially the same original songs they play at
the Conga Room. In addition to their fast-paced salsa, they plan on
including a wider array of rhythms and variations. Market-goers can
expect some cha-cha, some meringue, some slower salsa and more from
Son Mayor. Familiar with the festival setting, the band has been
involved in various other Los Angeles community events. Other
things they have participated in include the African Marketplace
and the Water Port. Their main desire is to connect with the local
people and enlarge their audience. Cuban music, which is more
generically known as salsa in America, is the style Son Mayor will
bring to Westwood Village. By fusing the old-style Cuban salsa with
newer funk sounds, they are creating a style of their own.

Chantz Powell Not many 14-year-olds have
traveled the world, performing in Paris, London, Tokyo, Amsterdam
and various American cities. Chantz Powell, however, is a young
trumpeter, singer, tap-dancer and actor who has done just that. He
was inspired, at the age of five, to play the trumpet after seeing
the Spike Lee movie “Mo’ Better Blues,” about the
life of Bleek Gilliam. His mother finally gave in, two years later,
and bought him a used trumpet. After attending a Louis Armstrong
Jazz Camp at the age of nine, Powell decided that he wanted to be
the best trumpet performer in the world. He made the decision to
turn his passion into a career, despite his young age. In addition
to performances around the world, Powell makes a habit of playing
local jazz hot spots. He has also worked specifically in the
Westwood area while shooting commercials for companies, such as
Burger King. This will not be Powell’s first appearance at
the market. He has played as a special guest with the house band
five times, but today will be his first time playing as a featured
artist. His accompanying band consists of a piano, bass and drums.
Though he loves to play all types of jazz, his true passion, he is
open to other styles. He enjoys everything from jazz to rock to hip
hop to country. “The only thing I really can’t get into
is heavy metal,” Powell said. Market-goers can anticipate
some jazz classics for his show today, including picks from George
Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Herbie Hancock and Louis Armstrong.