The Lucky Band Says Buenos Diaz With New Music

Happiness is contagious. I write these words sitting with a housebound child getting over a cold. Hence, he too is contagious. But he'll get better soon (I hope I hope I hope) while Lucky Diaz will never, never stop being contagious. His music, I mean. Such is BUENOS DIAZ, the latest release from the newly-rebranded The Lucky Band.

Latin Grammy (and Emmy) winner Diaz, wife Alisha Gaddis, and a space-age flock of contributors (including Andrew & Polly and Nathalia) have produced a new collection of bilingual ballads and danceable ditties for children of many ages. BUENOS DIAZ opens with (naturally) "Buenos Dias," to greet newcomers and returning fans alike. "Wake Up" follows, ironically not the (eye) opening track on the CD. "Nacho Song" tells the totally true comic story of Ignacio "Nacho" Anaya, the man who created serving nacho cheese over chips.

"Taco Tuesday" is bound to be a perennial favorite on SiriusXM's Kids Place Live and even ends with a riff from "Funkytown." The xylophonic "Zapatitos" delights in shoes, don't you know. "Como Se Dice?" is full of call-and-respond translations of basic English-Spanish words and phrases, such as "good morning" and "taco" (no big surprise there).

Xenophobic parents who are put off by song titles such as "El Corazon" and "El Sol Te Siga" (a cover of a Pianosaurus song) don't know what they're missing. Luckily, that's what audio samples are good for on streaming sites. For those of us who've met Lucky (in person or through his previous releases), these 11 songs generate multi-culture good will and good times. What else should you expect from über-producer Dean Jones (Dog On Fleas and dozens of other CDs)?

The world has finally got wise to The Lucky Band. Last year, the group added China to their touring checklist and they're headed to Tokyo and Shanghai in April. If they're not coming to your city any time soon, you can still say BUENOS DIAZ in two languages and enjoy their distinctive, upbeat música.

BUENOS DIAZ is available April 5 from the Lucky Band's website, Amazon, and Apple Music.

Here is the video for their song, "Taco Tuesday":

Kidz STEM Songz Promote Science Education

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) is one of those hot trending educational topics. Especially women in STEM. There are some kids who "get it" and other kids who need a gateway. To that ends comes KidzMusic and their new release, Kidz STEM Songs.

The packaging actually repurposes CONCOCTIONS, a 2016 EP by Dan Crow, karoake tracks to the same five songs, and a DVD with videos for those five songs. There's also a 16-track CD featuring repurposed science-related songs from a bevy of artists, including Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band, Danny Weinkauf and the Red Pants Band, Hap Palmer, and Roger Day.

Dan Crow sings very clearly about "Science Science Science" and "Technology" as fundamental underpinnings of the planet. "Franklin D. Dime and Abraham Penny" instructs kids that the word "change" can be a double entendre they can bank on. I initially mistook the name of the EP as "Connections," which would have been appropriate as well. CONCOCTIONS is all about tangibly helping create a future and that's what kids are all about. At least when they're not being stubborn. I noted in 2016 that while I prefer They Might Be Giants' song "Seven" to the one of the same name here, there's a fun and practical purpose to "You're An Engineer." There's more than one kind, you know, as I reminded my train-engaged youngster.

The "making science fun through music" CD runs the gamut with artists who have been recording children's music since almost the beginning of time (almost). My teen was stunned to hear a "new" Hap Palmer song after more than a decade. There were also a few pretty insufferable tunes that they've both aged out of, which were quickly skipped after the first play-through. But that comes with the territory – children's music isn't always parent-appreciated.

If I had one main quibble, it would be with the packaging itself. Ending words (or wordz) with a Z to make them seem edgy and hip is something that went out of style a long time ago. And using it twice in the three words of the title (KIDZ STERM SONGZ) makes it more of a faux pas. Plus the cover (see above) looks like the first draft of a cut-and-paste suggestion. It totally undercuts the value of the product. Bottom line, don't judge KIDZ STEM SONGZ by its cover. There's some good stuff going on; you just need to open the CD jacket.

KIDZ STEM SONGZ is available on May 4 from the KidzMusic website, Amazon, and CDBaby.

Here is the video for Dan Crow's song, "Technology":

Joanie Leeds, Nightlights Spook Up a Storm at Symphony Space

A kid with special needs will occasionally pull a rabbit out a hat. "The last time we were here was in March for Lucky Diaz," Ben told me as we entered the Thalia Theater at Symphony Space this past weekend. "I spoke to Lucky about Billy Joel." That was indeed true, but real life moves at such light speed that it took Ben's verbal Post-It note to bring back a sudden flood of memories.



So it was indeed seven months between concerts at one of our favorite city venues. In the meantime, we've seen plenty of live music, including a Long Island appearance by the act we traveling to see on Saturday – Joanie Leeds and the Nightlights. However this was a difference iteration of the ensemble, gone acoustic and celebratory-themed for the morning, with many children (and adults) in attendance wearing Halloween costumes.



One of the perks of being a kindie community insider (of sorts) is learning about a performance prior to its occurrence. So I knew that Joelle Lurie of JoJo and the Pinecones would be a special guest, joining Joanie for two songs at the end of the set... although I was badly out of position when she finally took to the stage to sing vocal for "Love Is Love" and the a cappella "Stoop." Joelle is one of the new wave of kindie jazz acts to emerge of late, which includes Lucy Kalantari, Jazzy Ash, and Lori Henriques.



Symphony Space's Just Kidding program has been delighting and entertaining youth from around the region for years. We've been going since Ben was less than three years old and he still delights in the talents on display, even if he is the oldest kid in the room. You can hear him answering some of questions posed to the crowd by Joanie in her introductions. The trio (Joanie, Scott Stein, and Jeff Litman) ran through a set list that went back to her first CD (the song "Ice Cream"). While there were a number of hands raised for first-time attendees to a Leeds' concert, a number of people were clearly veterans who knew Joanie's favorite color is green (the song "I Wanna Be Green"). Joelle has strong chops as well, and her voice blended right into the harmonies (as you can hear on the two videos), in addition to belting out verses on "Love Is Love."


The Just Kidding series continues next week with bilingual rock from Future Hits (11/4). Down the road are puppets, more music, and theater events. Click through and check the calendar.

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Do You Talk To Yourself – Dean Jones
The Only One – Brady Rymer & The Little Band That Could
Forever Young – Andrew & Polly
Sourwood Mountain – Red Yarn
Small Bird – Caspar Babypants
Cloud Skateboard – Mo Phillips
Hammer – Aaron Nigel Smith
Echo Park (Featuring Frances England)  – Lucky Diaz And The Family Jam Band
Just Say Goodbye – Wilco

Ben's Playlist - Monday, July 24, 2017

All the Pretty Horses – Cat Doorman
Because I Love You – Caspar Babypants
How Lucky We Are – Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players
Picky Eaters – Danny Weinkauf and the Red Pants Band
Silver Lake Stairs – Lucky Diaz And The Family Jam Band
Your Happy Place – Jason Didner and the Jungle Gym Jam

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Here Comes The Sun – Andrew & Polly
Fly Like A Bird – Dean Jones
The Start of Things – Alison Faith Levy
Press Play – Brady Rymer & The Little Band That Could
Magic Believers (Featuring Mista Cookie Jar) – Lucky Diaz And The Family Jam Band
Walking Away – HAIM

Lucky Diaz and Company Love L.A.

When done correctly, children's music is truly for all ages. Songs like Dan Zanes' "House Party Time" and Justin Roberts' "How Lucky We Are" can be included on playlists targeting grown-up types without drawing a snicker. With the release of MADE IN LA from Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band, I am safely adding the opening track, "The Magic Believers," featuring Mista Cookie Jar, to that elite list. At first blush, "The Magic Believers" sounds like somebody accidentally flipped from Kids Place Live to the Pulse (pop hits) on SiriusXM. But no, it's your introduction to MADE IN LA, a concept album of songs about life on the West Coast.

Lucky Diaz and his super-energetic, frenetic, kinetic, multi-ethnic Family Jam Band tackle the architecture, culture, business, and traffic in the City of Angels. "When It Rained" has a grandfather/grandson bedtime story intro from Mike Phirman (and his son Milo) which helps establish that the mere thought of precipitation is as fantastic and imaginary as a fairy tale (of course it poured last summer). If you're fond of the surf guitar sound and don't mind if the song's about a rabid duck, perhaps you'll enjoy "Pato Loco." Andrew and Polly also contribute to the fun on "Paletero Man" (spanish for ice cream), "Traffic," and "Fiesta De La Brea."

Other sites commemorated in the travelogue portion are the "Silver Lake Stairs" with Todd McHatton and "Echo Park," with ethereal, dreamy vocals by Frances England. MADE IN LA manages to remain distinctly a Lucky Diaz CD while incorporating and assimilating the talents of all its guest performers. Indeed, that dichotomy also describes the city of Los Angeles.

Supervising everything is über-producer Dean Jones, the two-time Grammy award-winning multi-instrumentalist whose expertise has made him the "go-to" guy behind the board. But MADE IN LA cannot be quantified as a labor of love for any one individual. It takes a village to build a concept album. Lucky Diaz (and partner Alisha Gaddis) assembled a veritable Murderers' Row (or for the sake of the kids, Cuddlers' Row) of top kindie talent to complete their vision. Much like the city it celebrates, MADE IN LA is a flawed treasure. There's a lot to love about it, and you don't have to be a grown-up to enjoy it.

MADE IN LA is available July 21 from Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band's website, Amazon, and iTunes.

Here is the lyric video for the #1 song on Kids Place Live, "Palentero Man":

Our Lucky Day: Lucky Diaz Back at Symphony Space

Two years makes a tremendous difference.

The last time I saw Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band, it was the summer of 2015 in Philadelphia at KindieComm. Matt was only 3 1/2 and although he's seen the videos I shot of the performers, he has virtually no memories of the event.



So when the group announced their East Coast 2017 tour would make a stop at Symphony Space, it was not much of a stretch to circle the date on the calendar.  We trekked uptown last Saturday and they did not disappoint. The five-person ensemble led a rousing full house through a selection of dance tunes (although not from their Spanish-language catalog).

The audience seemed familiar with the "greatest hits" slant of the 50-minute set. In fact, the band was pushing their GREATEST HITS CD (and nothing else, surprisingly) after the show. Ben was delighted to talk about Billy Joel, of all people, with Lucky. I guess I blame myself for wearing a "Billy Joel – Last Play at Shea Stadium" shirt.


The band enjoys playing the material and the banter seems friendly and focused. The interactions with the kids in the audience drew in the crowd, to the point that kids were crowding the aisles in attempts to win the dance contest. In that sense, a good time was had by all ages.

Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band are taking their act on the road to China in May. But have no fear, they will be back and touring the midwest in June and July, with a return engagement to Manhattan to play in Madison Square Park on July 27!

Lucky Diaz Lands at Symphony Space

Symphony Space continues its season of multiculturalism this Saturday, March 25 with an East Coast performance by Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band. We saw the band play as a trio at KindieComm in Philadelphia almost three years ago, so it will be a completely new experience for my six-year-old.

Centered around the musical stylings and chemistry of real-life married Lucky Diaz and Alisha Gaddis, the Family Jam Band has won a Latin Grammy Award (for Children's Music) as well as a local Emmy for their PBS kids' series "Lishy Lou and Lucky Too." They are taking their show on the road again and traveling cross-country for a stop on the Upper West Side.

Just Kidding Kids has emphasized a world beat this winter, with appearances by Sonia De Los Santos and Elena Moon Park, Nation Beat, and 123 Andres. They have saved some of the best for the end of the season, with the easily-embraceable and instantly accessible songs of Diaz and Company.

Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band are appearing for the Just Kidding Kids series on Saturday, March 25 at 11 am at Symphony Space. Tickets are $17 ($14 for members).

Here is my video of Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band performing "Viva La Pachanga" at KindieComm 2014 at Philly's World Cafe Live:

Not Kidding, Just Kidding A Boon at Symphony Spce

More than a decade ago, we made the trek from Queens into Manhattan, drawn like moths to a flame by the lure of good independent children's music (i.e., kindie). My son Ben was three years old and he'd been listening to the standard kid fare – Sesame Street and the Wiggles (whom we'd seen live the previous month). Now it was time to dare, to try something new – a live kids music event that wasn't packaged and choreographed. There would be interaction. There would be an opportunity to perhaps speak with the musicians. It was Dan Zanes. It was Symphony Space.

We have returned again and again. With Ben. Then with his younger brother (Matt). Ben has mostly aged out of the theatrical events but still loves the live music experience. They are both looking forward to Justin Roberts returning to New York on December 10. In the meantime, the Just Kidding Kids series has kicked off this month with a host of activities (live theater, book club, musicians). JKK program director Darrin Critz has booked a bevy of experiences for youthful audiences. Acts from the West Coast (Lucky Diaz) as well as classic German puppetry (Sandglass Theater) fill the 2016-2017 schedule.

This weekend, it's the Lightwire Theater – taking the story of "The Ugly Duckling" and bringing it to life in a high-tech production that uses electroluminescent wire to create glow-in-the-dark 3D puppets and props. It's a unique type of artistry that's sure to dazzle young viewers. And just the sort of thing that Symphony Space has been bringing to New York area audiences for longer than I can remember.

It's through regular trips to Symphony Space (and the Upper West Side, where their grandfather conveniently lives) that my sons have developed an appreciation for live theater, interactive audience experiences, and many genres of music. They treat performers like "normal" people and over the years, repeat visit have translated into musicians remembering MY kids. I've often done the comparison and said, "I don't think Paul McCartney would recall Ben seeing him at Barclays Center five years ago."

Other acts coming this season include Portland's folk revivalist Red Yarn (Andy Furgeson) on Feb. 4 and Oklahoma's two-man power duo the Sugar-Free Allstars (Mar. 11). Next month, there's a show for the whole clan – the Big Family Quiz Thing (Nov. 13). And the adjacent Kids Book Club brings in Newbery Honor-winning author and illustrator Grace Lin for a discussion and reading from "When the Sea Turned to Silver" on Nov. 5.

Just Kidding shows include "Social Space," where community vendors provide activities, giveaways, and more at the back of the Peter Jay Sharp theater. Plus you never know who you might run into – local artists support their peers. At a Recess Monkey concert a few years back, Jason from the Pop-Ups was just another excited audience member. So head on down (uptown) to Symphony Space in the next few months, and bring the kids. No kidding, it's a lot of fun. Click through on any performer for ticket information.

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, August 20, 2015

Alligator – Paul McCartney
Back To The Shack – Weezer
Duck Ellington – Lucky Diaz And The Family Jam Band
Everything I Didn't Say – 5 Seconds of Summer
Great Big Sky – Mil's Trills
Haircut – The Not-Its!
Hot Air – Recess Monkey
Slow – Trout Fishing In America
Start Of The End – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band

Ben's Playlist - Friday, July 31, 2015

Jelly Beans! – Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips
Lazy Raisins – Key Wilde and Mr. Clarke
Nose In A Book – The Not-Its!
Race U –  Josh And The Jamtones
Right Side of the Bed – Ratboy Jr.
Thingamajig – Lucky Diaz And The Family Jam Band
Turned Out – Paul McCartney

Ben's Playlist - Monday, July 27, 2015

Clouds – One Direction
Duck Ellington – Lucky Diaz And The Family Jam Band
Guitar Pickin' Chicken – Ratboy Jr.
Hold On to Your Dreams – Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips
I Can Still Say I Love You – Keith Munslow
Pendulum – Pearl Jam
Pj Party – Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights

Ben's Playlist - Friday, July 10, 2015

Alligator Get-Together – Key Wilde And Mr. Clarke
Duck Ellington – Lucky Diaz And The Family Jam Band
Favorite Book  – The Bazillions
Gettin' My Ya Ya's Out – Brady Rymer & The Little Band That Could
It Suits You – Gustafer Yellowgold
Marsupial – Danny Weinkauf
No Control – One Direction
The Tale Of The Sun And The Moon – Eric Herman And The Invisible Band

Ben's Playlist - Monday, July 6, 2015

Closer To You – Michael Franti & Spearhead
Everybody Out There – Paul McCartney
If I Could Fly – Riff Rockit
Mooshpie – The Whirlygigs
Motorcycle Mom – The Not-Its!
My Own Detective – Tom Chapin
Thingamajig – Lucky Diaz And The Family Jam Band

Ben's Playlist - Monday, June 29, 2015

Dad Is Takin' a Nap – Keith Munslow
Danceology – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
Duck Ellington – Lucky Diaz And The Family Jam Band
Everything I Didn't Say – 5 Seconds of Summer
Gettin' My Ya Ya's Out – Brady Rymer & The Little Band That Could
Love Runs Out – OneRepublic
Mole in the Ground  – Red Yarn
Uh Huh – Dean Jones
You Can Do This – Hullabaloo

Ben's Playlist - Monday, June 1, 2015

The Ballad of Ben – Danny Weinkauf
Beach House – The Good Ms Padgett
Duck Ellington – Lucky Diaz And The Family Jam Band
Foolish Father – Weezer
Gettin' My Ya Ya's Out – Brady Rymer & The Little Band That Could
My Heart Is Open – Maroon 5 Feat. Gwen Stefani
Mystery – Dean Jones
Now Let's Dance – Elizabeth Mitchell & Dan Zanes
Slow – Trout Fishing In America

Ben's Playlist - Friday, May 15, 2015

Boo! – Trout Fishing In America
Duck Ellington – Lucky Diaz And The Family Jam Band
Fountain of Youth – Brady Rymer
H-U-L-L-A-B-A-L-O-O – Hullabaloo
I've Had It Up To Here – Weezer
Mama – Mista Cookie Jar & The Chocolate Chips
Me Time – Chibi Kodama
Sing – Ed Sheeran
Wake up – Cat Doorman

Ben's Playlist - Monday, April 6, 2015

Coral Reef – The Whizpops!
Danceology – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
Duck Ellington – Lucky Diaz And The Family Jam Band
Gettin' My Ya Ya's Out – Brady Rymer & The Little Band That Could
Groove – Lori Henriques
Lips Are Movin –  Meghan Trainor
Sing – Ed Sheeran
Yawn – Gustafer Yellowgold

Ben's Playlist - Monday, March 23, 2015

Lucky Penny – The Whirlygigs
Archaeology – Danny Weinkauf
Duck Ellington – Lucky Diaz And The Family Jam Band
Look, Think, Guess, Know – Tom Chapin
Tacky – Weird Al Yankovic
Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
Do Ya Thang – Rihanna
Counting Stars – OneRepublic