DJ’s and music lovers around the world have looked to Chicago for over 30yrs as the world’s epicenter of House Music. It’s a city that has produced some of the finest DJ’s & musicians the world has ever known, a tradition still alive and well today. Look no further than Pilsen on Chicago’s near South Side and you’ll find one of Chicago’s own home-bread and most exceptional & understated musical talents, Cesar Ramirez, carrying the torch.

To most native Chicagoans, 26th & California is considered a rough neighborhood and best known for the nearby county jail, but to Cesar, it’s considered ‘home’ and the block that first introduced him to DJ’s & House music in 1981. Only 5 yrs old at the time, Cesar ground his parents to a halt when he found himself in front of a stage manned by some local “south-side” “Hotmix” DJ’s at the local fair. He was immediately intoxicated by the unprecedented sounds of such songs as “Moskow Disco”, “Go Bang” & “A Little Bit Of Jazz” before the term “House Music” had even been conceived. Having started playing the drums at the tender age of seven, this music inspired his senses and left a deep impression, which years later was re-ignited.

Studying and playing music for over 25 years now, Cesar has grown to become a genuinely multifaceted artist. With experience playing in bands ranging in style from Punk Rock to Latin Jazz to Heavy Metal, Cesar’s resume is prolific. A talented percussionist, keyboardist, guitarist and bass player, it was a blessing to us all that in 1997, Cesar decided to re-dedicate his time and talents to House music.

Cesar’s tunes have since become synonymous with the deep house sound that Chicago & the Midwest have long been best known for. He says that he was fortunate enough to have grown up with some of House’s greatest legends in the hood all around him and even within his own family. With a cousin like Johnny Fiasco, it’s hard not to have been inspired by House Music. But, he admits he owes his heaviest bout of gratitude to his older brother and his box of mix tapes, scavenged from flea markets and taped off Chicago’s now infamous radio stations, where they would tune in every Sat. night on WBMX and Friday nights on 88.1 WCRX.

Cesar’s first release in 2001 was a co-production with cousin, Johnny Fiasco presenting “Bizi Beats Vol.1” on 83 West. Following this was his first full-length release entitled the “Turning Point EP” on Attic Space Recordings. In addition to his other original productions, which appear on such labels as RealDEEP Recordings, 83 West, Attic Space, and Smooth Agent Recordings, Cesar is also widely known for a slew of now highly collectable disco edits under the monikers “Cesario” and “Dicky Moe”. In addition, he has appeared as a guest guitarist & studio musician on labels like Om, LowDown & Ultrasound Recordings.

While Cesar’s skills behind the decks are unrivaled as a Classic, Deep Disco and Deep House DJ, it is a rare treat indeed to find him out playing these days in the clubs or on the circuit. For now, he says, he is more interested in concentrating his efforts in the studio than playing for a dancefloor. “My time may come again as a DJ”, he says, “but for now, I’m excited to be back in the studio making music that stands apart from the crowd”. Although he admits with the rising number of offers at his feet, that if presented with the right gig and the right crowd, he may be tempted to make a return. Let’s all hope, for all our sakes, that he does! But, for now, keep an eye out for a multitude of upcoming projects from this gifted musician on labels such as RealDEEP Recordings & All About Music. When you think of the deep house sounds that have built the reputation that Chicago has earned, Cesar’s music runs with the best and stands the test of time.