Mayito Takes over S.F. Bay!
The Sixth Annual SF Salsa Rueda Festival which is the equivalent of the Cuban version of the annual Salsa Congress took place this past weekend at the Hotel Whitcomb. I attended Saturday night which featured ex-Los Van Van vocalist Mayito Rivera with Timbalive, DJ Walt Digz and quite a number of spectacular dance troupes dancing in the Cuban salsa style, Casino De Rueda or elaborate dance routines incorporating Timba music. Mayito Rivera simply bowled over the Whitcomb audience with his charisma, great voice, fierce sonero style and impeccable showmanship. Mayito, with long dreadlocks going down his back, handsome looks and dressed in a white outfit, had the crowd working out with him, ladies dancing on stage, arms raised in unison and rhythm. He sang some Van Van favorites and his own material backed up masterfully by Miami’s own Timbalive who sounded great all night long. Originally posted Feb. 17,...
Read MoreSF Bay Living Musically Large
There is now a well deserved focus on the SF Bay Area Latin/Salsa scene since Pacific Mambo Orchestra won the grammy award for Best Tropical Latin recording. The bay area has been a mecca for great musicians, bands and dj’s for quite a number of years. Perhaps the best kept secret in the United States since most of the attention goes to New York (which has been fading as an influential spot for years), Miami and Los Angeles. Great musicians such as Louie Romero, Orestes Vilato, John Santos, Rebeca Mauleon, Jesus Diaz, John Calloway, Carlos Caro, Karl Perrazo, Anthony Blea, Marco Diaz, Bill Ortiz, and that’s just scratching the surface of a rich scene here, have made the Bay Area their base of operations for many years! It has been a hot bed of activity with new recordings coming out by Marco Diaz, Julio Bravo, The Latin Rhythm Boys, John Santos and his many projects including the new recording by 78 year old Cuban vocalist Ernesto Oviedo and the Salsa De La Bahia project spearheaded by Wayne Wallace and Rita Hargrave. Clubs, salsa dance socials, festivals and concerts by major artists are commonplace in the SF Bay. And that’s just in the Salsa scene. All genres of music continue to thrive with great contributions of all the fine musicians that live and work here. Let’s continue to bathe in the collective sunshine! Originally posted Feb.8,...
Read MoreSly And The Family Stone’s Stand Performed Live in SF
The Independent was packed wall to wall on Sunday night by people of all walks of life paying tribute to the music of Sly and the Family Stone. Vocalist Zakiya Harris was on stage with her large troupe of singers, dancers and musicians putting their take on the Sly classic “Higher”. The energy was high as the producers UnderCover presented this unique tribute to Sly with different bands from all genres of music each taking turns playing one song from a classic album. The crowd roared with approval as they heard funky, hard rock, jazzy and latinized versions of the classic “Stand” album. The Marcus Shelby Quartet was a crowd pleaser. Mission district’s own Bayonics came on next with a crowd rousing version of “Sing A Simple Song”. They flipped the song to bring in the Latin flavor and took the crowd to a higher place. Sly alumni Rusty Allen, who took Larry Graham’s place in the 70’s was practicing and taking in the groove happening on stage from his spot in the VIP mezzanine section. KPFA’s Rickey Vincent from the History Of Funk program was the emcee. He took the opportunity to make his own comments and recall classic moments. It was a groove...
Read MoreTribute To Cachao/Walfredo De Los Reyes at SF Jazz Center
Last night, Grammy nominated percussionist/bandleader John Santos pulled off another great all-star tribute at the beautiful SF Jazz Center in San Francisco. This tribute was to honor the late genius who was instrumental in the development of the descarga, mambo and danzon, Israel Lopez “Cachao” and the living drum/percussion legend Walfredo De Los Reyes Sr. who also developed the descarga and Cuban Jazz. The sold out show was divided into two halves: the first set was devoted to the Cuban Danzon, many of which were written by Cachao. John Santos and his talented sextet made of pianist/trumpeter Marco Diaz, bassist Saul Sierra, drummer David Flores, saxophonist Melecio Magdaluyo and flutist/pianist John Calloway were joined by Cuban master woodwind master Paquito D’ Rivera, the Cultural Revolution string trio led by violinist Anthony Blea, legendary timbalero Orestes Vilato and conguero Javier Navarette. What a beautiful set of danzon, strings and swing expertly played by this ensemble. Rivera was a delight as he balanced his virtuosity with his great sense of humor. There were plenty of musical fireworks as almost everyone had an opportunity to solo and shine. The second half of the show was dedicated to the “descarga” or jam session that both Cachao and De Los Reyes were noted pioneers. The ensemble were cookin’ with explosive fervor with the three horn section of Rivera, Magdaluyo and Calloway. Walfredo De Los Reyes Sr. joined the band displaying his brilliance on the timbales and trap set especially on his composition “Leche Con Ron”. If that wasn’t enough, surprise guest, former Santana conguero Raul Rekow brought the house down with a fiery conga solo near the end of the set. All of the participants were at the top of their game playing with passion and displaying their fierce virtuosity. I’m delighted that SF Jazz continues their commitment to great music thanks to executive director Randall Kline! Thanks to artistic director John Santos for his enthusiastic vision in planning and presenting this excellent...
Read MoreTop Picks 2013 – Salsa/Latin Jazz/Afro Cuban/Musica Cubana
I just finished airing my programs featuring the best music of 2013. Here is my list in no particular order because they are all fine recordings!! Puerto Rico All Stars – Echando Candela Cubana All Stars – A Dream Come True Mauricio Silva – Legado De La Salsa Venezolana Volume 1 Chucho Valdes/Afro Cuban Messengers – Border-Free Orquesta SCC-Salsa Con Conciencia – Renacimiento Africando – Viva Africando Conjunto Sabrosura – Mona Pa Mi Bongo Sonora Poncena – 10 Para Los 100 Yolanda Rivera – La Hija Del Guaguanco New Swing Sextet – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow Various Artists – Sabe Venezuela Volume 2 Ray Viera Y Trombao – Sambumbia Radioactiva La Maxima 79 – Regresando Al Guaguanco Maikel Blanco Y Su Salsa Mayor – A Toda Maquina Trombonranga – Al Mal Tiempo Buena Salsa Mamborama – Baila Que Baila Omar Sosa – Eggun John Santos Sextet – Filosofia Caribena Vol. 2 Pedrito Martinez Group – The Pedrito Martinez Group Buika – La Noche Mas Larga Mitch Frohman Latin Jazz Quartet – From Daddy With Love DJ El Chino/Various – Salsa World Series Vol. 5 Tipica Novel – Mirando Pa’l Cielo Manuel Valera/New Cuban Express – Expectativas Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet – Latin Jazz Jazz Latin Mayito Rivera – Alma De Sonero Pacific Mambo Orchestra – PMO Timbalive – Con La Musica Cubana…NO! Late 2013 releases that can be considered for 2014 El Gran Combo – 50 Anniversario Pete Rodriguez – Caminando Con Papi Eddie Palmieri – Doin It In The Park EP Hector Aponte/Orquesta Harlem Riverside – Tres Generaciones De Nuestra Musica David Calzado Y Charanga Habanera – Se Sufre Pero Se...
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