Ciao Cafe Cocomo
Cafe Cocomo, renowned SF Salsa palace since 1997 closed their doors in September. The club that devoted 5 nights to presenting Salsa music boasted a huge dance floor, a adjacent lounge with a smaller dance floor, an upstairs VIP area, patio and a large stage. Performers that appeared at the club included El Gran Combo, Oscar D’Leon, Pupy Y Los Que Son Son, David Calzado’s Charanga Habanera, Pete “El Conde” Rodriguez, Sonora Carruselles and others. The club also presented the best local bands and top notch DJ’s. I was a resident DJ at the club for more than a decade. The closing weekend featuring some of Cocomo’s favorite and big draws: Louie Romero & Mazacote with special guest Anthony Blea, Julio Bravo & Salsabor and Orquesta Borinquen with guest Doug Beavers who relocated to NYC. During a heartfelt speech from the stage, Cocomo’s Sri Lankan owner Drew said that his heart was into the music and the crowd that supported the club throughout the many years that it was open. Now Cocomo is added to the great venues that have ran their course into SF nightlife history. Drew and the Cocomo crew have opened a new but smaller venue “Playa SF” in the old Cannery in the Fisherman’s Wharf...
Read MoreMario Ortiz All Star Band Rides High Again
MARIO ORTIZ ALL STAR BAND 50 ANIVERSARIO ALL STAR Trumpeter/Bandleader Mario Ortiz Jr. pays tribute to his late father, PR music icon Mario Ortiz with a powerful followup to his debut “45 Aniversario” which came out a few years ago. This recording’s strength lies in the material which is beautifully performed by Ortiz’s top notch band. A who’s who of guest stars including Ismael Miranda, Victor Manuelle, Jose Alberto “El Canario”, Andy Montanez and Giovanni Hidalgo join to help elevate the material to the sublime. This is Salsa at it’s finest. This recording is a knock...
Read MoreCiao, Robin Williams
Robin, how you made me laugh. Now I’m sad. You decided to check out early from life. Everyone is crying now. We have your movies, tv, videos and your photos. That’s all we have now. RIP Funny man…may you find the peace now that you couldn’t find in life.
Read MoreI saw the future and his name is Aldo Lopez-Gavilan
Last night, I was invited to the SF Jazz Festival where my radio station is sponsoring the closing night of a four night run for Juan De Marcos and The Afro Cuban All Stars. However, I didn’t attend the second night of their run, I was invited instead to see Cuban born child prodigy and piano wunderkind Aldo Lopez-Gavilan in the intimate Joe Henderson Lab space. Lopez-Gavilan who looked like he was 22, sported long curly hair, a goatee and a boyish smile. He had an easy way of connecting with the audience with a sense of humor as he had a story for every song he introduced. He dazzled the sold out crowd with brilliant technique combined with his inventive arrangements and original ideas that revealed a fluid fusion of jazz, afro-cuban and classical music. I was mesmerized listening to every tune of his magical 85 minute set. I sensed the importance of this date as if I had discovered a young Chucho Valdes or Gonzalo Rubalcaba in a small club. I had just witnessed the future and his name is Aldo...
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