Diego El Cigala triumphs at Zellerbach
The anticipation was high at Zellerbach Auditorium for the debut of the renowned flamenco vocalist Diego El Cigala at the Bay Area Flamenco Festival. The lines at the box office were so backed up due to an internal snafu that caused the show to start one hour late. However, once the long haired and bearded El Cigala stepped on stage and started to sing, the crowd who hassled to get in the show thawed out as he took them under his spell. His distinctive voice was as grand as were his hand gestures which he used to direct the band. His group consisted of exceptional players such as guitarist Diego Del Morao (son of Flamenco guitar legend Moraito), pianist Jaime Calabuch Jumitus, bassist/vocalist Yelsy Heredia, percussionist Sabu Porrina and violinist Bernardo Parrilla. They joined Cigala in different configurations from duo to full band to perform the variety of flamenco, tango and boleros that was presented that evening. Cigala sang captivating versions of great songs such as his classic version of “Lagrimas Negras” from his 2003 Grammy award collaboration with Bebo Valdes. El Cigala gave so much of himself during this performance displaying both the strength and tenderness of his expressive voice. He was touched by the Bay Area audience who cheered him on and brought him back on for 3 encores. What a phenomenal...
read moreCatching Calle 13 On Their Own Terms
One of the cutting edge groups who started during the Reggaeton craze and who has left that genre way behind is Puerto Rico’s own Calle 13. Led by step brothers rapper/lyricist Residente (Rene Perez Joglar) and multi-instrumentalist Visitante (Eduardo Martinez), Calle 13 has defied being pigeonholed by creating original politically and socially charged music that isn’t easily labeled as hip hop, reggaeton, electronica, pop or electronica. They create sophisticated dance music that speaks to the mind as well as the feet. The duo has been nominated for 10 Latin Grammys for their latest recording “Entren Los Que Quieran”. Calle 13 brought their highly anticipated show to The Fillmore last week. After making the crowd wait more than an hour, a shirtless Residente stormed on the stage, showed off his rippled abs and fired off rhymes like smoking bullets. He was backed by a full tight band consisting of drums, bass, guitar, two horns, female rapper (their sister Iliana “PG-13”) and two percussionists led by Visitante on guitar, keyboards and electronics. Residente led the sold out Fillmore crowd on a exuberant call and response on many recognizable tunes from their past recordings as well as “Entren Los Que Quieran”. Although the energy of the show recalled a high wired hip hop show, the music reflected the many diverse influences that Calle 13 integrate into their sound. Hopefully after the great reception that they received at The Fillmore, Calle 13 will be back to visit us more often....
read moreOrquesta Aragon – Down Memory Lane
The scene at Yoshi’s was highly charged caused by an irresistible catalyst on stage that had the dance floor packed and excited people moving in their seats. Orquesta Aragon, Cuba’s beloved classic charanga (band emphasizing flute and violins) who celebrated 72 years of playing together was back in town. Aragon, well known and loved for their songs that are part of the Cuban songbook such as “El Bodeguero” took the audience down memory lane and back to performing a modern day timba done in their own explosive yet elegant style. Orquesta Aragon kept their strong dance groove strong mixing great cha cha chas with guaracha, son, danzon and timba. The orquesta featuring 5 violins(!), flute, piano, bass and 3 singers sounded tight as they played with swing, virtuosity, precision and grace. The band led by violinist Rafael Lay Jr. are seasoned pros who also know when to improvise with gusto they demonstrated during their classic “Pare Cochero”. They were so good that I savored each note of music that hit my ears with a deeper appreciation for this musical institution. I look forward to their next visit because they are such a treat for the senses and my...
read moreSalsa Mayor takes over Cocomo
Pianist Maykel Blanco y Su Salsa Mayor hit the SF area this past Friday to a full house at Cafe Cocomo. Representing the new energy in Timba, Cuba’s contemporary dance music, Salsa Mayor did not disappoint. They were similar to other great timba bands in their formation: 4 vocalists with distinctive personalities, keyboards, 2 trombones, 2 trumpets, drum kit with timbales, congas, guiro, bass and Blanco. Maykel Blanco ran the stage like a man possessed: he would play his piano, run to different parts of the stage to physically give his band directions when he needed the band to pump it up and jumped on the microphone to get the crowd going. The front line of fine vocalists: Yasser, Michel (who sang last time with Pupy), Livan and Yordir fired up the crowd with their strong voices, inventive choreography, call and response and interplay but with youthful sexually charged energy to spare – all of them must be in their twenties although the baby faced Livan may even be younger than 20. Although in existence for 6 years, Blanco has reaped massive hits, exposure through his video clips and has traveled to 22 countries gaining recognition and respect. The band was well rehearsed and tight driving the audience to the dance floor and the ladies to the front of the stage. It was a spectacular debut. No doubt we’ll be having return visits from this young...
read morenew month for bright moments
(Originally posted on October 1, 2011) The fall season is here and the anticipation was high for the appearances of Maykel Blanco Y Su Salsa Mayor, Orquesta Aragon and Oscar D’ Leon who are all visiting the SF Bay Area in October. What a contrast in styles as Maykel Blanco represents the young energy in contemporary Cuban dance music which is Timba. His band Salsa Mayor has a solid reputation as one of Cuba’s most exciting live acts both for their showmanship and music. The legendary Orquesta Aragon represents the undying tradition of classic Cuban dance music. The champagne of Cuban charanga (a band that emphasizes the flute and violin sound instead of brass) has existed for 72 years now under the direction of violinist Rafael Lay Jr. Expect Cuban music of the highest order played with elegance and virtuosity. Venezuela’s legendary vocalist/bassist/powerhouse Oscar D’ Leon has been thrilling audiences for 40 years since he was first noticed with Dimension Latina. One of Salsa’s greatest soneros, D’Leon is an impeccable showman whose two to three hour tour de force sets are of salsa aficionado’s legend. Although he has had his health issues and setbacks, D’Leon is bringing his orquesta to seduce us once again with his powerful voice and swinging...
read moreNew Music – September 2011
I am listening to great music on my cd player such as the new Poncho Sanchez/Terence Blanchard “Chano Y Dizzy” which is a tribute to the late pioneers of Afro-Cuban jazz Chano Pozo and Dizzy Gillespie. Their opening “Chano Pozo Medley” comprised of “Tin Tin Deo”, “Manteca” and Guachi Guaro” out of the Pozo/Gillespie repertoire is worth the price of the cd or download alone!! Outstanding performances by Blanchard (sounding tasteful and powerful as ever) and Sanchez who plays likes he’s been possessed by the spirit of Pozo! This Latin Jazz opus also features tasty salsa for dancing. I like the new recording of local based salseros, Montuno Swing entitled “Rico Tumbao” which has a tremendous amount of swing under the capable direction of musical director/keyboardist Christian Tumulan. The diversity of music that ranges from salsa dura, timba, bachata, merengue to balls out descarga with the help of the latest version of the SF Salsa All Stars. Montuno Swing also features a trio of fine percussionists who can handle lead vocals: Edgardo Cambon, Omar Ledesma and Braulio Barrera. Let’s not forget the new project “De Corazon Al Son” by the talented Mexican flautist Miguel Martinez and his group Corazon Sur. Martinez, whose exceptional flute work usually leaves dancers sweating as part of the all-star Karabali ensemble, mixes Mexican folklore into his dynamic Afro-Cuban jazz. Tracks such as “Descarga” and “La Bruja” features fine ensemble work from contributors Jose Roberto Hernandez, Julio Perez, Marco Diaz, Saul Sierra and Carlos...
read moreMaykel Blanco visits SF In October
I’m excited about the following: I’ve been asked to emcee the SF debut of the red hot Cuban band Maykal Blanco Y Su Salsa Mayor on Friday, Oct. 14 at Cafe Cocomo. Now Maykal has been thrilling audiences for the past few years with the most innovative and hip timba music coming out of the island today. His hit songs such as “Esto Esta” and “Anda Y Pegate” are considered classic dance floor anthems. The band on record is furious and they have a reputation for great live shows. There is a lot of anticipation to this show. For more information, visit...
read morePedrito Martinez
The end of Summer is almost here but there are still great people coming into town such as renowned rumbero Pedrito Martinez, a much in-demand percussionist since he landed in the New York area. Pedrito has performed with the whos who of great musicians ranging from Eddie Palmieri to Bruce Springsteen. He will be performing on Saturday, September 25 from 1 to 3 pm in a free concert at the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival located at Mission near 3rd Street in San Francisco. Pedrito will be featuring music from his rumba project “Ecobio Enyenison” and from his current group who plays regularly in New York. Pedrito who was born in the Cayo Hueso barrio in Havana has performed with some of the giants in Cuban music and folklore such as Lazaro Ros, Tata Guines and Los Munequitos De Matanzas. The John Santos Sextet will be opening the...
read moreJerry Rivera at Festival De La Isla
I rounded out this past week with a pilgrimage over to Pena Adobe Park in Vacaville for the 10th Annual Festival De La Isla, Puerto Rican outdoor festival. Salsa romantica idol Jerry Rivera was the headliner. Now I haven’t seen Jerry since I worked in charge of stage operations for a show that he headlined at the SF Concourse over 10 years ago with La India and Grupo Niche. Now, Jerry is making a big comeback after a 4 year hiatus with a hit “Solo Pienso En Ti” climbing the Billboard Latin charts. So I was curious to see this matinee idol of pop salsa at this stage of his career. He just started his set by the time I arrived and already had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand. Mr. “Cara De Nino” has grown up to be a boyish looking, physically buffed man who displayed his cool as he effortlessly sang his big commercial salsa hits. He delighted the ladies in the audience by peppering each song numerous times with his trademark “Baby”. His version of his biggest hit “Amores Como Lo Nuestro” rocked both the mix of old school and new school salseros in the public. Included in his repertoire was a lengthy passionate tribute to the late vocalist Frankie Ruiz, one of Rivera’s idols. Jerry Rivera is a singer with a fine upper register but he is not nor does he pretend to be a sonero (a traditional salsa singer that can improvise lyrics on the spot). He connected with the audience at times, smiling and speaking directly to folks in the crowd. And at other times, he seemed detached like he was following a script and on remote control. My impression of Jerry Rivera is that he is happy to be exactly who he is: a pop idol who has body of hits with Salsa music as his musical foundation. Members of Orquesta Borinquen provided solid backup for Rivera under the capable direction of musical director/pianist Ramon Sanchez from Puerto Rico. The large turnout was another feather in the cap of Linda and Cafe August, the festival...
read moreIs It A Crime To Enjoy Too Much Good Music???
Talk about a whirlwind week of great music that I had the good fortune to experience. The 90 Miles project featuring three young jazz giants: vibraphonist Stefon Harris, saxophonist David Sanchez and trumpeter Christian Scott played an inspiring and exciting set at Yoshis, Oakland. Not only did they play at the top of their respective game with imagination, fire and energy but their distinctive styles and personalities made watching them a lot of fun. I followed watching that phenomenal show with the rare appearance of Sade plus another headliner that opened for her, John Legend at Oakland’s Oracle Arena this past Friday night. Sade was in splendid voice, looking beautiful in gorgeous dresses and genuinely happy to be performing on stage. Backed by a tight band led by her three original partners: guitarist/saxophonist Stuart Matthewman, bassist Paul Denman and keyboardist Andrew Hale, Sade soared through her classic material as well as her newer songs. I found the newer material moodier and darker although I loved the stunning start of her show with “Soldier Of Love”. John Legend was a crowd pleaser with his sexy, soulful voice, presence and performance. He was eye candy for the ladies and a dynamic entertainer who knows how to work an...
read moreLive Appearances
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