Acclaimed pianist Arthur Hanlon talks about the most recent editions of his 'Legados' series, what inspired him to start playing Latin music, working with other artists like Fonseca and Orishas, other artists he wants to work with, what you can expect fans of his upcoming 'Piano Magic Tour and more!
Arturo Hanlon
I feel like, you know, the Wizard of Oz when I like the house… and she lands. I arrive in New York and suddenly I'm into Latin music. Hi everyone, I'm Arthur Hanlon and you're watching Billboard News.
Lyndsey Paradises
I'm Lyndsey Havens from Billboard News, and today we're joined by, I'm going to say, Latin pop fusion pianist Arthur Hanlon. How are you?
Arturo Hanlon
I'm fine Lyndsay and I love that, I'm going to steal it.
Lyndsey Paradises
Please use it. It's very difficult to cover everything you do, which we'll get into. But I feel like that touches on something that definitely draws me to your music.
Arturo Hanlon
It's nice, it's concise.
Lyndsey Paradises
You had a very busy 2023, you released two EPs, in this 'Legados' series, you started with bachata towards pop. So I'd love to hear the inspiration for that series. And why did you decide to get into bachata?
Arturo Hanlon
Well, you know, my story is a little different. I'm Irish-American and I'm passionate about Latin music, which I discovered in New York and, you know, I now have 10 albums and two HBO specials, a lot of stuff. And I'm thinking what can I do? You know, it's almost like an impulse memory. … This project is a series, you know, 'Legados,' which are legacies of songs that inspired me when I first really got into heavy, heavy Latin music. And I decided in New York, you know, I'm going to become Latino, I'm going to create this fusion thing. And I'm not going to back down. And, you know, that was in New York in the early '90s. I studied classical piano at the Manhattan School of Music. My teacher was in Washington Heights. Washington Heights was a strange area because it's very classical, you know, Manhattan School, Juilliard, all that stuff and the Dominicans and Colombians and bachata and salsa and merengue were like going out on the streets. And these are the first songs I hear. I came in, I moved from Detroit playing a lot of Motown. I heard the one who was Juan Luis Guerra. And I heard all this like, Oh my God, this is glorious. Yes. So I wanted to start 'Legacies'. These are my personal songs, you know, that inspired me since I really got involved with Latin music.
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Editor's note: Arthur Hanlon is married to BillboardThe vice president and leader of the Latin industry, Leila Cobo.
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