I was the first person to come into New York with a Latin American point of view which was also very much influenced by political happenings in Latin America.

There was a lot of stuff happening in Havana that was being heard and appreciated by New Orleans musicians because of this situation. And vice versa.

I was a kid, and I remember my mother singing. She was also a radio soap opera actress, but my mother sang.

Every band had their own distinctive sound, but it was pretty much dancing music and rhythmic music with a tremendous emphasis on copying the Cuban models.

What I do not accept is the fact that so many people's talents were ripped off.

We had something to say. Whenever we played, people didn't dance, they listened.

A lot of times you're just conditioned by what's around you.