Los Angeles (for the West Coast) is regarded by most as the Mecca of the music entertainment world. Particularly for the music forms of jazz, rhythm and blues, and pop. Of the millions, who move to California, thousands are aspiring musicians who flock to LA in hopes of "making it big." For a few, LA becomes their land of milk and honey. Once they have "made it," one would think LA would be called "their new home."

It's very infrequent to hear of a musician who has had his/her "name in lights" and has developed a successful career, who decides to pick up and leave the city where many musicians long to be. When a city is considered "the Mecca" for your profession, your associates, peers, and fans often ponder over the question is he/she making the right choice?

Ken Navarro, a successful session guitarist (formerly of Los Angeles), knows first hand of this experience. After spending ten years in LA, building an impressive track record as a journeyman session guitarist, performer, and composer, Navarro left Los Angeles (for the sake of his children) and moved to Ellicott City, Maryland. "I grew up in a small town and I wanted our children to have the same types of experiences I had." Navarro explains about the decision to relocate. Although, he had some concerns about the opportunities for his music career, Navarro has no reservations about the move as a father and husband. He has minimal regrets about leaving Los Angeles Navarro, "ln LA, there are so many strong musicians all around you, you had a pool (of musicians) to pull from--to assemble your band or album."

Upon relocating to Ellicott City, Navarro founded Positive Music Records. "I know I'm blessed that the move worked out for me musically, as well." The label has done extremely well and this year produced Navarro's fifth release, Pride and Joy. "Worked out." that's an understatement! From its inception, Positive Music has given jazz fans one dynamic release after another, all this in five (5) years of business. Now, that's Positive!

Navarro and his wife Kristin, have created a successful husband and wife team. While Ken is busy a conceptualizing ideas and producing heartfelt music, Kristin is managing the day to day operations of the business.

He adds, "When you are the producer, the creative concept is yours, you design me whole thing from beginning to end. For an artist, it can be very frustrating to present an idea to a producer who changes your entire concept."

His busy schedule of fatherhood, producer, president and musician, can be somewhat hectic. Navarro feels "fortunate to have a band, the Ken Navarro Group, that will give it their all", after being on the road--like their 12 hour trip recently to Atlanta." If you did not experience their powerful performance at the Stoufer Hotel in July. you missed the jam of the century. One bartender said, "This is one night I don't mind working the crowd!" In Atlanta, Navarro showcased many of the cuts on his latest release Pride and Joy.

It's obvious that Navarro has survived the trek from Los Angeles to Maryland. Who knows, maybe Ellicott City will soon be regarded as the Mecca for musical entertainment. It is a Mecca for Positive Music Records and Ken Navarro.