SF Is Still The Place To Be: YGB Fest w/Pedrito Martinez & Issac Delgado
The last few weeks have been a blur with great musicians making the San Francisco Bay Area the place to be for live music happenings! Two Cuban dynamos: the amazing Pedrito Martinez Group with special guest, iconic star vocalist Issac Delgado opened up the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival with a timba infused bang on Sunday, May 1st! The Pedrito Martinez Group has been turning heads with their huge timba/jazz sound performed entirely by four musicians led by the phenomenal vocalist/percussionist Pedrito Martinez. A lot of folks were anticipating an Issac Delgado concert but he was featured as the special icing on the cake on a couple of explosive descargas(or jam sessions) along with his son, Issac Jr. The crowd was still fired up from the dynamic musicianship and fiery call and response provided by Pedrito Martinez who was in fine voice along with his powerhouse group. Pedrito is also a phenomenal talent on congas and the sacred bata drums! I had the pleasure of interviewing both Issac and Pedrito on my radio program Con Sabor the night before the concert. During our on-air conversation, Issac let me know that he would be coming back with his orchestra in July! Both artists are dropping new albums in the new few weeks. Pedrito’s “Havana Dreams” will be coming out on Motema and Issac’s “Made In Havana” will be coming out of Sony...
read moreSF Int’l Film Festival Part 2
This year’s SF International Film Festival offered a diverse series of films and happenings. The strong Spanish/French/Uruguayian erotically charged comedy “The Apostate” featured the charismatic actor Alvaro Ogalia in the role of a frustrated man who demands that the Catholic Church remove his name from the baptismal record. A sensational film about the great record producers of our time “Soundbreaking” featured great insightful footage of the late George Martin who was considered the “fifth beatle” at work in the studio with the fab four. This fantastic music documentary also featured such pivotal figures as Sam Phillips, Phil Spector, Rick Rubin, Dr. Dre, Roger Waters, Daniel Lanois and others. The powerful documentary “Under The Gun” is a scathing look at the NRA and the consequences of America’s obsession with guns. The festival presented the screening of the impressionistic 1932 German horror classic at the Castro as their continuing series of combining a classic film with live music…this time provided by Indie electronic rock faves Mercury Rev featuring Cocteau Twins member Simon Raymonde . The results were an errie atmospheric evening with the music further accentuating the bizarre black and white visuals. The festival took advantage of the gentrified trendiness of the ever changing Mission district with screenings, happenings and parties. Despite all of these changes in the neighborhood, the films still took center stage as the festival reinvents itself in the old...
read moreSF Int’l Film Festival-Wild On The Latin Side & More
The 59th SF International Film Festival offers a spectrum of film as they moved their headquarters to the Mission this year to the Alamo Drafthouse formerly the New Mission Theatre and other venues such as the Victoria Theater and the Roxie. The Latin films programmed for the festival are varied, esoteric, sensual, strange and poignant. The Brazilian erotic drama “Neon Bull”, the dark, gritty Venezuelan drama “From Afar”, the delightful Mexican coming-of-age film “Leaf Blower” that focuses on 3 teenagers, the Bolivian/USA documentary “Salero” which comments on a fading way of life for salt farmers uprooted by a technological discovery on their land and the canny, erotically charged Spanish/French/Uruguayian film “The Apostate”. The Festival will also feature the live music/film screening of the 1932 horror classic “Vampyr” with the group Mercury Rev with Simon Raymonde of the Cocteau Twins. The festival kicked off their opening night at the Castro Theatre with the comic Jane Austin period film “Love And Friendship” starring Kate Beckinsale as a beautiful, amoral social climber. For more information on the entire festival which runs until May 5th, visit the web site:...
read morePedrito Martinez/Issac Delgado 5/1-Yerba Buena Gardens SF
Renowned percussionist/vocalist Pedrito Martinez and his group will be joined by the great Cuban vocalist Issac Delgado for the opening of the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival in downtown SF on Mission between 3rd and 4th Streets on Sunday, May 1st from 1 to 3 pm. This unique pairing of the dynamic Martinez whose quartet has a progressive jazz/timba sound along with Delgado, the iconic vocalist who was an intregal part of the amazing band NG La Banda who started the Timba movement in Cuba. This promises to be an exciting start to the yearly festival that runs until October. KPFA/KPOO DJ Jose Ruiz will open the show. This concert is free to the...
read moreCubanismo, New Swing Sextet & Dayme Arocena
I have been fortunate to have seen some incredible shows during the past 2 weeks. Jesus Alemany and Cubanismo played phenomenal Cuban music in a myriad of styles from Mambo to Pilon at the SF Jazz Center. To hear this kind of music in a concert setting is practically a sin. However, Alemany wasn’t one to have anybody sit down once the musical heat blasted from stage from this top notch group of performers, he obligated you to stand, clap, sing-a-long and dance in front of your seat. The music was so good that you had to obey..happily…..On the other hand, the SF Salsa Festival had the Park Central ballroom floor open and ready for New York’s explosive New Swing Sextet. The Sextet reunited a number of years ago but had their start in the late 1960’s. They are a tight, exciting band with the classic Joe Cubaesque vibes sound played expertly by vibist George Rodriguez. These veterans had the dance floor packed and rows of standing admirers in front of the stage hypnotized to the beat. Classic hard core salsa for the aficionado y para el bailador!…..Dayme Arocena is a force of nature. This diminutive powerhouse of a vocalist from Cuba didn’t fool around at The New Parish in Oakland. Backed by an exceptional piano and bass duo, her potent music went beyond genres as she covered Afro-Cuban, Jazz, RnB, EDM and Funk! She was a striking sight dressed all in white like a Santeria princess as she radiated charisma and warmth. She connected with the audience with her beautiful smile, impressive vocal range and songs full of emotional depth. She invited Oakland based DJ Cecil to jam with her and the results were a crowd delight. I first saw Dayme last year as part of Jane Bunnett’s Maqueque and I was impressed. After this stunning performance, I’m convinced that this is a rising star in the...
read moreMiles Ahead
I caught the new film by actor/writer/producer/director Don Cheadle about the legendary trumpeter Miles Davis called “Miles Ahead”. Cheadle is sensational as Miles Davis. He has the rasp, look, language, attitude and reveals the complexity of the man down to a tee. Miles Ahead is not what you expect in a film about Miles Davis. It is not a bio pic, it’s a film that instead captures a specific period of time from 1975 to 1980 when Davis withdrew from the public eye. Miles was fighting his demons as he was suffering from a deteriorating hip, indulging in drugs and booze, trying to recapture his musical passion but is caught up in the past haunted by his failed marriage to the talented and beautiful dancer Frances Taylor (a stunning Emayatzy Corinealdi). The fictional story line has Miles being pursued by Evan McGregor who portrays Dave Braden, an aggressive Rolling Stone reporter who is after the big story about Miles withdrawal from the music business. The story turns into a wild, buddy type of adventure where both characters are trying to retrieve a stolen tape of Miles’ latest music from sinister underworld music industry types. I won’t disclose more so I don’t spoil the film for you. There are scenes that hit real such as Miles helping a budding, heroin fueled trumpet prodigy create a song that demonstrates Davis’ genius as a creative force. Other scenes that focuses on Davis relationship with Frances are sensuous, touching and explosive. This entertaining film has a lot going for it but parts of the film are uneven especially when it goes into Hollywood action genre territory. However, I applaud Cheadle’s ambition and determination in getting his vision of Miles Davis created for the screen…he is an exceptional talent. Miles Ahead is definitely worth checking out whether you’re a music buff or not. I just hope that this won’t be the last film about this music icon and...
read moreIt’s Getting Hot In Here… March 2016 Events coming up!
Tony Vega and Raulin Rosendo will be co-headlining a Salsa spectacular at Roccapulco on Sat. Feb. 27th! Both of these fine artists don’t come to the Bay Area very often so this is a rare opportunity to catch these great vocalists at their element. Grupo Niche will play the same venue on March 12…Tito Puente Jr. and his big band will play at Yoshis on Sunday, Feb. 28 where Latin Jazz Grammy winner Eliane Elias will appear from March 2-5….A community happening “El Son De La Mision-A Musical Journey from the 1960’s to Present” featuring music by John Calloway, John Santos, Greg Landau and others will be at the Brava Theater in SF on March 19 and 20th… Jesus Alemany and Cubanismo ,who played an explosive set at Yoshis, Oakland last summer, will be taking the place of Juan De Marcos & The Afro Cuban All Stars from March 24-27 at the SF Jazz Center. The All Stars cancelled due to illness but Cubanismo is a powerhouse replacement…these shows are not to be missed!! Look out for the dynamic pairing of Cuban Jazz phenom Gonzalo Rubalcaba and vocal legend Esperanza Fernandez at SF’s Herbst Theater on Wed. March 9th as part of the 11th annual Bay Area Flamenco Festival…The SF Salsa Festival produced by Salsamania Dance Company’s John Navarez and Liz Rojas will be featuring NY’s New Swing Sextet, Montuno Swing and Salson from March 24-26 at the Park Central Hotel. Opening party on March 24th will take place at the Verdi Club. Dance workshops, performances and DJ’s will also be part of the mix. More info: www.sfsalsafestival.com. Ciao 4...
read moreSalsa Na Ma In San Francisco
It was an exciting weekend in San Francisco with el Caballero de La Salsa, Gilberto Santa Rosa and the dynamic major star in the making Michael Stuart in town last weekend on Feb. 20th. Santa Rosa is at the height of his popularity. Roccapulco was a packed sold out house of delighted fans who were treated to a 2 hour set of his big commercial hits and crowd favorites. Backed by a stellar 14 piece orchestra, Santa Rosa was in fine voice and delivered a slick, tight performance. He was very charismatic as well as confident as the veteran salsero whose done very well and has found his place in the commercial marketplace. Across the other end of the Mission at the trendy Verdi Club, Michael Stuart headlined a potent bill which also featured two vocalists who were based here and made good in Puerto Rico, Paquito Acosta and Mel Martinez. Stuart is a youthful, charismatic, energetic and commanding vocalist who poured his heart on stage while Avance led by Santana timbalero Karl Perazo provided the instrumental firepower. The result was an explosive set that was impressive to the listener and a delight to the dancer. Stuart performed his fine repertoire to a smaller enthusiastic crowd who were happy to cheer on these great performers. Acosta and Martinez were both powerhouse vocalists who got the crowd pumped up. Orquesta Taino did the honors of backing these two fine talents. It’s a shame that more people didn’t have the opportunity to check these guys out. ...
read moreTimba In The City-SF Salsa Rueda Festival 2016
I checked out the SF Salsa Rueda Festival over the weekend at the Hotel Whitcomb. Producers Serena Wong and Nicholas Van Eyck (of the dance troupe Salsa Vale Todo) curated a great event that celebrates Cuban dance and music featuring dance performances, dance workshops for beginners to advanced dancers, lectures from dance experts such as Roberto Borrell and plenty of Timba throughout the weekend. The headliner was the dynamic showman Tirso Duarte, who has played with Cuban timba music royalty such as David Calzado’s Charanga Habanera, Manolito Y Su Trabuco and Pupy Y Los Que Son Son, rocked the crowd with his swinging vocal improvisations. His charisma and colorful hip hop fashion style connected with the festival crowd as they danced, put their arms up in the air and responded loudly to his calls during his irresistible tunes. Duarte lived up to his reputation as one of Cuba’s finest modern dance music vocalists. Miami’s Timbalive was impressive all weekend with their tight sound as they headlined on Friday night and backed up Duarte on Saturday night (augmented by a trumpet that added to their trombone sound). Fronted by singers Boris Monterecy, Eylen Remon and Michel Marcos who provided vocal power as well as eye candy, the band led by timbalero Leo Garcia were explosive! Their latest recording “Gasolina De Avion” is a fine recording featuring great all star guests but Timbalive on stage proved to be a force of nature. SF based DJ’s Walt Digz and Dark Rum of Anejo Productions who produce the longest running monthly Timba party La Tropi-cal expertly spun the hottest timba in-between sets. The dance floor was constantly packed with sweaty and smiling dancers! The official after parties ran until 5 am with guest DJ’s from other parts of the U.S.. The Salsa Rueda Festival celebrated their 8th year in San Francisco this past weekend. The energy and joy that was displayed by the dancers, bands, dj’s and the public was magnetic. Timba and Cuban music has been a mainstay of the SF Latin scene for many years. Thanks to Serena and Nick who elevates the love for the music and culture of Cuba to a grand scale with this fine...
read moreFito Reinoso on Con Sabor Live Sessions-Sat. March 5th
Legendary Cuban Vocalist Fito Reinoso will be the featured artist on the next Con Sabor Live Sessions to be aired Saturday, March 5th in the first hour of the program from 9 to 10 pm on KPFA 94.1 FM. The Con Sabor Live Sessions features live Salsa, Musica Cubana and Latin Jazz. Produced by Luis Medina.
read moreLive Appearances
Follow Luis on
Follow Luis on