SOUNDS of ANCIENT MEXICO

MY LIFE & MY MUSIC: REAL CULTURE - REAL SPIRITUAL SOUNDS & MY PERSONAL FEELINGS
I have been performing on the instruments of my ancestors since 1975. Having spent time in Mexico and having conducted research, I learned and developed indigenous musical techniques! My career is as a performer on these instruments and as a cultural educator for all ages. But, I have also conducted many performances and have participated in our "Mexica" (mistakenly called Aztec) ceremonies. At these all day drumming and danza ceremonies and all-night velaciones I play indigenous instruments as part of one the very first Mexica Danza groups in North America: XIPE TOTEC. We attend and host "real" in the manner of our ancestors!
Since learning these instruments, I have been inspired by the Creator and my ancestors to further explore the abilities given to me and share it with others, to a degree. I can't say, "I inherited this from some dream or a psychic experience" or some other statement like that. It is simply "something that I do" and it is within my cultural context, so it is part of me. I have found over the years that sounds from our ancestral instruments make people feel good and I simply want to share this experience with all ages as I have done since 1975! I am not here to fool you, just be as true a heart as possible. Being true to my ancestors is what I do. I have to say that I've seen it for years, that the instruments I play cause strong vibrations and peaceful, meditative feelings that can be felt throughout the body, heart and mind in people of all races but especially in those who have lost or denied their cultural identity; lost their sense of self; or those who want intense stress relief. I don't fake it, I am real and I simply perform, if you feel healed...GREAT; this is how I approach my ancestral sounds with respect. I walk in to perform, with an open heart, mind and spirit. I walk in with intentions to share whatever good energy I have and many times, people tell me they feel healed or touched, even kids say things to me! At schools I can't talk about healing and such, so, it's presented as a cultural program but nevertheless, the healing takes places always. But at spiritual events, where this is accepted, yes, I do mention the healing, rejuvenation and awareness that always takes place on some level! I simply do what I do in the ways of my ancestors. I have really researched my ancestors and backed it up with my experiences, real experiences, I don't want to analyze my sounds or apply "marketing" terminology to what I do; I follow as much indigenous musical practice and life skills as possible, from the what I eat, how I dress and how I treat people. Like many other Mexicanos who honor their ancient beautiful past, I refuse to mix other cultures into mine...I refuse to make it global...I keep it real and indigenous Mexicano as much as possible. We live in a time when people are accessing our beliefs and spiritual practices and making it their own or professing to be a "Shaman". For me, I'll leave out the "Sha" and say, I am a "man" and a man who has the chance to play the beautiful sounds of his people!!! That's all I want to do, PLAY but again, knowing that these sounds cause some very deep feelings in my audiences! I love it. I love making people feel happy and aware. This is my life. I am deeply inspired by one of our best known philosophers and men of divinity, who was also a king. His name is Nezahualcoyotl (1402-72) and he said beautiful things like "make your heart divine", "speak true words", "your heart is a book of paintings, you have come here to sing, in the house of Springtime, you make people happy". Again, these sounds are happy, sacred and healing and cause varying abilities in all people to sense or realize that there is place within to relax and escape to! I encourage my audiences to integrate this experience into their everyday life!

INSTRUMENT MAKING:
I hold sessions where people can learn to make these very instruments. I live in Los Angeles, California but travel national and international.

EDUCATION:
Since the 1980's. I helped pioneer what I call "Interactive Performance" where, with my guidance, the audience becomes part of the music with their voices (singing in indigenous languages) and using my percussion. I present everywhere and anywhere.

WEBSITES:
www.myspace.com/mexika for MEXIKA "Sounds of Ancient Mexico"
www.myspace.com/bamboogourdtribe for the instruments I create!