Be ready to bring your dance shoes 2 my shows
I will be the guest DJ at the new Sabor Salsa monthly happening next week in Marin County at Georges Nightclub, 842 Fourth Street in San Rafael on Thursday, November 17 starting at 9 pm. I will be putting it in the mix with my blend of Salsa Dura, Mambo, Musica Cubana, Merengue, a taste of Bachata y mucho mas for all the salseros and salseras. Georges has been featuring live salsa each month since August featuring bands such as Orquesta Borinquen, Avance and Julio Bravo y Salsabor. I’ll be bringing the Con Sabor wall of sound as featured during my nights at Cafe Cocomo. Speaking of Cafe Cocomo, I will be the dj this Saturday, November 12 as the 19 piece Pacific Mambo Orchestra celebrates their one year anniversary. This great big band is led by pianist Christian Tumulan (Montuno Swing) and trumpeter Stefen Kuehn (Mazacote). Be ready to bring your dance...
Read MoreOscar D’Leon – Still A Superman!
I had the opportunity to run over to Roccapulco after my radio show on KPFA to catch the living salsa legend, Oscar D’ Leon last Saturday. D’Leon is one of the premier performers in Latin music….a tireless, consummate showman whose live shows are legendary and whose sets last two to three hours at least. I arrived at Roccapulco once D’Leon started his set. At 68, Oscar D’Leon looks good for someone who has survived 4 heart attacks and a few scandals throughout his long career…his voice more powerful than ever and his body strong and robust as he performed his dance moves with the boundless energy of someone half his age. He is a performer that solidly connects with his audience whether he is singing to an admiring fan, signing autographs, taking notes from fans or on the receiving end of a bra thrown on stage from a smitten female. D’Leon sang an impressive range of material from his big hits such as “Calculadora” to Mexican rancheras to boleros. A tune or two bordered on schlock for my taste, but it was his brand of Salsa that consistently had the crowd going with expert backup from his solid orchestra of veterans. Although he was constantly covered in sweat, D’Leon didn’t let it bother him at all as he gave 150% for his audience. He hardly took any break as he went from one tune to the next to the delight of fans and dancers alike. This was the kind of show that reminds you why a legend such as D’Leon is still loved and appreciated...
Read MoreDiego 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....
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