Dennis M. Reed "Califa" - My Musical Autobiography and Other Stuff

...including my Latin Music Collection (LMC) with RealAudio tunes...including 1970s photos of Celia Cruz and Pete Escovedo...including photos of Willie Colon...including rare 1960s recordings with Carlos Federico...including photos of Larry Harlow and the Latin Legends Band and parties at our home...including drum tuning and other techniques...including coffee stuff

[Home] [Musical Autobiography] [Latin Music Collection]  [Rumbarama] [Santería-Ifá-Yoruba] [Drum Stuff] [Favorite Links] [International Keyboard] [Zeno's Stuff] [Coffee Stuff] [Cooking Stuff] [Family Stuff] [Submit Comments]

 

Home Page

 

sound! turn on audio

 

 

 

 

Dennis was born in Ft.Wayne, Indiana.

Dennis "Califa" & Mary Reed

 

 

 

Mary was born in Manatí, Puerto Rico.

 Animated flags courtesy of http://www.multimediapalace.com

 

This site was originally created and maintained using MS FrontPage 2000 (2002/08/15: upgraded to FrontPage 2002).

On 2008/12/18 the site development will be done using and will be maintained with MS Expression Web 2. The site looks best using MS Internet Explorer 6 and above. Some features and formatting may be different with other browsers.

Most audio clips were originally created using Real Producer Plus which required the RealAudio Player but on 2008/12/18 I converted virtually all audio files to .mp3 files using the free version of (click on preceding image to access the source) Switch Audio File Conversion Software.

Site Status Report:

2002/11/23: Sorry! Most audio links have been disabled until further notice due to a letter from ASCAP demanding that I pay a $300+ licensing fee which I cannot afford. Personal and other non-ASCAP audio links will be restored when I can determine which recordings are ASCAP controlled.

2006/06/12: As I determine which audio files are not controlled by ASCAP, I will convert them to .mp3 files and reactivate the links.

2008/12/18: I have re-installed all audio files and have converted them to .mp3 format. I will immediately remove all links to files identified by ASCAP as being under their control. 

The table format has been used to allow easy updates and additions.

2004/01/23: added two new pages - Drum Stuff which includes drum tuning and other techniques and Coffee which includes links and information regarding coffee (brewing, kinds, etc.).

2009/03/19: added a Cooking Stuff page which will include recipes and other cooking information.

2009/05/14: rebuilding site some features may not be available.

Background and purpose of this site:

This site started out as simply a couple of audio clips and photos to share with a couple members of the now basically defunct RMAL News Group (news:rec.music.afro-latin). When several additional members also expressed an interest on hearing and seeing more, I began to fill in and expand the autobiography. The musical autobiography spans my life from my birth to the present day with recollections, recordings, anecdotes, photos, etc., and includes original 1962 recordings of Guy Hoffman's Latins featuring Carlos Federico and original 1964 recordings of Cesar's Men. Photos include several original 1970s pictures of Celia Cruz and Pete Escovedo.

My wife Mary continues to be a major influence in my appreciation of Latin music and culture, in general, and of Puerto Rican music and culture, in particular.

Please feel free to email comments or suggestions to:

 If you are so inclined, you please click the Amazon image to order CDs, books, etc., it will provide me with a little $, will be much appreciated, and will help to offset the cost of this site. Thanks.