He has been called “El Salsero Clasico” (the classic salsa performer) of San Diego but Manny Cepeda is much more than just a performer who plays the genre of Salsa music in fact, Manny is an accomplished composer with a wide range of musical styles to his name. As you are about to read in this article Manny Cepeda who is currently an adjunct professor of music in Grossmont College not only writes lyrics, create music and makes his own arrangements but is an accomplished Latin Percussionist, and all around drummer. Manny retired after 31 years of service in the US Navy Music program with the highest enlisted rank as a Musician Master Chief (Surface Warfare) qualified. He has lead the US Navy Steel Band, the US Navy Show Band who traveled throughout the continent of South America and Africa and in 1998 he was the Acting Director of Navy Band San Diego (now the Navy Region Southwest Band). Shortly after his retirement a friend and fellow musician from San Diego, Derek Cannon, invited Manny to become part of the Grossmont College Staff and teach a class in Afro-Cuban/Caribbean Percussion. The class is now in its 5-year and getting more popular by the minute.

Grossmont College put out a concert yearly dedicated to a country or region that has affected music in such a way to highlight the culture and the effect into American music. This year the Island of Puerto Rico is being featured along with another resident percussionist from Puerto Rico, Mr. Gene Perry. What is unusual about this year’s concert is that Manny’s music will also be featured. He has composed a choral piece dedicated to the Grossmont College Master Chorale, two Afro-Caribbean pieces for the Afro-Cuban Ensemble and one Jazz Vocal group piece. In all, four of Manny’s works will be featured in this year’s concert.

You are in for a special treat if you attend this concert on Sunday, May 17, 2009 at the East County Performing Art Center (ECPAC), in El Cajon. You’ll get to enjoy the music of famous Puerto Rican composers as well as watching a living composer such as Manny Cepeda sing and perform his own renditions. A must see! For more information contact Grossmont College Music Department at 619-644-7254 or visit the GSO website at www.grossmontsymphony.org

What has Manny been up to all this summer? It has been a very productive summer creating new music and working on two CD projects at the same time. The fans have been asking for a new Salsa CD and Manny has deliver! For those of you who want to check out my progress check out MySpace site under “Music Nation” and check out how the new Salsa CD is shaping into. This CD contains the new hot Venezuela style Cumbia “Mi Bombon.” Spicy and full of rhythm, and don’t forget to check out what happens during the mambo section. Manny decided to mix Salsa & Cumbia in and out of each other. The result is a jolt of excitement unequalled by anyone in the tropical music business today. Another winner is “Padre Querido” dedicated to all the fathers of the world. Manny expresses his thanks to his father for all his sacrifices and all the mentoring he was given by this great gentlemen. Another facet of the new CD is the fussion of rhythms as in the song “Chango y Yemaya;” Manny mixed Guaguanco, Salsa, African 6/8 into an exciting mix of emotions. Vocals are impressive and tight, horn lines are exciting! When you can you must listen to this new CD. As soon as it’s available Manny will let you know so! stay tuned! Lots more coming up!!!!

After two major accomplisment in my education endeavors, my Bachelors in Music Education and Masters of Arts I decided to join the Navy in 1973. Little did I know that I would end up becoming a full time musician in the US Navy Music Program. Thirty-One years later and having been around the world 3 times performing over 5,000 concerts I retired in San Diego, California. A little R&R never hurt anyone! But, that was not enough for me.. I started composing Tropical music and borrowing from my 5 generations of musicians in my family I started creating great spicy Salsa, Merengues, Cumbias, Bachatas and Romantic Music. Since my retirement in 2004 I have produced 2 CDs, a Salsa/Merengue and a Romantic Salsa one. My gosh! I have sold over 6,000 copies! San Diego knows who Manny Cepeda is and everyone is saying “Man, your music sounds like the one I hear in the radio everyday!” This is when I decided to go into “Our Stage” what a better place to let you decide if this comment was true or not. Well, of the two songs I posted one is up to #28 and rising. I have been called an anomaly because I can write my lyrics, write the music and make the musical arrangement. A one man stop shop! I’ll let you be the judge. If you get a chance to hear my music and judge it, go for it!! I would really appreciate your support!

You can contact me in the following sites:

www.mannycepeda.com and myspace.com/mannycepedaritmocaribe