Inn and Around La Cruz ~ Characters; Geo

Inn and Around La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Nayarit, Mexico.

Of all my ‘characters’ articles this one has proven my most difficult to ‘release’. I couldn’t put a finger on it, day after day commanding myself to get it done! It took over a year to get Geo to answer my questions, as he’s so darn busy creating sweet, sweet music for us all to enjoy. You’d think that when I got that info it would just get done but that’s not so easy as there are photos to include and my own thoughts on Geo. Why so difficult? Yesterday, as I finalized my photo selection I realized it was because I wanted to share the many faces of Geo, not just the musician. Of course, this is from my point of view.

I first met Geo as I buzzed through his home in Yellowpoint, near Nanaimo, BC. I was dropping Chris off to jam with a few friends we met in Mexico and I was on my way to spend the day with my sister. I hadn’t met Geo in Mexico so I didn’t know what to expect. New to this jamming world I expected a dark basement with a bunch of longhaired, rowdy rockers. Not so, Geo’s exudes calm and he shared with me concepts of visualizing what we want in life, something I embrace

everyday. His home proved he most definitely ‘beamed up’ what he wanted and had achieved success. Now retired from real life, Geo plays his passion of music, sharing his time between this beautifully appointed oceanfront home and Mexico.

As I hadn’t stuck around that day to listen to the music I had no idea of Geo’s talents. The next time I met him was when he stayed with Chris and me in our condo in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Nayarit, Mexico. I bragged to my friends and on Facebook how I was serenaded everyday

by Chris and Geo, it was a delightful few days! Then we went to Britannia, a British bar where they host an open mic night every Tuesday. It is my fave night in town and in no way is reminiscent of karaoke, these are talented folk who get up whisper something about chords to each other and then rock my world. Always an amazing experience and Mike Curlette who manages the musicians is magical in how he looks around the room and decides who plays with whom.

Anyway, Mike calls up Chris, Geo and a few others and the music is awesome and then Geo commands the stage and I’m quite sure my mouth hit the floor. My gal pals who were standing with me say, “That’s what you’ve been bragging about all week” at which point I say, “I never heard that!” You see I was supremely delighted when the guys played their guitars and sang some music… I never knew about Geo’s talents as a violinist! Talent is such a sublime word when you consider the music Geo delivers to the audience as his bow meets the strings of his violin. Every time the audience is spellbound.

So when I embarked on writing this piece on Geo, that was what I intended to share, the musical Geo and I will but there is so much more to my friend than his music, which I’ll share via a few photos.

And just so you know, Geo is just a tad talented, he plays the Electric guitar, Flamenco guitar, 5 string violin and the mandolin.

Geo is tender, kind and oh so humble.

This photo was a fun night we had at our condo. Friends brought by their newlywed friends and Geo and Latcho & Andrea made them feel so special. Imagine having this as a honeymoon memory!

For me this photo, epitomizes Geo, forever grateful and appreciative of those around him. This is the CD launch for Luna Rumba; Geo is sharing his love of music, his delight in co-creating with Cheko and he’s thanking the band, his Fernanda, Lupercia and Los Arroyos Verdes and the audience.

Geo is silly, goofy sometimes and lots of fun. I’ve decided not to share the really goofy photos “Oh Geo!”

Geo is a sailor.

Geo is a philanthropist giving back whenever he can. The first two photos he’s playing with and for the kids at the orphanage. They love music.

This is at ‘A taste of La Cruz’ where Geo and Luna Rumba donate their time to support the arts and beauty of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle.

Geo is a father, son and brother.

Geo is a romantic, kind and loving mate to his very sweet, Fernanda.

Geo is a team player

I don’t have a photo but Geo is an awesome cook too, yumm yumm!

Most of all Geo is an all-around good guy who I’m so proud to call my friend and one of my extended family.

It takes generosity to discover the whole through others. If you realize you are only a violin, you can open yourself up to the world by playing your role in the concert. Jacques Yves Cousteau In Geo’s own words based on questions I thought might interest y’all.

What brought you to La Cruz and what had you saying, “I want to live here”?

I came to La Cruz as part of a sailing adventure, and found a town rich in music culture, with many cruisers and ex-cruisers living here. I like music and sailing, so it was a big attraction for me.

How long have you been here now and how many months per year do you stay?

I guess I have been here for most of 4 winter seasons. Usually stay from Nov – Apr. So, you make the decision to spend a big chunk of your time here and play music – we are so blessed ~ please share how that unfolded and how it’s going?! I’ve heard you play solo and with many other musicians and are now with a new band Luna Rumba AND when in Canada you do both solo and “Geo and friends”. What do you prefer and where can people hear you, both here and in Canada as many of the folks reading this might like to hear you there?

I started by jamming at the usual places in town and sitting in with Philo and other bands. After that, a certain “you know who” introduced me to the Blonde Gypsies – Latcho and Andrea (haha, Chris and I were honored to introduce these fabulous musicians to each other). After jamming with them at a certain “you know who’s” house, I was asked to play with them for the rest of the season – which I did. Wonderful memories of working on songs for a CD with them which we eventually recorded in Germany.

After that experience, I decided to start my own project and asked Cheko Ruiz if he would come to La Cruz to join me – and he did.

Please tell us about Luna Rumba and your style of music.

The style takes much of its influence from the Rumba Catalana rhythm (hence the name). It is said to have originated in Spain, but was originally from Cuba. We try to blend nice melodies with an exciting and energetic beat. We also try to blend in other world music styles, with some middle eastern scales and modes.

What do you see as the greatest change to La Cruz since you moved here?

There seems to be less and less cruisers coming here.

Do you like that change?

No If you could preserve something from when you moved here what would it be?

A good music spirit – with the sharing of talent and creativity.

What is each of your favorite songs ~ of your own and of another artist?

Too many to contemplate What one thing would you like people to know about you and/or Mexico?

Mexico is not as dangerous as the media makes it out to be.

If you had a magic wand, what would your wish for La Cruz be 5 years from now and beyond?

Let’s keep it a magical little Pueblito!

What is the one thing you’re most proud of in your life, greatest achievement kinda thing?

I am most proud of the love that Fernanda and I share together!

How did it come about you bringing Cheko here… and the other bandmates joining you?

Cheko was in Mexico City. He was being offered a deal with Sony Records. He emailed me to ask me if I would play violin on his CD. I agreed, and we were making plans for me to come to Mexico City when the deal fell through (another story). I told Cheko that if he wanted to come here to play with me, we could still make the CD. He came with one suitcase and a heart full of dreams.

I adore the music that Cheko and Geo make together!

You’re having great success and I know you’re not in it for the money but your band mates need compensation. Please let the my readers know how propinas (tips) work and why its nice for them to do that.

Musicians are grossly underpaid for what they do. This is true all over the world, but also in Mexico. It is symptomatic of a society, which doesn’t value artistic talent unless it is “approved” by the mainstream media and MTV. Even artists who once were able to make a good living at their craft are now resorting to working extra jobs to make ends meet. You can buy one CD, copy it for all your friends and your friends copy it for their friends. This is standard practice. People will pay $5 for a cup of coffee at Starbucks but hesitate to shell out $5 to hear a good band play original music for them all night. I don’t blame the people – they are just following the trends. However, it does make it hard to continue to put out good music night after night and many musicians succumb to drugs and drinking to make it through.

Owners of clubs and restaurants can’t pay much for bands either because a lot of people just come out and buy one or two beers and hang out for the night. That doesn’t fund much of a budget for

entertainment. It is really nice to see people who are appreciating the effort put out by the musicians and the talent that they have worked so hard to hone who actually put a fair tip in the tip bucket. It shows appreciation in a way that counts for the underpaid musicians. Many people have come up to me and told us how they enjoy the show or a particular aspect of the music, etc. However, they don’t put their money where their mouth is. I know they are genuine and really feel the spirit of the music, but that doesn’t pay for the gas and the rent and the strings and the equipment and the doctor bills, etc.

About now you are probably regretting asking me that question.

I love your story of learning the violin at a young age, not enjoying it and then you had a renewed passion… then you gave it up for any years, remind me of that story, if you’d like.

I was “required” to play violin at an early age. Like other kids, I did not like being cooped up in the house practicing while my friends were out running around the neighborhood having fun. I did get into it though, because of a special person. I took violin lessons at a private school in Edmonton. Lee Ray Roy Olson School of Music. Mr. Olson was the owner and was an amazing violinist and teacher. I started at age 6, and by the time I was 12 or 13 I was winning awards in contests. Mr. Olson decided to take me on as one of his private students. He taught me something about music – it is the imagination that creates real music. He coached me to find an image that went with the music when I played. For one piece, he told me to imagine a boat on the ocean – sailing during a strong wind. I won the Provincial Championship the year that he coached me which came with a sponsorship to the Banff School of Fine Arts (Canada’s Julliard).

I quit playing violin after my father took the cash from the award instead of letting me go to the school. I was 14. I then started playing guitar and wanted to be a rock star. I bought an electric violin when I was 50 (eight years ago) and started playing it again. My technique was pretty bad, but I discovered a new passion for playing and I always try to follow Mr. Olson’s advice – that is why I usually play with my eyes closed!

What is your favourite venue and why?

Don’t really have a favorite venue. I love to play wherever people come to listen to the music. I don’t like to play “background music” for people who are there for another reason – eating, visiting, talking, etc. I love it when people connect with the music – through listening, dancing, being transported to another place, remembering events in their past – whatever.

Is it distracting when people take photos (just something I always wonder)?

No, not really.

Winning awards must be a great reward, your thoughts on those.

Yeah. It is great to get some positive feedback from the industry. I believe in the music – that’s not why I am doing this, but recognition like that helps us move forward.

Luna Rumba (Cheko Ruiz) has won his first recognition for song writing! The John Lennon international songwriting competition!

Congratulations to us and especially Cheko!

Geo entered Vamoa Rumbear into the contest on the very last day of the contest deadline. We had just finished recording the demo CD recording and had a preliminary mix of Vamoa Rumbear. Geo entered it in the World Music Category and when we got the notice that we won… Holy Crap!

The 2nd award was with the USA International Songwriting Contest. Espiritu de Amor placed 2nd in the Instrumental Category. This is signified with an “Honorable Mention”. The first place award for that category was taken by Russian composer Roman Miroshnichenko, who wrote a hauntingly beautiful instrumental for guitar.

20 HONORABLE MENTION WINNERS “Trampoline” by Byron Kuntz; Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA “Espiitu de Amor” by George Uhrich; British Columbia, CANADA “Moving Away” by Benjamin Davis, Ulf Anneken & Nitanee Paris Lawson; Burbank, CA “Out of Sight, Out of Mind” by Helle Hansen; Copenhagen. DENAMRK “Roman’s Lullaby” by Gharah Degeddingseze; Van Nuys, CA

“We’re All Going Straight To Hell” by D.B. Rielly; New York, NY “Space Cabbage” by Perspective; Waterville, ME “Puedo Prometerte” by Rosario; Carolina, Puerto Rico “Hurt” by Lauren Silva; Austin, TX “You Own The Game” by Sonic Cult; New York, NY “Hurricane” by Philip Creamer (Dovetail); Dallas, TX “Diamond Light” by Paul Luftenegger; Ontario, CANADA “Mizu no Utsuwa” by Hiromi Suda; JAPAN “How it Feels” by Nick Gill; Nashville, TN “Edge Of Goodbye” by Dan Yessian & David Barrett; Farmington Hills, MI “Soldier’s Memoir” by Joe Bachman Nashville, TN “Just Haven’t Found Him Yet “ by Lauren Lucas; Nashville, TN “All For You” by Christian Porter; Stroudsburg, PA “Time To Shine” by Luka Mihajlovic & Mark Zubek; Ontario, CANADA “El Alba” by Omar Sosa, Oakland, CA Thanks to all of you for believing in our music! Now the world is going to hear about us!

You can hear Luna Rumba here, they’re number 1 on the ReverbNation World charts for ME here.

Purchase Luna Rumba’s music here: “Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent” ― Victor Hugo ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Come see Luna Rumba every Wednesdays at Philo‘s, the band Luna Rumba joins us with some great fusion of Latin, Cuban and jazz music. This band is awesome. The music starts around 8 p.m. If you are interested in seeing this show please call for dinner reservations. The crowds are always big for this band. For reservations call 329 295 5068.

Follow and Like Luna Rumba’s Face book page here Thanks Geo!

All photos taken by and the property of Cindy Bouchard except the one that says Tawna Brown in the corner. Thanks for sharing Tawna!

For a very special vacation…

…where it’s all about the LOVE!