Diego 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....
Read Morenew month for bright moments
(Originally posted on October 1, 2011) The fall season is here and the anticipation was high for the appearances of Maykel Blanco Y Su Salsa Mayor, Orquesta Aragon and Oscar D’ Leon who are all visiting the SF Bay Area in October. What a contrast in styles as Maykel Blanco represents the young energy in contemporary Cuban dance music which is Timba. His band Salsa Mayor has a solid reputation as one of Cuba’s most exciting live acts both for their showmanship and music. The legendary Orquesta Aragon represents the undying tradition of classic Cuban dance music. The champagne of Cuban charanga (a band that emphasizes the flute and violin sound instead of brass) has existed for 72 years now under the direction of violinist Rafael Lay Jr. Expect Cuban music of the highest order played with elegance and virtuosity. Venezuela’s legendary vocalist/bassist/powerhouse Oscar D’ Leon has been thrilling audiences for 40 years since he was first noticed with Dimension Latina. One of Salsa’s greatest soneros, D’Leon is an impeccable showman whose two to three hour tour de force sets are of salsa aficionado’s legend. Although he has had his health issues and setbacks, D’Leon is bringing his orquesta to seduce us once again with his powerful voice and swinging...
Read MoreNew Music – September 2011
I am listening to great music on my cd player such as the new Poncho Sanchez/Terence Blanchard “Chano Y Dizzy” which is a tribute to the late pioneers of Afro-Cuban jazz Chano Pozo and Dizzy Gillespie. Their opening “Chano Pozo Medley” comprised of “Tin Tin Deo”, “Manteca” and Guachi Guaro” out of the Pozo/Gillespie repertoire is worth the price of the cd or download alone!! Outstanding performances by Blanchard (sounding tasteful and powerful as ever) and Sanchez who plays likes he’s been possessed by the spirit of Pozo! This Latin Jazz opus also features tasty salsa for dancing. I like the new recording of local based salseros, Montuno Swing entitled “Rico Tumbao” which has a tremendous amount of swing under the capable direction of musical director/keyboardist Christian Tumulan. The diversity of music that ranges from salsa dura, timba, bachata, merengue to balls out descarga with the help of the latest version of the SF Salsa All Stars. Montuno Swing also features a trio of fine percussionists who can handle lead vocals: Edgardo Cambon, Omar Ledesma and Braulio Barrera. Let’s not forget the new project “De Corazon Al Son” by the talented Mexican flautist Miguel Martinez and his group Corazon Sur. Martinez, whose exceptional flute work usually leaves dancers sweating as part of the all-star Karabali ensemble, mixes Mexican folklore into his dynamic Afro-Cuban jazz. Tracks such as “Descarga” and “La Bruja” features fine ensemble work from contributors Jose Roberto Hernandez, Julio Perez, Marco Diaz, Saul Sierra and Carlos...
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