new 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...
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