If you’ve been out dancing in a “Verbena Popular” during a festival in Andalucia, a music pub, or jazz festival, it’s very likely that you have crossed paths with Californian Damon Robinson of Orquesta Passadena, one of Andalucia’s premiere cover bands and Funkdación his Granadian funk band. Upon relocating to Guadix, Granada in 1997 to record a demo CD of his music in a Spanish recording studio, this soft spoken American showman was approached by Orquesta Passadena and subsequently Funkdacion to be the front man for both bands.
Robinson’s professional music career began during a year-long world tour with the Up With People organization, where he picked up the guitar, dancing and singing. “They (the show directors) told me I was going to be one of the main singers in the show and I thought they were pulling my leg. I was so nervous for the first song that I forgot all the lyrics and had to mumble my way through it. It was a disaster!”
While at a family reunion in California a family member heard him singing and playing the guitar in a corner and subsequently arranged a series of shows for him at several trendy clubs and restaurants so people could hear his music. “I didn’t know music was going to be my life when I finished my college degree in International Studies...but I guess it’s been with me since I was a kid.” Comments Robinson from his home in Guadix, Granada.


In the very different world of “pachanga” as is the term for the jolly care-free music of these local festivals, Robinson has travelled all over Spain to the most remote villages and to the largest “ferias” of the country. However it isn’t an easy job playing at these all night festivals. “There’s this village in Almeria where we start our sets at 1 a.m. and finish at 9:00 a.m. with the villagers setting fire to all the fair decorations! It’s insane.” explains Robinson.
Robinson’s constant innovation in his bands has allowed him great success on the Spanish music scene. He has appeared on local, regional, and national television and radio programs and collaborates with and shares stage with countless, nationally acclaimed Spanish artists, dancers, and musicians.
Damon is currently working on a new CD with his funk band Funkdacion and is finally recording the CD of his music that he originally came to Spain to record. He also has plans to go on tour with the Granada Big Band in 2007 to pay tribute to some of his favourite artists of the 20th century including Americans Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Cuban Antonio Machin.
Robinson says that life in Guadix “allows me a refuge from touring and the busy life of cities”. He teaches English to kids between tours, has restored a 17th century home in the town centre, travels extensively and is looking to set up a recording studio and art gallery.
Damon Robinson’s websites are available for more information:
www.funkdacion.com
www.myspace.com/orquestapassadena
www.myspace.com/funkdacion
www.hectorocio.com