SENBAD

It all began in Boston in 1996. Sean, soon to become Senbad, was led to Paradise where he was turned on to the infectious sounds of Deep Soulful House. Listening to Boston legends Bruno and Fran, he developed an addiction to the underground house vibe. ”Paradise didn’t even have a sign, just a door that literally led underground,” recalls Senbad. Enthralled with the Boston scene, when he returned to Phoenix later that year, he felt it was his calling to bring that sound back with him and share it with Arizona. “I had never heard that style of house here in Phoenix. Before I left, I had been to Chupa a few times, but the vibe there was edgier, not as deep as what I felt in Boston. On my return, I stumbled upon Pete Salaz’s Red Monkey parties. The vibe there was a lot closer to what I had just experienced and fell in love with in Boston. I remember the first time I asked Pete about a record it was Tantric’s “Love and Peace”. I was hoping someday I would get to play there. Who could’ve known that someday he would become my mentor, and eventually my business partner.” Late October of 1997 Senbad played his first club gig in the back room of Z-Trip’s hip hop night “Flavor Shop”. “Flavor Shop” was a major weekly that pulled 700+ people on a weekday night in Scottsdale, AZ. After playing there, Senbad was hooked. Knowing without question that he had found his calling, he dedicated himself to house music and to mastering the art of mixing it. Not only had he gained a new focus and a passion for the music, Senbad also learned something very valuable from Z-Trip and the “Flavor Shop”. “Most DJ’s are so happy to be playing at all, they forget to make sure they are respected and rewarded for their talents. Z-Trip had an uncanny ability to get himself paid what he deserved. The opportunity to learn the business side of being a DJ from someone as savvy as Z-Trip was truly fortunate.” With a well-rounded taste of what it would take to make it as a DJ, Senbad forged ahead with his plan to spread his love of house music throughout the “Valley of the Sun”. Over the next few years Senbad started forming his relationship with Pete “SuperMix” Salaz. Pete began mentoring Senbad and soon they became business partners as well. With Pete’s seasoned knowledge and Senbad’s multifaceted persona, deep house was finally brought to the masses of Scottsdale. Senbad held down residencies at Axis-Radius, Sanctuary, Myst, Six, PCL, E4, Next & Suede all while staying true to the music he loved despite pressure to “sell out” to the commercial music scene. Senbad states his belief that allowed him to stay clear of the watered down sounds clubs often resort to. “No one was born into the underground, we all had to find our way there. Lots of the people in the mainstream club scene are looking for something real, they just don’t know it. Once you turn them on to a real vibe, they are hooked. I’ve always referred to playing in Scottsdale as ‘Souldiering,’ with an emphasis of course on the soul.” In October of 2001 Senbad played a guest spot at a lounge in Tempe, the former Jax Thai Bar. After hearing him play the owner immediately offered him a night. With a good deal of persistence, Senbad persuaded his now friend and mentor Pete Salaz to join forces with him on a Wednesday night. While Pete had his doubts about a Wednesday, Senbad’s experience with Z-Trip led him to believe that it was definitely possible to build a successful night on a weekday. Pete finally agreed, and he and Senbad embarked on what would be the beginning of the now legendary “Batucada”. “Batucada” hosted talent from around the globe including Little Louie Vega, Marques Wyatt, and Miguel Migs just to name a few. Batucada’s success led to Senbad receiving 5 New Times Best of Phoenix Awards in both the DJ and club night categories. “Batucada” also offered the opportunity for Senbad to form lasting friendships with key players in the global house music community, the most important of which was with Los Angeles’s Marques Wyatt. Marques’ event Deep has been much of the inspiration on which Senbad’s efforts in Phoenix are built upon. Senbad credits Marques himself as being a crucial piece of both his professional and personal growth throughout the years. After a 6-year run, “Batucada” was retired and the new dawn of Arizona house music was on the horizon. After stumbling upon a new downtown venue, Senbad had a vision of bringing music and art together under one sky. “Solstice Saturdays” on the rooftop lounge of Bar Smith brought an East Coast feel to the heart of downtown Phoenix. Art shows, live painting and giant chalkboard graffiti added a new dimensionality to a scene already thriving on deep soulful grooves and undulating dancers. Now in it’s third year “Solstice Saturdays” continues to provide a sanctuary for old and new house heads alike. Solstice has also been a great testing ground for Senbad’s newest journey into the world of music production, doing live sets with his production partner Quetzal Guerrero. Along with continuing to share the love of house music to a weekly packed rooftop, Senbad is expanding his reach to house music lovers throughout the U.S and abroad.