• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

International Salsa Magazine

  • Home
  • Previous editions
    • 2025
      • ISM / August 2025
      • ISM / July 2025
      • ISM / June 2025
      • ISM / May2025
      • ISM / April 2025
      • ISM / March 2025
      • ISM / February 2025
      • ISM / January 2025
    • 2024
      • ISM / December 2024
      • ISM / November 2024
      • ISM / October 2024
      • ISM / September 2024
      • ISM / August 2024
      • ISM / July 2024
      • ISM / June 2024
      • ISM / May 2024
      • ISM / April 2024
      • ISM / March 2024
      • ISM / February 2024
      • ISM / January 2024
    • 2023
      • ISM / December 2023
      • ISM / November 2023
      • ISM / October 2023
      • ISM – September 2023
      • ISM – August 2023
      • ISM July 2023
      • ISM Edition June 2023
      • ISM – May 2023
      • ISM April 2023
      • ISM March 2023
      • ISM February 2023
      • ISM January 2023
    • 2022
      • ISM December 2022
      • ISM November 2022
      • ISM October 2022
      • ISM September 2022
      • ISM August 2022
      • ISM July 2022
      • ISM June 2022
      • ISM May 2022
      • ISM February 2022
      • ISM January 2022
    • 2021
      • ISM December 2021
      • ISM November 2021
      • ISM October – 2021
      • ISM September 2021
      • ISM August 2021
      • ISM July 2021
      • ISM May 2021
      • ISM April 2021
      • ISM June 2021
      • ISM March 2021
      • ISM February 2021
      • ISM January 2021
    • 2020
      • ISM December 2020
      • ISM November 2020
      • ISM October 2020
      • ISM September 2020
      • ISM August 2020
      • ISM July 2020
      • ISM June 2020
      • ISM May 2020
      • ISM April 2020
      • ISM March 2020
      • ISM February 2020
      • ISM January 2020
    • 2019
      • ISM December 2019
      • ISM November 2019
      • ISM October 2019
      • ISM Septembre 2019
      • ISM August 2019
      • ISM July 2019
      • ISM June 2019
      • ISM May 2019
      • ISM April 2019
      • ISM March 2019
      • ISM February 2019
      • ISM January 2019
    • 2018
      • ISM December 2018
      • ISM November 2018
      • ISM October 2018
      • ISM September 2018
      • ISM August 2018
      • ISM July 2018
      • ISM June 2018
      • ISM May 2018
      • ISM April 2018
      • ISM March 2018
      • ISM February 2018
      • ISM January 2018
    • 2017
      • ISM December 2017
      • ISM November 2017
      • ISM October 2017
      • ISM September 2017
      • ISM August 2017
      • ISM July 2017
      • ISM June 2017
  • Download Salsa App
    • Android
    • Apple
  • Spanish

2023

Antonio Cartagena is an acclaimed artist, leaving the name of Peru on high all over the world

Antonio Cartagena is one of our best bastions who was born artistically in 1990 from a humble family with Afro-Peruvian roots.

Born in the Constitutional province of Callao (Bellavista) and having studied higher education in the National Police of Peru and half of career in the course of Psychology at the University San Martin.

Being able more the art is consecrated presenting his first success “Sin Ti” belonging in that instant to the Orchestra Peru Salsa All Star at the same time is invited to record songs like Niña and Tengo Todo Execto a Ti by the Orchestra of the Prestigious Oscar “Pitín” Sanchez La Sensual 990 achieving a greater acceptance the demands of work.

Antonio Cartagena
Antonio Cartagena is an acclaimed artist, leaving the name of Peru on high all over the world.

They were not made to wait in all the Peruvian literal for such reason is that Antonio Cartagena is traced important goals as the conquest of other countries reason others so that in 1991 produces his first album as a soloist with 10 songs where they highlighted songs like; Sedúceme and Necesito un Amor.

Becoming known in countries such as Colombia, Venezuela and part of the United States.

In 1992 he launches to the market a fresh and romantic Salsa where he highlights songs like Y que Tiene el and M Dueña; from there he reaffirms the internationalization being hired for a tour in the United States with all his group visiting places like New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Virginia, Dallas, Texas, San Diego, among others.

Then in 1993 he is hired by the prestigious international record company RMM of Mr. Ralph Mercado, one of the biggest salsa producers in the world; recording his first international album entitled Dime Que Si, where the most outstanding songs are Apaga La Luz and Perdone Querida.

Antonio Cartagena
Antonio Cartagena, is one of our best bastions.

To perform in dream stages such as Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden and Miami Arenas, alternating with many stars such as Oscar Leon, Van Lester, India, Marc Anthony, Tito Puente, Cheo Feliciano, Ismael Miranda, Celia Cruz, Domingo Quiñonez, Ray de la Paz, Tony Vega, Ray Sepulveda, Johnny Rivera, Tito Nieves, Jose Alberto el Canario, Luis “Perico” Ortiz, Giovanni Hidalgo, and an innumerable list of the greats of the firmament of the salsa market. The tour continued to include Canada, Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, Santo Domingo, Puerto Rico and Argentina.

These were events that marked a milestone in the vertiginous career of the artist; who arrives in his country after three years of coming and going; with a production titled Punto de Vista (1996), where he consecrates himself with the songs Si Tu No Estas and Pídele Perdón, successfully placing himself at the threshold of his career in his own country.

Already in 1997 he wants to impose the criollismo converting famous and traditional waltzes of our country in salsa; Disc that made him known all over the world even in Europe, presenting himself in stages of Germany, France, Holland, Italy, Switzerland, Spain among others.

In the year 2000 and without stopping touring nationally and internationally, Antonio Cartagena produced a new album which highlights the theme Nadie Quien te Quiera como Yo.

Then in 2001 he travels to New York to produce an album titled Volveré, with songs such as Ni Siquiera, giving much to talk about in that country and in Latin America, visiting countries such as the United States, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, etc.

Antonio Cartegega
Cartagena y Baloa

In 2005 he presents a renewed and updated product imposing themes such as Salsa Regaee, titled No Me Digas Que No, placing himself in the first places of our musical environment.

Antonio Cartagena, is one of our best internationally recognized bastions, who is going through his best moment, considered in salsa as the best exponent of music in his genre and winner for this year of a number of awards such as: Nominated for Best Interpreter of the year in the salsa music genre.

Cartagena is an acclaimed artist, leaving the name of Peru on high all over the world.

Antonio Cartagena

Read Also: Fanny Almenara better known in the salsa environment as “La Sonera del Callao”

“Djane Shina” a passion turned into reality

Since I can remember my passion is music expressed in all its forms, I was always surrounded by family and friends musicians, who contributed to increase my love for it, said Djane Shina.

My surnames Rojas Salazar, both symbolize flavor; rumba; happiness; love; humility and dedication, with my families I learned everything I know about the rhythms especially Salsa, my parents Jaime and Ligia, my 5 brothers, my uncles and cousins are a part of what I am today …. “Djane Shina, the queen of Salsa.

Djane Shina a Passion Turned into Reality
Djane Shina a Passion Turned into Reality

Shinaury Thais, the queen, because that’s what my mother called me (R.I.P), the queen of the house, the little monkey among her monkeys.

I was born on October 28th, caraqueña and caraquista, I am from the most beautiful parish “23 de Enero” in the Mirador sector, and even though I only lived there for 2 years I always kept its essence, in February of 73 we moved to my beloved town ‘La Victoria’ in Aragua State, to the urbanization Las Mercedes, in the most salsa area that exists “Madera 15”, named after the Madera Group of San Agustin.

I grew up surrounded by neighbors all music lovers and parties, almost all organized by my brothers at home, Vinyl parties, which scratched so much to put them and to leave them out of their cover, a girl surrounded by people with different orchestral tastes but all of Salsa, there I learned to dance, sing and play instruments, were unique moments, to see those gatherings and end up picking up and cleaning everything so my parents would not be upset.

As soon as I grew up and became a teenager I took charge of the parties as Djane Shina inviting my people and their friends, who became my brothers in life and now my fans.The sound systems were several, one better than the other as the years passed, and manipulated by me, I began to share my tastes and my ability to put people to enjoy a whole night, the “Pioneer” equipment was everyone’s, I took it to every house I could, along with my LPs and cassettes, and at the time the CD case.

Djane Shina the Salsa Queen
Djane Shina the Salsa Queen

A very nice experience as a Djane because people knew that when I was one of the guests at their meetings I took control of the music, always as a contribution to the celebration, there was never any charge, as I said at the beginning this is my passion and I do it from my heart.

When I was a child I practiced the cuatro, I was in the show band of my school “Unidad Educativa Colegio Brito” directed by the teacher Carlos Gonzalez, I started with the cymbal, followed by the grenadier, then the redoblante to finish with the trombone.I

Received lessons with my teacher Williams Puchi (R.I.P), it should be noted that my greatest inspiration to play this instrument was my brother Oscar Bauter Salazar, military musician, and for me, the best trombonist in Venezuela.

Djane Shina de La Victoria para el Mundo
Djane Shina de La Victoria para el Mundo

When I was 18 years old, apart from sports (athletics, cycling, aerobics and power), I practiced percussion with my friends and teachers Humberto Rodriguez and Boris Pedra, playing the congas, bongo, timbal, and minor percussion clave, maracas, güiro, among others, here my inspiration was my beautiful uncle Oscarcito Rojas, for me the best conguero in the country.

Throughout my life I saw the formation of different orchestras and salsa groups by my brothers and neighboring friends, in them I participated in rehearsals and learned a lot to sing, over the years I could participate and organize groups of Christmas music and bagpipe as a soloist and with the minor percussion in the companies where I worked.

My life has always revolved around music and art and in the midst of that, wanting to be a professional musician I became a graduate in Business Administration, I had two beautiful daughters Yaima and Victoria, which are my greatest pride and motivation to move forward bringing happiness to the world with my talent.

Currently Shinaury Thais Rojas Salaza Lcda. in Business Administration works as a Publicist in the digital newspaper “Salsa Escrita”.

Currently Shinaury Thais Rojas Salaza Lcda. in Business Administration works as a Publicist in the digital newspaper "Salsa Escrita".
Currently Shinaury Thais Rojas Salazar Lcda. in Business Administration works as a Publicist in the digital newspaper “Salsa Escrita”.

Shinaury Rojas

Contact: +058 4244009655

Shinaury Rojas (shina

Read also: Salsa and its detractors “Caiga quien Caiga”

Life, Career, and death of Juan Carlos Formell

Juan Carlos Formell

Latin entertainment is in mourning the departure of one of its most talented figures, who leaves a very big void in all his followers and fans. We are talking about former composer, bassist, guitarist and member of Los Van Van Juan Carlos Formell, who sadly departed from this world on Friday, May 26th after a live performance in New York City.

In view of such an unfortunate loss for those of us who have spent years of experience promoting Latin music in all four corners of the world, we consider it appropriate to recall the most important moments in the life and career of this extraordinary artist and all that he contributed to the salsa movement during his lifetime.

Juan Carlos Formell died on May 26th
Juan Carlos Formell died on Friday, May 26th after a live performance in New York City

Story of Juan Carlos Formell

Juan Carlos Formell was born in the city of Havana on February 18, 1964 and was the son of Juan Formell and Natalia Alfonso. He was the oldest of three brothers who would also dedicate themselves to music.

Contrary to what people might think, the fact of belonging to the fourth generation of a musical family and being the son of world famous bassist Juan Formell did not make things easier for him on the path with music. When he was barely three weeks old, he was sent to live with his grandparents in the outskirts of the Havana city.

They were through many financial needs and Juan Carlos himself would admit in an interview years later that other children used to make fun of him for having holes in his shoes, but that did not make him desist from his dreams, far from it. He became interested in music at a very young age, which led him to train professionally at the Alejandro García Cartula Conservatory and the Amadeo Roldán Conservatory. 

In the 1990s, he concluded his studies at the National School of Arts in Cuba with almost three decades of life, so he made the decision to move to New York City to fully exercise his career as a musician. Before this, Juan Carlos had already accompanied several jazz orchestras on stage, but Cuban authorities banned him from traveling due to his regular yoga practice (considered subversive in his native country).

Since he could not leave Cuba directly, he had to use a tour with the Rumbavana orchestra in Mexico to cross the Rio Grande in Texas and later settle in New York. His process of adapting to this new country was not easy from any point of view, but it was all so worth it.

From then on, what came was success for the artist. During the course of his solo career, he recorded some five solo albums, one of which earned him a Grammy nomination in the category of Best Traditional Tropical Latin Performance in 2000.

Juan Carlos Formell at PiPiKi Studios
Juan Carlos Formell recording at PiPiKi Studios

Entry into Los Van Van

Los Van Van is one of the most important Cuban musical groups of recent times, which was founded by Cuban bassist Juan Formell, Juan Carlos Formell’s father. After having participated in several son and jazz groups, the musician decided it was time to innovate and change the style he was using until now.

It was then that he decided to incorporate new instruments and voices, which gave rise to a completely different concept baptized as Los Van Van and that gave much to talk about among critics of the time, and for the better.

After a very successful career in the group, Juan Formell died on May 1, 2014 at the age of 71 as a result of a heart attack during a concert in his hometown, Havana.

This unfortunate event is what led his son, Juan Carlos Formell, to join Los Van Van as a bassist. His brother Samuel was on the drum kit and his sister Vanessa was on backing vocals, so it can be said that this was a bit of a family business.

Since that moment, the intense activity that he had together with the rest of the group in performances, concerts and new songs earned him the recognition of the public in a very short time.

In spite of carrying the fame of his father on his shoulders, he did not let this stop him or be a limiting factor for him. On the contrary, he always left his family name and his father’s legacy high.

Unfortunately, 10 years passed before the artist left a huge void among those who respected and loved him.

Juan Carlos Formell on stage
Juan Carlos Formell performing on stage

Death

On May 26 of this year, Los Van Van was performing at the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts in New York. About 40 minutes after the start of the concert, Juan collapsed on stage in front of all the attendants.

Minutes later, he was aided by ambulances and a fire truck. He was then taken to the nearest health-care center, but unfortunately the doctors could do nothing for him. This is how his bandmates announced the sad news through their social networks.

At the end of the concert, Eduardo Livia himself confirmed the death when he walked off the stage and greatly regretted what happened. The cause of death was determined to be a heart attack and his life came to an end at the age of 59.

After this, the group continued with the rest of the tour they had planned and the performances they had outstanding were in honor of the great Juan Carlos Formell and all that he gave to music during his life.

Read also: Khary Rios and Mayra Rivera from La Poderosa 360

Tommy Olivencia Jr’s career and support for the salsa museum

Inherited talent

The salsa museum has received several of the greatest artists and their families, who have donated valuable objects related to their careers. Today, it was the turn of Ángel Tomás Olivencia Rodríguez, who is artistically known as Tommy Olivencia Jr. 

Tommy Olivencia Jr. is a percussionist and timbalero born on March 19, 1969 and is the son of the famous Puerto Rican musical icon and director of the Primerísima Orchestra Tommy Olivencia, from whom he inherited his great talent and has left his family’s name very high.

Tommy Olivencia Jr., son of maestro Tommy Olivencia
Tommy Olivencia Jr., son of maestro Tommy Olivencia

Planté bandera de nuevo

Eager to find his own way and make his own name in the industry, the artist made his debut with the recording ”Planté bandera de nuevo”, which was carried out in his native country and presents a total of nine tracks, some of them created by composer and percussionist Jerry Ferrao.  

A very important fact during this period is that the timbalero made his official debut for AJ Records, Inc. in the framework of the 40th anniversary of Tommy Olivencia Y Su Orquesta at the beginning of this millennium, making this event even more special.

It is also important to highlight that this colorful musical work included the participation of figures such as Luis ”Perico” Ortiz. Máximo Torres, Tito Rivera, Pedro Bermúdez and many others. All these big talents made it possible for Tommy Olivencia Jr.’s first step as an artist to be on the right foot.

After Tommy Olivencia’s death

Once the incomparable Tommy Olivencia passed away, his son took the lead on the  Primerísima Orchestra, which represented a great professional challenge for his career considering that many of his father’s hits are already salsa classics worldwide.

Tommy Olivencia Jr. next to Lalo Rodríguez
Tommy Olivencia Jr. next to Lalo Rodríguez

At the beginning, ”Tomito”, as he is also affectionately known, wanted to keep alive his father’s legacy with his most famous songs such as ”El Son Cubano”, ”Trucutú” or ”Doroteo”. However, there came a point where Olivencia and the rest of the members of La Primerísima had to get to work with new songs to join the previous hits.

When asked about these changes he had to make, he said that he has always worked on his father’s original repertoire, since the audience always asks for those songs in his performances. However, he says he is very happy to be able to contribute his grain of sand with the song ”Mi Querido Viejo”, which was dedicated to Tommy Olivencia senior and of which he is proud for the strng impact that it has had.

Something that made him very happy is that he was finally able to record his first video clip with the orchestra and other great artists such as Gilberto Santa Rosa, Lalo Rodriguez, Sammy Gonzalez, among others.

Although he feels quite pleased to be able to continue with the steps taken his father, he is very proud to offer completely new songs to join the already prolific repertoire of La Primerísima. Among the new songs are ”Un Legendario de Pueblo” and ”Evelio”.

Tommy Olivencia Jr. with Johnny Cruz
Tommy Olivencia Jr. with Johnny Cruz

Tommy Olivencia Jr. at the Spanish Harlem Salsa Museum

As well as a good number of other stars and their families, we were fortunate to enjoy the pleasant presence of Tommy Olivencia Jr. at the Spanish Harlem Salsa Museum, where he and the president of the institution, Johnny Cruz, had a nice chat and walk around the facilities of the place.

At these visits, it is very common for visitors to make donations to contribute to the extensive collection that the museum has to present and this was no exception. ”Tomito” donated a suit and the güiro of maestro Tommy Olivencia that whosoever visits the museum has the opportunity to appreciate some of the elements that his father used during his career.

From this space, we really thank his visit and his contributions and we wish him the greatest success in all the projects he undertakes both professionally and personally, especially what has to do with music.

Read also: Joe Bataan’s music remains in force

 

By Johnny Cruz, ISM Correspondent, New York, New York City

 

Festivals in June 2023, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand

Spring in Europe

 

The next beginning of rest in summer, pleasant temperatures at night and heat during the day, the work of the year has its rewards in holidays and is traveling, knowing places and people, cultures and languages and all this leads us to have fun as a couple or alone and thus meet nice people with whom to share, and at this point we want to captivate you by enjoying tropical dances, commonly called Latin music, as it is Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba among other variables are sensual and exotic rhythms in many cases, that make us experience pleasant bodily and sensory, for this incredible experience we have festivals in the European continent and Asia with some ease of transport according to our budgets but if we want to go further let’s not forget the beautiful beaches and active life of New Zealand very few hours by plane

This month of June we have festivals in the following countries and do not forget that next month comes Tempo Latino, a festival like no other, about which I will be informing you.

Germany

Cologne Salsa Congress
Jun 02 2023 – Jun 04 2023
Hurth, Germany
http://colognesalsacongress.com/en/

Spain

Estilos Unidos Dance Festival
Jun 02 2023 – Jun 04 2023
La Zenia, Alicante, Spain
https://estilosunidos.com/

Latin Dance Festival & WTP European Meeting Summer Edition
Jun 02 2023 – Jun 04 2023
Lloret de Mar, Spain
https://www.facebook.com/LatinDanceFestivalWTP
CROACIA

Summer Sensual Days

Jun 05 2023 – Jun 12 2023

Rovinj, Croatia

https://www.summersensual.com/

Croatian Summer Salsa Festival 2023

Jun 12 2023 – Jun 19 2023

Rovinj, Croatia

https://www.crosalsafestival.com/

NEW ZEALAND

NZ Salsa Congress

Jun 02 2023 – Jun 04 2023

Wellington , New Zealand

https://www.nzsalsacongress.co.nz/

FRANCE

Kizomba Gala Challenge Festival

Jun 08 2023 – Jun 12 2023

Saint Herblain, France

https://www.facebook.com/events/555875292933107

PORTUGAL

Estrutura Kizomba Summer Festival

Jun 15 2023 – Jun 18 2023

Chaves, Portugal

https://www.estruturakizomba.com/en

Aquae Flaviae International Congress

Jun 16 2023 – Jun 18 2023

Chaves, Portugal

https://www.facebook.com/events/452697403072900

KOREA

Jeju Latin Culture Festival

Jun 22 2023 – Jun 25 2023

Jeju-si, South Korea

http://www.jejulcf.com/

MALAYSIA

Afro Latin Fest Asia

Jun 23 2023 – Jun 25 2023

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

https://www.alfa-asia.net/

 

ROMANIA

Carpathian Latino Fest

Jun 24 2023 – Jun 26 2023

Ramnicu Valcea, Romania

https://www.facebook.com/events/661474741321475

 

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 26
  • Page 27
  • Page 28
  • Page 29
  • Page 30
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 40
  • Go to Next Page »

International Salsa Magazine (ISM) is a monthly publication about Salsa activities around the world, that has been publishing since 2007. It is a world network of volunteers coordinated by ISM Magazine. We are working to strengthen all the events by working together.