Pianist Maykel Blanco y Su Salsa Mayor hit the SF area this past Friday to a full house at Cafe Cocomo. Representing the new energy in Timba, Cuba’s contemporary dance music, Salsa Mayor did not disappoint.
They were similar to other great timba bands in their formation: 4 vocalists with distinctive personalities, keyboards, 2 trombones, 2 trumpets, drum kit with timbales, congas, guiro, bass and Blanco. Maykel Blanco ran the stage like a man possessed: he would play his piano, run to different parts of the stage to physically give his band directions when he needed the band to pump it up and jumped on the microphone to get the crowd going.
The front line of fine vocalists: Yasser, Michel (who sang last time with Pupy), Livan and Yordir fired up the crowd with their strong voices, inventive choreography, call and response and interplay but with youthful sexually charged energy to spare – all of them must be in their twenties although the baby faced Livan may even be younger than 20.
Although in existence for 6 years, Blanco has reaped massive hits, exposure through his video clips and has traveled to 22 countries gaining recognition and respect. The band was well rehearsed and tight driving the audience to the dance floor and the ladies to the front of the stage. It was a spectacular debut.
No doubt we’ll be having return visits from this young powerhouse.
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