DEE DEE’S JAZZY DIARY BLOG (submitted to www.lajazz.com Aug 3, 2009)
The GRAMMY MUSEUM is one of the best kept secrets in Los Angeles. This museum is full of Grammy Award winning Artist costumes, videos, photos, and memorabilia. You can also enjoy their in-house sound stage or their outdoor Target Terrace that lends a spectacular rooftop view of downtown LA while you listen to live band performances. Starting in August, they will begin showing music films with after-screening parties. Tickets are just $15 or $100 for the entire film series that includes gems like “Still Bill” that looks at the genius of singer/songwriter Bill Withers, “Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison,” “Poncho at Montreux,” featuring Latin Jazz Master Poncho Sanchez and “In Search of Beethoven” to list just a few. Seating is limited. I suggest you go to www.grammymuseum.org right now and reserve your tickets. Every event I’ve attended at the Grammy Museum has been exceptional! Let me tell you about one. On June 9th, I experienced Fonseca's rich Columbian talent for the first time at the Grammy Museum soundstage. I was struck by the emotional response his compositions excited in the audience. It was easy to let go and let his World Music carry me to uncharted destinations. Some of it was rather like Smooth Jazz with intense repetitive rhythms and a strong backbeat. His beautiful melodies floated on top with hummable hooks. 'Hummable' may not be a Webster Dictionary word, but you get my drift. Born Juan Fernando Fonseca in Bogota, Colombia 28 years ago, Fonseca performed his first stage musical when he was five-years-old. By the time he was twelve, the neighborhood recognized his passion for singing, composing and playing guitar. It was no surprise when the young entrepreneur recorded a homemade record. With all the pride and ego of any new artist, young Fonseca went into the community to sell his product. He designed his own album cover, pressed up 500 copies and thrilled to the first radio airing of his beloved songs. Determined to make music his career, the fledgling guitarist/songwriter studied two years in Colombia and later attended Berklee College of Music in Boston. Finally, a Venezuelan Record company offered him a mainstream recording deal. Speaking from the Grammy Museum stage he told the SRO audience.
“Writing a song is intimate and personal. It's like having a diary, but singing it.”
In 2006, “Corazon”, exposed his sensitive, collaborative recording with producer Bernardo Ossa that won them a Latin GRAMMY Award. His latest CD, “Gratitude” is another personal exploration into Fonseca's life with music soaked in Vallenato. Vallenato is a Colombian folk music ripe with accordion licks. Fonseca’s music is sexy, spiritual, energetic and captivating. Thanks to the Grammy Museum, I discovered this talented, young man and much more.

Dee Dee McNeil
August 3, 2009

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