Yeni Valdes Live, Mardi Gras in SF and Tite Curet Alonso

Former Los Van Van lead vocalist Yeny Valdes played an impressive highly energetic show at the Salsa Rueda Festi event at Oakland’s La Furia Chalaca on Saturday evening. Valdes was backed up by the top notch Team Bahia band had the packed crowd dancing, jumping, screaming and singing to her irresistible timba drenched repertoire including her signature Van Van hits such as “Despues De Todo“. Team Bahia directed by her husband, noted percussionist and vocalist Erick Barberia included all stars such as vocalist Sukary Valverde, bassist Ayla Davila, keyboardists Odalyis Caro and Erick Peralta, conguero Carlitos Medrano, trombonists Mara Fox and Obrayan Calderon and guitarist David Lechuga-Espadas. Valdes showcased her powerful voice and distinct personality as she had the crowd wrapped around her finger. Kudos to the mighty husband and wife team of Nick Van Eyck and Serena Wong of Salsa Vale Todo who produced the festival as well as DJ Walt Digz who kept the crowd dancing and happy throughout the evening. Quite a great scene!!

Mardi Gras in the San Francisco Mission District will be celebrated tonight-Tuesday, Feb. 21st from 5 to 10 pm in various venues brought to you by Carnaval San Francisco. Among the venues participating in this annual celebration will be Bissap Baobab, Arepas, Arcana Wine Bar, The Make Out Room, El Valenciano, Kimbara SF and the 24th Street BART Plaza. Performers include San Pancho, Agua Pura, Adelante, Mixtiso, Sazon Libre DJs, Jaguars On Fire and many others. For more information, visit www.carnavalsanfrancisco.org.

I was remembering the late prolific Puerto Rican songwriter Catalino “Tite” Curet Alonso (pictured left) was born last Sunday, February 12, 1926. Alonso wrote 2,000 songs in which 200 were Salsa hits and 50 considered Salsa Classics such as “Anacaona”, “Las Caras Lindas”, “Periodico De Ayer”, “La Tirana”, “La Esencia Del Guaguanco” and “Lamento De Concepción” just to name a few. Tite’s songs were interpreted by the greats: Hector Lavoe, Ismael Rivera, Cheo Feliciano, Ruben Blades, Celia Cruz, Rafael Cortijo, Roberto Roena and many others. If you have been a fan of Salsa for sometime, you will recognize these songs. Tite was unable to enjoy any financial success because he misled into signing a publishing deal which favored the publishing company ACEMLA denied him royalties, sued every venue, media outlets and hotels in Puerto Rico and New York that played his songs for copyright infringement throughout his career. In 2009, US Federal Court in San Juan released 695 of his songs. However his songs are beloved by the public, artists, radio, media and critics alike. He was a humble giant whose songs are timeless, heartfelt and soulful!