Friday, Aug. 22, 2008, 6 pm – 8 pm.
La Luz de Jesus
4633 Hollywood Bl.
Los Angeles California 90027
(323) 666-7667
http://laluzdejesus.com
Robert 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, Drasnin collaborated with archivist and arranger Skip Heller and X drummer D.J. Bonebrake (on vibes) to record and release “Voodoo II.” Drasnin has been playing selections from both discs at various festivals around the country and in Europe with members of local symphony orchestras. He will be performing his exotic sounds live at the 8th annual Tiki Oasis festival in San Diego on August 15.
A special limited numbered 7” picture disc with tracks from both Drasnin CDs and artwork by Shag and Heather Watts will be on sale at this event. Canadian artist Watts will be on hand to sign the disc with Drasnin.
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.
