Nina Lenart: radio host and musical philanthropist A Life Celebrated

It's a Saturday afternoon in Southern California. As the clock strikes 2 pm listeners already tuned into Los Angeles-based KXLU-88.9 FM's Alma del Barrio are greeted by the Super All-Star horn section's intro to Francisco Guayabal. Long-time listeners know that this is not just another son montuno. It's the opening theme for veteran host Nina Lenart.

For hall a year listeners would not hear the call of Francisco Guayabal. Nor would they hear the voice that graced the airwaves for more than two decades. It was not until a July 16, 2005 announcement from fellow Alma del Barrio host and program co-director Eddie López that they would learn why.

Nina Lenart would not be returning to the program. The celebrated radio personality, musical philanthropist, and mentor died after her private and noble battle with cancer.

Growing up in Los Angeles, California, Lenart was introduced to the various Latin music forms listening to recordings of Tito Puente, Machito, and Antonio Carlos Jobim. This would set the foundation for her love of the music, making her a collector of Latin jazz, Afro-Caribbean and Brazilian records. Her love of music would be essential in her search for knowledge of the various genres. Her knowledge and respect for the music made her one of the industry's most respected authorities.

In 1979, Lenart began her radio career at Los Angeles' KCRW-89.9 FM via the Latin Dimensions program. Based at Santa Monica City College, the program, hosted by Bill Strauss and Alan Geik (whom she would later marry) showcased Afro-Latin rhythms. Lenart would call in to the program and share her vast knowledge of the music with the hosts. Her calls soon won her an invitation from Strauss to co-host the Friday night segment, which developed into a seven-year stint on Latin Dimensions.

In 1982, she was invited to host another local program based at Loyola Marymount University, Alma del Barrio. With two weekend programs on the air, Lenart would soon secure a loyal audience. Listeners tuned in for the music and interviews that would never be heard on commercial radio. Latin Dimensions was ultimately cancelled in the mid-eighties and Lenart continued hosting her segment of the Alma del Barrio program for a total of twenty-three years.

She was widely recognized for introducing aficionados to contemporary Cuban music. With the aid of her friend and Alma del Barrio colleague Emilio Vandenedes, Lenart secured recordings of artists from the forbidden island and shared these musical treasures with the audience. She and Vandenedes introduced the likes of Juan Formell y Los Van Van, Estrellas de Areíto, Adalberto Alvarez y Su Son, and Irakere among others to the airwaves when no one else dared to do so.

Lenart was also instrumental in the promotion of local artists that had a great sound but had yet to make it big, as well as artists who had enjoyed international success but could not secure airplay in Los Angeles' commercial market. Whether it was by interview, spinning a record, or adding an event to the Alma del Barrio weekend calendar, Nina Lenart wanted to ensure that all artists received their share of exposure, promotion and recognition.

An accomplished public relations consultant with a vast knowledge of Afro-Caribbean music and a familiarity of various artists' sounds and styles, Lenart continued her insatiable quest for information, always exploring music on the Internet, in books, and attending performances. Her pursuits paid off. Lenart found herself as a freelance writer for various publications including L.A. Weekly and Latin Beat Magazine. She also wrote for the Descarga music catalog, and authored liner notes for several musical recordings.

In 1998, Lenart would add Executive Producer to her curriculum vitae. After attending a memorial service for her former Alma del Barrio colleague and dear friend Vandenedes, Lenart was inspired to pay a musical homage to his memory. Along with her husband and fellow Alma del Barrio host Alan Geik and film producer and Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival co-founder George Hernández, she co-produced Caravana Cubana: Late Night Sessions and Del Alma.

What began as a modest recording project evolved into a series of reunions featuring artists such as bassist Al McKibbon, percussionist Francisco Aguabella, local bandleader José Caridad "Perico" Hernández, trombonist Jimmy Bosch, pianist and former Irakere musical director Chucho Valdés, and percussionist Miguel Angá Diaz. The recording earned two Grammy nominations, an accomplishment and honor Nina Lenart never imagined would be bestowed upon her.

In December 2004, Lenart produced what would be her last segment on Alma del Barrio. She had not been feeling well for some time and felt she needed time to recuperate and rejuvenate. Shortly thereafter she was diagnosed with cancer.

Although Lenart was a public figure, she was very private and kept her illness just as private. She received treatments to combat the cancer, but the disease proved itself to be puissant. Within half a year of the diagnosis, Nina Lenart died on July 15, 2005. A private memorial was held at the Adat Shalom Synagogue in West Los Angeles the following week.

In an industry notorious for self-interest, Nina was a pillar of selflessness, grace, and respectability. She dedicated much of her life to the music that brought so much enjoyment to her and listeners, not for the notoriety, but for the love of the music. She was the quintessence of Alma del Barrio, for she carried the music deep within her alma-her soul. It is no wonder, as we mourn the loss of such an extraordinary woman, we celebrate Lenart's accomplishments and contributions to radio as well as the advancement and promotion of Afro-Caribbean music. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her family, friends, artists, colleagues and listeners alike--but her spirit and legacy will live on en nuestras almas.

Nina Lenart is survived by her loving husband Alan Geik, her father Louis "Lou" Lenart, her maternal aunt and younger sister.

KXLU--88.9 FM will host a musical tribute to Nina Lenart, scheduled to take place on the Loyola Marymount campus Saturday, September 17, 2805 from 12 noon to 6 pm at the Sunken Garden and will be open to the public.

COPYRIGHT 2005 Latin Beat Magazine
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