Ciao 2 2018! Welcome 2019!

As we end 2018, I want to let you know that Pacific Mambo Orchestra will be welcoming the new year with a January date at Yoshi’s with special guest, trumpet icon Jon Faddis…. Look out for the new Salsa Google App featuring an updated calendar of your town’s nightly Salsa based entertainment no matter where you are worldwide!!!  Eduardo Guilarte, editor of the on-line International Salsa Magazine tells me that promoters, bands and venues can post their shows, club dates and concerts on the new app.  The app also updates the latest listings.  Look out for Salsa Google App in early 2019…The hot Cuban band El Nino Y La Verdad may be the headliners for the Annual San Francisco Salsa Rueda Festival happening in February at the Hotel Withcomb.  They are in the process of clearing their Visa hurdles in order to perform in February in SF.  El Nino has a hot streak of hits including “Cosa Mala” and “Mas Duro”.  He recently collaborated with Jose Alberto “El Canario” on the recording “Salsa O Son” featured on “Mas Duro”……Also coming in February, the ever popular Gilberto Santa Rosa will be headlining at the Regency Center in SF….Chucho Valdes will be an artist in residence at SF Jazz at the end of January.  He will be performing with the latest edition of his seminal band “Irakere” now called Irakere 45.  Valdes will be honored at the annual SF JAZZ gala at the end of January…..And renowned violinist Anthony Blea leads one of the best Latin Jam Sessions on the third Thursday of the month at Bar Cesar in Oakland’s Piedmont Avenue.  Past participants are a who’s who of fine musicians such as Marco Diaz, Saul Sierra, Sandy Perez, John Santos, Jesus Diaz, Javier Navarette, Michael Spiro, Miguelito Martinez, Lina “Mestiza” Torio, Edgar Pantoja and Ernesto Mazar to name a few.  The repertoire includes descargas, danzones, cha cha, timba, rumba and more.  Quite a scene, hot dancing, great atmosphere and the best part…no cover!….Speaking of Jam Sessions, Ricky Aguilar leads the popular Monday night Jam Sessions at the Mission District’s Revolution Cafe with his Grupo Afro Nativo featuring the legendary Louie Romero (leader of Mazacote/former member of Willie Colon’s Orchestra NYC), Hector Lugo of La Mixta Criolla, Gary Flores, Carlos Ramirez and others.  Will catch with you later.  Ciao 4 now!!