Grand Rapids musician, artist and Mexicains Sans Frontieres curator reveals the albums and artists that influenced him most, from the obscure to the legendary. Check out his picks.
Drummer, Music Promoter, Artist and Much More: Hugo Claudin (Courtesy Photo)
EDITOR’S NOTE: All musicians can trace their inspiration to key recordings that influenced their careers. Writer Ross Boissoneau today showcases music that changed the world for Grand Rapids musician and artist Hugo Claudin, who also curates Mexicains Sans Frontieres. Scroll down for a Spotify playlist of a few of his picks.
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Hugo Claudin wears two hats, as a musician and a jazz promoter, who often hosts shows in his loft. Oops, make that three. Plus he’s also an artist, so that makes it four. So how does he manage to wear all those hats?
Seems it was intentional.
“I moved here in 1980 with the idea of going to art school and joining a band,” Claudin says.
And it worked: He attended what is now Kendall College of Art and Design, as well as ultimately forming the Latin rock band Cabildo with Julio Villalobos. “I’d been playing in noise bands,” Claudin says, and now he got to see the audience drinking, dancing and having a good time.
He eventually left Cabildo, though he continued to play in various outfits, from rock to reggae. While that’s part of where his heart was, he didn’t depend on it to pay the bills.
“I never made music for a living. I did community health work (five hats?) and I curated jazz shows here at my loft,” he says, even winning some awards for house concerts. “I’m (also) a painter and artist, and have a lot of commissions right now.”
Claudin continues to play and put on shows, though at the moment he doesn’t have any bookings for future dates at his loft, aka Mexicains Sans Frontieres. “I’m still rocking the drums. It’s important to mentor other musicians, show them the ropes. And it’s a nice social thing.”
1. Math, “Bask,” a.k.a. “Basic Math,” a.k.a. “Bask Math” (1994)– The first one is obscure. Math was a trio on a label out of Ann Arbor (it was described as an experimental rock group in online material from the label, Bulb Records). It was such an exciting time. The drum set looked like a sculpture, saw blades for cymbals. I keep it close to my turntable.
2. Charlie Haden with Don Cherry and Ed Blackwell, “The Montreal Tapes” (1994)– Ed Blackwell is one of my favorites of all time. It’s a live recording. You could tell they played a lifetime together. It’s playful, fun, the dynamics are loud, then soft. It’s a real joy to listen to. Don Cherry played a pocket trumpet. He was on the forefront of avant garde. I just listened to it, it still sounds fresh, warm and amazing. The Liberation Music Orchestra (another project of Haden’s) was a huge inspiration for Cabildo. It was included in lefty politics. I wanted to reflect that. I showed Julio how jazz adapted Latin (attributes), especially politics, like “Song for Che.”
Listen: “Lonely Woman”
3. (And Currently Loving) band (2024) – My dad signed Nat King Cole to Capitol Records. He partly owned Excelsior (a label which was absorbed by Capitol. He worked at Music City, the most progressive music store in the country. Sinatra, Nat King Cole would go there. It was owned by Glen Wallach, and he had the big idea to make a label, Capitol Records. Dad (saw) Nat King Cole, and he had a fresh sound, the cool sound of California, a more relaxed style.
Listen: “Route 66”
ALBUMS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD: Hugo Claudin’s Playlist on Spotify
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