The legendary vocalist Joe Bataan “the King of Latin Soul” (Pictured left w/Luis Medina-Stern Grove SF 2014) will be the headliner today-Saturday, July 15th starting at 1 pm at The Yerba Buena Gardens Festival located on Mission street between 3rd and 4th Streets in downtown San Francisco. Bataan has released a 4 song ep featuring a tasty Latin dance track “Mestizo” and the heartfelt ballad “Mom and Dad”. BMG has just released a reissue of his 1973 classic “Salsoul” which features the swinging classic “When Sunny Gets Blue” . The 80 year old Bataan is enjoying a creative renaissance as well as traveling around the world singing his hit studded repertoire with selected favorites that are popular in various countries such as “The Bottle” in France, “Ordinary Guy” in England and “Riot” in Colombia. This is a rare Bay Area appearance for Bataan. Rising Latinx vocalist La Doña will be opening up this show at 1 pm. This KPFA sponsored event is free to the public!
Legendary Cuban timba favorites Manolito y Su Trabuco are celebrating 30 years in show business with their 30th Anniversary Tour which is hitting SF at Roccapulco, 3140 Mission Street tonight- Saturday July 15. The doors for this Jaffe Events production will open at 9 pm. Bandleader/pianist/composer Manolito Simonet y Su Trabuco burst on the music scene back in 1993. They have been consistent hit makers with such smokers as “Marcando La Distancia”, “Se Rompieron Los Termometros”, “Caballo Grande Ande o No Ande”, “Al Fin De Todo” (with Alexander Abreu & Havana d’Primera), “Un Respeto” among many others. The Trabuco plays an incredible live show with a crack band led by Simonet, a front line of dynamic vocalists, catchy songs with innovative arrangements.
If that wasn’t enough, the mammoth Cafe Con Leche show presented by Live Nation with headlining Salsa superstar Willie Colon starts at 5 pm today-Sat., July 15 at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View. Joining Colon will be a variety of Latin tropical star performers from different Latin genres: Merengue legends Los Hermanos Rosario, Bachata star Hector Acosta “El Torito”, Cumbia superstars Los Hermanos Flores and the Merengue House of Fulanito. DJ Tony O and DJ Walt Digz will keep the music going in-between sets! Trombonist, Bandleader, Producer, Composer are a few of the many hats that Colon has worn in his star studded career.
Colon’s career has spanned close to six decades with an awesome repertoire of hits that includes his many associations with major stars such as Hector Lavoe, Celia Cruz, Ruben Blades, the Fania All Stars and Yomo Toro. His 1978 masterpiece Siembra when he was teamed up with renowned vocalist/composer Ruben Blades is not only considered a classic but was the best selling Salsa album of all time.
Also this weekend: Julio Bravo and Salsabor at The Ramp, 855 Terry Francois Blvd. in SF. DJ Mendy will play music in-between the sets….Louie Romero and Mazacote will hold court Sunday afternoon, July 16th at the Seahorse in Sausalito starting at 5 pm. KPOO/KPFA DJ Jose Ruiz will also DJ……One of the fresh new bands making a splash is Aiana Son. They will be appearing at the San Jose hot spot Mama Kin located at 374 South 1st Street starting at 5 PM. Robert Santana gives dance lessons at 5 PM and DJ Candela will be providing the music during the breaks!
That’s it for this time! Ciao 4 now!
Live Appearances
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