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PROFILING DJ CORWIN JACKSON
A new venture in the Salsa community and local areas has been the new revelation of a Salsa Dj. With a style
that is matching of Salsa congresses and a selection to really look up to, today we look behind the friend
and dancer that we know as Corwin.
He has been around for more time than anyone can imagine. Maybe not entirely as a dancer, but certainly
as a Salsa lover. We are talking about the days from where we had almost nothing in the
genre around town, and certainly not many places to practice or listen to the beat that we know only
as Salsa. Ladies and Gentlemen, here is DJ Corwin Jackson.
This is an interview with a real Salsa Dj, first tell us your name?
Cackaw, Cackaw (bird calling) My name is Corwin Paul Jackson, I am originally from New Orleans
Louisiana, but I've been here since I was 4 years old. I'm 35 years old, my employer
is Delta Airlines at the SLC International Airport, and I've been there for about 12 years now. I
graduated from Weber State University in 1995 with a bachelor of arts degree in Political Science
with a minor in Spanish, I'm catholic, I'm single but N-O-T available, I do have a
girlfriend who I love very much, and one day we'll be looking to settle down.
Tell us about your relationship, is she a Salsera?
The relationship with my girlfriend Tiffani?... I love her very much! We actually
met at Mambo Club, dancing... when she came from North Carolina. She was hard at the
beginning, because she did not want to date anybody, she just wanted to dance and meet a lot
of people. Time went on and perseverance paid off, the more that she saw me, she
realized that I meant what I said, I don't play games, we became friends first, then we
got to know a lot about each other. I love her very much.
Corwin you have a really crazy style when dancing, can you tell me about it?
Well... that is just my style! After dancing hip hop, I created this style in Salsa
which identifies me, and after seeing the top dancers... Not just here in Utah,
but in other places and congresses like LA, Miami, New York, Chicago, etc., Well... you know
learning the basics was important, then adding my own moves... it got that way. It has been worth
it for me so far, and I'm still learning.
So, you were a hip hop dancer? how did you become a Salsero?
That happened about 6 years ago, in 2000. But let me take you back to 1995 when I
was introduced to Salsa by my two good friends from New Zealand. I just took
some classes from them, they showed me some steps, but at that time - 11 years
ago - I was afraid of dancing Salsa and I didn't feel comfortable taking a girl
on the dance floor, and be able to move her with sensational turns. Well, I didn't
want to look like a fool. After 1998 my friends left Utah so I had a
break from it all. Then in 2000 I was eager to learn more and since then I'm in the
clubs, learning, enjoying that rhythm that I love... Salsa.
How comfortable do you feel being a Dj?
I feel very comfortable, because all the music that I played I learned from the
top Dj's Salseros worldwide. Don't forget... before being a Dj, I was a dancer first, and
I know what the crowd wants to dance, and sometimes you get a feel from your
people before start playing. Let me say something to all the Dj's who wants to be a Salsa
Dj, no mixing Salsa, that is a big NO, let the music talk... it's a history to be
told, and you'll see the response in the crowd. Especially the Salseros.
How is your experience at La Clave Socials?
My experience in La Clave has been wonderful. It gives me the opportunity to explore another
horizon in my life. To be able to share what I love, as far as music, 'cause remember
I've been listening to music longer than I have been dancing Salsa. Sharing all my music with you
guys... its phenomenal, no matter if you are coming to dance or just relax, La Clave
is like home for all the local Salseros. It is awesome!
Corwin, do you think people have an idea of how much music you have?
Well... Let me first tell you, when I saw Tito Puente in concert, at that point I never
heard anything about Salsa music locally, or Latin music in general. So, from there I started
collecting anything that carried Tito Puente. Then I started to listen to other artists
like Johnny Pacheco, Celia Cruz, Roberto Roena, Ray Barretto, Eddie Palmieri and the list goes
on and on. After a while, I became a student; eager to learn more and more about Salsa and its roots.
Sometimes I didn't care about the artist, when I heard it I just wanted to hear it, I have so many
cd's and sometimes I forget what I have. Like I said, no matter the artist, if its Salsa, I'll get
it and I'll play it, if I like it, then I'll go ahead and study the artist further.
So, how many Salsa cd's do you have?
Straight Salsa, I have about 500 original cd's, but I do have other stuff as well. I do have
some reggaeton, cumbia, merengue, bachata and some other stuff. But it doesn't compare to my Salsa stash.
Have you played in congresses already?
Yes, I have. I have played this year at the second annual Utah Salsa Congress in September (Labor
day weekend), at the Dance Sensation in Reno, Nevada last Spring. In november I'll
be looking at MY first annual Salsa Congress in Dallas Texas with Dj Robbie, one of my mentors
from LA, Dj Pio from Italy, and some other Dj's with a big experience in Salsa.
Any particular congress that you want to Dj?
The West Coast Salsa Congress in LA! wow... it's the biggest Salsa congress in the world. If I do
that then I'm complete. I know there's a lot to be done in order to get there.
You are one of the Dj's in the first Salt Lake Salsa Congress right?
Let me tell you, Salsa is really growing here in Salt Lake City, not just in the city but
in the state of Utah as a whole. I feel great having that kind of congress happening here in Utah,
people from the whole country are coming to see us, and see what Utah has to offer. So I
feel very honored to be part of the Salt Lake Salsa Congress in January, and when they see what we
have in Salsa, their minds are going to change about Utah. I'm excited for this one.
Let's talk about your other hobbies, what else do you enjoys?
Besides Salsa, one of my passions is sports, I'm a runner. I also like to read, I like to do
some traveling and just be able to do new things. I also like to learn about people, and one day I
would like to go bungee jumping, as crazy as that sounds. Those are some of my other hobbies.
How do you see yourself 5 years from now?
I see myself married, and continuing to do what I'm doing today in my personal life. Also coaching
and mentoring young kids, and of course still be involved in the Salsa community. I think I would be
taking it day by day, growing and learning... not being in school or in college doesn't mean
that you can't learn things, it's a work in progress.
Personal goals?
I want to get better as a person, keep my mind reading, my speech up, be out there and try to
reach the community in a way to get more stuff to the poor, as far as food, clothes. As a Salsero, a
dancer and a Dj, I would like to reach another places outside of Utah, spread the word that Utah
has good Salsa.
Corwin If you had to choose one song from all your collection, which one would it be?
If I have to choose one, I will choose mmmmmhhh... this is hard,... I will choose
Hector Lavoe thy almighty (El todopoderoso), I really like that song.
You know about Utahsalsa.com, can tell us anything about it?
Well, what can I say. First of, thanks to Utahsalsa for all the stuff that is happening in the
state. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to put my foot on the world as a Salsa Dj and of
course, thanks for the congress that will be coming up and many more years of good and healthy
events... see you on the dance floor.
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