Chucho, Gonzalo, Michel-Once In A Lifetime Concert – Great new recording!
History was made on June 21st when Chucho Valdes, Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Michel Camilo graced Davies Symphony Hall for their tribute to Cuban composer/pianist Ernesto Lecuona presented by SF Jazz. This once in a lifetime show featuring all three pianists in solo, duo and trio settings playing grand pianos. In the trio setting, they were trading places on the same piano bench playing the same piano! What jaw dropping, incredible piano virtuosity was displayed by these three incredible pianists. It was a mesmerizing, spellbinding and wonderful concert. A new recording has just been released entitled “Playing Lecuona” which features these three greats which happens to be a soundtrack of a new movie featuring these giants. The format of the recording is different from the concert since the recording features these artists contributing their interpretations of Lecuona’s work but no collaborations. It’s still quite a recording to add to your collection. I can’t wait to see the movie! However, if you did see the show, you were treated to one of those great shows that you will be remembering for quite a while! Gracias...
read moreRandom Notes 7/29/15
It’s been a while so let’s catch up! The list of performers that have visited the Bay Area has included Dafnis Prieto, Grupo Niche, Charanga Habanera, Viti Ruiz, Renzo Padilla and the incredible comeback performance of Jesus Alemany’s Cubanismo after a 12 year absence. So what does August hold in store? Check out the San Jose Jazz Summerfest which promises to be a feast for Latin music aficionados as well as for jazzistas, blues, rnb and funk fans on the weekend of August 7 thru the 9th. An All star lineup featuring Eddie Palmieri’s Latin Jazz Septet, Doug Beavers’ Titanes Del Trombon, Bombay Jazz w/Larry Coryell, Tower Of Power, Ernesto Oviedo with the John Santos Sextet, Louie Romero’s Mazacote and a whole slew of great bands will be gracing the streets of San Jose that weekend. I’m joining the party as guest MC/DJ for Doug Beavers party on Friday night and MC for the Salsa Stage all day Saturday! Go to sanjosejazz.org for more information. And if you want to keep the fun going strong on Sunday, you may want to check out Koketos Sundays at St. James Gate in Belmont with special appearances by Doug Beavers’ Conjunto Rovira with special guests from NYC and yours truly, Luis Medina as guest DJ and MC. There will be a special benefit for the family of KPFA DJ Wesley Burton who was killed in a tragic hit and run accident also on Sunday, August 9th at the Seahorse in Sausalito. Pacific Mambo Orchestra will be the featured band. The show starts at 4 pm. And don’t forget that SF Jazz is presenting the iconic Cuban superstars Los Van Van paying tribute to their late leader Juan Formell at SF’s Davies Symphony Hall on Friday, August 14 at 8 pm. Info: sfjazz.org. If that wasn’t enough, the annual Festival De La Isla Puerto Rican festival on Saturday, August 22nd will feature Salsa singing star Frankie Negron along with Grammy Award Winners Pacific Mambo Orchestra, Orquesta Saboricua, Orquesta Borinquen and DJ Tony O at Pena Adobe Park in Vacaville from 11 am to 7 pm. For more information, visit...
read moreFather’s Day: Stern Grove, The Sun and PMO
Fathers Day was a great day for Salsa, Mambo and Latin Jazz lovers. 2014 Grammy Award winners Pacific Mambo Orchestra presented a great afternoon of music with special guest stars the one and only Sheila E., 2013 Grammy winner Marlow Rosado and the Salsamania Dance Company. The band was in fine form as they played selections from their explosive repertoire featuring classic big band salsa and an original new takes on Salsa en English and Bachata. The 21 piece PMO also shined on a Stern Grove commissioned suite combining Afro-Cuban folklore, Brazilian and Timba which showcased the exciting Salsamania dance company led by champion dancers John Narvaez and Liz Rojas. Guest pianist Marlow Rosado added to the fireworks with his dynamic piano playing and showmanship during his segment of the show. Sheila E. ended the show playing 2 numbers with plenty of show biz glitz, superstar attitude and incredible percussion chops. At the end of the day, it was PMO who pulled off a spectacular performance that clearly showed that they were worthy of winning a Grammy and much more!! Our joint pre-concert talk that I hosted with PMO leaders Christian Tumalan and Steffen Kuehn was attended by a full house of fans. The talk turned out to be an informative, witty and inspiring talk for all involved. A huge thanks to Judy Tsang and Monica Ware of Stern Grove for the invitation to host this special...
read morePMO Mania at Stern Grove 6/21/15
I will be the host of a pre-concert talk with Pacific Mambo Orchestra prior to their appearance at the Stern Grove Festival on Sunday, June 21st at 12 Noon. The location will be the Stern Grove Trocadero Clubhouse. We will be talking about PMO’s new music, mambo and direction after their celebrated 2014 Grammy Award. The concert will start at 2 pm where they will be joined by the electrifying Sheila E. and 2013 Grammy Award winner Marlow Rosado. The amazing Salsamania Dance Company will open up the show. So come down early, save your space, check out the talk and get ready to mambo!!...
read moreRIP Johnny Polanco
I received the sad news late last week that Los Angeles based multi instrumentalist and bandleader Johnny Polanco died of a heart attack. Polanco was an amazing musician who excelled on trombone, tres, vibes, violin and practically whatever instrument he would get his hands on. He also led a crack band which featured the legendary Artie Webb on flute and the talented Manny Silviera on bass. He was introduced to me by his then manager, empresario Albert Torres in the late 1990’s and I had the pleasure of working as DJ to his first gigs in the SF Bay Area. Due to the power and swing of Polanco’s music, he became a frequent visitor to the SF Bay Area. He last visited SF when his band backed up Jose Alberto “El Canario” at Roccapulco in a recent visit. I was fortunate enough to catch up with Johnny when I last visited L.A. in early January. A gentleman, a true professional and a nice guy are the memories that I have of Johnny Polanco. He now joins the big descarga in the heavens. Fortunately, we have 3 recordings with his Conjunto Amistad and I have memories of past good times....
read moreRandom Notes 5/15/15-PMO & Summer Fun!
Grammy Award winners Pacific Mambo Orchestra will be headlining a FREE show on the Sunday, June 21st date at the Stern Grove Festival, 19th Avenue & Sloat Blvd in SF. They will be joined by the legendary percussionist and vocalist Sheila E and Grammy Award winner pianist Marlow Rosado. The Salsamania Dance Company will be opening up this KPFA Radio sponsored event. More info: www.sterngrove.org SF Jazz heats up this summer with the San Francisco Jazz Festival and the SF Jazz Summer Series: Pedrito Martinez on Sunday, June 21st at the SF Jazz Center with 2 shows at 7:30 pm and 10 pm and on the same night…the phenomenal tribute to the legendary Cuban composer/pianist Ernesto Lecuona with Chucho Valdes, Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Michel Camilo at Davies Symphony Hall!! The Summer Sessions will feature artists such as Latin Alternative rockera Natalia Lafourcade, legendary vocalist Tania Libertad, renowned Oscar award winning singer/songwriter Jorge Drexler and Cuba’s great Los Van Van at Davies on August 14th. For all the info, visit sfjazz.org Eddie Palmieri is bringing his Latin Jazz Septet to the Healdsburg Jazz Festival on Sunday, May 31 at the Jackson Theater in Santa Rosa on a double bill with Pablo Ziegler’s Jazz Trio for New Tango. Palmieri will also bring the jazz group to the San Jose Jazz Summer Fest in August…..Sonero de excelencia Andy Montanez will be headlining the 37th Annual El Dia De San Juan on Saturday, June 20th at San Jose’s History Park. This is a rare Northern California appearance for Montanez, whose last visit was at the 2009 SF Salsa Congress! As I recall, Montanez and his orchestra and his sons tore it up!! So get ready for Salsa dura y Sabrosa Puerto Rican style I’m a bit leery of the phrase “SF Salsa Festival” being tossed around to outdoor shows featuring an out of town headliner and a few local bands. Can we get the real thing organized that is inclusive of the majority of the great bands, dj’s and dance troupes that play and are part of the Bay Area scene without the agendas, politics and narrow minded promoters? Or am I dreaming? If that is the case, I’ll keep dreaming in living color y “en clave”…..Ciao 4...
read moreRandom Notes 5/4/15-Palmieri and more!!
10 time Grammy Award winner Eddie Palmieri and his Salsa Orchestra put on an incredible show on Sunday at the kick off of the 15th Annual Yerba Buena Gardens Festival in downtown San Francisco. Palmieri played splendidly as his all-star band that included sonero Herman Olivera, trescero Nelson Gonzalez, bongocero Anthony Carrillo, conguero “Pequeno” Johnny Rivero, trombonist Doug Beavers, bassist Loques Curtis, trumpeter Jonathan Powell and timbalero Camilo Molina smoked throughout the almost 2 hour set. John Santos and Karl Perrazo sat in and contributed their share of percussion fireworks to the fiery orchestra. The packed sun-drenched crowd went berserk over Palmieri classics such as “Palo Pa Rumba”, “Azucar”, “Muneca” and “Pa Huele”. What an afternoon to remember! Palmieri will return to the Healdsburg Jazz Festival on Sunday, May 31st with his Latin Jazz Septet….Pacific Mambo Orchestra will be celebrating the release of their latest single with a cd release party at SF’s 550 Barneveld on Friday, May 15. Look for PMO to headline a big free show at the Stern Grove Festival on Sunday, June 21st at 2 pm. ….Carnaval San Francisco will take place on May 23rd and 24th. The two day festival will be held on Harrison between 17th and 22nd Streets. Latin Jazz legend Pete Escovedo will be celebrating his 80th Birthday and 60th year in show biz on Saturday performing with Ray Obiedo’s Mambo Caribe. Pete’s daughter…the one and only Sheila E will be the grand marshall of the parade on Sunday, May 24th starting at 9:30 am at 24th and Bryant Streets. Info: carnavalsanfrancisco.org….One of the best Salsa bands, The Spanish Harlem Orchestra will be at Yoshis, Jack London Square in Oakland during Carnaval weekend on May 23rd and 24th….Can’t keep a good club down…Max Jose Enrique’s “Sabroso” will now be open on Thursdays at Santa Clara’s Taste nightclub starting on May 14th!….The phenomenal Jane Bunnett and her new all-female Cuban band Maqueque will make a rare bay area appearance on that same date at Oakland’s Piedmont Piano Company….Ciao 4...
read moreHot Offerings at SF International Film Festival
The 58th SF International Film Festival now through May 7th with showings at the Sundance Kabuki Cinemas, Castro Theatre, Landmark’s Clay Theatre and the Roxie Theater in San Francisco and the Pacific Film Archive in Berkeley are featuring great music films and hot new Latin cinema among their vast offerings this year. Music films include Eden (which parallels the rise of France’s Daft Punk), The Theory Of Obscurity: A Film about the mysterious godfathers of experimental rock music, The Residents and Beats Of The Antonov which focuses on musicians from civil war torn Sudan region in Africa are among the intriguing music films. I heard great things about the “What Happened To Nina Simone” documentary which I missed and will be available on Netflix according to reliable sources. Several live music offerings pairing the hip hop infused electro pop of Cibo Matto with wild and abstract short films are playing the Castro on May 5th at 8 pm. While the esteemed classical/New music icons Kronos Quartet providing instrumental backing to Bill Morrison’s Beyond Zero – World War 1 footage on Wed, May 6, 6:30 pm at the Kabuki. Among the fine Latin films, the intriguing moral drama “El Cordero” from Chile, the heartfelt Mexican documentary “All Of Me” which focuses on the Patronas, a group of women who prepare food and water to hand out to men and women who ride a speeding train towards the US border, “Magical Girl”, a Spanish/French production that is a heartbreaking tale of grief, a tense thriller and a deeply unsettling film noir, the Brazilian documentary “Sunday Ball” which is both a work of poetry and a sports doc that captures the spirit of a championship soccer game between rival teams from Rio De Janeiro’s impoverished Sampaio neighborhood, the nuanced romantic drama “Sand Dollars” from the Dominican Republic featuring Geraldine Chaplin and the engrossing “NN” from director Hector Galvez. There are more Latin films in the festival line up! For more information on these films and the entire SF International Film Festival, visit...
read moreNew Swing Is The Thing!
The San Francisco Salsa Festival, produced by John Navarez and Elizabeth Rojas of the Salsamania dance troupe, now in its 7th year has always catered to the Salsa congress type of dancing crowd. Unlike Salsa festivals of the past, it is not targeted to just music fans. However, they did raise the musical bar on their event by having the New Swing Sextet as their headliners this year. The N.Y. based veteran act is now celebrating its 50th year in existence although they did take 30 years off somewhere down the line. That fact doesn’t matter because the band is an explosive ensemble in the Joe Cuba vein. The New Swing Sextet on Saturday evening were tight, swinging and having a great time on stage being cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd of DJ’s, musicians, dancers and fans. They delivered the goods with scorchers such as “Vete Pa Ya” driving the salsa crazy dancers to the floor and the aficionados to the space in front of the stage to watch the band. I was among the aficionados who couldn’t get enough of watching these pros playing with precision, style, grace…and yes SWING!! These great musicians led by vibraphonist George Rodriguez are busy putting together their 50th Anniversary recording which should be out in the fall. Members of a similar ensemble: the SF based vibes salsa band Vibrason joined New Swing on stage for an east-west summit of swinging descargas that had the place...
read moreIbeyi – A Fresh take on Afro-Cuban Yoruba Fusion
French-Cuban duo Ibeyi wowed the sold out crowd at S.F.’s The Independent on Thursday evening. The twin daughters of the late conga legend Miguel “Anga” Diaz seduced the crowd with their dynamic fusion of yoruban chants, soulful vocals, electronica, beats and hip-hop. Ibeyi is the charismatic duo of Lisa-Kainde Diaz on lead vocals, electric piano, keyboards, samplers, percussion and Naomi Diaz on lead vocals, percussion, cajon, bata, beatbox and samplers. They performed without a back up band. The duo played a huge chunk of their latest recording “Ibeyi” on XL. The crowd cheered on their original tunes that are a sonic evolution of the traditional santeria drums and chants augmented by modern electronics, samples and studio produced beats. Blessed with angelic voices singing in French, Yoruba and Spanish that blended beautifully over sparse arrangements, the magnetic duo took turns singing lead that had the adoring crowd screaming for more. Ibeyi has evolved this religious art form by making the Yoruban chants accessible to a secular public through their unique music. They have also seen their popularity soar as indie darlings in the process as evidenced by their performances at the recent South By Southwest Music Festival and this stunning SF Bay Area performance. They represent the new wave of Afro-Cuban expression in...
read moreLive Appearances
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