Random Notes 12/7/15
Christian Pepin and his Orquesta Bembe will be inaugurating the new Con Sabor sessions on my program Con Sabor soon. I will be recording the band and interviewing Christian Pepin this month to be broadcast in the very near future. More details to come later in the month!!…..Jose Alberto “El Canario” will be celebrating his birthday and Christmas on Saturday, Dec. 19th at SF’s Roccapulco. Opening up the show will be local favorites N’Rumba and Pacho y Su Orquesta Evolucion. El Canario has just won a Latin Grammy for his collaboration with Cuba’s Septeto Santiaguero “Tributo A Los Compadres – No Quiero Llanto” on his Los Canarios label. Expect him to play his greatest hits, dazzle us with his great showmanship and use his “voice flute” to solo with the band. Not to be...
read moreSF Salsa Congress 2015
SF Salsa Congress featured two world class legends during their four days at the Oakland Marriott Hotel the weekend of Nov. 19-22. The incomparable Charlie Aponte, formerly of El Gran Combo electrified the stage with his signature voice, hot dance moves and overflowing charisma in front of an adoring crowd on Saturday evening. Aponte delivered the goods as he was backed up by a crack band of SF based musicians which included Karl Perazo of Santana, Christian Tumalan of PMO, Christian Pepin of Bembe, Braulio Barrera of Somos El Son and Mike Rinta of Avance. His repertoire included his great hits from El Gran Combo and songs from his latest solo recording “Una Nueva Historia”. On Friday evening, the famed Colombian bandleader Fruko y Sus Tesos impressed the congress crowd with their dynamic musicianship and classic hits such as “El Preso”. Despite a few gliches with the sound system, Fruko delivered powerful no-holes barred Salsa, Latin Jazz and descarga that had the dancers sweating on the dance floor. His band of seasoned veterans were tight and swinging! The Salsa Congress also featured what is the norm of Salsa/Tropical scenes these days: rooms devoted to Bachata and Kizomba music that were packed with happy dancers. This year’s congress also featured an evening entirely devoted to Bachata (a sign of the times) with a live band Invasion Latina from L.A.. El unico Pepe Gonzalez and his TV program “El Show De Pepe” locally on Channel 50 hosted the opening night party featuring his orchestra and a DJ showdown featuring 10 local DJ’s. The main emphasis of the congress was the dancers who taught workshops, performed during the Dance showcases each evening, offered their services and products and partied each night until 4 am. What a fieston for the dancer, aficionado and...
read moreRandom Notes 11/11/15
Salsa mainstay Julio Bravo will be celebrating the 21st Anniversary of performing with his band Salsabor on Saturday, November 28 at Roccapulco. There will be special guests that include Alexis Guillen and more. I will be there as guest MC/DJ for the evening. It should be one explosive party…..For those who want to pay their respects, there will be a celebration of life honoring the late, great Raul Rekow, the long time percussionist for Santana as well as former conguero with Malo and Sapo who died on November 2nd. The event will take place on Sunday, November 15th, 4 pm at SF’s Great American Music Hall…Quite a Halloween weekend at SF Jazz Center featuring powerful appearances by Chucho Valdes and his updated version of Irakere. This phenomenal band of young lions more than helped Valdes pay tribute on their 40th Anniversary. John Santos also celebrated his 60th Birthday with a great bash featuring his sextet, timbales legend Orestes Vilato, violinist Anthony Blea, renowned Cuban conguero Raul “Lali” Gonzalez, powerhouse vocalist Destini Wolf, hip hop artist Rico Pabon and singer/guitarist Jose Roberto Hernandez. Both were incredible shows!…And if that wasn’t enough, the SF International Salsa Congress goes from Thursday, Nov. 19 through Sunday, Nov.22 at the Oakland Marriott Hotel. Appearing will be Charlie Aponte, lead vocalist formerly of El Gran Combo, the Columbian legend Fruko Y Sus Tesos, Bachata sensations Invasion Latina and Orquesta Bembe, the hot local band led by renowned percussionist Christian Pepin. There will also be a Bachata and Kizomba Room, Dance Performances and Workshops, DJ’s and more. Check out...
read moreRIP Raul Rekow
Former Santana percussionist and all-star conga player Raul Rekow lost his bout with cancer early last week on November 2nd. He was 61. Rekow was known as a show-stopping conguero with power, chops and taste. He was a long time member of Santana from 1976 to 2013. In his early professional career, he was a member of Malo and a member of Sapo with singer/percussionist Richard Bean who wrote the international hit “Suavecito” for Malo. He was invited to record 2 songs with Santana in 1976 and so impressed Santana that he was asked to join the band. Santana would boast an all-star percussion section which featured Armando Peraza and Orestes Vilato along with Rekow. Raul’s powerful attack on the congas both complimented and pushed the percussion section into greatness on Santana’s live shows. He also had a series of Latin Percussion instruments named after him. Known for his radiant smile and outgoing personality, Rekow was always accessible and friendly. After his stint with Santana, Rekow was a frequent collaborator with different groups and all-star ensembles in the SF Bay Area. He was last seen making a public appearance at the dedication of the late radio DJ Chata Gutierrez mural on 24th Street in early October. He will be sorely...
read moreJust A Quick Note
Just a quick note to say that I love all kinds of music. My tenure as Music Director at KPFA gave me the opportunity to expand my love of different genres of music. I have always had open ears and an open mind since I was 10 years old. And thankfully that hasn’t stopped although my forte in radio is in Salsa, Latin jazz, Musica Cubana and Afro-Caribbean music. Recently, I caught two great shows. Vocalist Lianne La Havas from London who sold out The Independent in SF for two nights! Not bad for someone you haven’t heard about yet. She was magnetic on stage blessed with a sensational voice. She was offering her musical mix of urban rnb and folk/pop with jazzy world influences. Her recording on Nonesuch “Blood” is absolutely intoxicating. There is no justice in the world if this woman doesn’t blow up to be a major star. A Jazz icon like Wayne Shorter doesn’t need any introduction. I was lucky to catch the 80 year old saxophonist at the SF Jazz Center with his all star quartet consisting of pianist Danilo Perez, bassist John Patitucci and drummer Brian Blade. Shorter now sits down while he plays but that doesn’t diminish any of the power, grace and taste of his playing. It was a sublime, unforgettable evening of world class jazz. The ensemble was totally locked in communication with one another. Their performance was inventive, adventurous and energetic. The music took me away to far away, interesting places. I had to pinch myself and consider the luck of catching Wayne Shorter and company in this special time and place. Life is...
read moreRIP Wayne Gorbea and Steve Pouchie
Sadly, we have to say goodbye to 2 great musicians, bandleader/pianist Wayne Gorbea and vibraphonist Steve Pouchie who have left this world too soon. Gorbea, whose discography goes back to 1972 with his first band Conjunto Salsa but gained immense popularity in the late 1990’s through the 2000’s with his band Salsa PIcante. His later recordings which included “Cogele El Gusto”, “Fiesta En El Bronx”, “Salsaseando-Salsa Dura En NY” and others were text books for many aficionados who appreciated his old school Salsa Dura sound. Gorbea also played as part of Manny Oquendo and Libre for a time as well before he released “Cogele El Gusto”. His earlier recordings in the 70’s and 80’s reflected both his brass dominated sound and affinity for Charanga. Gorbea didn’t record with his band after 2007. He lost his battle with cancer on Sept. 15th. Steve Pouchie who died August 28 by a sudden stroke was a bandleader, educator, arranger and producer of the Latin Jazz Alive and Kickin’ cable TV program. According to Jazz Times, Poutrie became a high school music teacher in 1993 and, in 2004, was awarded theNew York Post liberty medal for his work as an educator. With his ensemble, he performed at colleges, restaurants, nightclubs, political events and outdoor concerts. He has played with or opened for Tito Puente, Charlie Palmieri, Dave Valentin, Bobby Sanabria and others. In 2002, he released his first recording “Vibe Mania” but it was his 2nd recording “El Puente” released in 2010 which brought him recognition as a talent to be reckoned with. He collaborated with renowned percussionist Wilson “Chembo” Corniel on that cd as well as his last recording, this year’s “North By Northeast”. Pouchie was known by his fine vibes work, swinging arrangements and great ensemble...
read moreCiao, Benny Velarde RIP
I received the news via Facebook that SF based Salsa/Latin Jazz pioneer Benny Velarde passed away early this week. Benny who was a great timbalero, percussionist and bandleader for the Super Combo, one of the oldest and best loved S.F. Salsa bands in existence, carved his legacy on dance floors all over this area. He was also a key player with the legendary Cal Tjader Latin Jazz band in the 1950’s, recorded with Mongo Santamaria and Joe Loco among others, shared stages with master conguero Francisco Aquabella and collaborated with pianist/composer Lalo Schifrin on the extremely rare “La Clave” recording in 1973. I remember dancing all night long to Velarde’s explosive Super Combo at old haunts such as El Senorial, The Reunion and Bimbo’s 365 Club. His last recording “Viva Velarde” released in 2002 captured his Super Combo with an updated take on his classic sound featuring John Calloway, Sal Nunez, Anthony Blea and Ray Martinez of Azabache fame. He was also a columnist and music critic for the Mission district newspaper El Bohemio for many years. Benny has been inactive for the last few years due to illness. But his passing was sad and unexpected news. It is indicative of the end of an era in SF Bay Area...
read moreFrankie Negron-Pop Salsero aiming to reenter the Charts
The San Francisco Bay Area/Northern California has been visited by Salsa acts that have targeted the younger demographics in the last few weeks: Frankie Negron who headlined the Festival De La Isla in Vacaville this past weekend as well as the Venezuelan duo Severano and Florentino who visited S.F.’s Roccapulco. Negron, who hasn’t put out new music in four years, is coming out with two new singles this year hoping to land back in the charts. He stated during our radio interview that he is concentrating on the songs rather than an entire new album because he believes that the music business has changed due to streaming and downloading music. He said that the emphasis is now on individual songs and believes that is the path to new success. Negron has been touring and has been focusing on live shows which has been impressing crowds with his high-energy performances. Negron who has mixed elements of pop, funk, rn’b and reggaeton in his Salsa for most of his career is also hoping that his live performances will open up the door for further success. Negron who is no newcomer on the scene has had his share of hits since starting his career in 1997. He is reinventing himself as are other artists that emerged in the 1990’s and who are trying to make a comeback on the charts. Whether Negron is successful or not will depend on the popularity of the songs. Judging by the positive reaction to his performance at Festival De La Isla this past weekend and a booking at the prestigious New York Salsa Congress set for early September, Negron is on his...
read moreLos Van Van-Davies SF
There was a lot of anticipation regarding the return of Los Van Van to San Francisco. Their current tour is a tribute to the late Juan Formell who led the band for most of their 40 year existence. His son, Samuel Formell has come to his own as a great drummer, percussionist and leader. The latest version of Los Van Van came to the most unlikely place to showcase one of the finest Cuban dance bands in the world: Davies Symphony Hall, home of the S.F. Symphony. Their show was a stunning triumph despite the acoustic limitations of the hall which caused erratic sound in some areas and lack of designated areas for dancing. Los Van Van proved why they are one of the great bands of the world: an incredible repertoire that included decades of signature songs along with new material, a tight ensemble, a front line of charismatic vocalists and great instrumental virtuosos at the top of their game. The dancing crowd took over the front of the stage, the aisles, stood up and shook in front of their seats….they were not to be denied! SF Jazz and the venue were intelligent in allowing the crowd to dance throughout the entire performance. After a 2 hour performance that would satisfy the most staunch Van Van fan, the band came back for an encore with an exuberant version of “Te Pone La Cabeza Mala” which left the crowd smiling on their way out to the exit...
read moreCubanismo/Yoshis
It’s been a great August for Cuban music fans in the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California….Cubanismo led by the fierce trumpeter/bandleader Jesus Alemany conquered Yoshis in Oakland. Alemany and his hand picked ensemble of all stars were on fire in front of a sold out, standing room only crowd of fans. Cubanismo’s signature blend of son, pilon, cha cha, descarga with a shot of timba was awesome and impressive! The instrumental virtuosity of the band was matched by the vocal fire power of Rojitas who led a charismatic trio of singers. It has been 12 years since Cubanismo hit these shores. Now there is talk about an extensive US tour and a new recording coming out next year. They were just too good to miss! No worries, Cubanismo will be...
read moreLive Appearances
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