Last night, I had the opportunity to play a few long tracks within the mix of new, contemporary and classic Salsa, Afro-Cuban, Timba, Latin Jazz and a few surprises. Since the station’s posted playlist can be a bit erratic, I decided to post last night’s playlist.
This past week, I was lucky to catch the SF Jazz Festival’s presentation of two Cuban piano phenoms: Harold Lopez-Nussa (with his brother, the incredible Ruy Lopez-Nussa on drums) and Aldo Lopez-Gavilian playing solo piano. I was also fortunate to catch the iconic Taj Mahal and his tribute to the Savoy Ballroom era with a smokin’ big band featuring trombonist Mike Rinta, saxophonist Sheldon Brown, guest vocalist Maria Maldaur and backed up by the sublime trio of background vocalists which included Sandy Cressman and Destani Wolf.
What a treat to experience different genres of music performed at such a high level. After a few months of emceeing extraordinary shows by 3 of the finest Cuban bands in the planet: Los Van Van, Alexander Abreu and Havana d’Primera and Manolito Y Su Trabuco, I caught these fantastic shows. I also caught the ageless legend Joe Bataan who put on a fantastic show as well as the all-star unit Karabali led by Karl Perazo and Michael Spiro at the KPFA sponsored Yerba Buena Gardens Festival.
I was going to MC and DJ at the 3rd Annual Bay Area Latin Jazz Festival in a couple of weeks but that event has been postponed by the promoter until next year. I missed India, Pete Escovedo (this time around although I caught his retirement tour in February at Yoshi’s-the last time I spoke to his recently deceased manager Victor (a class act and a nice guy!) and Willie Colon (at the Cafe Con Leche at the Shoreline) but I can’t catch everything….even though I try! Well…sorry for the long winded intro to the play list. Here it is:
Orlando Maraca Valle/Jane Bunnett/Celine Valle Maraca’s Tumbao Havana Flute Summit-Naxos Jazz
Estrellas Caiman Mi Verdadero Son Descarga Brava 2001-Caiman
Cronica Latina feat Felipe Argote & Victor Jaramillo La Salsa No Ha Muerto Cronica Latina
Ruben Blades w/Roberto Delgado & Orchestra Buscando Guayaba Siembra 45 Aniversario en Vivo desde El Coliseo De Puerto Rico-Ruben Blades Productions
Richie Alvarez Y Sonido De Brooklyn feat Julio Salgado Yo Soy La Rumba Richie Alvarez
Eduardo Zayas Y Su EZ La Banda feat Gumby Navedo Eleguia Pa’l Sonero Mas Zayas Que Pescao-Eduardo Zayas
Orquesta Failde feat Orlando Maraca Valle Danzon Barroco Danzoneando En Vivo-Egrem/El Cerrito Studios
Orlando Maraca Valle feat Rene Luis Herrera Esa Flauta Esa Flauta-Egrem
Manolito Y Su Trabuco Mira Como Se Mueve Trabuco-Manolito Simonet
Los Aces De La Timba feat Michel Maza Loco De Remate Mano A Mano-Envidia
Victor Manuelle feat Eddie Palmieri Dos Generaciones Decision Unanime-Sony
Tromboranga No Llegues Tarde Salsa Con Golpe-Tromboranga
Pupi Legaretta y Su Charanga Me Voy Pa Moron Pupi En Venezuela-Remo
Yilian Canizares Bembe Bembe-Louis Helaine/Yilian Canizares
Israel Tanenbaum Cuando Te Asomas Impressions-Zoho
Tito Puente w//Giovanni Hidalgo, Hilton Ruiz, Mario Rivera, Dave Valentin & Joe Santiago New Arrival Calle 54 Soundtrack-Blue Note
Orlando Maraca Valle feat Wil Campa Yo Bailo De Todo Best of Maraca’s Bailables-Ahi Na Ma
Roberto Roena Y Su Apollo Sound Parece Mentira #6-Internacional
The Latin Rhythm Boys Celebrando Celebrando-The Latin Rhythm Boys
Live Appearances
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