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It’s Getting Hot In Here… March 2016 Events coming up!

Posted on Feb 27, 2016

Tony Vega and Raulin Rosendo will be co-headlining a Salsa spectacular at Roccapulco on Sat. Feb. 27th!  Both of these fine artists don’t come to the Bay Area very often so this is a rare opportunity to catch these great vocalists at their element. Grupo Niche will play the same venue on March 12…Tito Puente Jr. and his big band will play at Yoshis on Sunday, Feb. 28 where Latin Jazz Grammy winner Eliane Elias will appear from March 2-5….A community happening “El Son De La Mision-A Musical Journey from the 1960’s to Present” featuring music by John Calloway, John Santos, Greg Landau and others will be at the Brava Theater in SF on March 19 and 20th… Jesus Alemany and Cubanismo ,who played an explosive set at Yoshis, Oakland last summer, will be taking the place of Juan De Marcos & The Afro Cuban All Stars from March 24-27 at the SF Jazz Center.  The All Stars cancelled due to illness but Cubanismo is a powerhouse replacement…these shows are not to be missed!! Look out for the dynamic pairing of Cuban Jazz phenom Gonzalo Rubalcaba and vocal legend Esperanza Fernandez at SF’s Herbst Theater on Wed. March 9th as part of the 11th annual Bay Area Flamenco Festival…The SF Salsa Festival produced by Salsamania Dance Company’s John Navarez and Liz Rojas will be featuring NY’s New Swing Sextet, Montuno Swing and Salson from March 24-26 at the Park Central Hotel. Opening party on March 24th will take place at the Verdi Club. Dance workshops, performances and DJ’s will also be part of the mix. More info: www.sfsalsafestival.com.  Ciao 4...

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Salsa Na Ma In San Francisco

Posted on Feb 26, 2016

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.  ...

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Fito Reinoso on Con Sabor Live Sessions-Sat. March 5th

Posted on Feb 9, 2016

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.

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Christian Pepin & Orquesta Bembe-Sat 1/2-9 pm PST – KPFA 94.1 FM

Posted on Dec 30, 2015

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!!...

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