Jared Hara performed at NAMM 2012 after an informative talk by his manager, Harlan Lansky. Blind since age 11 he has a remarkable story that has been made into a documentary.
You can learn more about Jared and his journey and the documentary Blindsided at blindsidedthemovie.com.
Watch the clips below as Manager Harlan Lansky gives an in-depth background on Jared and then a clip of him performing in the Voyage Air NAMM booth.
Doug Cotler is a Grammy Award-winning composer and an accomplished singer, songwriter and musician. Cotler tours the country extensively sharing his innovative music with Jewish communities everywhere. Of course, Doug is a big fan of Voyage Air Guitar, and he packs it with him on his world travels (the picture here is from a recent trip to Israel).
Cotler’s musical career includes composing the symphony, “The Golem,” which was performed by Seattle Philharmonic Orchestra, performing country, pop and rock music with such well-known artists as John Denver, Jerry Jeff Walker and Mason Williams, and recording eight original Jewish music albums. Cotler’s 1984 Grammy was awarded for writing “Manhunt,” a powerful song featured in the hit album and movie, “Flashdance.” His multi-faceted abilities have uniquely defined Doug’s career. For 14 years, Doug was the musical producer of the Reform Movement’s National Biennial Conventions.
From young children to adults, Cotler’s music appeals to a wide cross-section of Jewish music lovers. His breakthrough album, “Listen,” contains the hit song “Standing on the Shoulders.” This expressive song is used extensively as a theme for conventions, films, and religious services. Cotler’s other albums include “It’s So Amazing!” – fun Jewish songs for all ages. “Whispers In The Wind”, adult-contemporary songs on Jewish themes. “Down Home”, Jewish Bluegrass. His cover album, “Echoes,” contains Jewish-American popular classics. His newest albums are, “A Rose In December,” which reflects songs of healing and peace, a live concert recording, “Everyone’s Invited – Doug Cotler LIVE!” and “Funny Jewish Songs,” a hilarious exposé of Jewish musical humor.
When it comes to music, Angel Fernandez is a seasoned veteran of the highest caliber. Fernandez spent the 80s touring with Grammy-winning Salsa and Jazz legend, Ray Barretto, honing his skills as an arranger, writer, and musician. He served as Music Director, trumpeter, arranger and co-composer for David Byrne from 1989 to 1992, during which time his arrangements scored a Grammy with Celia Cruz and Ray Barretto’s Ritmo En El Corazón. In 1993, Fernandez permanently joined Marc Anthony’s band, then became its Music Director in 1995, arranging and performing on their 1995 Grammy-nominated Todo A Su Tiempo – as well as producing “Asi Como Hoy”, Anthony’s single for the 1996 Olympics.
In the interim, Angel Fernandez has spent nearly two decades producing, arranging and playing trumpet for artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Talking Heads, Aventura, Las Ketchups, Alberto Shiroma, Black 47 – in addition to becoming Music Director for Jennifer Lopez in 2007. He has also released two albums as a band leader: one as founding member of the group 8 y Mas! and the other with his own critically acclaimed Grupo Transito. Fernández has participated as arranger on all four Grammy nominated CD’s by the standard bearing Spanish Harlem Orchestra, two of which have garnered the award.
Like most great sidemen, Mario Sebastian’s endeavors don’t end with his gig as a guitarist in the bands of singer/actress Jennifer Lopez and her husband, Latin pop sensation Marc Anthony. A native of Argentina – the rock capitol of South America – Sebastian is not only a prime representative of a new breed of bilingual pop/rock artists crossing and blending international musical flavors and boundaries by playing, writing, and producing. He recently co-wrote the spanish ballad “Ella Solo Piensa en El” with Grammy-winning writer/producer Jose Luis Pagan, and co-produced “Through the Eyes of a Child” for German rock band Raemonn with another Grammy-winning producer, Julio Reyes Copello. {gallery}artists/Mario_Sebastian{/gallery}Voyage-Air Guitar is proud to join alongside D’Addario strings, Egnater Amps, and Hughes and Kettner as a sponsor of this bright, young talent.
For many artists and bands, Cristian Castro is considered to have a bright future in the music scene. Working with Mario Sebastian for over 2 years has opened up new doors for himself as a musician. Thanks to Mario, Cristian got to tour the US in 2010 with ‘Marc Anthony’ when he released ‘Iconos’. Has worked with Grammy Nominee artists such as Alih Jey, David Pabon and Colombian band Momposonica and is the go to guy for many artists like Anthony Fedorov, Jan Rodriguez, St. David, etc.
Robert David Hall plays the chief medical examiner ‘Dr. Albert Robbins’ on CBS TV’S “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” now in it’s 12th season. A double leg amputee and a devoted community activist, he is one of the most prominent disabled actors working today. Fortunately for his fans, Halls musical output doesn’t end with CSI’s fictional band ‘Dr. Robbins and the Decomps.’ His debut album, Things They Don’t Teach You in School contains songs written over the past 30+ years and it explores a wide range of rich American musical traditions like blues, county, jazz and rock n roll. One of his greatest thrills was when he performed two of his songs at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium on The Grand Ole Opry. You can sample is music on his website: www.robertdavidhallmusic.com
