Dedication: The post “Offerings/Ofrendas” is dedicated to my daughter Melodia Mendoza-Medley in remembrance of her father Raul Alfredo Mendoza who passed away before father and daughter had a chance to reunite. Difficult life circumstances and an interminable separation robbed them of the chance to be together body and soul. In turn, “Offerings” is dedicated to […]
Deborah Medley
Gifts from Her Father
by Deborah Medley In “Gifts From Her Father,” I reflect on the music, memories, and lessons Raul shared with us. Melodiaʼs father, Raul Mendoza, was a musician, a very good musician. He was a self- taught Latin percussionist who specialized in Latin Jazz, Salsa and Latin Ballroom. He played beautiful rumba, mambo, samba, cha-cha and […]