The Cultural Explosion on the Treasure Coast

By Ari Mendes

Since I moved to Port St Lucie 3 years ago, coming from Boston, where I lived for about 20 years, I’ve met a lot of very, very talented people, and made a lot of new friends. Cougar and Patti Gamble from the Blues Alliance were among the first friends to welcome us to the Treasure Coast. They helped me get gigs, promote my recording studio (www.Amenstudio.com) and most of all, gave us a taste of true Southern hospitality.

Why Cultural “Boom” in the Treasure Coast

I’ve been in the music business for over 35 years, as a musician, arranger, studio engineer and producer. My moving to Florida was in pursuit of a more laid back life, away from big centers like Boston, New York, Miami, Nashville or Los Angeles. My idea was, I’d build my studio in a garage, make a living doing digital editing, mastering post production and forensic audio (which all can be done by email) just to make enough to get by, and use my time to work on my own Jazz/Fusion/Gospel music, and most importantly, hit the waves on beautiful Jensen Beach every day…

But, as they say, God works in mysterious ways! In the past 3 years, I’ve been busy in my PSL studio, working with artists like Don Ciccone (former member of the 4 Seasons, Tommy James, The Critters), Rhett Palmer (radio personality and recording artist), Robert Navarro (Grammy nominated Latin pianist), Rachel Yeager (singer and Tv actress, Burn Notice and Hard Bargain), Angelia Bell, (recording artist, singer and pianist, with whom I played Mar-A-Lago for two seasons), Carl Hiaasen (writer and multi-million audio books seller), Phill Mann (multi instrumentist), Wayne Maddalena

(Jazz Trumpetist), Moska Project, John Lenza, Tony Loeffler, Freddie Mitchell, Earl Bennet, Ossie Wright, Swanny, Frank Cramblitt, God Wired, Warren Silvers, Jane Oster, Marilyn Feickert, Tom Lund (drummer, played with George Benson), Jeff Beal and Sanctifunk, Bob Schilling (Fifth Avenue), Jim Chrulski and Robbie Surace (both from Solid Gold), the great Richard Mac, Tim O’Donnel and the Nouveaux Honkies. And they all live in this area! Also, new music venues are opening everywhere; places like Exodus Café and the Spettus Steak House in Fort Pierce are always looking for musical acts. That’s without mentioning the Brazilian and Latin artists in the area.

The city of Detroit, circa 1960, was known only for its automobile industry. And suddenly, Motown is born, bringing us Stevie Wonder, Lionel Ritchie, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross & The Supremes, The Four Tops, The Temptations and The Jackson 5!

The Treasure Coast is pregnant, ready to give birth to a very important cultural explosion that’s going to put us in the map. Let’s unite, get organized, and celebrate!

Ari Mendes plays guitar, and grew up listening to Blues, Zep, Floyd, Yes, Beatles, Charlie Parker,Tom Jobim and Tchaicovsky. But he listens to “The sound of Music” soundtrack a lot… Contact me at producer@amenstudio.com , or 772 5010697 . Peace