Random Notes 3/24/15
9 time Grammy Award Winner, NEA Jazz Master and Latin Music legend Eddie Palmieri will be bringing his mighty Salsa Orchestra to open up the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival 2015 season on Sunday, May 3rd at 1 pm. The show is FREE to the public. The Gardens are located on Mission Street between 3rd and 4th Streets in San Francisco. The rest of the season will feature such acts as Cuban drum phenom Dafnis Preito, the Venezuelan Music Project, Yosvanny Terry and Baptiste Trotignon, Bixiga 70 direct from Brazil, Marcus Shelby, Lavay Smith and her Red Hot Skillet Lickers and others! The series will go until early October with free noon-time concerts during the week and free weekend early afternoon shows….Space 550 located at 550 Barneveld is becoming the place to be for the Salsa dance community on Saturday evenings in SF. The multi room space is featuring shows produced by the Club Fuego group and the Yerba Buena Social Club group. Shows have been featuring L.A.’s Boogaloo Assassins and such local favorites as Louie Romero’s Mazacote….I am wrapping up a month long DJ residency at Friday Nights at the OMCA (Oakland Museum) this Friday (March 27) from 5 to 7 pm. The Friday night scene which actually goes from 5 to 9 pm features a live band (this week is Hot Einstein), gourmet food trucks, wine/beer available, 1/2 price to the museum’s exhibits and band starting at 7 pm. It’s FREE to the public!…..I will also be guest DJ at the popular Koketo’s Sundays this coming Sunday, March 29th at St. James Gate Pub, 1410 Old County Road in Belmont from 4 to 9 pm. The featured band is the hot Orquesta La Original featuring vocalist Alexis Guillen. Get ready to sweat to the hottest in Salsa Brava, Timba, Mambo, Guaguanco, Merengue, Bachata y lo que sea for the dancers!!….Tomaj Trenda continues his Levitate Fridays and 3rd Saturday’s Party (3 1/2 years strong) at the spacious Just Dance Ballroom, 2500 Embarcadero in Oakland. The venue features 3 rooms including a Bachata and Kizomba room….SF Jazz will be presenting Chucho Valdes, Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Michel Camilo in a tribute to the Cuban legend Ernesto Lecuona on Sunday, June 21st at Davies Symphony Hall where Los Van Van will be presented on Friday, August 24th! The summer is going to be hot in the SF Bay!! Ciao 4...
read moreA New Sunday Kind Of Love
Once upon a time, I was a rotating resident DJ/Host at Jelly’s Dance Cafe which was a Salsa lover’s phenomenon on Sundays. The place was always packed with dancers, music aficionados and hangers on. The level of music was incredible from both band and dj – there was a strong connection between performers, dancers and the public. Salseros, Timberos y Los Bailadores had a place where everyone was part of the family. Jelly’s closed down in 2010. Different promoters have tried to capture the magic but few have lasted. Koketos, a Sunday party born last Summer in Belmont at the St. James Gate Irish Pub is the latest contender that actually is reminiscent of the same set up as Jelly’s. The place has an indoor/outdoor scenario-each with a stage, dance floor and full bar. They are featuring live Salsa bands such as Bembe and Pa’l Bailador as well as DJ Antonio (who was a monthly resident DJ in the final years at Jelly’s) who spins in a Cuban/Timba style mixing in Salsa and Bachata. The party is run by the charismatic husband/wife team of Eric and Grace Rivera with the sound run by Len Johns. The inside room was set up for the show the Sunday that I visited due to cold outside weather. It’s a smaller space than the outside patio but had a warm, cozy feel. This popular place will be one of the main places to go on a Sunday once the warmer weather hits..the patio has plenty of room to accommodate a large crowd. Over in Sausalito, the Seahorse has been the enduring contender in the Sunday Salsa sweepstakes outside of El Rio and The Ramp. It’s an Italian restaurant that has a large dance floor but does not have an outdoor or a patio space for dancing. It’s been the home of Salsa and Cuban bands such as La Moderna Tradicion, Edgardo y Candela, Louie Romero’s Mazacote, Fito Reinoso and others. DJ’s Ian, Jose Ruiz (KPFA/KPOO) and Carlitos Way rotate each week. The Sunday parties are hosted by Linda Wosskow, one of the original co-founders of the late Sunday Jelly’s scene. The place serves beer and wine only. As a reflection of today’s audiences, The Seahorse caters to an older crowd while Koketos caters to a wider and younger range of salseros. Both places strive to capture the Jelly’s type of ambience. However, each place has it’s own unique charm and in their own way…trying to keep Salsa alive in this day and...
read moreRandom Notes – 2/15/15
A “new” Buena Vista Social Club cd “Lost And Found” has arrived. The project consisting of unreleased recordings featuring band members both living or deceased such as Ibrahim Ferrer, Ruben Gonzalez, Compay Segundo, Cachaito Lopez with Miguel Anga Diaz, Eliades Ochoa and Omara Portoundo is a revelation. Live recordings, outtakes and rarities featuring these beloved artists is now out on the World Circuit label distributed by Nonesuch…..Pacific Mambo Orchestra is set to release a single “The Pacific Mambo Dance” as a followup to their Grammy award winning “PMO” recording. A video will also be released. The song will also feature their newest member, vocalist Armando Cordova (Avance)…..The Salsa Rueda Festival is set for this coming week from Thursday, Feb. 19 through Sunday, Feb. 22 featuring former Van Van vocalist Mayito Rivera as headliner accompanied by Miami’s Timbalive. The festival will also feature appearances by the Bay Area Rumba All Stars and Rumbache as well as dance performances and dance workshops for beginners to advanced dancers during the day. For more information, go to salsaruedafestival.com…..Vocalist Herman Olivera and Trombonist Jimmy Bosch who are two extraordinary talents in the Salsa world will be appearing together as part of a Salsa/Bachata weekend happening at San Jose’s renowned Club Milano on Saturday, March 21st. The club’s Producer Max Jose Enrique has leaked on Facebook that he is bringing the highly regarded salsa band from Italy, La Maxima 79 to the club this Summer…San Jose is certainly stepping up in terms of showcasing Salsa in Northern California…..New scene: Baylando Wednesdays at the Berkeley Underground (formerly Shattuck Down Low and Mr. E’s) featuring salsa dance lessons and salsa bands in the early part of the evening until 11:30 then turning the show over to the Baylando label DJ’s consisting of DJ Santero, DJ Kool Kyle, DJ J Styles (Jerry Limon) and others. I will be a guest MC/Host for the Wed, Feb 25th show…see you there!!…..For the dancers: Fridays at Just Dance Ballroom, 2500 Embarcadero in Oakland boasts 10,000 square feet of dance floor with 3 separate rooms with Salsa, Bachata and Timba brought you by Tomaj Trenda who is the host of a highly successful party every 3rd Saturday at the Allegro Ballroom in Emeryville….Phenomenal Spanish vocalist Buika at SF’s Nourse Auditorium on Sat. Feb. 28…Ciao 4...
read moreXiomara Luagart – Music 2 my ears
Just wanted to drop a few lines about Xiomara Laugart’s new cd “Tears And Rumba” on Chesky. A new take on Afro Cuban folklore, rumba, son montuno and boleros from the ex-Yerba Buena vocalist. Laugart shines throughout the recording with a wealth of material ranging from the moody trova style standard such as Maria Teresa Vera’s “Ausencia” to the danceable son montuno of Miguel Matamoros’ “La Mujer De Antonio”. Laugart dives into these classic Cuban songs with a lot of soul, heart and feeling. She is backed by an excellent ensemble comprising of bassist Yunior Terry, guitarist Roman Lajara, flautist Javier Porta, percussionist Luisito Quintero, vocalist Gerardo Contino and her son Axel Tosca Laugart, the musical director on the date on vocals and clave. Laugart serves up a heartfelt musical stew that isn’t your typical Cuban fare. It’s moody and aspires to reach deep into monte adentro. It’s worth the effort to join her on this...
read moreSupport Public Radio – KPFA
Public Radio needs your support more than ever. KPFA is dependent on the public’s financial support to stay alive. KPFA is part of the Pacifica Broadcasting Network which has a unique funding structure. Unlike PBS who takes corporate underwriting to fund their programming and staff, KPFA is solely dependent on public support for the majority of it’s funding. Due to a network wide snafu with the Corporation of Public Broadcasting which has withheld monies designated for the network, KPFA is in peril of further cuts to paid staff. KPFA is currently trying to cut down the number of days in their Winter fund drive. My paid position as Music Director was recently eliminated due to KPFA’s current financial plight which has affected the Music Department. However, I continue to host and produce my weekly program “Con Sabor” as well as serve as Executive Producer for “Ritmo” (formerly Ritmo De Las Americas) on Saturday evenings. A lot of listeners are dependent on the alternative music, news, public affairs and cultural radio programs that KPFA offers. So I am asking for your support to keep KPFA alive and well in spite of these difficult times. Please visit www.kpfa.org and pledge your support today. I will be broadcasting a special fund drive edition of “Ritmo” and “Con Sabor” this coming Saturday evening, Feb. 7th from 7 to 11 pm. Please consider supporting those programs as well as the eclectic music programs that you can only listen to on 94.1 FM and www.kpfa.org. ...
read moreHappy New Year 2015! Make sure that you have these recordings!
Happy New Year! I just celebrated the 18th anniversary of my radio program Con Sabor which is on Saturday evenings from 9 to 11 pm on KPFA 94.1 FM. (Emiliano Echeverria’s program Radio Cuba Canta fills in for Con Sabor every last Saturday of the month). On the program, I also listed some of the best recordings of 2014. If you didn’t listen last Saturday, here is a list of recordings that you should have picked up on during this past year: Herman Olivera “La Voz Del Caribe-Hecho En Venezuela” – Salsaneo Mario Ortiz All Star Band “50 Aniversario” – All Star Don Perignon Y La Orquesta Puertorriquena “Musica Maestro” – Don Records Conjunto Barrio “Somos Del Barrio-Ya Llego Conjunto Barrio” – EGJ Charlie Santiago y Salsabor “El Que Toca Es Salsabor” – Charlie Santiago Los Hermanos Colon “Presentan Sabor Colon” – Muziq Los Van Van (last recording with Juan Formell) “La Fantasia” – Van Van Cecilia Noel “Havana Rocks” – Compass Mayito Rivera “Alma De Sonero” – Connector Pupy Y Los Que Son Son “Sin Limite” – BIS Adalberto Alvarez Y Su Son “Respeto Pa’ Los Mayores” – BIS Steven Pouchie “North By Northeast” – Latin Jazz Alive Ernesto Oveido/John Santos Sextet “Siempre Clasico” – Machete Spanish Harlem Orchestra “Spanish Harlem Orchestra” – Artist Share Volcan (Gonzalo Rubalcaba/Giovanni Hidalgo/Horacio Hernandez/Armando Gola “Volcan” – 5 Pasion Ismael Miranda “Son 45” – IM Records Ricardo Lemvo Y Makina Loca “La Rumba Soy Yo” – Cumbancha Various Artists “Salsa De La Bahia-Vol. 2 – Hoy Y Ayer” – Patois Marco Diaz “Life Notes” – Marco Diaz Jamie Dubberly/Orquesta Dharma “La Clave Del Gumbo” – Jamie Dubberly ...
read moreOrestes Vilato: Rare Club appearance In The SF Bay
The Bay Area has been enjoying a renaissance of great Salsa and Latin Jazz for years now. We have been lucky to have great musicians reside in the area for decades. One of the creme de la creme that we are blessed to have in this area is all-star percussionist Orestes Vilato. This gentleman needs no introduction as his mark has been made on countless recordings under his own name and in association with such luminaries as Santana, Tipica 73 and on the classic Ritmo Y Candela with Changuito and Patato Valdes to name a few. Orestes is a graduate of the classic NY scene going back to the 1960’s. Orestes an alumni of Ray Barretto’s charanga and salsa bands and an original member of the Fania All Stars. Vilato made a recent rare club appearance at the new Elevate Wednesday scene located at the Berkeley Underground club (site of the old Mr. E’s). He was joined by an all-star quintet made up of John Santos, Marco Diaz, Saul Sierra and vocalist Orlando Torriente. The size of Orestes’s group didn’t matter, their music was danceable and explosive as evidenced by a packed dance floor of sweaty and smiling bailadores! Vilato displayed his flawless technique on timbales and bongo as he was locked into the effortless groove that Santos and company performed on stage. I was impressed with their impeccable taste and showmanship as they turned standards such as “Cachita” and “Maria Cervantes” into swinging romps topped by Torriente’s passionate soneos (vocal improvisations). The crowd sensed that they were witnessing something extraordinary by the excitement and the “vibes” that were felt at the club that evening. It isn’t often that you see a legendary master as Vilato in a club setting…it was delicious to the ear and the feet....
read moreCuba, Obama y Cultura
President Obama’s announcement that the United States is opening up communications, trade and travel with Cuba is a great surprise. It certainly is a welcome step in the right direction to wider access to Cuban culture for many Americans. As a broadcaster, journalist and supporter of Cuban music for many years, this means that we will have the opportunity to enjoy more live concerts from great Cuban artists and greater access to recordings, films, art and culture. San Francisco Bay Area residents have been treated to great Cuban music since Los Papines and Grupo Moncada visited this area back in the 1970’s. These visits increased in the 1990’s with the visit of Pablo Menendez’s Mezcla and Irakere West featuring Chucho Valdez, Carlos Del Puerto, Carlos Emilio Morales, Enrique Pla and surprise guest Bebo Valdes. In the mid to late 1990’s, the tireless efforts of attorney Bill Martinez (who has secured countless visas for visiting Cuban artists) and his partner media professional Arturo Riera whose joint production group Latino Media Partners brought Los Van Van, Jesus Alemany’s Cubanismo, NG La Banda, Maraca and others to the Bay Area. Countless artists such as Silvio Rodriguez, Pablo Milanes to today’s hot stars Havana d’Primera have come to visit us. Not to mention the many contributions of great Cuban musicians that reside in the Bay Area to our music scene such as Orestes Vilato, Fito Reinoso, Jesus Diaz, Carlos Caro, Tito Gonzalez and many others. Now this news marks a new pathway to greater dialogue and exchange between the United States and Cuba. I’m excited that I will see this change during my lifetime. Vaya!!!...
read moreCiao Cafe Cocomo
Cafe Cocomo, renowned SF Salsa palace since 1997 closed their doors in September. The club that devoted 5 nights to presenting Salsa music boasted a huge dance floor, a adjacent lounge with a smaller dance floor, an upstairs VIP area, patio and a large stage. Performers that appeared at the club included El Gran Combo, Oscar D’Leon, Pupy Y Los Que Son Son, David Calzado’s Charanga Habanera, Pete “El Conde” Rodriguez, Sonora Carruselles and others. The club also presented the best local bands and top notch DJ’s. I was a resident DJ at the club for more than a decade. The closing weekend featuring some of Cocomo’s favorite and big draws: Louie Romero & Mazacote with special guest Anthony Blea, Julio Bravo & Salsabor and Orquesta Borinquen with guest Doug Beavers who relocated to NYC. During a heartfelt speech from the stage, Cocomo’s Sri Lankan owner Drew said that his heart was into the music and the crowd that supported the club throughout the many years that it was open. Now Cocomo is added to the great venues that have ran their course into SF nightlife history. Drew and the Cocomo crew have opened a new but smaller venue “Playa SF” in the old Cannery in the Fisherman’s Wharf...
read moreMario Ortiz All Star Band Rides High Again
MARIO ORTIZ ALL STAR BAND 50 ANIVERSARIO ALL STAR Trumpeter/Bandleader Mario Ortiz Jr. pays tribute to his late father, PR music icon Mario Ortiz with a powerful followup to his debut “45 Aniversario” which came out a few years ago. This recording’s strength lies in the material which is beautifully performed by Ortiz’s top notch band. A who’s who of guest stars including Ismael Miranda, Victor Manuelle, Jose Alberto “El Canario”, Andy Montanez and Giovanni Hidalgo join to help elevate the material to the sublime. This is Salsa at it’s finest. This recording is a knock...
read moreLive Appearances
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