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Where did you grow up?
I spent the first 10 years of my life in Cuba. Once my family arrived in the US, we moved around a lot, since my dad was a pastor. We lived in Miami, FL (1980-1981), Milwaukee, WI (1981-1983) and in Chicago, IL (1983-1996). When people ask me where I'm from in the US, I say I'm from Chicago.
What lead your parents to leave Cuba?
Because we lived in a country under the iron grip of Communism, my parents dreamed of being able to go to a country where they could worship God freely, and my sister and I could have a Christian education. After trying to leave for many years, my dad, led by the Holy Spirit, wrote a letter to Fidel Castro asking him to let my family leave for religious reasons. Incredibly enough, an officer in the armed forces came to our house on a Friday night to let my family know that we were being allowed to leave immediately. Praise the Lord!
When did you first start playing the violin?
At the age of 5.
Growing up, what influences shaped your musical development?
The 3 main influences I had in Cuba were: 1-my mother 2-my violin teacher and 3-church music. My mom is a fabulous musician- she played the piano, accordion, guitar, violin and wrote music. There was always good music around the house. Even while in her womb, she'd sing to me constantly. My violin teacher was among the best violinists in Cuba. His musical sensitivity, brilliant performing abilities, as well as his teaching technique gave me a wealth of opportunities to grow. And going to church every week and hearing so many of the good old hymns and songs, gave me a wonderful appreciation for music that praises and glorifies God. Later on, as I lived in Chicago, I was exposed to great symphonies (Chicago, New York, Philadelphia), and great conductors (Sir Georg Solti, Jon Robertson, Herbert Blomstedt, etc.). This enriched my classical foundation. I also became acquainted great musicians from many genres- Itzhak Perlman, Ella Fitzgerald, Oleta Adams, Mahalia Jackson, Larnelle Harris, Paul & Stephen Tucker, Alex Klein, David Foster, John Stoddart. Being exposed to great music from amazing artists expanded my horizons and allowed me to think beyond classical music to use it as a base to develop my own style.
How did you make a decision to pursue ministry full time?
After spending a year in Medical School at the University of Illinois and starting second year, I began to wonder if the Lord was trying to tell me something. I was afraid of what that might be, so I ignored it for months. But then finally one day I knelt down and asked the Lord to give me a clear indication as to what He wanted me to do: medicine or music. After putting out the fleece like Gideon and receiving God's message, I left medical school in 1996 and devoted my time and energies to serving Him through music ministry.
What led you to decide and make your first recording?
I hadn't really thought about it. There was a mutual friend of my family's who worked for an organization that had a recording studio with the pertinent equipment. He offered to help me record an album at no cost. So we embarked upon it. It was a grueling experience: we spent about 14 hours working non-stop recording a 2-track, live album- violin and piano. Back then, you couldn't find a convenient spot to come in and record. If the pianist or I made a mistake, we had to start all over again. I was exhausted and about dead at the end of the day, but the efforts paid off. That began the journey of recording new albums on a regular basis.
What's normally going through your mind just before you minister?
There are so many little details that have to be organized: a/v team, ushers, greeters, prayer team, etc. that it's easy to get caught up in worrying. But I've come to focus on what's most important: getting ready spiritually to be used by God. My greatest desire is that people will see Jesus and will be drawn to Him.
What is a special text or portion of scripture that listeners can find in your music?
I love playing hymns that remind us of God's love for us. It's that love that makes it possible for us to have salvation, through the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for us. John 15:7 says: "If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you desire and it shall be done for you." I want to remind people that this God of love is there for us!
You've been blessed to travel to over 25 countries and record fifteen albums. What's one testimony you have that you're especially thankful for?
The greatest thrill is when people come forward and give their hearts to Jesus. Sure it's an awesome feeling when the church (or other venue) is full, and people are enjoying and being blessed. It's great to put on a flawless performance. But what makes it all worth it- the jet lag, missed connections, lost bags, etc., is when people either give their hearts to Jesus as a result of the concert, and are drawn closer to Him. You can't beat that!
What advice do you have for others who feel called to minister through music?
Most people see a musician up on stage, and they only see the finished product. It's difficult to imagine, at that point, how challenging it is to be a full-time Christian musician. I always encourage people that come to talk to me about this to 1- make sure that this is God's will for their lives, 2- to understand that there will be some very challenging times ahead and 3- that with God all things are possible, and if this is God's calling, He will provide!
What are some of your short and long term goals?
I've stopped concentrating on wanting to play here, or go there, perform with this great artist or group, on winning this or that award, or being on this or that program or channel. I want to make sure that I'm where God wants me to be. That is a daily (short and long term) goal of mine. And it's a battle. Having said that, I do want to continue recording albums, and becoming a better artist. I'd like to share in places in countries where I haven't yet been to. I'd also like to slow down in order to start a family. I think it's time to start a family! I want to develop tools so that young violinists can have music (sheet and recorded) to practice and perform for God's glory. I'd like to write another book or two on my experiences and life story as a way to encourage others. Not a lot, eh?!
What are a some of the things that you're looking forward to doing when you get to Heaven?
There are a number of people I'd like to meet and spend time with: Jesus, Jubal (the maker of many musical instruments), Jephta, Jehoshaphat, Daniel, Simon Peter, to name a few.
But before I do that, I want to find 2 people: my violin teacher- Adolfo Guimbarda, and my childhood friend- Roaidis Aguila. When I was finally able to return to Cuba in 2001 after being gone for 20 years, I wanted to go see my violin teacher. But when I went to his house, he had already died. His daughter told me that he often spoke of me, and said that God had given me a special talent. Towards the end of his life, he asked his daughter on several occasions if she thought that, should I ever go back to Cuba, I would be willing to play a duet with him. When I find my violin teacher, I'm going to ask the Lord if He would exchange our harps for a couple of violins, so we can play a duet together!
My friend Roaidis wrote to me from Cuba many years ago requesting that send him church clothes. I remember living in the days when each person was allowed to purchase one pair of pants/skirt, shirt/blouse per year, one pair of shoes every two years. Clothes, food, toys, everything was rationed. Having been in the USA for a few years now, I could boast more than 1 suit to wear to go to church. I put his letter on top of my desk, with the intention of buying him a brand new suit and sending it to him. Unfortunately, I forgot about his letter, and months went by.
One day, I came home from school, and my mom shared with me that as she left for work that morning, Roaidis' mom had called from Cuba to tell her that he had been killed in an auto accident the night before. I was overcome with sadness and remorse. I went down to my bedroom to find that letter, and as I read it over and over again I wept because the one request he had made, I had not fulfilled. All I could think about was how he would look with the brand new suit I was going to buy for him.
The only comforting thought for me is that I'm going to see him again when I get to heaven. And when I find him, I'm going to sneak up behind him, tap him on the shoulder, and give him a great big hug when he turns around. Then I'm going to ask him to forgive me for not sending his suit before he died. But I know he'll be more than happy to forgive me, because he'll be wearing the robe of righteousness that Jesus gives us when He says "Well done, good and faithful servant". And I want to encourage everyone to do whatever it takes in order to be ready when Jesus comes, so we can go home!
May God bless you,
Jaime
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Note: To view Jaime's website, click here >>.
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