LP Celebrates Forty Years at NAMM
Anaheim Comes Alive!

LP 40h Anniversary Birthday Cake

They’re still talking about it—the event that KMC Musicorganized Saturday, January 17th to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of Latin Percussion and pay tribute to the company’s founder Martin Cohen. Heralded prior to NAMM as a must-attend, the show did not disappoint. It was at once a celebration, a historic meeting of the music community, and a party to remember. One can only wonder if the some of the crackling energy of the old NYC Palladium dance hall infused ballrooms E and F of the Marriott in Anaheim! Attendees stood shoulder to shoulder, bobbing to the Latin rhythms, while in the aisles people danced and sang.

Host for the evening, Richie "Gajate" Garcia, who seemed to be on first name terms with everybody in the room, kicked things off by announcing the team of Pedrito Martinez and Little Johnny Rivero. The percusionists led a crack band that jump started the evening with what can only be described as Latin fire.

Then Joey Heredia’s band took the stage. A drumset player who ingeniously incorporates a variety of percussion while maintaining a funky, "snap, crackle & pop" drum kit groove, Heredia took the excitement uptown, inciting more people to dance.

Following Heredia’s band was a set by Kaki King, a talented, young virtuoso on the Ovation guitar. Next up was Walfredo Sr. and Walfredo Jr. who were joined by master bassist Alphonso Johnson, who worked hand in glove with Wally Jr.’s drumset playing. Giovanni Hidalgo, who had already warmed up his considerable chops while sitting in with Pedrito and Little Johnny, joined the Reyes Family for their entire set, delighting the crowd.

At one point between sets, President of KMC Music Bob Saunders and LP Founder Martin Cohen welcomed the crowd. The audience was invited to celebrate the anniversary by partaking of a huge birthday cake complete with chocolate congas! Exclaimed Saunders, "I wasn’t around for LP’s first forty years, but I promise to make the next forty just as great."

Then, following a short set by Lyle Workman on a Hamer guitar. Karl Perazzo’s group Avance, joined by the Latin Percussion Allstars—featuring Giovanni Hidalgo and Raul Rekow—crowned the evening with an energetic set that included tracks from Avance’s new album release, Seguimos.

The evening left attendees pumped up and ready to tackle the final day of NAMM, secure in the knowledge that they’d been treated to a rare congregation of elite entertainers.

Hats off to KMC (which purchased LP in October 2002) for throwing the gala party. Thanks go as well to the generous sponsors who helped make the event come to life: Remo, Modern Drummer magazine, Warner Bros. Music, Audio-Technica, Musico Pro, Center Staging, and Evans.

CLICK TO SEE THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY PHOTO GALLERY & ONLINE VIDEO!