Random Notes – 2/15/15

A “new” Buena Vista Social Club cd “Lost And Found” has arrived.  The project consisting of unreleased recordings featuring band members both living or deceased such as Ibrahim Ferrer, Ruben Gonzalez, Compay Segundo, Cachaito Lopez with Miguel Anga Diaz, Eliades Ochoa and Omara Portoundo is a revelation.  Live recordings, outtakes and rarities featuring these beloved artists is now out on the World Circuit label distributed by Nonesuch…..Pacific Mambo Orchestra is set to release a single “The Pacific Mambo Dance” as a followup to their Grammy award winning “PMO” recording.  A video will also be released.  The song will also feature their newest member, vocalist Armando Cordova (Avance)…..The Salsa Rueda Festival is set for this coming week from Thursday, Feb. 19 through Sunday, Feb. 22 featuring former Van Van vocalist Mayito Rivera as headliner accompanied by Miami’s Timbalive.  The festival will also feature appearances by the Bay Area Rumba All Stars and Rumbache as well as dance performances and dance workshops for beginners to advanced dancers during the day.  For more information, go to salsaruedafestival.com…..Vocalist Herman Olivera and Trombonist Jimmy Bosch who are two extraordinary talents in the Salsa world will be appearing together as part of a Salsa/Bachata weekend happening at San Jose’s renowned Club Milano on Saturday, March 21st.  The club’s Producer Max Jose Enrique has leaked on Facebook that he is bringing the highly regarded salsa band from Italy, La Maxima 79 to the club this Summer…San Jose is certainly stepping up in terms of showcasing Salsa in Northern California…..New scene: Baylando Wednesdays at the Berkeley Underground (formerly Shattuck Down Low and Mr. E’s) featuring salsa dance lessons and salsa bands in the early part of the evening until 11:30 then turning the show over to the Baylando label DJ’s consisting of DJ Santero, DJ Kool Kyle, DJ J Styles (Jerry Limon) and others.  I will be a guest MC/Host for the Wed, Feb 25th show…see you there!!…..For the dancers: Fridays at Just Dance Ballroom, 2500 Embarcadero in Oakland boasts 10,000 square feet of dance floor with 3 separate rooms with Salsa, Bachata and Timba brought you by Tomaj Trenda who is the host of a highly successful party every 3rd Saturday at the Allegro Ballroom in Emeryville….Phenomenal Spanish vocalist Buika at SF’s Nourse Auditorium on Sat. Feb. 28…Ciao 4 now!