Pedrito 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 moreFito Reinoso-Featured artist on Con Sabor Live Sessions
Renowned Cuban sonero Fito Reinoso will be featured on the next Con Sabor Live Sessions to be taped this weekend for future broadcast on Con Sabor with Luis Medina on KPFA 94.1 FM. The critically acclaimed locally based Cuban son group Pellejo Seco will be accompanying Reinoso. Reinoso and Pellejo Seco are collaborating on a new project featuring material that ranges from Boleros to Son. Pellejo Seco’s leader and tres player Ivan Cambor was recently featured with the Septeto Nacional De Cuba Ignacio Pineiro at the group’s recent performance at the Brava Theater. Reinoso who has led his own Ritmo Y Armonia band for years is also leading a more traditional dance band called Los Clasicos De Cuba. He is currently recording a new Bolero and Son oriented project with Pellejo Seco to be released later this year. The program will be broadcast later in the month on Con Sabor which airs every Saturday from 9 to 11 pm on KPFA 94.1...
read moreChoco, Bowie & Natalie
During the first 10 days of this new year, we lost 3 extraordinary musicians who were one of a kind. The flamboyant David Bowie who was always a forward thinking musical visionary and lifestyle maverick whose career exploded in the early 1970’s and who just released his new recording “Lazarus” on his 69th birthday a couple of days before he passed this past Sunday. Soulful vocalist Natalie Cole, daughter of the late Nat King Cole who rose to prominence with her own beautiful voice and scored great hits such as “This Will Be” during her career. She managed to reunite vocally with her father on the exceptional recording “Unforgettable” through modern technology. And last but not least, Cuban trumpet legend Alfredo “Chocolate” Armenteros. Chocolate was a virtuoso whose fluid playing style with jazzy tipico phrasing first graced the groups of Rene Alvarez and Arsenio Rodriguez. He was also a member of the famed Beny More big band and a charter member of La Sonora Matancera. After he moved to the United States, Armenteros performed and recorded with Machito, Cachao and Eddie Palmieri. Chocolate put out his solo recordings on the Salsoul and SAR labels but was also featured on some of the important recordings of the 1970’s including “Grupo Folklorico Y Experimental Nuevoyorquino” and Cachao’s New York based descarga recordings (as well as Cachao’s 1990’s descargas with actor Andy Garcia). Chocolate enjoyed an illustrious career that spanned some 6 decades. I had the pleasure of interviewing Chocolate for my radio program and working with him at the old Mi Pueblo club at 330 Ritch. He was a classy gentleman, a character with a great sense of humor and a great laugh and a fantastic trumpeter. These great artists will all be missed! ...
read moreChristian Pepin & Orquesta Bembe-Sat 1/2-9 pm PST – KPFA 94.1 FM
The mighty locally based heavyweights Orquesta Bembe led by timbalero/percussionist Christian Pepin and pianist Erick Peralta will be featured on Con Sabor’s 19th Anniversary program this coming Saturday, January 2nd, 9 to 11 pm on KPFA 94.1 FM and worldwide on www.kpfa.org. Nineteen years flies when you are having fun and I will celebrate with the sounds of Bembe along with my mix of scintillating Salsa, Latin Jazz, Musica Cubana from son to timba and more!! Expect musical fireworks from your radio or computer this Saturday! This live recorded session will be inaugurating live music into the Con Sabor mix on a bi-monthly basis! So…check it out!!...
read moreLive Appearances
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