Joby Brava - Edie the Salsa freak's interview

World Famous Salsera, Joby Martinez-Vazquez

By Edie, The Salsa FREAK

The first time I saw Joby Martinez-Vazquez dance Salsa was in 1994. I was at a small club named Cantina Tiburon in Long Beach, California. I had jut turned thirty, and decided to treat myself to some dancing. I had no idea what Salsa was at the time. I had no idea that it even existed! Since the club was so close to my house, I decided to go check it out.

When this strangely hypnotic tropical beat (Salsa) came on, I watched in amazement as all the dancers got onto the floor. I became entranced by the rhythm and found my heart racing faster with every beat. I was absolutely thrilled to just be there. This sexy, sleek model-type woman (Joby) stepped on the dance floor. She exuded confidence and style like no other woman out there. For the next five minutes, my eyes were completely affixed just watching her. I didn’t know her name, I didn’t know who she was, but one thing is for sure, that woman changed my life from that point forward.

That’s all it took. Just five minutes. After watching her dance, I was completely hooked on this thing called Salsa. The club doesn’t exist anymore but the memory of that night has been etched in my mind like a laser. I can remember every detail like it was yesterday. Every movement, every turn, and every break she hit was picture perfect. I wanted to do this! I wanted to be like her. I wanted to dance this Salsa thing so bad!

A few weeks later, I started taking private lessons. I was so uncoordinated – I danced like a guy most of the time. Joby was my first female instructor. She helped me learn body coordination, timing, and rhythm. Joby helped me look more feminine, and for that, I am FOREVER grateful!

Her career has taken her literally all over the world. Based in Los Angeles, she has appeared on numerous television shows, commercials, and movies. Her choreography is second to none and is in continuous demand throughout Hollywood and many countries throughout the world. Joby doesn’t let all the stardom get to her head however. She maintains a humble-like personality that keeps her feet firmly on the ground.

As a person, Joby is as real and as genuine as you can get. She has a nine-year old daughter, and is a wonderful mother. When you first meet Joby, she comes across as a quiet, shy type, but behind all that is a very intelligent businesswoman. She has been the pioneer of LA Style Salsa, which is now an established and recognized style throughout the world. She also runs an international instructional DVD company with international sales in virtually every nation.

Joby is starting a new chapter in her life, and is in the process of starting many different projects. As one of the hardest working people I know, I can guarantee that whatever she sets her mind to, she will succeed. She has an incredible future ahead of her.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am VERY proud to introduce to you, Ms. Joby Martinez!

Edie: Where were you born?

Joby: New York, New York

Edie: What nationality are you?

Joby: Dominican

Edie: Do you have any brothers or sisters, and if so, do they dance as well?

Joby: I have a younger brother, Leo now taking classes and an older sister Betty (in Miami) that has never taken classes but has the groove thing naturally.

Edie: When did you start dancing?

Joby: I started dancing in general because since I was 12 years old I did sports. Soccer, softball, cross country running, swimming and gymnastics. But when I got to college, my first year, I didn't have time to be on a team anymore so I saw a modern dance class at the college and decided to take it. I was in love with dance since that day (1986). From there I took, Jazz, Hip Hop, Ballet and joined a dance team.

Salsa, I was brought up with the music at family parties and so forth but seriously taking it up, 1994.

Edie: Why did you start dancing?

Joby: I started dancing Salsa because a friend, Janette Valenzuela, used to take Jazz with the same instructor as me and invited me to go out one night. She had invited me to JC Fandango in O.C. I had been there before with my mom and said to her, "Oh, Salsa? That's for old people and that place is for old people, whatever I have nothing else to do." So I went. When I saw Janette dance I was so wowed. I told her, "I have to learn to dance this." I took a few lessons at the same club to learn the proper basics. I was used to dancing what I call, "the home grown" style; what all Caribbean’s do at family parties. After a few lessons, I went dancing and really learned by doing just that. Going out dancing a lot. 1 day turned to 3 days turned to 5 days a week. Whatever I could get.

Edie: What was the first dance you learned?

Joby: The first dance I learned had to be merengue. As a Dominican, you are born moving your hips out of your mom's womb to help you out. Right to the rhythm of the music.

Edie: Are there any other dances you teach?

Joby: Currently, I teach Salsa, Merengue, Cha Cha, Mambo and Bachata.

Edie: Who has influenced you the most as a dancer?

Joby: I can't say that anyone person has influenced me the most. I think there are so many good dancers out there and from a broad prospective of styles of Salsa that I look at every woman and man and take a little here and a little there.

Edie: Do you teach full time? Where?

Joby: Yes, I dance full time for the last 10 years. My locations are (will send that later)

Edie: What movies, TV, commercials and famous people have you been in?

Joby: Some movies I've worked in was "Dance with Me" and "Looking for Lola". I've done commercials and T.V. for Coca Cola, Bud Light, California Lottery, MAD TV, and worked with people such as Tito Puente, Sinbad, Thalia, John Leguizamo, Jennifer Lopez, Rosanne Bar, and many more.

Edie: What is the most enjoyable aspect of your career?

Joby: The most enjoyable aspect of my career is meeting so many different people all over the world. Being able to travel to over 33 countries and see so many different cultures interested in part of MY culture is incredible and only has given me a better understanding of how we are not so different. Also, I have to say teaching is especially wonderful because you can see what joy learning Salsa to people it is. It gives people a new avenue of expression and builds many peoples confidence because they get a better understanding of what it is to not just "feel" but express your feelings. Wow!! What a concept.

Edie: What is most important to you now?

Joby: Since my divorce with Luis Vazquez, my prospective on life has changed completely. What is most important now is to working on me and my future with my Daughter. I want her to be able to have an understand things that I never did at an earlier age. So she can be happy and successful in her life.

Edie: What is happening with Salsa Brava now?

Joby: Well, since I am still in the process of the divorce there are many things that Luis and have not resolved at this moment. A divorce is a very difficult process. Therefore, it leaves many things up in the air still. As far as the company our plan is to dissolve it after the May congress. Our last performance will be Memorial day weekend the L.A. Congress. In June, we will both start on our way to our own careers. Some of the dancers will continue to work with me. I will begin to work under Joby 'Brava' Productions with my own classes, class network with other instructors, socials and a new dance company. I am quite excited. I can't wait to do all these things. For further information check out my new website at www.JobyBrava.com.

Edie: With all your contacts in the industry, what plans do you have for the future?

Joby: I will continue to teach, choreograph and produce events for all Salsa connoisseurs. I want to bring other great dancers from all ofer the world to L.A. so that people can get exposed to the "Art of Salsa" through the eyes of other awesome "Salsa dancers" of all styles. We can't limit ourselves to what we have here in L.A. When it comes to Salsa, I want to be not only a contributor of what I know but what I don't know and that is where my "Salsa Star friends" come in. I will continue to work with some of the dancers that where in "Salsa Brava" such as Paco Evangelista and Cesar Henriquez. I'm also excited to say that I will be working with Olivia Dasso on some great projects together.

Edie: What are your goals and ambitions now, both personally and professionally?

Joby: My goal in the personal aspect is to never stop being happy no matter what. Always remembering that if I'm happy I project that on to my daughter, family, friends and students to only cause a domino reaction of happiness. I want to be a person full of influence in every positive prospective.

My goal professionally is to one day have my own studio. It won't be a regular studio though. It will be many things a studio has never been before. In part it will give me a chance to also give back to our community most importantly, underprivileged kids. I don't want to say too much and ruin the surprise.

Edie: If you had one chance to interview someone, out of all the people in the world, alive or dead, who would that person be, and why?

Joby: I would interview, Nelson Mandela or Malcom X. Why? Because to become a more intelligent, wiser person you have to surround yourself with people who are so. I would so love to get into their heads and know how is it that they had developed such a love above all for humanity. They are "rare souls" in a world that has so much anger.

Edie: Joby, if you had a chance to step outside yourself, and sit with Joby Martinez for a few minutes, what type of advice would you give her?

Joby: This is a great question. Find the way to be happy always. I know this probably sounds impossible. You can't beat yourself up for having moments of unhappiness. In fact, we all know where there's a rainstorm comes a beautiful rainbow. What I mean by all this is that sometimes when you are caught up in work, life or relationships you find yourself stressed, and doing things that really only make you unhappy. But that is only because you are doing any of those things for the wrong reasons. If you are not happy in your job find a way to change your career because you will never be as successful as you can be in a job you hate to do. If you are not happy in a relationship, you work at it for a while to see if both parties are willing to make it work. If not you must take a step (sometimes drastic steps) to cause the possibility of transformation. Don't lose hope so quickly though, love is the nutrition of life. YOU have to make yourself happy. No one else can do that. And like I said before if your happy, those around you, will only want to be around you. Be ambitious in every aspect of your life. WORK LIKE YOU DON'T NEED THE MONEY, LOVE LIKE YOU'VE NEVER BEEN HURT AND DANCE LIKE NOBODY'S WATCHING.