Cuba, 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...
read moreGracias, Juan Formell!
Juan Formell has been a major musical presence in my mind lately since his untimely passing on May 1st. As the brainchild of Los Van Van since the beginning, he created a fresh irresistible dance hit sound whose lyrics were as relevant as the daily newspaper in Cuba. Formell’s genius was in the fact that he connected with the youth as well as every day people for more than four decades. Los Van Van always had strong personnel but had a dynamic core of Cesar “Pupy” Pedroso, Jose Luis Quintana “Changuito” along with Formell created Songo, a world wide sensation in the 1980’s. Los Van Van represented Cuba in the same iconic relevance as international giants such as El Gran Combo from Puerto Rico, Oscar D’Leon from Venezuela and the New York based Eddie Palmieri. I had the honor of introducing Los Van Van for their first San Francisco Bay Area show in 1997 at Maritime Hall and DJ’ing with them at Bimbo’s 365. The first tour was featuring the electric vocal powerhouse trio of Pedrito Calvo, Mayito Rivera and Roberto “Roberton” Hernandez – what a great night! Los Van Van would bring the house down every time that I saw them..the last time was during a multi night stand at Yoshi’s in San Francisco. I remember interviewing Juan Formell during that first tour to S.F. He was very generous with his time although he was a bit tired from his trip but that didn’t stop him from expressing strong opinions on Hip Hop to his role as a Cuban ambassador of good will. I have given my own tribute to Formell on my Con Sabor program lately. It gave me the chance to break out my old Cuban vinyl and play classics from different eras of Van Van’s development. Listening to these old classics and the Van Van cds of the last 2 decades gave me another chance to appreciate this monster of a band. To its leader, bassist, composer, arranger and visionary…..Gracias,...
read moreCheo Feliciano R.I.P.
It was sad to hear about the passing of one of the greatest singers in Latin music to come from Puerto Rico, Jose “Cheo” Feliciano. Cheo epitomized the great Salsa soneros and boleristas of his generation. A voice whose tone was so distinctive that it was easily recognizable from the crowd of great vocalists. Cheo had an illustrious solo career as well as many great associations with such groups and musicians as the Joe Cuba Sextet, the Alegre All Stars, Cesta All Stars, the Fania All Stars (he was in their lineup of singers for more than 40 years), RMM’s Combinacion Perfecta, Eddie Palmieri and most recently Ruben Blades (who cited Cheo as a major influence). On stage, Cheo was a charismatic showman who connected with the audience whether he was passionately improvising on an explosive Salsa song or whether he was melting hearts as he effortlessly crooned a beautiful bolero. His presence was felt by legions of old and new fans since his career spanned over five decades. He was an artist who was still very active up until the time of his death as he was part of this year’s grammy nominated Sergio George “Salsa Giants” project and was still was performing with The Fania All Stars on their recent reunion concerts. As sad as it is to lose an icon as Cheo Feliciano, we are still fortunate to have the recordings of his signature songs such as “Anacaona’, “A Las Seis”, “El Raton”, “Canta”, “Sali Porque Sali” and countless others to remind us of his greatness. Adios, Cheo…Sentimiento Tu y gracias por su...
read moreSad Week-Armando Peraza R.I.P.
This week has ben filled with the sad news of the deaths of several monumental figures in music. Among them was the passing of extraordinary percussion master Armando Peraza. I wanted to share a few thoughts about Armando Peraza. He was one of the most important percussionists who has ever performed and recorded in Latin music. His influence and history encompasses over seven decades! From performing in Cuba with such groups as Conjunto Rumbavana early in his career, his associations have included collaborations with Tito Puente, George Shearing, Cal Tjader, Mongo Santamaria and Carlos Santana to name a few! I had the good fortune to interview Perraza a few years back. Peraza was an engaging interview..quite a colorful character who was very animated and loved to talk during the time that we shared together. I broadcasted that interview later that same weekend as his tribute continued at Yoshis in Oakland. On the bandstand, Armando was on fire with his unique technique of playing bongos and congas that evening. Always the consummate professional, he made it look easy as he combined grace, power, passion and precision in his explosive solos. Peraza was a renaissance man who was just as comfortable playing rock and funk as he was playing jazz and rumba. He played on countless recording sessions but ironically only made one recording “Wild Thing” under his own name in 1968. Peraza wasn’t that interested in being a leader of his own band but loved to make music well past his 80’s. He was in semi retirement from performing at the time of his death. Que Viva Armando...
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