Art & Life with Warren Huang

Today we’d like to introduce you to Warren Huang.

Warren, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Rod Stewart, and Bruce Springsteen ruled the household as I grew up in Arcadia, CA. All of these records inspired me to start my own band, but one song, “Born to Run,” had the most electrifying solo by Clarence Clemons that would spark me to take my abilities on the saxophone to a more serious level.

Upon entering college, I began studying with Sal Lozano, a seasoned LA studio woodwind legend. He instilled in me a devotion to the lineage and roots of any style and genre. Studying recordings, transcriptions, and embodying the past/foundation in order to understand modern music. As I studied at the Bob Cole Conservatory, the bug to perform live was unable to be satisfied with buttoned-up collegiate jazz concerts. When my first chance to play in a band, I took it.

I joined my first reggae band, Eureka Sound, and performed my first show at the Anaheim House of Blues. The genre opened me up to a whole new lane which would allow me to explore and blossom as a musician. From that moment on I would start working closely with Fully Fullwood of Soul Syndicate who is a legend that pioneered reggae while backing Peter Tosh, Bob Marley, and Dennis Brown among other Jamaican legends. Through Fully I was able to gain the knowledge and experience to write, perform, and record with several modern bands. All the while I was performing in the reggae style, I was able to work with the likes of Doobie Powell, Goldfinger, and Ozomatli.

My most recent project includes managing, performing, and writing with The Delirians. I will also be on a summer tour across the US with Tribal Seeds.

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I am a multi-instrumentalist specializing on saxophone and flute. Recently, I began writing and producing with local artists that I have worked within the past few years. My performance and recording repertoire includes Ozomatli, Goldfinger, Soul Syndicate (members of the Peter Tosh band), Tribal Seeds, Doobie Powell, Don Carlos, and The Delirians. The collaborative process both directly and indirectly inspires my artistic development through the sparks and sonic connections amongst fellow musicians.

I create for the sake of music and the message that certain genres represent whether it be the revolutionary tone of reggae or the sweet serenade sung in Cuban son or Mexico’s Tres style.

Through collaboration, practice, and studying I am able to build and develop my own style and sound based in a love for the lineage of reggae, jazz, and various Latin song styles. Being in the community and being influenced by my friends and mentors such as Fully Fullwood and Wil-Dog of Ozomatli was the best education that for creating music on a visceral level.

Through my work, I would hope to inspire other Asian Americans that want to entertain a career in the arts. As a first generation Taiwanese American, there are few and far in between to look up to in a rather dichotomous industry.

Any advice for aspiring or new artists?
Learn in any way you can. Learn through recordings, books, and find mentors that have found success and carved a name for themselves in the industry you want to build your career. Always remember to act with intent and direction. Don’t be frivolous with your time.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
You can find me at the following links and support me by following my IG and sharing the music of the groups I work with. I was featured in a recent Latin Billboard article as well (link below).

https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/8498798/reggae-la-latinx-style-the-delirians-others-put-their-own-spin-on

Ozomatli feat Chali2na
https://youtu.be/2ozATYi1oBE

The Delirians
https://youtu.be/YdpJLfMT6kA (Fania)
https://youtu.be/adGgsZeRej0 (self produced with my start up label Abeja Music)
https://youtu.be/ip1QsxHk-AY (JITV)

Goldfinger
https://youtu.be/PT69fJMNj0o

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.warrenhuang.com
• Phone: 6263406686
• Email: warren.huang3@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wardawgg/?hl=en
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/647z0B4lN5mUd5dwWacCT9?si=aq9tpXkUQFGQXo0fUrP0iQ

Image Credit:
Madeleine Marine
Veronica Leon
Damon Vonn

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