by rick grant rickgrant01@comcast.net
The French Quarter now has a Spanish sister–the Latin Quarter inside Bourbon Street Station. The large club has its own entrance from the security patrolled parking lot. Last Friday night I was invited to check out the well established Latin band, Diario Vivid, formed in 2001. This hot Spanish group includes four members of the Guzman family-- Orlando, founder, on guitar and lead vocals, Orlando’s son, Christian on drums and vocals, Coraliz on Latin percussion, Cuqui on percussion and vocals with Angel Rivera on bass, and Hector Colon on trumpet.
The club has a large stage with plenty of room on the dance floor, with two bars. Norman and his brother own both the French and Latin Quarters. With a burgeoning Spanish speaking population in Jacksonville, Latin music is heard in the many clubs catering to Hispanic patrons. Diario Vivid specializes in original Latin rock mixed with tropical rhythms.
Over the years, I’ve covered many Latin festivals including the yearly Fiesta Playera. It’s been a labor of love since I really like percussion driven Latin music with horns. Although my dad did not come from a Hispanic background, he spoke fluent Spanish which he learned in the Navy as an interpreter. He was a devotee of anything Spanish. Consequently, I grew up with Latin music in the house from the great Latin bands like Xavier Cugat and Tito Puente. Thus, I have deep roots in appreciating Spanish heritage.
Orlando Guzman’s project, Diario Vivid has evolved from these roots and traditions. The band grooves with past influences and the latest hip references melded together. Coraliz is a petite young lady who has keeps the beat on congas. This gal can really play with natural talent and enthusiasm. Hector Colon is the band’s featured trumpet player. He adds the vibrating lips brass to the poly-rhythm mix with mucho natural talent and musical savvy. Orlando leads the group on guitar and impressive vocals. The band sounds much bigger than six pieces, which is a tribute to its musicianship.
This family affair turned professional band has played the Fiesta Playera and the Superbowl as well as countless other gigs in the Southeast. DV also played in Puerto Rico at the Festival de las Chiringas and the Grupo Mania at the Roxy. The band played at the Conexion Festival alongside many other rock bands. The ensemble performed for the coaches for the U.S. Olympic swim team and the U.S. Marines. DV’s songs have received national airplay along with interviews on some of the country’s biggest Latin stations.
Presently, the band is touring all over Northeast and Central Florida. Jacksonville’s Hispanic radio stations have embraced the group since their first demo Biremes Social was debuted on the local airwaves. Recently the band played with Fusebox Funk at the Freebird Live. So, this is a band on the move for more opportunities and winning new fans everywhere it plays.
Indeed, I was impressed with DV’s show at the Latin Quarter. The music inspired beautiful Latin women and handsome men to dance the modern Latin dances. The band and club are a class act that once the word of mouth gets out, will fill up with both Hispanics and other people who appreciate hot Latin music performed live in a swanky club. Man, it got my motor running.
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