Guillara Productions owner Guillermo E. Araujo, a.k.a. Willie Araujo of Union City, was born in the Dominican Republic and came to the United States in 1964, in the Bronx, New York. In 1977, he graduated from the Manhattan School of Music, and settled in Union City.
He has three brothers: Jose Francisco, who still lives in the Dominican Republic, Jorge Carlos who lives in Jersey City, and Jose Enrique who lives in Essex County. He also boasts of three children, James and Ludwig who live out-of-state, and a daughter, Martha Araujo, who lives in Weehawken.
Mr. Araujo founded Guillara Productions in 1990, has been a private tutor and music teacher for the past 20 years, and also has studied with some of the greats himself, like Phil Wood, John Shaw, Peter Socarras, and Nick Rodriguez. He has also performed with the Music Explosion, Al Green, and also Ike and Tina Turner. He has traveled the world over, performing with the likes of Tito Puente, Charlie Palmery, Ray Rodriguez, Cuco Valoy, and others!
Mr. Araujo has also worked as a sound engineer for several major studios, such as Gross River Studios and Skylark Studios. Locally, he performs at annual Cuban and Hispanic Day Parades in Union City and North Hudson County, playing all types of music. In New York City, he has performed at the Cheetah Club, the old former Copacabana Club, the White House Club, and the Casa Espana.
Mr. Araujo has trained to play the saxophone, guitar, clarinet, and the flute, and he also teaches students to play these musical instruments as well as Harmony music. Moreover, he coaches students on singing! Back in 2005, he created his own band called The Octagon, made-up of eight musicians, which is attached to Guillara Productions, and which gets hired-out on “gigs,” as they say in the trade, for events, parties, concerts, parades, and corporate functions. Such side music work hones the talent, and is good for the music school of Guillara Productions.
Mr. Araujo also teaches “behavioral playing,” and how to behave while on stage, which is called “artist protocol!” After all, music is Mr. Araujo’s life, and he tells us that he travels to the Dominican Republic for leisure time out, and he likes the New York Yankees baseball team! When asked what music he enjoys performing the most, Mr. Araujo passionately answered the Jazz, the Jazz!!! Willie Araujo, All the Best! …
There’s a new pizzeria in North Hudson, and the owner is Benito “Chef Benito” Chaca, which opened on Boulevard East in Guttenberg, right across the street from The Galaxy Towers. Readers, their Buffalo Chicken Pizza is worth the visit there! Caesar’s Bella Notte Pizza is its name! …
United States Army Private First Class Ivan M. Perez has graduated from the Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, in Columbus, Georgia. Private Perez is the son of Carmen E. Garcia of North Bergen. Congratulations! …
Kajal Patel of Secaucus, was recently named to the Dean’s List at the University of the Sciences, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Leaders of tomorrow, make us proud! …
Former Weehawken Mayor Stanley Iacono asked this columnist to tell every one of his former neighbors that he is doing fine, and hopefully will do better with his golf swing down in Ocean County in retirement. Furthermore, he asks me to send his regards to old dear friend and former Hudson County Freeholder Neil Carroll, who today is a mayoral aide to West New York Mayor Silverio “Sal” Vega. So, Mr. Carroll, you read it here! By the way, Mr. Carroll also happens to be the father-in-law to Bayonne Mayor Mark Smith, for those readers who didn’t know. Always glad to bring old friends back together using the grapevine! Best wishes! …
COMMENTARY: Readers, if there was a county-wide award given to an elected public servant, this columnist believes the first one would have to be awarded to Hudson County Surrogate Judge Donald DeLeo of North Bergen. This gentleman is always out there making and giving seminars to all citizens on the issues of wills, trusts, living trusts, etc., and as a lawyer himself, he gives “free” advice during these free events! Never have I seen such dedication, fairness, giving of time, as I have seen and witnessed Judge DeLeo perform as an elected official. Hopefully, the Hudson County fathers will take such an idea into consideration, and hopefully the citizens at-large will come to appreciate such dedication as a “Win-Win” situation for all concerned! Readers, you read it here! …
And so it goes … until next time … see you around town … “MATT” …
***Please Note:
Readers who would like to contribute to this column can do so by mailing your news items and photographs, along with your name, address, and telephone number to: “Matthew Amato,” columnist, c/o The Hudson Reporter, 1400 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Thank you!