Music legend Bob Drasnin signs “Voodoo,” “Voodoo II” and a special limited “Voodoo” 7” picture disc with artist Heather Watts
Friday, August 22, 2008, 6 - 8 pm
La Luz de Jesus
4633 Hollywood Bl.
Los Angeles California 90027
(323) 666-7667
http://laluzdejesus.com
Drasnin deserves a solid spot in the history of exotica for his 1959 album, “Voodoo” (also released with a different cover as “Percussion Exotique”), which exemplifies the genre as well as the best of Martin Denny or Les Baxter. Following its release, in fact, he was hired to arrange Denny's “Latin Village” album. Raised in Los Angeles, Drasnin started as an alto sax player, working with Tommy Dorsey, Les Brown, and other big bands. He later switched to flute and performed with small combos, including Red Norvo's. After the early 1950s, he worked primarily as a studio musician and arranger. He did graduate work in composition at UCLA in the mid-1950s and became an associate conductor of the UCLA Symphony. He eventually became musical director for CBS television, where he scored such shows as "Lost in Space" and "The Wild, Wild West." He and Gerald Fried handled most of the scoring work on "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." after Lalo Schifrin left. Drasnin also scored the films "The Hot Angel," "Picture Mommy Dead," "Ride the Whirlwind," and "The Kremlin Letter." He currently teaches film music composition at UCLA and has been rediscovered with the new revival of exotica.
In 2007 at the age of 79, Drasnin collaborated with archivist and arranger Skip Heller and X drummer D.J. Bonebrake (on vibes) to record “Voodoo II” (released the same year by Dionysus) in the same style as “Voodoo”. Drasnin has been playing selections from both discs at various festivals around the country and in Europe with members of local symphony orchestras. During the weekend of August 15-16, Drasnin will be performing his exotic sounds live at the 8th annual Tiki Oasis festival in San Diego.
A 7” picture disc (limited edition of 525 pieces) with one song from each of Drasnin’s “Voodoo” releases and featuring artwork by Shag on one side and Heather Watts on the other is being released in August of 2008 by Dionysus Records. Both CDs and the picture disc will available for purchase and signing. Canadian artist Heather Watts will be at this event to sign the picture disc 45.
La Luz de Jesus is located at the Soap Plant/Wacko building, in Los Feliz at 4633 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027. Gallery hours are Monday – Wednesday: 11am – 7pm, Thursday – Saturday: 11am – 9pm and Sunday 12-6pm. For high resolution jpegs, interview requests and more information contact: Lee Joseph Publicity, 359 E. Magnolia, Suite F., Burbank, CA 91502, leejemail@gmail.com, p (818) 848-2698 f (818) 848-2699.
