New Music – September 2011
I am listening to great music on my cd player such as the new Poncho Sanchez/Terence Blanchard “Chano Y Dizzy” which is a tribute to the late pioneers of Afro-Cuban jazz Chano Pozo and Dizzy Gillespie. Their opening “Chano Pozo Medley” comprised of “Tin Tin Deo”, “Manteca” and Guachi Guaro” out of the Pozo/Gillespie repertoire is worth the price of the cd or download alone!! Outstanding performances by Blanchard (sounding tasteful and powerful as ever) and Sanchez who plays likes he’s been possessed by the spirit of Pozo! This Latin Jazz opus also features tasty salsa for dancing. I like the new recording of local based salseros, Montuno Swing entitled “Rico Tumbao” which has a tremendous amount of swing under the capable direction of musical director/keyboardist Christian Tumulan. The diversity of music that ranges from salsa dura, timba, bachata, merengue to balls out descarga with the help of the latest version of the SF Salsa All Stars. Montuno Swing also features a trio of fine percussionists who can handle lead vocals: Edgardo Cambon, Omar Ledesma and Braulio Barrera. Let’s not forget the new project “De Corazon Al Son” by the talented Mexican flautist Miguel Martinez and his group Corazon Sur. Martinez, whose exceptional flute work usually leaves dancers sweating as part of the all-star Karabali ensemble, mixes Mexican folklore into his dynamic Afro-Cuban jazz. Tracks such as “Descarga” and “La Bruja” features fine ensemble work from contributors Jose Roberto Hernandez, Julio Perez, Marco Diaz, Saul Sierra and Carlos...
Read MoreMaykel Blanco visits SF In October
I’m excited about the following: I’ve been asked to emcee the SF debut of the red hot Cuban band Maykal Blanco Y Su Salsa Mayor on Friday, Oct. 14 at Cafe Cocomo. Now Maykal has been thrilling audiences for the past few years with the most innovative and hip timba music coming out of the island today. His hit songs such as “Esto Esta” and “Anda Y Pegate” are considered classic dance floor anthems. The band on record is furious and they have a reputation for great live shows. There is a lot of anticipation to this show. For more information, visit...
Read MorePedrito Martinez
The end of Summer is almost here but there are still great people coming into town such as renowned rumbero Pedrito Martinez, a much in-demand percussionist since he landed in the New York area. Pedrito has performed with the whos who of great musicians ranging from Eddie Palmieri to Bruce Springsteen. He will be performing on Saturday, September 25 from 1 to 3 pm in a free concert at the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival located at Mission near 3rd Street in San Francisco. Pedrito will be featuring music from his rumba project “Ecobio Enyenison” and from his current group who plays regularly in New York. Pedrito who was born in the Cayo Hueso barrio in Havana has performed with some of the giants in Cuban music and folklore such as Lazaro Ros, Tata Guines and Los Munequitos De Matanzas. The John Santos Sextet will be opening the...
Read MoreJerry Rivera at Festival De La Isla
I rounded out this past week with a pilgrimage over to Pena Adobe Park in Vacaville for the 10th Annual Festival De La Isla, Puerto Rican outdoor festival. Salsa romantica idol Jerry Rivera was the headliner. Now I haven’t seen Jerry since I worked in charge of stage operations for a show that he headlined at the SF Concourse over 10 years ago with La India and Grupo Niche. Now, Jerry is making a big comeback after a 4 year hiatus with a hit “Solo Pienso En Ti” climbing the Billboard Latin charts. So I was curious to see this matinee idol of pop salsa at this stage of his career. He just started his set by the time I arrived and already had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand. Mr. “Cara De Nino” has grown up to be a boyish looking, physically buffed man who displayed his cool as he effortlessly sang his big commercial salsa hits. He delighted the ladies in the audience by peppering each song numerous times with his trademark “Baby”. His version of his biggest hit “Amores Como Lo Nuestro” rocked both the mix of old school and new school salseros in the public. Included in his repertoire was a lengthy passionate tribute to the late vocalist Frankie Ruiz, one of Rivera’s idols. Jerry Rivera is a singer with a fine upper register but he is not nor does he pretend to be a sonero (a traditional salsa singer that can improvise lyrics on the spot). He connected with the audience at times, smiling and speaking directly to folks in the crowd. And at other times, he seemed detached like he was following a script and on remote control. My impression of Jerry Rivera is that he is happy to be exactly who he is: a pop idol who has body of hits with Salsa music as his musical foundation. Members of Orquesta Borinquen provided solid backup for Rivera under the capable direction of musical director/pianist Ramon Sanchez from Puerto Rico. The large turnout was another feather in the cap of Linda and Cafe August, the festival...
Read MoreIs It A Crime To Enjoy Too Much Good Music???
Talk about a whirlwind week of great music that I had the good fortune to experience. The 90 Miles project featuring three young jazz giants: vibraphonist Stefon Harris, saxophonist David Sanchez and trumpeter Christian Scott played an inspiring and exciting set at Yoshis, Oakland. Not only did they play at the top of their respective game with imagination, fire and energy but their distinctive styles and personalities made watching them a lot of fun. I followed watching that phenomenal show with the rare appearance of Sade plus another headliner that opened for her, John Legend at Oakland’s Oracle Arena this past Friday night. Sade was in splendid voice, looking beautiful in gorgeous dresses and genuinely happy to be performing on stage. Backed by a tight band led by her three original partners: guitarist/saxophonist Stuart Matthewman, bassist Paul Denman and keyboardist Andrew Hale, Sade soared through her classic material as well as her newer songs. I found the newer material moodier and darker although I loved the stunning start of her show with “Soldier Of Love”. John Legend was a crowd pleaser with his sexy, soulful voice, presence and performance. He was eye candy for the ladies and a dynamic entertainer who knows how to work an...
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