Latin music is alive and well on public radio

Latin Beat Magazine, May, 2005 by Chuy Varela

This year marks Guido Herrera's 11th year as a member of the Alma del Barrio program. His love affair with the infectuious salsa and Afro-Cuban rhythms began during his youth in Lima, Peru. Growing up in Lima, Guido's initial exposure to the genre was through his father's record collection and 3 radio stations playing salsa around the clock. According to Guido, "It wasn't until a specialty program, Maestra Vida, hosted by Luis Delgado Aparicio, came on the air that Lima got a taste of the quintessence that the other programs lacked-a nightly dose of the non-commercial Afro-Latin rhythms. That is when I was exposed to artists such as Chucho Valdés & Irakere, Machito & his Afro-Cubans, Bobby Valentín, Libre, and Roberto Roena."

In 1991, Guido came to the U.S. and planted roots in Los Angeles. He soon discovered the city's only non-commercial, bilingual radio program, Alma del Barrio. "It was through Nina Lenart, Alan Geik, and Eddie López that I became familiar with the works of Arsenio Rodríguez, Chapottín and Cuní, and Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, and contemporary artists from Cuba such as Adalberto Santiago, NG La Banda, and Dan Den. I began seeking knowledge, reading books and liner notes. Anything I could get my bands on."

"I was soon invited to the station, where I interned for Nina and she showed me how to operate the board and the audio equipment. It was great! I learned so much from her about Alma del Barrio--the music and the history behind the music."

In 1994, there was an opening for a DJ and it was offered to Guido. "Nina and Eddie, who was our program director at the time, took a chance on me. Of course, I was nervous but I would have been crazy not to have accepted the position. To this day, I am truly thankful that Nina and Eddie believed in my potential."

Most of the music played during Guido's shift is from his personal collection. "I tend to playa little of everything--Cuban son, rumba, Latin jazz, New York and contemporary salsa. I also like to showcase local artists that have a great sound but have yet to make it big, as well as artists that have had international success but do not get air play in Los Angeles' commercial market--Fort Apache, John Santos, and Rebecca Mauleon.

"Being a part of Alma del Barrio is truly a privilege. I am not restricted by pre-programmed playlists. I have been afforded opportunities to interview legendary icons such as Chucho Valdés, Ray Barretto, Frank Emilio Flynn, El Gran Combo, and Israel López "Cachao." But more importantly, Alma del Barrio has allowed me to share my love of music with the listeners."

Guido Herrera-Yance can be heard on Alma del Barrio every other Saturday from 2 pm - 6 pm PT.

WGMC Jazz 90.1 FM

Esencia Latina

Radio Personality: Javier Rivera

Address: 750 Maiden Lane. Rochester, NY 14615, USA

Phone 585-705-6241

Website: www.esencialatina.com

Email address javier@esencialatina.com

Format: The best in Afro Caribbean music, Latin jazz and salsa

Saturdays 6 am - 10 am

Listen live at http://www.jazz901.org