[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 176 (Wednesday, November 19, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2259]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2259]]
                       IN HONOR OF BOBBY SANABRIA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2008

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Bobby Sanabria, 
distinguished percussionist, drummer, composer, recording artist and 
producer whose musical talents and leadership in the Hispanic community 
has inspired thousands of people. I also rise in honor of Baldwin-
Wallace College and the Hispanic-American Student Association for 
hosting and sponsoring Bobby Sanabria's performance as we celebrate 
Hispanic Heritage Month in Cleveland.
  Bobby Sanabria, of Puerto-Rican descent, was born and raised in the 
Bronx, New York City. He earned a Bachelor's of Music Degree from 
Berklee College of Music in Boston in 1979. In recognition of his 
immense musical talents, Bobby was awarded the prestigious Faculty 
Association Award from his Alma mater. He has since become an 
internationally recognized drummer and percussionist--performing and 
collaborating with countless legendary Jazz and Latin musicians such as 
Mario Bauza, Tito Puente, Charles McPherson and Ray Barretto. A 
testament to his musical talents, Bobby has collaborated with numerous 
award-winning artists on countless CDs and performances, including with 
Mario Bauza--who is widely considered the Father of the Afro-Cuban Jazz 
movement. His 1999 album, ``NYC Ache!'' was released to international 
acclaim and his record ``Afro-Cuban Dream . . . Live & In Clave!'' was 
nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album in 2001.
  Bobby is the recipient of countless awards and honors and holds a 
number of prestigious leadership positions. In 2005, he was honored as 
DRUM! Magazine's Percussionist of the Year, an award voted on by the 
magazine's readers. Bobby was inducted into the ``Bronx Walk of Fame'' 
and had a street named after him in 2006. In addition to being the 
Chair of the former International Association of Jazz Education's Afro-
Jazz Resource Team, he travels all over the United States and the world 
lecturing and performing. He is the Honorary Trustee of the Roberto 
Ocasio Foundation--a foundation dedicated to promoting programs that 
foster the personal and professional development of young musicians, as 
well as fostering cultural understanding through music. Bobby has been 
an Associate Professor at New School University's Jazz and Contemporary 
Music Program for fifteen years and has also been a professor at the 
Manhattan School of Music since 1999. He leads Afro-Cuban Orchestras at 
both institutions--the only programs of their kind in the country. 
Bobby also writes regularly for the New York Post and Modern Drummer, 
and has also been featured in the New York Times and The Jazz Times.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor of Bobby 
Sanabria, distinguished musician, composer, teacher and producer, and 
in recognition of his contributions to continuing the tradition of 
Afro-Cuban and Latin Jazz Music.

                          ____________________