Boulevard Music Festival – Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca

The Boulevard Music Festival is back and, after triumphant shows by Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands on July 6 and then Andre Thierry and Zydeco Magic last week, coming Thursday, July 20, it’s the turn of Afro-Cuban duo Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca. We spoke with Lemvo about what we can expect from his set.

CULVER CITY NEWS: HAVE YOU EVER PLAYED THIS EVENT BEFORE?

Ricardo Lemvo: I have actually. Last time I played there was maybe five years ago, and it was fun. The place is usually packed. It’s a free event, and we always have a good time. So does the audience.

DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE…

It’s a blend of central African music, like kizomba, soukous, with Cuban salsa music. We sing in various languages. We sing in Spanish, Portuguese, and Kikongo which is spoken in the Congo and Angola.

WHERE ARE YOU BASED?

Here in Los Angeles. It’s an eight-piece band. All the musicians are from different backgrounds – Latin America, the US, Africa – and we have two horns, guitar, drum sets, congas, and singers.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE UNITED STATES?

Oh God, I came here a long time ago. More than 30 years ago. I came to study. I actually wanted to go to law school but I changed my mind. I devoted myself to music instead.

WHERE ARE YOU ORIGINALLY FROM?

My parents are from the northern part of Angola, from a place called Sao Salvador do Congo, but I grew up in the Belgian Congo until I was 15, and then I moved to the States.

HAS MUSIC ALWAYS BEEN A BIG PART OF YOUR LIFE?

In one way or another yes. I never went to music school, I never studied music formerly, but music was always part of my life. I had family, relatives, who played various instruments. One great uncle played the accordion, and the other one played trumpet and piano. So music was always part of my life.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM THE SET AT THE FESTIVAL?

It will be a fun show. High energy, very danceable music. Easy to dance to.

WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING AFTERWARDS?

After the festival, I’ll hopefully go out to dinner. No, right after we usually come out and greet some members of the audience. People like to come up and ask questions, and also we have merchandise on sale. I’ll sign CDs and t-shirts.

Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca play Culver City’s Boulevard Music Summer Festival at City Hall on Thursday, July 20. Admission is free, although limited seats are available for $10. The show runs 7-9 p.m., as they do each week. Next week, on July 27, The John Jorgenson Quintet will perform, and we’ll be speaking to Jorgenson. Following weeks will see performances (and interviews right here) from Led Zepagain, and Albert Lee. For more information, call Boulevard Music at 310-398-2583.