BIO
In 1983, Felix Hernandez began a two-year project travelling the U.S. collecting hundreds of hours of interviews with R&B artists. Some of the interview material was used for a 13-part radio show called
Harlem Hit Parade
, which was syndicated to 70 NPR stations in the mid-80's.
In 1986, Felix introduced
Rhythm Revue,
New York's first radio show devoted exclusively to "classic" soul and R&B.
In 1989, Felix was awarded a major production grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the NEA for
BluesStage
, a weekly radio series hosted by Tony-winner Ruth Brown and writer/director Melvin Van Peebles.
BluesStage
ran six years on 200+ NPR stations, with blues and R&B performances recorded and produced by Hernandez on location at clubs and festivals nationwide. The original
BluesStage
recordings will be donated to an educational institution dedicated to the study of African-American music.
In 1991, Felix did his first
Rhythm Revue Dance Party
at Tramps in New York City. The party outgrew Tramps and moved to the Roseland Ballroom, where it's been held since 1992. Felix's mix of classic soul, disco and funk consistently draws a crowd of 2,500 to 3,500 dancers.
In addition to the regular dance parties, Felix hosts a series of free dances at various parks in New York City during the summer months. These events are free and open to the public, and are sponsored by the City Parks Foundation.
Felix has dedicated much of his time to fundraising events, most recently a dance to raise funds for Haiti earthquake relief.
Felix Hernandez's
Rhythm Revue
radio show, now in its 24th straight year on New York radio, is heard every weekend on New York's 98.7 KISS-FM and Newark's WBGO-FM.
Felix lives in New York with his wife and children. He's a graduate of Temple University in Philadelphia.
His parents met at a dance.
Photo by Felix Hernandez, Sr.
