WESTWOOD MUSIC - Key Persons
Abe Lagrimas, Jr. is a versatile multi-instrument and professional musician on the drums, ukulele, and vibraphone. The Hawaii-bred 2012 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Drums Competition semi-finalist attended Berklee College of Music as a drum set principal.
As a ukulele player, Abe has performed at ukulele and jazz festivals throughout the world and released multiple albums in the United States, Japan, and Korea. His album "Solo Ukulele - The King of Pop" pays tribute to the music of Michal Jackson and has been awarded in 2011 by the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts (HARA) Na Hoku Hanohno Music Awards.
His ukulele repertoire include jazz, Hawaiian, pop, rock, and original music. An active educator, Abe has written instructional ukulele books for the Berklee Press and Consonus Music Institute.
In addition to teaching privately and presenting workshops locally and internationally, he is also an educator with the Los Angeles Music Center for their annual programs "Ukule-Along" and "Ukulele Christmas Orchestra". Abe endorses Koolau Ukuleles, Kaminari Cables, and Fusion Bags.
Alex Sinclair is the third generation of his family to be involved with Westwood Music. Alex's grandfather, a concert violinist, and Hermann Walecki, founder of Westwood Music, had a close professional and personal friendship dating back to the 1940's. Alex's mother grew up around the Waleckis, and in 2000, Alex's father became acquainted with Fred Walecki and became a partner in the store. Alex interned at the store during high school and after graduating from Pitzer College, he worked at the store, utilizing his photography, computer and visual skills, in the areas of marketing and online sales. Alex says he was lucky enough to be mentored by Fred when asked to take over as store Manager in the summer of 2015, and Fred has continued to be, as Alex says, "a guiding angel."
Alex hopes to continue to build the store into a 21st Century destination both online and at 1627 Westwood Blvd. for accomplished artists, music aficionados, and anybody who wants to learn or play or just hang out with other musicians.
Bob Boulding started playing guitar at age 9. He began playing bass to fill the shoes of a departing member of his band during the 1990's. Soon, he enjoyed a mastery of the instrument on par with his guitar work. While studying music at Saddleback College, Bob taught his first group lessons at a local music school. His methods of teaching have developed since he began private instructions in 1999.
All the while, Bob has also been a professional musician. For 18 years he was the lead guitarist in the Celtic rock band Young Dubliners, with whom he made 6 albums and played thousands of shows throughout the US and Europe.
His passion and enthusiasm to inspire people of all ages the ability to play music is informed by 25 years if teaching and performing experience.
Job Titles:
- Member of Blowin' Smoke Performing Monthly at Harvelle
- Repairs
David Rutchinski has been Westwood Music's luthier for the past seven years. As a young musician in his native Canada, he was mentored in guitar craft by Luthiers in Vancouver and Toronto. His experience as a guitar player and luthier brings precision and "feel" to how he practices his craft. He is a master of doing setups, electronics, acoustic repairs, PLEK, and re-frets.
David is currently a member of Blowin' Smoke performing monthly at Harvelle's in Santa Monica.
Originally from Hamburg, Germany, Gunnar has been living and working in Los Angeles for 15 years and has been a professional guitar player and instructor for over 35 years. He specializes in blues, pop/rock and funk guitar. He has also studied music composition and music theory and is a certified audio engineer and songwriter. Gunnar works with students of all ages from beginners to advanced-level musicians. Whether you are looking to learn the basics or expand your understanding of guitar playing, he will tailor lessons to your individual needs, and will be able to assess your skill set and abilities and help you to achieve your goals quickly
Jonah Rivera has been a valued member of Westwood Music since 2006. His guitar playing, songwriting and singing can be heard on Seneca Hawk's 2010 album, which charted on the CMJ Top 100. He has a background in classical piano and trumpet, and played professionally as a drummer while studying creative writing at Cornell University.
Jonah is Westwood's House Lesson Instructor, and is great working with kids of all ages.
Mark Bookin's tenure at Westwood Music spans over 30 years of rock-and-roll history.
Mark has supplied gear to a virtual who's who of touring groups including the Doobie Brothers, Fleetwood Mac, Moody Blues, Earth Wind & Fire, the Beach Boys, Jackson Browne, the Eagles, Jimmy Buffett, CSN, Richard Thompson and many, many more. Mark has mastered getting the artists those hard-to-find pieces for their stage shows and to add to their collections.
Being an acoustic guitar player and singer-songwriter himself, Mark has the knowledge to connect with his customers and pair them with the right instrument. His specialty is acoustic guitars, but he is well versed in all aspects of music retail including recording, pro audio, live sound, band and orchestra and keyboards. His connections go deep into the musical instrument world both new and vintage. If you need help with your first instrument or to add that special piece to your collection, you will be hard pressed to find a more knowledgeable ally than Mark Bookin.