Cinema Cinema and more Cinema
I have been immersing myself into the world of film by going to the 53rd San Francisco International Film Festival. I have been a film buff since I was a kid (I have to thank my mom for my exposure to movies!). So I’m thrilled to have checked out the opening night screening of the delightfully wacky French film “Micmacs”, attended a discussion with this year’s Oscar winner for best song, T-Bone Burnett sharing his experience about making music for film and going to see new Latin cinema such as the poetic Columbian film “The Wind Journeys” and the revealing documentary about the tragic fall of iconic Brazilian entertainer Wilson Simonal. I’m looking forward to going to a tribute to the great filmmaker/director Walter Salles who directed the oscar winning “Central Station” and the sensational “The Motorcycle...
read moreCh..ch…changes!
Well, musical chairs are being played in the concert scene. I was looking forward to seeing Manolito at Yoshis. Now those shows have been canceled. David Calzado’s Charanga Habanera has also been canceled at Cocomo. Now, Manolito is scheduled to take their place on May 8th at Cafe Cocomo. However, the big Luis Enrique salsa dance with Adolecentes, Avance, Montuno Swing and others is still taking place on the 8th at the SF Hilton. Now if you’re a big tropical Latin music freak like me, there is a dilemma if you want to see both gigs that evening. I also have my radio show that evening so I will attempt to be at 3 different places at the same time that evening…I been practicing my...
read moreThe Cuban Invasion SF/Bay Area Style
One of my favorite modern Cuban bands is Manolito Y Su Trabuco led by pianist Manolito Simonet. Their repertoire includes some of the finest interpretations of timba, charanga, son and salsa today. Their ability to deliver anthemic songs with an irresistible swing such as “Marcando La Distancia”, “Caballo Grande” and “Communicate” have made them into one of the top draws in Cuba and a top touring act. They continue to put out great recordings and their live shows are incendiary. I never saw them live but on the dvd “Break Out” which came out a few years ago showcases the Trabuco in their timba drenched glory. This dvd which features a mano a mano between the popular Bamboleo and the Trabuco is well worth checking out. Now I will be able to finally check out Manolito and company absolutely live since they are visiting the Bay Area for the first time on Wed, May 5 (Cinco De Mayo) and Thursday, May 6, 8 and 10 pm at Yoshis, 1330 Fillmore,...
read moreGraciela RIP
Graciela Perez-Grillo was one of those legendary figures in our music who made an undeniable impact. Blessed with a great voice, impeccable timing, clear phrasing and a sense of humor, she sang with passion and style. Those classic Machito tunes that she recorded with her brother and husband Mario Bauza still stand the test of time. She enjoyed a renaissance in the late 80’s and 90’s when she and Mario Bauza collaborated on his last big band recordings. Now her music will be passed on to a new generation with open ears that appreciates classic dance music and loves to dance to it as well as the fans who loved her. Celia Cruz, La India, Albita, Elena Burke and many other divas owe a big debt to Graciela who was the first one to open the door. Blessed are the...
read moreSin Salsa No Hay Paraiso!
“Sin Salsa No Hay Paraiso” is the title of the new El Gran Combo cd on Sony which is definitely worth picking up! They are sounding solid as ever. I dare you to put this cd on and NOT dance. It is a fine example of music that is written, produced and performed well by one of the finest salsa orchestras in the world. Period. That is no small feat for a band that pushing 50 years in show business. It’s available on I Tunes for all of you who can’t wait for your local record store (do they still exist?) or mail order house to ship it to you! Pa’ bailar y...
read moreThe Yin and the Yang – Noticias/Live Music
I just found out that the scheduled Elio Reve Jr. Y Su Charangon show on the 23rd of this month has been cancelled. What a bummer since I missed Reve in Barcelona last summer. Hopefully, he will be rescheduled soon. The David Calzado/Charanga Habanera show has also been cancelled for the beginning of next month. That leaves Juan Formell and Los Van Van as THE big Cuban show to look forward to in the future. They will be appearing at Yoshis in June with 2 nights in San Francisco and 2 nights in Oakland. In the meantime, the revamped Seis Del Solar featuring original members pianist/musical director Oscar Hernandez and timbalero Ralphy Irrizary will be performing this coming Wednesday and Thursday at Yoshis in SF. Now this isn’t the reunited original band that has been working with Ruben Blades on dates outside the country this past year. However, they have some dynamic firepower with the dynamic talents of bassist Ruben Rodriguez, saxophonist Bobby Franceschini, drummer Dafnis Preito and conguero Bobby Allende. Should be one hot show. If that wasn’t enough, Omar Sosa and his acclaimed Afreecanos group visit Yoshis, Oakland on Friday, April 16 through Sunday, April 18. Check him out on Art Sato’s “In Your Ear” program Saturday, April 17 from 4 to 6 pm on...
read moreVariety is the spice…
I caught the amazing Janelle Monae at an intimate gig at Cafe Du Nord in the city last night. This petite striking beauty who sports a fluff of a pompadour of sorts was both original in her look as she was in her music. You could say that she was reminiscent of a Grace Jones of 2010 but had an abundance of talent and style. Fronting a powerful three piece band consisting of guitar, keyboards and drums, Monae performed her version of a movie musical entitled “The Archandroid”. Monae amply displayed her powerful, soulful voice on top of a bed of angular, rn’b influenced modern rock. She had the sold out crowd going wild while she was singing songs from her “movie” complete with stage sets, film credits and tons of atmosphere....
read moreShows I did miss somehow, etc.
I managed to introduce Tito Gonzalez Y Su Son De Cuba’s first set at Yoshis in Oakland before I had to run to my station’s sponsored show with Bassekou Kouyate at Slims in SF’s South of Market district – so I missed Tito’s set! I also missed Pepito Gomez with a SF based timba band…but I wasn’t the only one who missed it-I heard that it was a light crowd. I’ll probably miss the upcoming SF Salsa Festival as well. I must be old school but back in the day, the salsa festivals in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s had big groups like the Fania All Stars, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri or a ton of our local salsa heroes at the Greek Theater, the Cow Palace or the huge ballroom at the Marriott or the St. Francis Hotel. Although this affair has selective “dancer’s” dj’s such as Fab Fred & El De La Clave, they only have one band: Doug Beavers’ Conjunto Rovira and their primary focus is on salsa dance troupes. Now with all due respect to all the great salsa dance troupes that are out there and I do enjoy attending the annual Salsa Congress that features great headliners, dancers, dj’s, etc. I also dj to a lot of fine dancers myself at both Cocomo and Jelly’s. I think that they should have named the gig “The SF Salsa Dancer’s Festival” which would have been more accurate. In my opinion, you need to have a cavalcade of great bands and other essential elements if you’re going to live up to the name “The San Francisco Salsa Festival”. That’s what this great city deserves! Nuff...
read moreCatching Up
Well, this was the week I didn’t make down to my annual trip to the South By Southwest Music Conference and Showcase in Austin, Texas due to complications. Although nothing can compensate for the missed interviews, networking, showcases, panels, parties….but I did manage to catch amazing sets by Gil Scott Heron (who did a hilarious standup comedy routine in addition to his great soulful songs!) and Malian gnobi master Bassekou Kouyate who plays a wicked spiked lute that sounds like a banjo. An enthusiastic Taj Mahal was cheering Kouyate on from the audience until he was called up on stage to deliver a soulful blues. The world is so small and the connections are deep! Brazilian music icon Gilberto Gil was also performing in the Bay Area with his son Bern and cellist Jacques Morlenbaum. SXSW? There’s always next...
read moreMarch 2010 dj tidbits
Personal DJ dates coming up: Saturday 3/13 with Louie Romero y Mazacote (NY style salsa at its best) at Cafe Cocomo in SF. Jake handles the dance lessons starting at 8:30 pm. Sunday 3/14 – a Cuban bachanal with el sonero mayor Fito Reinoso y su Ritmo Y Armonia from 4 to 9 pm at Jelly’s Club Havana…should be a sweat fest. I’ll be putting it in the mix: timba caliente, salsa dura y mas! I’m there monthly now so I’m ready to tear the roof off! No dance lessons…sorry! Joining mi amigo DJ y Rapero Santero later in the month on Wednesday, 3/24 at Lukas, Broadway at West Grand in Oakland – set at 10 pm. Ending the month with Mr. Suave-Julio Bravo y Salsabor over at Cocomo on Saturday,...
read moreLive Appearances
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