Support 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 moreHerman Olivera -La Voz Del Caribe Review
HERMAN OLIVERA LA VOZ DEL CARIBE SALSANEO MUSIC Olivera is one of Salsa’s great contemporary soneros. Best known for his lead vocalist work with Eddie Palmieri, Olivera delivers his best recording to date. Backed by Venezuela’s creme de la creme, Olivera cuts the competition at the knees with gems such as “Privilego Y Honor” detailing a father’s love for his son, the swinging “Libre Para Siempre” medley of Olivera’s well known songs with Manny Oquendo’s Libre and the dance floor bomb “El Heredero Del Sabor”. Olivera’s delivery is flawless, passionate and strong. The songs on this recording are worthy of his immense talent. One of the best recordings of...
read moreCiao, Robin Williams
Robin, how you made me laugh. Now I’m sad. You decided to check out early from life. Everyone is crying now. We have your movies, tv, videos and your photos. That’s all we have now. RIP Funny man…may you find the peace now that you couldn’t find in life.
read moreI saw the future and his name is Aldo Lopez-Gavilan
Last night, I was invited to the SF Jazz Festival where my radio station is sponsoring the closing night of a four night run for Juan De Marcos and The Afro Cuban All Stars. However, I didn’t attend the second night of their run, I was invited instead to see Cuban born child prodigy and piano wunderkind Aldo Lopez-Gavilan in the intimate Joe Henderson Lab space. Lopez-Gavilan who looked like he was 22, sported long curly hair, a goatee and a boyish smile. He had an easy way of connecting with the audience with a sense of humor as he had a story for every song he introduced. He dazzled the sold out crowd with brilliant technique combined with his inventive arrangements and original ideas that revealed a fluid fusion of jazz, afro-cuban and classical music. I was mesmerized listening to every tune of his magical 85 minute set. I sensed the importance of this date as if I had discovered a young Chucho Valdes or Gonzalo Rubalcaba in a small club. I had just witnessed the future and his name is Aldo...
read moreCelebrating 40 Years In Radio and Broadcasting-Sat 6/21-El Vacilon, Treasure Island
Time flies quickly when you’re having fun. I started in radio back in 1974 when I was still a broadcasting major at San Francisco State University. I was bit by the radio bug when I observed the late Arturito Santiago hosting his radio show from the old KBRG studios. A few months later, I was invited to co-host and provide the music for a radio program hosted by my cousin at a new community radio station called KPOO. I loved all types of music but I was really turned on by Salsa music. I started to host my own Salsa program and it’s been a love affair ever since. I was turned out to be my deep passion to expose Salsa music as well as Latin Jazz and Afro Cuban music throughout my career at various public radio stations including KPFA and on commercial radio at KBRG in the 80’s. My career has blessed me with having the opportunity to interview and work with many of my heroes as well as being the recipient of numerous awards and recognition. This year, I’m celebrating 40 years of hosting Salsa radio programs and what a ride it’s been! I’m hosting my program “Con Sabor” on Saturday evenings from 9 to 11 pm on KPFA 94.1 FM (also on www.kpfa.org) where I serve as Music Director and also host Music Of The World on Mondays. There will be a celebration honoring this milestone in my life on Saturday, June 21st starting at 6 pm and running until 2 am at El Vacilon (Oasis Cafe), 401 California Avenue at Treasure Island. Two great bands “Son Y Clave” from Hollywood and the all-star SF based band “Karabali” led by Santana percussionist Karl Perazo and Grammy nominated conguero Michael Spiro will be providing the musical fireworks on stage. Special guest dj’s Jose Ruiz from KPOO and a surprise guest will be spinning the best in Salsa Dura, Timba, Mambo, Merengue, Bachata and more in-between sets. Tickets are $25. For more information, call 510-517-1059 or 510-432-2355. Save The Date! It’s going to be an explosive and memorable...
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