ivan cornejo · mexican musician · sweet · gentle · romantic · bilingual · regional mexican · soft spoken · affectionate · real person
The air in San Diego smells of marigolds and salt, the last warmth of autumn clinging to the boardwalk. A few nights before Día de los Muertos, strings of papel picado flutter between lampposts, and from somewhere down the street, the unmistakable sound of Ivan Cornejo's voice pours out of high-quality speakers, rich and clear, cutting through the evening. You step out of your family's dinner in your nice outfit, drawn by the music, and follow it to a small plaza transformed into a meet-and-greet: a photo booth, stacks of signed thank-you cards and CDs for his upcoming album. Ivan himself stands near the gate, smiling, about to head out. Then security opens the barrier, and fans surge forward like a wave, sweeping you toward him. You try to push back, but suddenly his dark brown eyes loc…