We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Manny Cepeda. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Manny below.
Manny, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?
I’ve been a musician all my life. I started from my family generations of musicians and from 6th grade on, I attended a music/academic school in Puerto Rico. When I graduated out of high-school, I received a “General Education Diploma & a Music Diploma (Clarinet). I continued my education in the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico, majoring in Percussion. While at the Conservatory I was awarded a scholarship to attend “Interlochen” a music camp in the US. Traverse City, Michigan. I was later accepted at ISU (Illinois State University), where I was awarded a Bachelor’s in Music Ed. Followed by getting my Master’s in Music, Performance at the U of I (University of Illinois). I joined the US Navy and was accepted to the US Navy Music Program in 1973. I retired as an Enlisted Band Leader after 31 years of continuous service, and landed in San Diego as my last duty station, leading the US Navy Band Southwest 1998-2002.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I decided to continue my musical career by creating my first band in San Diego, a Trio of Tropical Music and Latin Music. Since my first day working with the Trio, the response was well received. I created a business model called “Salsa Under the Stars” – A performance offered to the public and their families, free of charge to them. The band would be paid by the management, and the combination brought customers to the location and more business to the band. I had good training from my family and the US Navy creating a product (music), that would be a success, and that is exactly what happened. Today, 17 years after the group started, we are the #1 Salsa Band in San Diego, North County and northern California. We currently have 5 Salsa Under the Star’s events monthly in San Diego, perform once a month in Jamul Casino’s Latin Night, and our newest Series at the North County Mall, on Saturdays. To say this has been a successful group, is an understatement.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
For me, one of the most rewarding aspects of being an artist is knowing how I help my fans mentally and physically. I continuously get comments from them like “You keep my sanity up! Your music is a workout! I’m going out again with my spouse because of your music!” That is very rewarding to know the music I bring to my audience is so well received and appreciated. Many times I tell them that “I will be 99 years old, and I will still be performing for them!” As much energy as I give them, I get it back 100% from them.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
To me, I was born to be a musician/entertainer. Through my studies and teaching from my family and institutions, I am a composer, arranger, performer, and band leader of an amazing group of local musicians. In 2014, I released my first CD dedicated to the “Roots of my family rhythm history” They are the rhythms of “Bomba and Plena”. The Afro-Caribbean Music of Puerto Rico. That endeavor yielded me to my becoming a “Pandora Artist.” In 2017, I composed a CD dedicated to my father and my fans in Southern California, and it was Latin Grammy Nominated for Salsa/Fusion Category. From that I became a Spotify artist. I also write Big Band and Little Big Band Afr0-Cuban Charts for a company in California called “3-2music.com,” and to this writing, I’ve composed over 70 charts that are purchase by Colleges, Universities and bands throughout the US. The many benefits and blessings of my musical career continue to inspire me daily as I enjoy my creative journey with my music.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mannycepedamobile.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mannycepeda1/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mannycepedaorchestra
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mannycepeda
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MannyCepeda7
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mannycepeda1
- Yelp: http://www.yelp.com/biz/manny-cepeda-orchestra-san-diego
- Other: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/manny-cepeda/279027114 https://sites.google.com/site/mannycepedaorchestra/home https://open.spotify.com/artist/2QXaPL1h9EdOidyOMm5Ecc https://www.pandora.com/my-music http://www.reverbnation.com/mannycepeda https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/manny-cepeda/id279027114 https://soundcloud.com/mannycepeda https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mpgbEJ8YH_ybrEHJIRA7YMrClo04q4pO0
Image Credits
This picture was produced by Manny Cepeda Orchestra while studying at the Art Institute of San Diego doing my Bachelor’s on Web Design/Interactive media. I own the rights of this photograph.