A Chat with Latin Vocalist, Joe Bataan

 

Part of the Latin Heritage Series: From Mambo to Salsa!

My West Coast Story:On the West Coast, in 1973, musicians and dancers alike were dying to find out whatever information they could about the new salsa craze that was happening in New York City. There were no percussion lessons in those days. Only the masters Francisco Aguabella, Ramon Mongo Santamaria, Tito Puente, Armando Peraza, Willie Bobo & and few others knew about the great rhythms that came from the islands of Cuba & Puerto Rico, such as guaguanco, mambo, charanga, etc. and you would have to sit in front of the stage to learn while they played. If you were lucky, you could converse with them during their music breaks. Most were fabulous guys.

If one of my friends went to New York City, I would ask them to pick up a copy of Latin New York Magazine to read anything I could on Machito or Tito Rodriguez.

I was a young timbales player and DJ at Sac State University FM Station. Gretchen Horton sent me boxes of Fantasy Record label per Cal Tjader’s request. Cal Tjader was a very humble man, confident and very likeable individual, who demonstrated his musicianship based on his modest stance. Tito Puente was one another musician with that characteristic too. Per Tito Puente, Tico-Alegre Records send me boxes of dj records. I received records like Mongo and La Lupe (with Pete Bonet), Eddie Palmieri’s Muñeca, Charlie Palmieri’s discs and on and on. Tico Records catered to the Latin Music Industry and Latin dancers in general. Tico Records (before Fania) had subsidiary labels such as Alegre, Roulette, Cotique Records and more. Tico Records was located at the same address as the future Fania Records was located at. A lot of the old timer musicians who worked there would definitely know what I am talking about.

One day I received a box from Salsoul Records and it contained a DJ copy of a record of an artist, a very young singer and musician named Joe Bataan. And what a surprise I had, when I first played that record! I probably realized recently, during this interview, that Joe Bataan created Salsoul Records and Salsoul distributors probably used the dj mailing list of Tico Records. I had the pleasure of meeting Joe Bataan recently and this is approximately more than 40 years later. What a great artist and human being.

Let’s talk to Joe and see what Latin Music History he has to tell us about himself.

Joe, where were you born, I am assuming the Bronx. And when was the first time you remember hearing Latin music?

Born in New York 117th St., Lexington Ave. in Harlem hospital. First heard my neighbors playing live on weekends with their guitar trio back in1948 or 49 every weekend they got together. But the jukebox was my great influences across the street in the candy store. Wow, live jukebox!!

Who do you feel inspired you to sing, a family member or a singer?

No doubt the Sat Hit Parade on the radio with all the great singers of the time Frank Sinatra, Nat Cole, Patti Page, Johnny Ray. But the greatest influence was my idol Frankie Lymon.

So what was the first band you were in? What other bands were you in?

First band was Ray Rodriquez with a young Bobby Rodriguez, his brother. After that, it was pretty much “the Latin swingers and my bands by trial and elimination (laughs).

So, Joe, tell me how did you get your Salsoul Label in New York City.

TiCo records had nothing to do with me starting Salsoul Records. It was my idea and my name.

Salsoul was my dream idea to start a Latin Motown label and I did. A lot of the credit wasn’t given to me until recently. It is now a matter of record.

I made a deal with the Cayre brothers to record an album on Mericana Records entitled “Salsoul.” My biggest hit with Salsoul was one of the first rap records ever recorded “Rapo Clapo which sold over a million records worldwide.

Here in Sacramento, California, on stage Arcelio Garcia, singer for the Malo Latin band, made a mention that you get in trouble with the girls all the time. Tell me a little about that one.

Arsenio is a great kidder. Back in the days we had a music rivalry and with the ladies also. It is quite possible we dated the same girls on the East and the West coast (laughs)

I realize you also play a melodic instrument, the piano, what other instruments do you play?

Self-taught on piano. Only other instrument was ear training my voice.

In your younger years, I realize the influence of the new Salsa craze was helping your career, who did you perform with besides your band and where did you tour to?

In my younger days I played with a lot of back up groups when wasn’t possible to travel with one. In 1970 traveled to Hyatt regency in San Francisco and other clubs in the Bay Area. Used a lot of musicians on the West Coast, etc. Have used the early Midnighters with Ralfin Pagan at shows in Los Angeles because of the money situation I now use the Raza All Stars on the West Coast in my shows. The Bamboos in Australia, the Barrio Boys in New York, the Fulanos in Spain, Grupo X in UK and the Tokyo all stars in Japan. Have now traveled to all parts of the world spreading Latin and Soul music.

To Be Continued……..