Three questions with Alex A.

Alex A & the Desert All Stars are supplying the Coachella valley with some much needed Latin flavor. The eight piece cluster of talented musicians create an afro Cuban fusion that’s sure to get you off your feet and on to the dance floor.

An eclectic percussion section complied of congas, timbales and drums coupled with the presence of lively horns, keyboard, guitar and soulful violin blend together to produce an invigorating sound like nothing else in the desert.

Twenty-three year old lead guitarist Alex Ahumada hangs on the words of Carlos Santana. "If you feel it, other people will feel it. If you don't, why in the hell should they?"  He applies this sentiment to the All Stars live performances, hoping to strike an emotional cord with audience members and inspire them find their own creative outlet.

What did you hope to bring to the desert music scene?

Music mixed with emotions, passion and great feelings of love. Music doesn't have an age limit. Music scenes don't have to fit in with what's cool at the moment on MTV and VH1. Music transcends through trends, age and in crowds and anything else you'd like to throw at it to define or box it into limitations.

There’s nothing in the Valley quite like the All Stars. Exactly how would you describe your sound?

I love jazz. I grew up listening to Stevie Ray Vaughan, Santana and Dizzy Gillespie.  I knew I wanted to do something with Latin rock and jazz.  The rhythm and spirit of it is just infectious.

We love blues and rock and roll, but give us a Latin rhythm and we really start to have fun. People love that energy. They can feel it. I'd like people to walk away from a performance moved and inspired by the events that have just taken place, to carry that excitement home and to pass it along. Music has a way of chain reacting through people’s lives.

Who are some of your influences?

Carlos Santana, John Mayer, The Mars Volta, B.B. King. 

Check out Alex A & the Desert All Stars Friday Dec. 12 at Robbie T's in Indio.