Music Is Where You Find It-Carlitos Franco All Stars at Mission District Celebration for muralists Michael Rios and Carlos “Kookie” Gonzalez.
I was invited a few weeks ago to the evening celebration of the restoration of the BART mural at the 24th and Mission Street station. This two part event, which started at Noon with an earlier formal event with dignitaries of San Francisco, celebrated the work of two great artists and muralists Michael Rios (also known as creator of designs, t-shirts, stage sets and cover art for Carlos Santana) and renowned muralist Carlos Kookie Gonzalez. The murals of both Rios and Gonzalez span more than three decades. These two gentlemen are also musicians: Michael on the cuatro (former cuatro player for Alma Del Barrio in the eighties and the original Cienfuegos in the 70’s) and Kookie on Congas who has been playing with a lot of Mission district based bands.
read morePlaylist for Con Sabor-Sat 9/9/2023-9 to 11 PM PST-KPFA 94.1 FM
I featured an interview with renowned Jazz/World music vocalist Sandy Cressman during the debut of the music/interview segment Talking Music in the second hour of Con Sabor . I played explosive music ranging from classic Salsa to contemporary Timba, Latin Jazz, Brazilian, Live recordings, new offerings from our SF Bay/No Cal scene to Salsa from Panama, Puerto Rico, Canada and Spain on last night’s program.
read moreEl Tecolote celebrates 53 Years, Music Happenings & free Brazilian Day/Lavagem
I want to congratulate the Mission District’s bilingual newspaper, El Tecolote on their 53rd anniversary! Kudos to “el jefe” Tecolote founder Juan Gonzalez, the staff of El Tecolote and Acción Latina on their successful gala fundraiser last Saturday night. I am so sorry that I missed it! I was out of town but there in spirit at the St. Mary’s Cathedral banquet room last Saturday evening, August 26.
read moreHerman Olivera coming, Weekend happenings!
El Sonero Del Siglo XX1…Herman Olivera is coming to Roccapulco on Saturday, September 16th presented by Jaffe Events. Olivera has spent a good part of close to 3 decades as the lead vocalist for el Maestro Eddie Palmieri.
read moreChangui KL plays Changui for the SF Bay Masses
The exciting and versatile young guitarist/trescero Kai Lyons, (pictured left-photo by Luis Medina) formerly with the highly regarded band Soltron band made up of many now prominent Bay Area musicians, has been busy these days! Kai who has been featured, with Javier Navarette’s Socially Distanced Friends all star group has been producing his own Changui nights at venues such as the Ivory and Wine nightspot in SF’s Mission District on 22nd and Bartlett Streets.
read moreEl Maestro Eddie Palmieri announces his retirement due to health issues
El Maestro Eddie Palmieri announced his temporary retirement from performing this past weekend. Eddie Palmieri has been recently suffering lung problems that affect his heart. He could not attend major concerts in New York at Lincoln Center and Central Park Summerstage last week due to his current condition although his band performed at the shows dedicated in his honor.
read moreCon Sabor Playlist/KPFA 94.1 FM/Sat. Aug. 5, 2023
Last night, I had the opportunity to play a few long tracks within the mix of new, contemporary and classic Salsa, Afro-Cuban, Timba, Latin Jazz and a few surprises. Since the station’s posted playlist can be a bit erratic, I decided to post last night’s playlist.
read moreKarabali Shines at Yerba Buena Gardens Fest; Music happenings for this weekend!
Conjunto Karabali, the all-star ensemble featuring Santana percussion phenom Karl Perazo and the renowned percussionist/producer Michael Spiro made their annual appearances in San Francisco this past week.
read moreBig Weekend with Joe Bataan, Manolito Y Su Trabuco and the Big Cafe Con Leche Fest w/Willie Colon
The legendary vocalist Joe Bataan “the King of Latin Soul” 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”
read moreMusic News 7/2/2023
Latin Jazz legend Pete Escovedo’s Retirement Tour hits Berkeley’s Freight and Salvage this coming Friday and Saturday, July 7th and 8th at 8 pm. Pete is traveling with his Latin Jazz Orchestra accompanied by his sons, Peter Michael and Juan Escovedo who are first call percussionists in their own right.
read moreLive Appearances
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