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Eve: Can you tell us exactly how many musical instruments do you play and what are they?

Bobby: I play many percussion instruments including congas, timbales, bongos and many minor percussion instruments such as maracas, shekere, guiro, etc.

Eve: How old were you when you held your first set of drumsticks; was it love at first bang?

Bobby: I initially began learning to play the congas at age 3. At about age 5 I developed an interest in the timbales and on all my mother’s pots and pans since the budget was tight and I didn’t own any timbales back then. By age 7, I was playing with The Rumberito All Stars who performed with Tito Puente.

Eve: Many of our members are thirty-something Latinos and Latinas, which grew up in NY/NJ poverty stricken neighborhoods. We are fully aware of all the negative influences and obstacles placed before us when growing up in such an environment. How did you manage to remain so focused and achieve the success you have today?

Bobby: Growing up in the projects, I observed many negative influences like Miller, Budweiser, Colt 45, Bacardi and many others. I also saw what drugs could do to otherwise sane human beings. These observations only inspired me to get ahead and not fall into the same vices many of the people around me did.

Eve: Was there ever moment in which you doubted your decision to become a professional musician?

Bobby: Initially, I never doubted it. But as I continued in my career, I came across incidents that almost made me call it quits. As rewarding as my career is, there are also many things about this career that are unfair and out of my control. In those instances, frustration kicks in, but music is in my heart. I play for love of the music.

Eve: You are certainly not limited in your style of music. You have performed with just about every Latin artist, Jazz legends and many Pop artists. Is there one artist which you have not had the opportunity to work with yet and would love to?

Bobby: The artists I would most like to work with are Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder. Both individuals are extremely original and talented. I would like to see what type of contribution I could make to their projects.

Eve: I attribute the successful relationships shared by our members to 'respect', 'diversity' and 'communication'. It is a formula, which I believe is necessary in ALL relationships. Do you believe this formula is essential in order to work well with other artists?

Bobby: Respect is the first five items on my list. Communication is key to working with other artists but is a two way street. If neither party analyzes one another’s points before reacting, then there is no communication. This can seriously damage a good working relationship. Finally, diversity is important because when you have individuals with different styles you can use their input to create a show that keeps the audience in suspense about what will be next and wanting more…all three things are linked together.

Eve: Speaking of diversity, what was it like working with David Byrne?

Bobby: Different. Weird. Funny. A great experience in all. David is not your average artist. He is the type of artist that keeps the audience wondering what will happen next. That for me was a challenge. I enjoy a challenge.

Eve: If I were to look through your CD collection, what might I find?

Bobby: In my CD collection you will find a lot of easy listening type music from various artists. For example: Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder, Marcos Llunas, Alejandro Sanz, Yolandita Monge, Ednita Nazario and Alejandro Fernandez. Of course, you will find many other styles of music because my tastes are eclectic.

Eve: Do you have any brothers or sisters that are musically inclined?

Bobby: Yes. My brother Tito was also a member of the Rumberito All Stars.

Eve: You are an inspiration to many for various reasons. Who inspires Bobby Allende?

Bobby: There is no one person in particular that inspires me. I think everyone is an inspiration in their own way and has something to contribute. Although the greatest inspiration in my life was my grandfather who instilled in me my love of music and the desire to succeed in anything that I set my sights to.

Eve: You have traveled the world performing. Do you have a favorite city or venue, which you just love performing at?

Bobby: My favorite venue was Central Park in New York City every Sunday when I was age 7 – 15. These events used to allow me to play an unlimited amount of time. The crowds were never the same and you could always count on someone bringing their “arroz con gandules” to the park. Everyone was a musician. It was a more innocent time and we all played for the love of playing.

Eve: I have often observed you interacting with the crowds before and after your performances. Many artists have said that they feed off of the energy that the crowd exudes. Is this the case for you?

Bobby: I believe that all musicians feed off the energy of the crowd. For me personally, it is also an additional incentive that the people I meet before and after the show treat me like part of “La Familia.”

Eve: Many of our members are proud owners of drumsticks, which you have given them. How many drum sticks would you say you go through in a year?

Bobby: This past year I have used about 200 sticks.

Eve: How often to you practice?

Bobby: I am fortunate enough to work with various artists throughout the year and participate on various recordings. It doesn’t leave much time for practice except during rehearsals. Besides, if I spent all my time practicing it wouldn’t leave me much time for softball.

Eve: You have been in the music industry for over two decades; where have you seen Latin music go and where would you like to see it tomorrow?

Bobby: I believe Latin music has deteriorated as far as the availability of small quality venues for performances. I wish tomorrow could bring back yesterday when you had places like the Corso, Barney Goo Goo’s, Ipanima, Casino 14, New York Casino (if you know these venues, then you have been around just as much as I have). I believe that Latin music is reaching a level of exposure that was not possible before. I would like this to continue to the point that Latin music no longer has to be differentiated from American music.

Eve: You have spent the past year on the road touring with Marc Anthony. Can you tell us what that experience has been like for you? Were there any highlight moments that will be etched in your memory forever?

Bobby: Although being away from my loved ones during a tour can be very difficult, it was made easier by Marc Anthony and the many wonderful musicians and crew that I had the privilege to work and play with.

The highlight of the tour was smacking the sh*t out of Marc’s pitch for a home run after he said I could not hit lefty. (LOL!)

Eve: Bobby, Let’s say I meet you in a record store. I know nothing about you. You tell me you are a professional musician. I have only twenty bucks in my pocket to buy one CD. Can you please tell me which CD I should buy that you have worked on so I may hear your music?

Bobby: I would tell you that I distribute my own CD’s. Give me your twenty dollars and I will send you a compilation album. (Allow 6-8 weeks for delivery) Just kidding! Personally, I would recommend Antecedentes with Ruben Blades.

Eve: What current projects are you working on right now?

Bobby: I am currently recording on an album with Rodney Jones – jazz/easy listening CD.

Eve: Any upcoming appearances?

Bobby: Besides my appearances with Marc, I also perform with Tito Nieves. This is a very unpredictable business, and I can never predict where I am going to perform next or with whom.

Eve: Is there a message you would like to convey to your fans?

Bobby: I don’t encourage the use of the word fans. I have many wonderful supporters and friends. There aren’t enough words to express my gratitude for your wonderful support and well wishes. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and I sincerely hope that the kindness that you have extended to me comes back to you. As my grandmother would say: “Que Dios te lo page doble!”