Just Like Old Times…Mood Express 40 year Reunion Concert Gets The Holiday Party Season Started In Denver

THe KUVO Radio family had a fantastic time.

The KUVO Radio family

Joe_167Article, Videos & Photos by Joe Contreras, Latin Life Denver Media (see photo gallery below)

What a great time this past weekend as members of Chicano Music Hall of Fame inductee – The Mood Express reunited in Denver, Saturday, November 23rd for a 40th Reunion Dance Concert at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel.  (see Mambo video)… (see La Bamba video)(see selena bitty bitty bom bom video)(see War “All Day Music Video)(see Earth Wind & Fire video)

It was like one big happy family holiday reunion. There were lots of hugs, kisses and handshakes going around as so many people were glad to renew acquaintances and friendships. Everyone was in a holiday mood as the sold out jam packed crowd danced the night away.

The dancing began before the band even took the stage with the traditional Mexican procession of  “La Marcha".  It starts as a long chain of couples of two. To start the dance, everyone dances around the room in a circle, which signifies life. Soon, the couples split apart; the men go to one side of the room and the women to the other.  More than 100 couples participated. (see video)

The dancing began before the band even took the stage with the traditional Mexican procession of  “La Marcha”.  It starts as a long chain of couples of two. To start the dance, everyone dances around the room in a circle, which signifies life. Soon, the couples split apart; the men go to one side of the room and the women to the other.  More than 100 couples participated. (see video)

The band played a variety of music from War to Tower of Power to Mambo, Cumbias, Rancheras  and more.

Band leader Ervin Lucero was joined onstage by many long time Denver musicians including 88 year old Freddy Rodriquez and his son Freddy Rodriquez Jr. Timbalero  Gary Sosias flew in from the east coast to join the fun . Conjunto Colores’ Francisco Mejia joined the amazing percussion ensemble, plus a horn section that couldn’t be beat and many more

The only downer was the party ended way to early at 11pm. Most were not ready to leave and hung around long after wanting to keep the party going.

Media Sponsor Latin Life Denver table was more than ready to celebrate

The Latin Life Denver table was more than ready to celebrate

For over three decades The Mood Express has been filling the dance floors and warming hearts with its scintillating rhythms and dynamic vocals. The group has opened for such mega stars as Gloria Estefan, the late Tito Puente, WAR, and Little Joe.
 
A Denver native now residing in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Ervin Lucero was honored with the 2015 Richard T. Castro Distinguished Visiting Professorship Honor at Denver’s Auraria Campus.
Photos by Joe Contreras, Latin Life Denver Media