Dolores Balderamos Garcia – she was a Minister of government and Area Representative in the 1998 to 2003 Musa administration but she’s taken an extended break from politics. But one thing we never expect to see her take a break form is dee-jaying on the radio. For years, Balderamos-Garcia has been a fixture on the radio with her jazz show. But she’s more than just a listener and selector she’s an apostle of this original art-from and is now spreading the word with a book. It will be presented this evening and she gave us a preview today.
Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, Jazz Aficionado
“It is not a commercial venture Jules. As a matter of fact I didn’t even really intend to write a book so I am pinching myself that it is actually a physical object now that one can read. I really just wanted to share more about the music. I’ve been a DJ for so many years but I kind of felt like writing about my love as well.”
And that love is gained from a life steeped in jazz which is visible from the
classic vinyl records on display to the elegant portraits of jazz greats in the book and it also comes across in the pages which are coloured with anecdotes and filled with first hand impressions. It is not a retelling from memory nor is it an academic inquiry. These are deeply personal, fresh remunerations.
Dolores Balderamos-Garcia,
“Like Sonny Wallins and Billy Holiday. I was doing a lot of research listening to hours of their music from my own collection and really trying to distil not only anecdotes and biography but also to share the sounds by these artists that I like and why I like them and why I would encourage you to listen to them.”
And that is what she is looking, new converts.
Dolores Balderamos-Garcia,
“People who just want to be fans can experience it in a way that will be completely eye opening and so that is basically what I would do, to encourage people to actually listen to the music. It would be a shame if after 160 pages they don’t feel excited about going to listen to ‘Take the A train’ or some other piece. It is a way of opening a door and if I could have opened a door for a few people, and by the way the book is not expensive, I do have to say that because there was a cost to put it out but certainly it is not a commercial venture like I said and I think that people across the board will enjoy it.”
The book is available at the Image Factory book store and other book sellers.
