A Trio Of Riches/Un Trio De Riquezas
During the past few weeks, I was fortunate enough to see a trio of great shows with the likes of Lila Downs, Spanish Harlem Orchestra and Concha Buika. All unique and distinctive. I hosted the Lila Downs show at the SF Jazz Festival representing KPFA radio. Lila proved why she is one of the great performers today as she radiated warmth, her exuberance as a show and dance pro and showcased that elastic, sensational voice. Her repertoire ranged from traditional torch style rancheras to latin-tinged world pop. Her songs touched the hearts of the audience and she was rewarded by thunderous applause and standing ovations. The Spanish Harlem Orchestra slammed no nonsense hard-hitting salsa dura at Yoshi’s. Led by pianist/musical director Oscar Hernandez, the orchestra shined with a set of new material drawn from their latest cd “Viva La Tradicion” peppered with a few choice nuggets from earlier recordings. Apart from being an instrumental powerhouse, the orchestra is blessed to have a trio of great vocalists such as Ray De La Paz, Marco Bermudez and newcomer Carlos Castante (also a fine songwriter). One of the finest salsa dance orchestras in the world today. Concha Buika’s first Bay Area appearance was a highly anticipated date due to her great recordings including her latest with Chucho Valdes “El Ultimo Trago”. She did not disappoint…what an original artist in terms of her unorthodox approach, her devastating wit and an dramatic voice which is both powerful and emotive. She is not your traditional flamenco singer at all-she skillfully blends jazz, afro-cuban melodies and flamenco to forge a new category of music. Her band included the phenomenal pianist Melon who contributed fiery solos that propelled her trio. At the end of her encore, she was alone on the stage performing an acapella version of the traditional Spanish copla “Ojos Verdes” which was both unforgettable and...
read moreMakes You Wanna Holler!
I have been busy dealing with changes in my work place as I continue to work as Music Director for KPFA in Berkeley. KPFA is the oldest listener sponsored public radio station in the U.S.. However, KPFA is one of the most complicated and dysfunctional media outlets with a history of internal politics, conflicts and never ending drama. Currently, there is a serious financial crisis with both KPFA and it’s parent network Pacifica. This valued resource of left thinking alternative media has been around for 61 years but now is broke due to a toxic combination of mismanagement, over spending, a difficult “democratic” governance structure and a bleeding network. There are major disagreements between paid staff running the station, the unpaid programming staff and network management over the recent firing of the entire Morning Show staff. Network management has been criticized over the timing of the firings and the lack of public disclosure of a plan B to replace the program which is the station’s most successful fund raiser. That controversy has led to a public relations disaster which is alienating loyal listeners. Add to that situation, dwindling resources and lack of money supporting KPFA’s original model of a listener sponsored station without commercials and underwriting that has led to never ending fund drives and shrinking audiences. KPFA interim management had to cancel the station’s upcoming fund drive scheduled for this week. The network is being accused of attempted union busting due to the political nature of the firings while the executive director claims that she is following union protocol honoring seniority of staff. The diverse and divisive opinions from internal waring factions from the paid staff to the non fund raising local station board fly all over the place as the painful layoffs and reduction of hours of staff continue. Seven key people have taken voluntary layoffs. It is a situation that is sad, absurd, challenging and puzzling at the same time. In spite of this morale busting environment, I am continuing in my now part time job and hosting my weekly program “Con Sabor” with the goal of producing good radio in this chaotic time. Other fellow music programmers are doing the same because the station deserves to exist and get support. I’m doing a lot of soul searching as I’m contemplating things in my life right now. Life tests you from time to time to see what you are made of and what choices you need to make to survive and move forward. To be...
read moreBusy Busy Busy…calendar item
This has been one busy month! Maintaining ones blog is a discipline in my world. I am juggling like many parents out there. Working gigs and the regular job, dealing with your family, taking care of obligations, networking, preparing radio programs, planning for the future..and the list goes on and on. I’m back..ready with new things to share with you.
read moreThe Legendary Jelly’s Dance Cafe – RIP
A San Francisco salsa lover’s institution, Jelly’s Dance Cafe at Pier 50 closed its doors last week but not without a final party blowout which featured Julio Bravo Y Salsabor, DJ Walt Digz and myself on the wheels of steel. It was beyond packed both inside and outside…I estimated that more than 600 people must have gone in and out of the venue during the evening. Since I have been a resident DJ on Club Havana Sundays for more than a decade, I recall some of the great musicians who sat in with bands at the club: Herman Olivera, Omar Sosa, Giovanni Hidalgo, Modesto Cepeda, Johnny Polanco, Pepito Gomez, Danny Lozada and La Palabra among others. In the early days, it was Louie Romero’s Mazacote and Anthony Blea’s Charanson who were the house bands. I rotated with Ivette “La Coqui” Fuentes as the house dj’s for years mixing it up with salsa dura y clasica, timba, mambo and more. Ivette left a few years ago and DJ’s Walt Digz and Antonio were added to the rotation. It was a delight to DJ at Jelly’s because we always tried to match or surpass the energy of the band and vice versa so the level of music created at the club was always top notch. The special communication between the band, djs, dancers and audience was unique among salsa clubs in the area and it didn’t matter that Jelly’s wasn’t a luxurious club or offered dance lessons (it never did!). What mattered to the dancers, faithful patrons, visitors, musicians and dj’s at Jelly’s was only the music! Even though new Sunday venues are popping up to fill the void, Jelly’s unique vibe will be sorely...
read moreKPFA needs your support!
Lot’s of things have been happening that have taken my time away from my blog. I have been working hard the past month with the KPFA fund drive. It is no secret that this 61 year old listener sponsored radio station is in financial trouble going thru job cuts, reducing budgets, shrinking resources and enduring a heated local station board election and on-going internal political struggles. In addition to my duties and obligations as Music Director, I have been extremely busy producing fund drive programs, assisting my fellow on-air hosts in pitching for much needed money and securing premiums for this current drive. It has been a struggle this time which is reflective of our sagging economic situation and it appears that the station is going to fall short of its goal this time. You can contribute to KPFA by going to the web site at www.kpfa.org. If you listen to my program “Con Sabor”, please consider supporting the cause, visiting the web site and becoming a...
read moreCachao On TV
I was fortunate enough to be a part of the film documentary “Cachao Uno Mas” focusing on the late great music legend Israel Lopez “Cachao”. The film is being aired nationally tonight on PBS. In the film, I was caught in the act of interviewing Cachao for my KPFA program “Con Sabor” at the Cigar Bar in San Francisco. A film crew was present to capture Cachao during the course of a weekend as he was being honored at San Francisco State University and later culminating with a fantastic concert at Bimbos 365 Club with Cachao, actor/musician Andy Garcia and the Cineson All Stars with local greats John Santos and Wayne Wallace. The original version of the film premiered at the San Francisco International Film Festival in 2008 and has been screened at various international film festivals. The TV version is a new version of the film with added interviews with Gloria and Emilio Estefan and Arturo Sandoval. This film is a testament to the greatness of this master musician and the gentle, humble human being that was...
read moreCan’t leave out Musica Cubana – Sept 2010
I’ve been also enjoying some new tracks from the master Cesar “Pupy” Pedroso y Los Que Son Son from his upcoming new release: “Un Loco Con Una Moto”, his remakes of “Parece Mentira” and “Ni Bombones Ni Caramelos” and La Batea featuring Omara Portuondo. Maikel (now Maykel) Blanco y Su Salsa Mayor’s new “Soy Lo Que Te Hala” for all the timba heads. Septeto Nacional De Ignacio Pineiro for those who love classic son. And who can forget the gorgeous tribute to the latin side of Nat “King” Cole, “L O V E” by mister smooth Issac Delgado joined by legendary jazz vocalist (and Nat’s brother) Freddy...
read moreTidbits on New Music – Sept 2010
Here are some great recordings that have been dominating my play lists: Chucho Valdes and the Cuban Jazz Messengers mesmerizing “Chucho’s Steps”, the no holds barred slammin’ salsa release by Luis “El Tzunami De La Salsa” Gonzalez “Tributo A Un Gigante”, the great new live recording “The Latin Side Of Herbie Hancock” by trombonist extraordinare Conrad Herwig with special guests Eddie Palmieri and Randy Brecker; “Providencia”, the beautiful new cd by Panama’s own Danilo Perez (Wayne Shorter’s current #1 choice on piano), the indestructible 73 year old salsa legend Bobby Cruz who demonstrates vocal chops that most singers would die for on his new release “Alma, Tierra y Raices” and the exquisite recording “Motion” by former Jane Bunnett collaborator Hilario Duran and his Trio. Plus I’m still enjoying the music that I brought home from Tempo Latino in late June from AYVA Music based in Spain: pianist Leo Blanco’s “Africa Latina” and trumpeter Guillermo Calliero’s tango-flamenco-jazz fusion “Barcelona Hora Cero”. Add to that great new releases by producer/musician Greg Landau’s soundtrack from the film “La Mision”, Carne Cruda’s “Oakland Tight” and an out of the blue latin-jazz release from ex Bay area resident Silvestre Martinez “Heritage”. All killer no...
read moreHappy Brithday Benny Velarde!
Legendary Salsa and Latin Jazz timbalero Benny Velarde celebrated his 81st birthday in style at the Glas Kat on Tuesday evening, Sept 7th. The esteemed veteran percussionist who was part of Cal Tjader’s seminal Latin Jazz ensemble and who has graced Bay Area stages for over six decades performed with an all star version of his Super Combo. Among the all-stars joining Velarde on stage were John Santos, Orestes Vilato, John Calloway, Monchy Esteves and Jorge Pomar. Velarde was in great spirits as he performed in front of an adoring audience that included his family, long time friends, admirers and dancers both young and older. Diana Bowen, producer of the Mr. Maracas Tuesday salsa nights at the Glas Kat came up with the idea of honoring Velarde. It was a party the entire evening with great music from Velarde and noted Bay Area dj/producer Fab Fred. Benny told me that he has revived the band and will be actively playing again. Good news for salseros...
read moreNorah and Corinne – A Sweet Escape
I am a person that has a wide musical palate. That being said, I checked out the intriguing double bill of female singer-songwriters Norah Jones and Corinne Bailey Rae at the Greek Theater last Friday. Not only are these two ladies talented but beautiful as well. The English-born Rae is a fine singer who interprets sad, introspective folky neosoul pop. The majority of her songs are sophisticated ballads that aim to hit an emotional response to the listener. Very mellow yet she played compelling up-tempo material including her 2008 breakthrough “Put Your Records On”. Norah Jones definitely showed why she was the headliner of the show. She possesses a clear commanding voice that is smokey, warm and soulful. Backed by a top-notch band, Jones came out with a cherry red electric guitar performing songs from her latest recording “The Fall”. Jones looking glamourous in her patterned top, low cut blouse, tight jeans and high heels, also played acoustic, electric and toy pianos as she concentrated on newer material which reflected her country, bluesy and pop sides. She also played updated versions of a few of her early tunes which catapulted her into stardom. Her band was excellent which included the guitar wizardry of Smokey Hormel and the sweet vocals of Sasha...
read moreLive Appearances
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