My community involvement keeps on growing! In September of 2009 I was elected to the Board of Directors for the Sonoma County Adult and Youth Development Agency (http://www.scayd.org) . This fine non-profit provides front-line counseling for kids at-risk from gangs, drugs and domestic violence/abuse. We also strive to help families in danger of becoming homeless, or families in need of family counseling. Then, in January I was elected to the Board of Directors for the Cotati Chamber of Commerce. Gonna be some busy times coming up as we are currently gearing up for the 18th Annual Kids' Day Parade and Festival and the 30th edition of the Cotati Jazz Festival. Keep your eyes peeled for news about the Cotati Art Project. This Chamber-sponsored event will have a huge impact on the local art scene and should get Cotati some major press (good job Andre!).

Meanwhile, Creative Enterprises is really humming. I'm working on a project in the studio with the band Powerglide, a local R & B outfit. I'm also working on some Jazz influenced tunes by local guitarist/songwriter Steve O'Rourke. The Hellhounds' "Back To Sonoma" CD is still quite popular at their many local shows! Their most recent release contains a wide variety of blues-influenced music, including a cover of "Your Cash Ain't Nothin' But Trash" and several new collaborations by the players in the Hellhounds. Twelve tracks were recorded for this excellent example of the Hellhounds music. I recorded and mixed the project at Lion Tracks Studio and Harry Gale mastered it at his studio in Sebastopol. We are still enjoying some air-time on KRSH and the 'hounds have been having CD Release parties around the county. Be sure to check out the Hellhounds live at one of their many gigs in the area and visit their website at http://www.hellhounds.info to see their calendar and get the latest news. The Hellhounds were recently voted one of Sonoma County's Top Blues Bands by KRSH Radio listeners.

The 2009 Cotati Jazz Festival (http://www.cotatijazz.com) happened on June 20th. Last year was the most successful event in our history. Music at all of the local nightclubs and in La Plaza Park kept the town dancing from noon until the wee hours of the morning. We are currently searching for our theme for this year. Andre Morrow books a variety of local talent every year for this event. Last year we featured Mz. Dee, Keith Allen, Jason Bodlovich and many others. We at Lion Tracks/Creative Enterprises are proud to continue to be involved with providing audio services (front-of-house and stage monitor mixes, plus video and whatever else we can squeeze in) for the artists appearing at the main venue, the outdoor stage at La Plaza Park. I recently completed a DVD project in the studio for a recent Jazz Fest featuring the Stompy Jones band and guitar wizard Julian Lage. Other current video projects include the recent Hellhounds KRSH Thursday Night Live jam and interview with Andre de Channes. To see some photos of the Cotati Jazz Festivals from the past, please click on the "Jazz Festivals" tab above. Please note, all pictures were taken by me (except for the one of me) and are Copyright 2009 Mario Lewin - Creative Enterprises

Thanks for your support and encouragement! Please keep checking this site for new information.

Sincerely,