Salsa Na Ma In San Francisco
It was an exciting weekend in San Francisco with el Caballero de La Salsa, Gilberto Santa Rosa and the dynamic major star in the making Michael Stuart in town last weekend on Feb. 20th. Santa Rosa is at the height of his popularity. Roccapulco was a packed sold out house of delighted fans who were treated to a 2 hour set of his big commercial hits and crowd favorites. Backed by a stellar 14 piece orchestra, Santa Rosa was in fine voice and delivered a slick, tight performance. He was very charismatic as well as confident as the veteran salsero whose done very well and has found his place in the commercial marketplace. Across the other end of the Mission at the trendy Verdi Club, Michael Stuart headlined a potent bill which also featured two vocalists who were based here and made good in Puerto Rico, Paquito Acosta and Mel Martinez. Stuart is a youthful, charismatic, energetic and commanding vocalist who poured his heart on stage while Avance led by Santana timbalero Karl Perazo provided the instrumental firepower. The result was an explosive set that was impressive to the listener and a delight to the dancer. Stuart performed his fine repertoire to a smaller enthusiastic crowd who were happy to cheer on these great performers. Acosta and Martinez were both powerhouse vocalists who got the crowd pumped up. Orquesta Taino did the honors of backing these two fine talents. It’s a shame that more people didn’t have the opportunity to check these guys out. ...
Read MoreFito Reinoso on Con Sabor Live Sessions-Sat. March 5th
Legendary Cuban Vocalist Fito Reinoso will be the featured artist on the next Con Sabor Live Sessions to be aired Saturday, March 5th in the first hour of the program from 9 to 10 pm on KPFA 94.1 FM. The Con Sabor Live Sessions features live Salsa, Musica Cubana and Latin Jazz. Produced by Luis Medina.
Read MoreChristian Pepin & Orquesta Bembe-Sat 1/2-9 pm PST – KPFA 94.1 FM
The mighty locally based heavyweights Orquesta Bembe led by timbalero/percussionist Christian Pepin and pianist Erick Peralta will be featured on Con Sabor’s 19th Anniversary program this coming Saturday, January 2nd, 9 to 11 pm on KPFA 94.1 FM and worldwide on www.kpfa.org. Nineteen years flies when you are having fun and I will celebrate with the sounds of Bembe along with my mix of scintillating Salsa, Latin Jazz, Musica Cubana from son to timba and more!! Expect musical fireworks from your radio or computer this Saturday! This live recorded session will be inaugurating live music into the Con Sabor mix on a bi-monthly basis! So…check it out!!...
Read MoreRandom Notes 12/7/15
Christian Pepin and his Orquesta Bembe will be inaugurating the new Con Sabor sessions on my program Con Sabor soon. I will be recording the band and interviewing Christian Pepin this month to be broadcast in the very near future. More details to come later in the month!!…..Jose Alberto “El Canario” will be celebrating his birthday and Christmas on Saturday, Dec. 19th at SF’s Roccapulco. Opening up the show will be local favorites N’Rumba and Pacho y Su Orquesta Evolucion. El Canario has just won a Latin Grammy for his collaboration with Cuba’s Septeto Santiaguero “Tributo A Los Compadres – No Quiero Llanto” on his Los Canarios label. Expect him to play his greatest hits, dazzle us with his great showmanship and use his “voice flute” to solo with the band. Not to be...
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