Tracey: Does banging away on the Congas come natural or did you take lessons?

Eric: No lessons.  My brother, Jose Jusino, taught me how to play and I watched the Rumberito All-Stars (Jose Jusino, Bobby Allende, Tito Allende and Marc Quinones).  They were always performing in my presence and I just picked it up.

Tracey: Of all the instruments you could have chosen to play why did you pick the Congas?

Eric:  I did not choose the Congas.  I learned how to play Timbales, Bongos and then Congas.  I wanted to be a Bongo player but my first professional gig was on Congas and I kind of just stuck to Congas.  I don’t know why but I just fell into it. It just happened to be an instrument that I had around me and that I could play.

Tracey: They say that banging away all day is a great way to relieve stress…would you say that is true?

Eric: Yep for me it does.  When I get on stage and I have a problem that is bothering me, playing takes it away.  I forget about everything and focus on playing.  My mind concentrates on two different things the rhythm and playing and the feelings of frustration just escape me.  It is what you might call a temporary fix cause it only last as long as it does when you are performing.

Tracey: What are you thinking when you’re performing and putting on a solo? 

Eric: Nothing, it’s like my mind goes blank and when I see the public at first it feels like I’m watching a silent movie.  Then I see nothing and all I hear is the music and I play. 

Tracey: Is there a set amount of time that solo’s should last or is it whatever gets you going?

Eric: There is no set amount of time.  I pay strict attention to the Angel Fernandez, the Musical Director, and follow his lead.  He lets me know when I need to come in and do my thing.  

Tracey: I’m gonna have to speak to Angel privately…’cause we demand longer solos. LOL!  Name some of the musical influences that you have had while growing up and still have today? 

Eric: It is really hard to say ‘cause when I was growing up my family use to play so many records in my home.  Therefore, I was influence by a lot of Conga and Timbales players. The bottom line is, I have had the opportunity to work with so many musicians and have learned so much that I take that knowledge and experience with me on each and every performance.

Tracey: What were the early years as a struggling musician like?

Eric: As a musician in the early years there were many times that I had to play in very small clubs in the Bronx and I struggled to make ends meet.  Mainly the focus was just to be heard and to play the music that I so loved to play.  When I started professionally money wasn’t that great and it has not changed so much financially now either but my desire to play and be heard still remains.

Tracey: Money is EVIL…we don’t need it…LOL!  I understand that there are different rhythms that a percussionist needs to handle to adapt in the industry and stay employed.  What are the challenges that a percussionist has to overcome to survive in this business? 

Eric: You have to learn a lot of different rhythms.  There is Aggressive, Romantic and now there is Modern Aggressive Salsa.  If you play with a certain band you might have to learn Cuban Salsa.  There are times when you hear a certain rhythm on a song and it is studio made.  Creating and inventing something that is new and exciting is what is very important in this industry.  It is absolutely necessary to adapt in this business to always be employed.  

Tracey: If being in the music industry weren’t an option, what would you do and why? 

Eric: If I was a good student and went to college I would be an archeologist.  I find it interesting to discover things from the past…like Roman, Egyptian, South American, and Indian history to Aztecs. I have always had a desire to learn and study the ancient world.
 
Tracey: Besides touring outside the country in Marc Anthony’s Band you have also been touring with Jimmy Bosch’s Band and India what is it like playing alongside these three incredible artists?

Eric: Well they are all different and they treat their employees in different ways. You know where you stand with each and everyone of them and there is no pretense.  Jimmy's music is very aggressive and Marc's music is aggressive when he performs live but in general is not so.  India’s music is created more to suit her powerful voice.  I like the differences and enjoy playing with them.

Tracey: I understand that you have worked with the incredible Celia Cruz.  Is there a special memorable performance or moment that you would like to share with us?

Eric: I recall a time that took place when I was on tour with RMM and Celia was one of the main attractions.  We had to get ready and be in the lobby at 5am after a long night.  I was very tired at that hour and it showed.  While waiting for the elevator I ran into Celia and Pedro.  They didn’t look tired at all.  Celia looked fresh, decked out and ready to go.  Pedro was looking sharp too.  I was amazed that they could handle the long hours and hard work when I was looking destroyed.

Another experience took place when I was working on a recording with Celia.  She was extremely appreciative that I worked on her recording.  She came up to me and thanked me for appearing on her album and I was so amazed that someone of her stature was so humble.

I just loved Celia’s stage presence.  She had so much energy and that energy allowed the band members to play so well.  It’s just unbelievable. One thing about Celia is that she understood that her musicians needed to work in order to make a living.  With that in mind, she would accept and work constantly to keep her musicians employed.
 
Tracey: Describe what the audiences outside of the USA are like?

Eric: Audiences outside the US are much more enthusiastic when it comes to SALSA.  They like the hardcore SALSA whether or not they understand the words or not. They support the rhythms and they express it by dancing anywhere that they can just to show their appreciation for the music.  It is just so different and I appreciate those differences too.

Tracey: Hey…you meant to say  “audiences outside the US except Marc Anthony Fans”…right?  LOL!  Do you have any solo projects in the works and how might we get our hands on them?

Eric: Yes, I am working with my brother, Jose Jusino right now.  We have recorded rhythms to about 11 tracks and it’s about 90 percent complete. My brother has done the vocals.  At first we considered hiring a singer but opted not to because 99 percent of the time a singer might want to go solo and that affects the whole band.  My brother is doing a great job with vocals despite the fact that he’s a percussionist and plays the Congas for India.  He has his own style and his voice isn’t bad.  We hope to release this Modern Aggressive Salsa recording this year.  We have two producers Isidiro Infante along with Nelson Hernandez.  When it’s done and we have something solid I’ll make sure it’s available for you all to listen to.

Tracey: Believe it or not but you are quite the ladies man.  You are known as “Bongo Babe” and “Cutie Pie” to name a few.  How does that make you feel?

Eric: Oh I am flattered to hear that.  I don't think of myself that way at all.  I think that I am all right but I accept a complement like that and hope that my passion for the music is recognized in the same manner.  I just don’t see myself as a ladies man at all.  I am okay looking and I am just flattened and thanks!!!

Tracey: What is the craziest thing that a fan has done to get your attention? 

Eric: There is one that I just can’t say.  It was really crazy and it’s best that I leave it alone.  Of those that I can discuss, they aren’t really crazy.  Fans have winked, smiled and simply said hello.  One things for sure, I’ve had a few stalkers in my day and it’s not fun at all.  I’ll leave it at that.

Tracey: Are things going just how you imagined they would musically? 

Eric: Yes they are.  I believe that musically things need to progress and they are consistently doing that.  I have no complaints.  If things are meant to be then they are meant to be.  I take it as it comes.

Tracey: If there was one thing that you could change in the business, what would it be and why?

Eric: There are so many things that I would like to change.  Musicians should be treated with more respect in the Salsa industry.  Money wise, I feel that Salsa musicians are not paid what they are worth.  We work hard but are not as recognized for our work as say a POP or ROCK musician might be.  I know some R&B musicians who feel similar in that regard but we are even worst off than they are.  As far as treatment goes SALSA has been around for many years and I would say in the last 50 years we have not progressed as much as we should have by now.

Tracey: Besides the Salsa circuit what genre of music would you like to focus your talents on? Why?

Eric: I would like to be a POP musician or even a ROCK musician.  I believe the treatment and overall experience would be different.  I enjoy change and it would be nice to experience something else because being challenged is great.  But if God wants me to remain in the Salsa circuit then that is where I will remain.

Tracey: For a little guy with small hands you give off a powerful sound with so much feeling.  How do you manage to give off so much energy?

Eric: I don't know.  I really don’t know where that comes from.  I get that question all the time and honestly I just don’t have an answer.  I guess it’s just one of those things.  I just have the ability that I was born with.  Sometimes a person is just born with the ability to do and they just do.

Tracey: Out of the entire artist in the Salsa arena are there still some that you would have desired to work with but did not have the opportunity?

Eric: Hector Lavoe!  I would have loved the opportunity to work with him.  He was one of the Latin greats.  He has so much swing to his voice and his music was amazing.  Thankfully I have had the opportunity to see him perform a few times when I was younger and I am grateful for that experience.

Tracey: If there was one thing (impression) that you wanted to leave in the minds of your admirers what would that be and why? 

Eric: That I am not what people perceive me to be.  There are so many different facets to my personality.  I want them to have the impression that I am a nice guy just doing what I love and make a living doing so.  Also, I want my admirers to know, it’s okay to approach me to say hello if I am not smiling because it doesn’t mean that I am upset it is just my character. 

Tracey:  Thanks “Cutie Pie” for taking time out of your extremely busy schedule to part take in this interview.  It has been pleasure.