Reflections on 2023

This post is also available in: Español

Another year has passed, and I truly hope it was a good one for you. You may have noticed that in 2023 Latino Music Café didn’t have as much content activity as in previous years. I’ll get into the reasons for that in a moment, but wanted to share these reflections first.

This year marked the centenaries of two great Latin musicians, both of Puerto Rican heritage. Ernesto Antonio Puente, better known as Tito Puente was born April 20, 1923, and Pablo Rodriguez Lozada, better known as Tito Rodriguez. There were many homages to these great bandleaders and musicians both in Puerto Rican and in New York. There was an album released by Giovanni Hidalgo as a “Tribute to the King” Tito Puente. Besides being a great bandleader, Puente was an extraordinary percussionist, visionary, composer, and arranger. Rodriguez was a great crooner, “gruarachero”, and even dancer.

But in 2023 the content on Latino Music Café was scarce. I embarked on the project of writing books, and I’m focusing in one in particular that has consumed most of my writing time. I reflected on blogs vs. books and decided that books could leave a more lasting legacy than a blog. Besides the book I’m currently writing, I have a few book concepts that I’m giving shape to start writing soon. At this point, I don’t want to reveal much about the book I’m writing as the person I’m working with prefers to keep the project low-key until we’re ready to announce it. Stay tuned for that in 2024.

As I thought about the dilemma of writing books vs. blogging, this year I decided to focus more on the book project. And yet, as I reflect on 2023 and look forward to 2024, I realize that it doesn’t have to be one OR the other. Perhaps there’s a way to make both work. More on that later.

In 2023 I also focused on my professional career, as changes were occurring which required more of my focus. That and the book project impacted Latino Music Café.

I am optimistic that 2024 will bring forward the book projects, find a way to also continue blogging, and still focus on my professional career and the team I’m now leading.

All of this wouldn’t be possible if not for keeping my family as my north star. My daughters, my wife, my sisters, my extended family, and my faith in God are what keep me balanced and with the energy to move forward with a positive attitude in life.

May the new 2024 bring you balance, love, health, and the ability to define and reach your goals.