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Artists

Here is how the 2nd Edition of the “Ponce, Cuna de la Salsa Fest” Unfolded

The 2026 Ponce Cuna de la Salsa Fest honored the work of Don Tite Curet all weekend long.

The second edition of the Ponce Cuna de la Salsa Fest drew and welcomed more than 30,000 attendees to the Ciudad Señorial (The Majestic City), according to reports from the mayor’s office. The festival, which paid tribute to Don Tite Curet Alonso on the occasion of his centennial, took place at the Héctor Lavoe Stage inside the La Guancha Recreational and Cultural Complex, keeping salsa fans captivated throughout the entire weekend.

Willie Rosario
Willie Rosario

On Friday, July 31, 2026, the opening day kicked off right on schedule, delivering an organized, top-tier lineup.

El Junte Ponceño, under the direction of Julito Alvarado accompanying Dakota Flores, Kriptony Texeira, and Wito Colón opened the show, making it clear why Ponce retained its title as the “Cradle of Salsa” (Cuna de la Salsa) for the second consecutive year. To achieve this, the Ponce-born trumpeter, who is the director of the Juan Morel Campos Music Institute and the musical leader of El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, assembled a roster of master musicians, including: José “Murcy” Reyes on congas, Richie Carrasco on bongo and cowbell, Pablo Padín on timbales, Reynaldo Burgos on piano, Efraín “Frao” Hernández on bass, Víctor “Yuka” Maldonado on baritone sax, Víctor Vázquez on trombone, Carlos Atiles on trumpet, Francisco Javier Quiñones and Juan Bautista on backing vocals, as well as emerging trombonist Carlos Malavé a recent graduate of the Juan Morel Campos Institute who stepped onto a major international stage within the salsa movement for the very first time.

Don Perignon y La Puertorriqueña
Don Perignon y La Puertorriqueña

El Junte Ponceño was followed by Charlie Aponte and his orchestra, who, as always, kept the stage ablaze. This set the tone for the grand finale led by Luisito Figueroa’s Orquesta Abran Paso, backing Luigi Texidor, Anthony Colón, and the First Lady of Salsa, Yolanda Rivera.

The second day, Saturday, August 1, featured a stellar lineup: Los Guardiola, Don Perignon y La Puertorriqueña proving themselves to be a world-class orchestra in front of an audience represented by delegations from Italy, Venezuela, Mexico, Spain, Colombia, Peru, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Argentina, Panama, Ecuador, Japan, and Thailand, along with many Puerto Ricans from across the island and the diaspora. Willie Rosario and his crowd-pleasing band showcased the ever-treasured playing of “Míster Afinque” behind his timbales, handing off the drumsticks to his grandson, Yoaquím Cintrón Rosario, between songs. The grand finale of the second night was delivered by Moncho Rivera, who faithfully upheld the legacy of El Sonero Mayor, blending in his now extensive repertoire as always. The municipal administration ensured smooth traffic flow by establishing designated transportation shuttles into the recreational complex.

multitud
multitud

The third and final day of the 2026 edition of this salsa landmark event kept the genre and its Puerto Rican exponents flying high right from its birthplace, Ponce. This was made possible by the Honorable Mayor of Ponce, Marlese Sifre, the Salsoul team under the programming of Ricardo Padilla-Núñez, and the production of Madera Events. Adding to the musical lineup was a cultural exchange with the city of Cali, featured through the voice of Willy García. The artists who kept the Sunday crowd fully locked into Ponce Cuna de la Salsa Fest mode until the very last minute were Papote y su Grupo Esencia, Bobby Valentín and his orchestra, José Alberto “El Canario”, Luis Enrique, and Andy Montañez and his orchestra. The event closed with a tribute to the late, legendary composer from Guayama, Catalino “Tite” Curet Alonso, featuring the Orquesta del Centenario performing his musical repertoire under the direction of Pete Perignon. They backed an extraordinary lineup of vocalists: Tito Allen, Herman Olivera, Papo Sánchez, Jeremy Bosch, and Caleño singer Willy García.

Carmencita DJ kept the music flowing, staying true to the central theme of the Ponce event and keeping Don Tite Curet’s music playing all weekend long.

Photo of Julito Alvarado: (c) Bella Martínez

All other images: (c) Ciudad de Ponce & (c) Visit Ponce

Bella Martinez Puerto Rico

Also Read: Bella Martínez, Salsa’s Irreverent Writer

 

Colombian producer, composer, and singer Alea: from the Guajira Colombiana to Boston

Colombian singer María Alejandra Jiménez, also known as Alea, has given us the honor of answering our questions to know a little bit more about her and her career, which has us satisfied. We do not always have the opportunity to work with such a versatile and talented artist.

Today the young woman from the Colombian Guajira is an artistic producer, composer, and singer who has experimented with genres such as jazz, Latin jazz, and Colombian folk music, among others.

Composer Alea
Colombian producer, composer, singer and VO actress Alea Jimenez

What drew Alea’s attention to music?

In her response to the same question, Alea said she remembers to be a two or three-years-old girl when she attended her first salsa party in her living room. She also remembers how that music that she heard for the first time put her into a pleasurable trance-like state that had her dancing for hours. It was the rhythms and the beat that she loved so much she would never forget them.

She was just about 15 years old when she played her first paying gig. She describes the process of making herself as an artist as funny and very creative. However, it was not until 2015, when she was already living in Boston, Massachusetts, that she decided to take “Alea” as her stage name.

It was there where she finally became professional in the field by studying music at Berklee College of Music with a special focus on jazz and vocal performance. It is also worth mentioning that, prior to that, Alea had already studied organizational communication at Colegiatura Colombiana in Medellín.

Alea’s First EP

While it is true that official sources indicate that Alea released her first EP, *Alborotá*, in 2010, which, by the way, was nominated for Best Latin Album of the Year, but it is not quite like that. The Colombian artist corrected us, saying that her first EP was actually her graduation project, which was a recording with a strong focus on jazz and some of the typical folklore of her country. However, she still had a lot to learn and discover about music.

Alea singing
Alea singing live

When “Alborotá” was finally released, it was her first approach to the sound she truly wanted to achieve. Alea sought that her music served as tribute to her Latin American roots, to feminism, and to women’s empowerment in this era. Likewise, she wanted to propose a sound coming from the city that inspired her most at the time: New York.

It was a very contemporary acoustic sound produced by the independent vinyl record store, Jarana Records. The artist says she was carried away by how the music made her feel, and, to her surprise, the public welcomed the album incredibly well, much better than she initially expected.

She never in her life expected that her work resulted in one of the best albums in Rolling Stone and the broadcasting and media organization National Public Radio (NPR), but it indeed was so, which means that all her effort was completely worthwhile.

Being an independent artist without the necessary financial resources to invest in promotion or marketing, this triumph made her feel much prouder of herself than she could have ever imagined.

Voice Acting

In addition to singing, something that Alea loves to do, she has also devoted a large part of her career to acting and lending her voice to major productions while still living in Mushaisa, La Guajira, and later in Medellín. She would also do so in the United States, as she always liked this artistic branch.

Singer Alea
Singer Alea Jimenez
Bassist Andres Fonseca Alfonso
Guitarist Gustavo Alfonso Diaz
Saxophonist D.J. Duffy
Trombonist Melisa Raquel
Choreographer Argelia Rossana
Musical director Felipe Fournier

While still in Colombia, she also had the opportunity to learn a bit about radio and television broadcasting when she was studying in her home country, so all these areas were very easy to learn for her. This also served as a second career for her, this in order to take the heat of her having to derive all of her income from music.

First, she worked as a production associate for a music and sound company, and then as a producer, which gave her a very clear visión about how to do things properly in this field.

She also told us that she has her own home studio where she pretty much does all her work and that she has taken workshops with SAG-AFTRA (the leading union of entertainment and communications professionals in the United States) as a member.

She has also lent her voice to various commercials for major companies such as Walmart, Nissan, Verizon, MLB Bobbleheads, LinkedIn, Pepto, Corona Refresca, Google’s Waze, Liberty Mutual, and Denny’s.

Read also: We’ve talked with Elizabeth Meeker Howard, one of the members of Las Sabrosas Latin Orchestra

Maná – Biography / Discography

Latin America / Mexico / Guadalajara

Maná is a Mexican quartet founded in 1987 in Guadalajara, Mexico, whose sound is based in Latin rhythms, Latin rock, Latin pop and rock in Spanish. The band features members: Fernando Olvera (rhythm guitar, harmonica and vocal), Juan Calleros (Bass and double bass) Alejandro González (drums and vocals) y Sergio Vallín (lead Guitar and vocals).

Maná - Orchestra
Maná – Orchestra

Originally, towards the end of the 70s, Maná had the name “The Green Hat Spies” and played covers of groups they admired, including The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Police, The Rolling Stones, among others.

This band soon changed the name to the Green Hat abbreviation and finally in 1980 the quartet adapted to Spanish as Sombrero Verde. Its members Fher Olvera, such as voice; Gustavo Orozco, electric guitar; and Calleros brothers:

Juan on bass, Ulysses the electric guitar and Abraham on drums played in bars in his hometown (Guadalajara-Mexico), as the band will play rock in their own language, being the first groups to venture to compose their own songs, even when the rock in Spanish was not a global trend.

Under the latter name recorded 2 musical productions, which failed to achieve much popularity.

Maná - Orchestra - Photo
Maná – Orchestra – Photo

Currently, the group has won multiple awards: 4 Grammy, 8 Latin Grammy, 5 MTV Video Music Awards Video Latin America, 5 Juventud Awards, 19 Billboard Latin Music and 15 Lo Nuestro Awards. In addition, addition, the band has sold over 40 million records worldwide, making it the group’s most successful of all time Latin rock and taking international commercial success in Mexico, Australia and Spain, and so then gaining popularity and exposure throughout Latin America, United States, Western Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Current Members

  • José Fernando Emilio Olvera Sierra (Fher): Vocal, guitar y harmónica
  • Juan Diego Calleros Ramos (Juan Calleros): Bass
  • Sergio Vallín Loera (Sergio Vallin): Guitar, choirs
  • Alejandro González Trujillo (Álex “el Animal” González): Drum, vocal, choirs and percussions
Maná - Orchestra - Photo 2
Maná – Orchestra – Photo 2

Discography of international Mexican band Maná, are composed of 8 studio albums, 3 live albums, 6 compilation albums, 5 video albums, 54 singles and 37 music videos.

DISCOGRAPHY

Maná (1987)

In search of his international projection: Maná, the name of the group was elected by the significance of the word in the Polynesian language: “Positive Energy”, signed with Polygram record and they released its first album and third -in general- of the band Maná, going on sale on May 12, 1987, an album that would strengthen the Rock movement in Spanish.

Maná (1987)
Maná (1987)

Among its 10 singles are: Robot, Mentirosa, Bailando, México, Entré por la ventana, Cayó mi nave, Mueve tus caderas, En la playa, Lentes de sol y Queremos paz. The total duration of this production is 35:20.

Despite some success, that first recording as Maná not entirely satisfied left the group. Various friction with the seal by the desire to maintain the identity of the group against the commercial interests, led Mana to sign

Falta amor (1989)

This album was released on July 2, 1990, under the seal Warner Music. Includes single known Rayando el sol. After the bad experience of the first album, Fher and Alex were aware of the risks involved in getting into the hands of a producer who saw the group as a purely commercial concept, so chose to start on a path from which there has been sectioned since: they assume production of all discs.

With that in mind recorded the album that does not get success until a year after its release thanks to the single “Rayando el sol”, which becomes the first big hit for Maná; singles “Pérdido en un barco”, “Estoy agotado” and “Buscándola” also come to like people. On the other hand, this album also highlights two songs that are characterized by its high degree of social commitment: “Falta amor”, dedicated to street children, and “La puerta azul” which presents their opposition to drugs.

Maná - Falta amor (1989)
Maná – Falta amor (1989)

The group performed 112 presentations in Mexico and their first massive concert outside the borders of their country, in the Coliseo General Ruminahui of Quito, Ecuador.

“Falta Amor” album sold nearly 1 million copies, had 10 gold records, 5 platinum, 2 Double Platinum and 1 Triple Platinum, besides been recognized by Billboard as the Best Album and give its authors recognition as best Pop-Rock Group.

¿Dónde jugarán los niños? (1992)

In 1991 Maná facing the first change in its lineup with the departure of Ulises Calleros, who since then is the manager of the group. This meant the arrival of two new members: keyboardist Iván González and guitarist César “El Vampiro” López.

With this new formation recorded in Los Angeles in 1992 ¿Dónde Jugarán Los Niños?, album is a real milestone in the history of the group and the rock in Spanish, staying for 97 weeks on the Billboard list of albums more sold in Latin America. The album was released for sale on 27 October 1992. Currently, ¿Dónde Jugarán Los Niños?, it has sold over 10 million copies worldwide making it the bestselling album in the history of Rock in Spanish.

Maná - ¿Dónde jugarán los niños? (1992)
Maná – ¿Dónde jugarán los niños? (1992)

8 singles simple of this production of 12 songs topped the charts of popularity throughout the Spanish-speaking America and have become classics from their repertoire: “Vivir sin aire”, “¿Dónde jugarán los niños?”, “De pies a cabeza”, “Como te deseo”, “Oye mi amor”, “Cómo diablos”, “Te lloré un río” y “Me vale”.

Maná globalization begins in 1993 with a promotional machinery of first level and a series of 268 concerts in more than 17 countries. The tour was a success and positioned the band between the Latino community in the US and in markets like Chile and Argentina.

Argentina and Spain, two historically difficult terrain to reach for non-native Latin artists were also conquered by the phenomenon Maná thanks to the song “Vivir sin aire” reached first place in the charts of both countries, which do not it had happened in 26 years. This single is a worthy prize at MTV Latino Video Music Award for best video of the year.

This album was the only race Mana as a quintet. ¿Dónde jugarán los niños? Was relaunched with two remixes on February 15, 1994.

Maná en vivo (1994)

With its new status in the international scene of Latin pop rock, the trio Fher, Alex and Juan released the live album Maná (1994) with the idea of capturing the energy and every moment they live during their performances.

The double album was recorded between August and September 1994, during the group presentations at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, the San Diego Sports Arena in San Diego, the Aragon Theatre in Chicago, the Teatro Gran Rex in Buenos Aires, the Stadium Nacional de Chile in Santiago and the Standard room in Barcelona. Again, Billboard magazine honored with the award for Best Rock/Poplive Album of the year.

Maná en vivo (1994)
Maná en vivo (1994)

CD1 has 10 singles: De pies a cabeza, Oye mi amor, Refrigerador, ¿Dónde jugarán los niños?, Soledad, Huele a tristeza, Te lloré un río, Estoy agotado, Perdido en un barco y Buscándola.

Likewise, the CD2 has 8 singles: La chula, El rey (José Alfredo Jiménez Cover), Como diablos, Me vale, Rayando el sol, Como te deseo, La puerta azul (Acoustic) (Bonus Track) y Vivir sin aire (Acoustic) (Bonus Track).

Cuando los ángeles lloran (1995)

Anxious to return to their original quartet format, Maná has the third and final change in their lineup. The band auditioned more than 80 guitarists from Mexico, Argentina, Chile and the United States, until finally in Aguascalientes (Mexico) find the talent they were looking, Sergio Vallin, whose sensitivity, technique and versatility to give a luster different sound guitar in the productions of the band. With this new lineup recorded and released the album Cuando los ángeles lloran (1995) between Los Angeles (USA) and Puerto Vallarta (Mexico).

This production is distinguished by a remarkable evolution in the lyrics and the sound of the group. The singles “Déjame entrar”, “No ha parado de llover” and “Hundido en un rincón” not only represented a success in the radio, if not that the corresponding video had a great rotation in the music channels and won several awards for their quality.

The album gave them their first American Grammy nomination and the Billboard Award for Best Rock Album / Latino Pop, which set a record of 6 Billboard Awards received over a period of 3 years.

Maná - Cuando los ángeles lloran (1995)
Maná – Cuando los ángeles lloran (1995)

With this new album the group began its tour on May 12, 1995, with a total of 52 concerts in 13 countries, this in a period of less than five months, which showed the phenomenon Maná means.

During their visit to Spain in the same year, the group performed at the Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas with absolute plenty in each place they visited.

Cuando los ángeles lloran with their respective concert tour meant for the band other achievements, such as: the inclusion of Maná at the festival Montreaux Jazz and the Midem conference, which took place in Switzerland and France, respectively, something never before achieved. And they also participated with a theme in the film My Family, at the request of director Francis Ford Coppola.

In mid-April 1996, Maná continued an extensive and expected tour throughout Mexico and the United States. This tour earned them important articles in prestigious magazines such as Rolling Stone, Time, Details, People Magazine, Newsweek and Pollstar.

Sueños líquidos (1997)

This production was recorded in a beautiful house overlooking Banderas Bay, in Conchas Chinas. The result was an energetic mixture of rock, pop and Latin rhythms that go from Bossanova to Flamenco, through the Caribbean cadence of reggae. Important singles like “En el Muelle de San Blas”, “Hechicera”, “Clavado en un bar” y “Como dueles en los labios” emerge from this album.

The album was released in October 1997 and was released simultaneously in 36 countries; debuted in the first place on the Billboard Hot Latin 50 Chart.

On 30 January 1998 the band began its most ambitious tour, Sueños Líquidos World Tour in Chile, later visited Uruguay and Mexico.

Among the presentations that stand out in the Sueños Líquidos Tour 98 are those of Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Chile, Puerto Rico, Honduras, and El Salvador.

Maná - Sueños líquidos (1997)
Maná – Sueños líquidos (1997)

Other presentations most important are the concerts at the National Auditorium, room in which Maná broke the record, because it was the first time that a band of this genre is presented seven consecutive times on this stage.

Maná signed with the agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and thus joined the impressive list of represented that included Bon Jovi, Alanis Morissette, Eric Clapton, Madonna, Depeche Mode, Carlos Santana, Bob Dylan, George Michael, among others.

Their first tour with CAA began August 21, 1998 in Los Angeles and covered more than 30 cities with a total of 36 concerts in arenas and amphitheaters, most of them with sellout. Important presentations took place at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles and at the Rosemont Horizon Arena, where broken record by becoming the first Latin pop rock group in supply lasts. This tour was the biggest by a Latin pop rock group in America.

The band is nominated for the sixth consecutive time the prizes awarded by Billboard magazine for Sueños Líquidos, in the category Best Pop Rock Album of the Year, taking the coveted prize. On 24 February 1999 they had the first American Grammy awarded to a Mexican pop rock band.

Also in December 1998, Fher receives an invitation from Carlos Santana to participate in his new album. Fher composes “Corazón espinado”, a theme which open borders to the Latin music, after putting this single in the top of Europe, Asia and America. The recording was made in the cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco (California), where was born a great friendship between the two musicians.

As a result of this collaboration, Alex and Fher receive the Grammy award as producers and writers of the song, in addition to performing with Santana toured the United States and Mexico. The group shared arenas, auditoriums and stadiums in the United States and Mexico with Carlos Santana, on an extensive tour that started from 29 July 1999 until December of that same year with a total of 43 presentations.

MTV “Unplugged” (1999)

Maná - MTV "Unplugged" (1999)
Maná – MTV “Unplugged” (1999)

The MTV video chain had spent several years asking Maná their participation in the series of recordings Unplugged, without the band could have access to the request because of commitments that meant their recordings and extensive touring.

Finally the conditions for the project were given, so the March 9, 1999 the band recorded a Maná Unplugged in Miami intimate before an audience of 70 lucky fans. In this material the group includes hits from their repertoire, plus 3 versions in acoustic mode; it also contains the musical interlude Coladito, the percussion duel between Alex Gonzalez and guest musician Luis Conte, where you could appreciate the skill of both performers.

On 22 June 1999 the material is released for sale simultaneously throughout the American continent, reaching the top of sales in the TOP 50 Latin Billboard magazine, which the band repeated the feat of being the only group Latin rock to do so. So far, this album remains one of the best sellers for television, plus it was the first Latin artist to release a material of this type (CD/DVD).

The first single came off of this production, original theme of Juan Gabriel, “Se me olvidó otra vez” remained for more than 5 consecutive weeks in first place in the radio charts for much of Mexico and Latin America. “Te solté la rienda”, by composer Jose Alfredo Jimenez was another hit single that was obtained from this recording.

In early January 2000, Maná receives the news of their nomination for a Grammy in the category of Best Latin Pop Album for their album Unplugged, this was the third consecutive time that the group was nominated for the prestigious awards.

In mid-April in the city of Miami were celebrated the Billboard Awards Latin Music, in which Maná got 2 major awards, the first for Best Rock Album Pop Latino for their production MTV Unplugged, and the second award to the Black Forest for Ecological Foundation, called Spirit of Hope which is given only to those artists who have distinguished themselves by performing altruistic for the environment and human rights.

In these same dates the group receives a recognition granted to them for the first time, the prize awarded by the chain of rental and sale of videos and largest US and music, BlockBuster Award for Best Latin Artist.

In September the group attends the first annual Latin Grammy in which was winning 3 Grammy for their participation in the album by guitarist Carlos Santana.

Revolución de amor (2002)

In early 2002 the band encloses to compose and make demos of what would be their next studio album five years after the launch of Sueños líquidos. Revolución de amor was launched the August 20, 2002, album in which the search for the band shows its essence by mixing with rock sound of the sixties and seventies, and other fusions of Latin music.

Maná - Revolución de amor (2002)
Maná – Revolución de amor (2002)

This, their sixth studio album, was shot entirely in Los Angeles between February and May 2002 and was attended by Carlos Santana and his guitar on “Justicia, Tierra y Libertad”, as well as Ruben Blades in “Sábanas frías”. Notably, the guitarist Sergio Vallin, participated, singing the theme “¿Por qué te vas?”, Dedicated to his parents.

Revolución de amor reached the first place in sales in Spain, Latin America and the United States for five consecutive weeks. It had the most outstanding singles “Ángel de amor”, “Eres mi religión” y “Mariposa traicionera”.

Thanks to its success in Italy, the singer Zucchero invited to participate in the song “Baila morena” duet is a success both in America and in Europe. Maná returns the gesture singer to invite him to participate in the song “Eres mi religión” but now in Italian, which was then, included in a special edition of the album Revolución de amor edited in Europe.

On September 29, 2002 Maná adventured to a new two-year tour that would like never before into the international market. The tour took the group not only to cities in the United States, Mexico, Latin America and Spain, also new places like Italy, France, Germany and Brazil. In total, the group performed more than 100 concerts in 24 countries.

During their stay in Europe, the band participated in the special Pavarotti & Friends alongside Zucchero, where they were presented with stars like Bono, Eric Clapton, Lionel Ritchie, Queen, Deep Purple, Ricky Martin and Andrea Bocceli. Maná received two nominations in the 4th annual Latin Grammy that took place in Miami on September 3, 2003, taking the award for Best Rock Album by a Duo or Group.

Esenciales (2003)

Maná - Esenciales (2003)
Maná – Esenciales (2003)

Esenciales is a compilation in CDs released by Maná on 18 November 2003. Three CDs with its most important songs until that year, divided into three themed discs: Sun, with its danceable songs; Moon, its themes with romantic touch; and, Eclipse, the best of their themes in general (which only came out in the Americas). The discs contain an unreleased track: “take you to Heaven”; and Cd Sun contains a cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Fool In The Rain”, recorded by Maná in the disc tribute to the band.

By way of gratitude to their fans, decide to put on sale on December 12, 2004 the DVD called “Acceso Total”, which includes images Revolución de Amor Tour (2002- 2003), never before seen in dressing rooms, allowing the fans have “full access” to experience living Maná on tour.

Amar es combatir (2006)

Miami was the recording of this CD with the band performed a fusion of rock, pop, Latin music, reggae, drum and bass. Produced by Fher and Alex, like their previous albums, Amar es combatir was released on August 22, 2006 and is published in 40 countries worldwide, reaching number 4 on the Top 200 Albums of Billboard magazine in the United States, a record for a production only reached entirely in Spanish for the album Fijación Oral Vol. 1 Shakira.

Their first single, “Labios compartidos”, remained for eight consecutive weeks at the top of the Latin charts radio and is named among the most recognized Latino US media as one of the most heard songs and awarded 2006.

The singles that followed, “Bendita tu luz” (a duet with Juan Luis Guerra), “Manda una señal” and “Ojalá pudiera borrarte” are also positioned at the top of the charts. These add a fifth single, “El rey tiburón”, which is managed to stand out because it is becoming less common than a 5 easy production derived therefrom, given the difficult situation being experienced by the industry.

Maná - Amar es combatir (2006)
Maná – Amar es combatir (2006)

in November 2006 the group participates in the 7th edition of the Latin Grammy Awards, where in addition to performing with Juan Luis Guerra with an excellent interpretation of their successes, which earned them a heartfelt ovation from those attending the event and which was one of the climactic moments of the evening, are honored for career achievement and accomplishments in music.

In February 2007, after receiving 5 nominations for the awards Billboard Latino, 4 nominations for the awards Lo Nuestro and American Grammy for Best Album Alternative or Urban Rock, Maná began their “Amar es combatir” Tour, with the increased production the group has had so far (more than 60 tons of equipment), which would give 116 concerts over a period of a year and a half.

Among the most prominent awards that the band obtained by this production is an American Grammy in the category of Best Album Alternative Rock or Urban, 3 awards Lo Nuestro for Rock Album of the Year, Rock Artist of the Year and Song Rock of the Year; 2 Latin Billboard Alternative Rock Album for the Year and Pop Airplay theme of the Year Duo or Group.

Arde el cielo (2008)

On April 29, 2008 Maná presented in Los Angeles on CD / DVD called Arde el cielo, which was recorded during Amar es combatir Tour in the Jose M. Agrelot Coliseum of Puerto Rico in March 2007.

Maná - Arde el cielo (2008)
Maná – Arde el cielo (2008)

The material contains 12 live tracks that represent and review the history of Maná, from “Rayando el sol” to “Labios Compartidos” through “El rey” and songs as well known as “En el muelle de San Blas” or “Vivir sin aire”, and two previously unreleased studio recordings. The first of these new songs is “Si no te hubieras ido”, a song by Marco Antonio Solis and versioned by other artists, but in which Maná was able to put their unique stamp.

The second new song on the CD is “Arde el cielo” a theme composed by Fher and produced in conjunction with Álex González. Both themes were hits in 2008.

Drama y luz (2011)

Drama y luz represents a milestone in the career of Maná. This is an album gestated for over 1.000 days with their thousand and one nights.

The project began to take shape in June 2008 and ended in early April 2011. During those 34 months were composed, arranged and recorded more than forty demo songs. Only a rigorous selection of thirteen saw the light.

Maná - Drama y luz (2011)
Maná – Drama y luz (2011)

The first single of Drama y Luz is “Lluvia al corazón”, a theme that carries a message of hope in the dark clouds of an uncertain future by living in a half-dead planet, where humanity must not lose faith.

The second single is “Amor clandestino” a theme that became another new hit Maná. The third single “El verdadero amor perdona” is another success that sounded on the radio in its version with Prince Royce, which reached the top Latin songs and Latin Pop Airplay. Their fourth and final single of this production Drama y Luz is called “Mi reina del dolor”, a track that gradually climbed famous for its great rhythm, guitars and drums.

Exiliados en la bahía (2012)

Maná - Exiliados en la bahía (2012)
Maná – Exiliados en la bahía (2012)

Exiliados en la bahía is a compilation that was released on August 28, 2012 in which include the successes that the band has had throughout their 20 year career, it has two live tracks, Lluvia al corazón and El verdadero amor perdona that were recorded in the Drama y Luz World Tour in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The first single is “Hasta que te conocí”, a cover of Juan Gabriel. Also, it contains “Un nuevo amanecer” an unreleased track.

Cama incendiada (2015)

This is the ninth studio album (and eleventh overall) of the band. It was released for sale on April 21, 2015.

Maná - Cama incendiada (2015)
Maná – Cama incendiada (2015)

The first single was Mi verdad which has the support of the Colombian singer Shakira, the second single is the prison after the July 24 came a version electronic with American DJ Steve Aoki breaking completely with the musical patterns that we had used the band. The third single from the album is the theme Ironía, the official video was released on October 12.

 

 

 

 

 

Willie Colon

North America / USA / New York

William Anthony Colón Román, better known as Willie Colon, was born in New York (USA) on April 28, 1950.

Willie Colon
Willie Colon

This American musician of Puerto Rican descent. Master trombone and fusion of various Caribbean, African rhythms and urban music, formed with vocalist Hector Lavoe one of the most important couples in Latin music of the seventies, and is considered, one of the pioneers in the development genuine salsero movement in the late sixties and early seventies.

Grandson of Puerto Rican immigrants, Colón grew in the Latin Quarter district of the Bronx, a fact that has marked much of his personal and artistic career, which implies rebellion and transgression of the rules. After studying trumpet and clarinet, his admiration for Mon Rivera led him to opt for the trombone at age fourteen, thus initiating his professional career playing in community centers with fellow high school.

Willie Colon - Photo 1
Willie Colon – Photo 1

A year later when he was 15 years old, he signed a contract with the Fania record label. Two later, in 1966, he recorded his first album with the significant title of El Malo, which sold 300,000 copies.

In this first work already he had the unmistakable voice of Hector Lavoe and introduced elements of Puerto Rican folk music, especially the pump, mixed with own hurtful and harsh rhythms of the trombone, what were good examples topics as successful as Jazzy and I wish I had watermelon.

Willie Colon - Photo 2
Willie Colon – Photo 2

Along with other prominent musicians of Caribbean origin as Ray Barretto, Bobby Valentin, Reynaldo Jorge and self-Héctor Lavoe, he participated in 1971 in the concert recording of the FANIA All Stars, considered the event that launched the salsa movement in New York.

That same year, his masterful rendition of Piranha, consisting of Tite Curet Alonso, he shot to fame and became one of the icons of the musical movement.

Under this record label and with Hector Lavoe recorded over a dozen albums until 1975, among which were Guisando (1969), Cosa Nostra, El Juicio and Asaltos Navideños (1972), in this last album this expert and risky arranger, combined rhythms and styles to help create music that would be known today as the sauce. He incorporated elements of Puerto Rican Jibaro and thus created hit singles that became popular among Puerto Rican listeners.

Willie Colon - Photo 3
Willie Colon – Photo 3

In 1975 he recorded The Good, the Bad, the Ugly. All their albums show genuine urban or what came to be known as “sounds of the neighborhood,” the most faithful sample of Puerto Rican immigrant feeling in the great metropolis New York salsa. After his work with Fania his fame spread among the Hispanic community in the US and much of Latin America; in 1975 he had the opportunity to play alongside his idol Mon Rivera.

In the late seventies, his rebellious spirit led him to develop along the Panamanian singer Ruben Blades what became known as salsa awareness, songs denouncing the political and social situation in Latin America and the Caribbean; conjunction with Blades was especially fortunate, with high quality work as Metiendo Mano (1977) and Siembra (1978). Canciones del Solar de los Aburridos album in 1982 was awarded a Grammy.

Willie Colon - Photo 4
Willie Colon – Photo 4

Willie Colón has worked throughout his career, in addition to those already mentioned, with artists like Celia Cruz, Tito Puente and David Byrne, and played some roles in Mexican television such as: Demasiado Corazón, La Intrusa y Corazón Partido. Furthermore, it could also be seen in the films “Vigilante”, “The Last Flight” and “It Could Happen to You”.

From the nineties his artistic side gave way to intense activity in social life and American politics, according to its commitment to the Hispanic community: thus, in 1966 Willie Colón was named by Hispanic Business Magazine as one of the 100 most influential Hispanics in the US; in 1993 it was presented to the primaries in the State of New York; in 1995 he became the first Hispanic ASCAP entered in the National Council; and in 1999 he was part of the delegation was received at the Vatican by Pope with the Jubilee 2000, in addition to regularly collaborate with humanitarian organizations like the United Nations and Amnesty International.

Willie Colon - Photo 5
Willie Colon – Photo 5

As a musician, it has been characterized by the fusion of rhythms such as son, mambo, guaracha, cha cha cha, guajira, Colombian cumbia, rumba and Venezuelan joropo, among others.

His music, which has been a big influence on the modern Latin Jazz, reflects a traditional lyric rhythm, and goodbye and hope forced to leave their land to settle in the US generates.

In his 42 year career, Columbus has released more than 45 albums, among which we can mention “Crime Pays”, “The Baquine of Angelitos Negros”, “49 Minutes”, “Solo”, “Fantasmas”, “The Last Fight”, “Contrabando Especial No. 5”, “Honra y Cultura”, “Tras la Tormenta”, “Demasiado Corazón”, “Idilio” y “El Malo 2”, this latest album which was released in 2008.

Willie Colon - Photo 6
Willie Colon – Photo 6

In his career, Willy took 11 nominations for the Grammy Awards and received 15 gold records and 5 platinum.

Gustavo Dudamel once again leaves Venezuela high in the World Cup final

One of Venezuela’s greatest prides in recent years has again made it clear why he has triumphed so often throughout his career, and that is Gustavo Dudamel. Recently, the artist put in an appearance along with the Simón Bolívar Orchestra of Venezuela to join the other great figures at the halftime show of the FIFA World Cup Final between Argentina and Spain, which Spain won.

The orchestra conductor, once again, impacted the world with one of those uncommon performances in this format, so, as always, drew a lot of attention.

Gustavo Dudamel performing
Maestro Gustavo Dudamel performing at the FIFA World Cup final on July 19

A historic accomplishment achieved by Dudamel

Dudamel achieved something truly historic on July 19, which was to bring the Simón Bolívar Orchestra of Venezuela and the New York Philharmonic together for the first time, resulting in a spectacular 11-minute show in which about twenty El Sistema musicians were conducted by the Barquisimeto native.

As said by the also composer, the main purpose of the performance was organized to show solidarity with the people of Venezuela for the consequences of the double earthquake that hit a large part of the country on June 24, when also marks both the Battle of Carabobo in 1821 and the Feast of John the Baptist, with its traditional drum roll, songs, and processions.

In a post shared on his official Instagram account, the musician announced his participation in the ceremony and sent an encouraging message to his compatriots in such a difficult moment. The artist said following:

‘‘My heart remains with the people of Venezuela in these difficult days, and to share the stage in this unforgettable moment with my beloved Bolivars and my El Sistema family is a powerful expression of the strength and resilience of our country. To bring them together for the first time in history alongside the extraordinary New York Philharmonic, as I prepare for this exciting new chapter with them, is a beautiful expression of global unity and love’’.

Shakira performing
Shakira performing at the FIFA World Cup final

Other important details of that day

The show, performed at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, New York, was completely produced by Global Citizen and directed by Chris Martin, lead vocalist of the iconic band Coldplay. What is most noteworthy about the concert was the participation of some of The Muppets’ most iconic characters, Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem. They were also joined by some of Sesame Street’s most beloved characters such as Miss Piggy, Elmo, and Cookie Monster.

As was announced previously, Shakira (performing “Dai Dai,” the official anthem of the FIFA World Cup), Burna Boy, Justin Bieber, and BTS were also present at the event.

It should also be noted that this event not only served as an opportunity to raise awareness on behalf of the most deprived, but also as a fundraising initiative which seeks to ensure quality education and sport for children in poverty around the world, everything through the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.

And with respect to the outfit the artist wore during his show, Dudamel was dressed in an elegant blue suit with a very large number one on the back and a black bow on the lapel to pay his respects to the dead and victims as a result of the double earthquake in his country. Each and every one of the musicians who accompanied the maestro did the same to show support to the artist in his grief as a Venezuelan and pay tribute to those who have lost everything or are still under the rubble.

Danny Ocean performing
Danny Ocean performing at the FIFA World Cup final

Venezuelans, more present than ever in a FIFA World Cup

Evidently, Dudamel’s performance was well-covered by international media around the world, but he was not the only Venezuelan to shine in a World Cup. At the opening ceremony, we also enjoyed the greatest hits of urban artist Danny Ocean, who became the first Venezuelan to perform at an official World Cup opening ceremony with his song “Partidazo”, which by the way, is part of the official album FIFA released to celebrate the tournament.

The event took place at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, and the young performer wore a leather outfit with seven silver stars embroidered on the collar of his jacket. With the outfit designed by the Mexican brand Siete Cactus, he sought to pay tribute to his Venezuelan roots and the national team of his country, which wears the same color on its uniform.

This is how Venezuelans, whenever they are in the world, shine in all their glory despite any trance the country is in—and Maestro Dudamel and Danny Ocean are a prime example of this.

Read also: Alexander Masucci endorses The Salsa Museum and our work

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International Salsa Magazine (ISM) is a monthly publication covering salsa activities around the world and has been publishing since 2007. It is a worldwide network of volunteers coordinated by ISM Magazine. Together, we work to strengthen salsa events around the world.