Tempo Latino Part 1
My time visiting Europe came and disappeared in a flash! But what a flash it was experiencing the Tempo Latino Festival in the picturesque small French town of Vic-Fezensac. This festival now in its 17th year was full of rumba, soul and most of all…Salsa! The biggest outdoor Salsa festival in all of Europe featured 4 days of music that satisfied the most die-hard fans of Salsa and Latin music. The big outdoor concerts at the Plaza De Toros (bullfight arena) featured 2 prominent acts per night starting at 9:30 pm and going until 1 am. The “La Conga” nightspot was free to the public and featured a band and a dj starting around 12:30 am until closing time at 4:30 am. It was a large space that featured a stage, huge dance floor and a meadow with a sandy floor that could fit 4,000 folks. The festival also had smaller stages with free music that were outside of the Plaza De Toros. A large crafts fair leading from the entrance of the festival to the town featured everything from hats, jewelry to percussion instruments. Vic-Fezensac was alive with music, dancing and rumba! Most cafes and restaurants had their own dj’s, small groups and dance instructors…what a scene! The colorful decorations in the festival area were made by the large crew of volunteers who help make Tempo Latino a unique...
Read MoreTempo Latino
Europe’s largest salsa festival Tempo Latino takes place in the town of Vic-Fezensac in the south of France near Toulouse next week from Thursday, July 22 through Sunday, July 25th. I will be traveling to dj two evenings at the annual festival that features an international lineup with a world music flavor this year. Past Tempo Latino festivals have featured the who’s whos of Latin Music. Headlining will be Trombonist extraordinare Jimmy Bosch’s all star band featuring top sonero Herman Olivera, PR salsa diva/percussionist Choco Orta, World music sensation Ojos De Brujo, Salsa Celtica from Ireland, Barcelona salsa dura from La Sucursal, Austin’s favorite party band Grupo Fantasma, solid salsa from Colombia’s Calambuco and Italo-Andoleuse vocalist Sebastian Avispa with his tasty fusion. Joining me in the after hour sessions at Le Conga which start at 1 am will be the French all female salsa band Yemaya La Banda on the 22nd and Barcelona fusionists Zulu 9.3. I’m am excited about playing music for the European salsa scene. Para el bailador y los exigentes con sabor! For more information, go to tempolatino.org. I will be reporting on the festival in the near future…check this...
Read MoreOtra Vission
When you check out who is going to perform in the SF Bay such as Elio Reve Y Su Charangon, Grupo Niche, Jose Alberto “El Canario”, Joe Arroyo, Orquesta Aragon, Oro Solido…you have to pinch yourself to realize that this isn’t a dream. Wow! We have a renaissance of fantastic music coming our way. But we also need to remember to big up our own fine acts in the Bay. In that regard, the new recording by Vission Latina entitled “Sonando Como Un Canon” is a fine example of great musicians in our mist. Pianist/trumpeter Marco Diaz, bassist Saul Sierra and percussionist Carlos Caro are not household names yet but they will be if they keep producing the dynamic music heard on this new cd. They make up one of the hottest rhythm sections anywhere having been a part of John Santos Sextet, Anthony Blea’s Charanson, Jesus Diaz y su QBA and other varied musical icons. This recording will features a myriad of styles including timba, son, cha cha cha and rumba is a joy to the listener and dancer. They are joined by Eduardo Herrera, Ramon “Monchy” Esteves, Carlos Soto, Felix Samuel and Jose Roberto Hernandez…what a powerful group of soneros joining in on this tasty stew. Kudos to the amazing blind percussionist Julio Perez who adds to the instrumental fire power of this cd. For more information, visit...
Read MoreMas Viejo Pero Sabroso
I have been celebrating my birthday since this past Wednesday. My birthday was actually on Friday, June 25th. Friends and family made sure that I celebrated my birthday in style. I appreciate all the fine friends, acquaintances and contacts that I have made in the music, radio and media business. I am blessed and gratified to still be a part of the music scene in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond for so many years. Now the challenge is to continue to do the hard work and deliver consistently with quality and not rest on one’s laurels or complacency. Yes, I am ready to meet that challenge….born...
Read MoreLive Appearances
Follow Luis on
Follow Luis on