December

Dominican trumpeter Wilson Portuondo talks about La Sonora Nuyorkina

As shown in the most traditional media and digital platforms, Dominican artists belonging to diverse musical genres have been working hard for many years to finally be recognized in the world. That is the case of talented bandleader and trumpeter Wilson Portuondo, with whom we managed to contact to know much more about his life and career.

How Wilson became interested in music

Wilson, our protagonist in this story, became interested in the musical world shortly after his 15th birthday in his native Dominican Republic, which was already well known for various types of merengue at the time. The young man frequently attended concerts performed in parks on weekends, which were free of charge, allowing him to enjoy the bands from his town without representing excessive expenditure for his family.

This was awakening in the boy a great desire to imitate the musicians he saw on stage and be as great as them someday, so he wanted to start studying music and see what he could achieve with that knowledge.

Professional beginnings

Wilson’s first experience as a professional musician came from the hand of the town’s municipal band in the city of Santiago. He also got to play in the municipal band of the firemen and the municipal band of the Dominican National Police, which had a headquarters in the aforementioned city.

Thanks to these groups and others, he specialized in playing classical music and merengue, but things changed greatly when he decided to move to New York as a young adult who was about to celebrate his 20th birthday.

Wilson playing — Wilson Portuondo playing the trumpet live

Wilson as a trumpeter

The instrument for which Wilson is best is the trumpet, which he confesses he began playing almost by accident. His fascination with the trumpet started when he was studying at the Culture and Art Institute while still in Santiago, as it was the first instrument he came in contact with that caught his attention at the institution.

At that time, he would never have imagined that he would play it, but he ended up feeling an enormous love for it and now considers it his favorite instrument among all others. However, he does not limit himself to this, as he can play the piano and is learning to play percussion, which includes the conga, bongo, Dominican tambora, güira and many more.

Once he arrived in New York, he continued committed to learn as much as he could about music and studied at various institutes such as the Harlen School of the Art and later at the State University of New York (SUNY), where he studied classical trumpet for four years until he graduated.

He has learned to play the rest of the instruments through practice and lessons with other musician friends.

Arrival in the United States

When he arrived in New York, Wilson had to take an extra year in high school and, thanks to his studies, he was able to make friends with music students who invited him to enroll in the Harlem School of Art, a place where he had contact with many other people linked to the environment who began to call him to play with them as a freelancer.

Wilson at an event — Wilson Portuondo at the social dance event ”Salsita Social Pa’l Pueblo”

In parallel to this, he was taking dance classes in New York style, which allowed him to attend many social dances and such live music events. Something that the artist noticed at that time was that the groups he saw always played the same songs like ”El Cuarto de Tula”, ”Soy Pilongo”, ”No le pegue a la Negra”, ”Rebelión”, among others. In addition to notice that they did not meet to rehearse, but played together the same as always.

To some extent, he feels that these mistakes on the part of so many orchestras inspired him to create his own project which he would baptize as La Sonora Neoyorkina, since he wanted to offer the public a fresh and new repertoire that did not include the same old thing. However, he always makes sure that he and his musicians rehearse as much as possible so as not to make the same mistakes as other groups.

Among the musicians who are currently in the group, we can mention Anthony Almonte, Osay Calvo, Nestor Villar, Carlos Mena, Carly Maldonado, among others. Venezuelan percussionist Robert Quintero, Luisito Quintero’s cousin, has also played in the band.

However, although they usually do covers of various classic songs, they have also strived to create their own original music, so they already have original songs such as ”Sonora Llegó” and ”Summertime”. Also, the group is making preparations to complete their first studio album next year.

Great Christmas salsa songs and their stories

Christmas is a time of joy where one of the most important elements is music, so we believe this is the best opportunity to feature some of the best Christmas salsa songs that we can remember. Here are the most cheerful songs in Latin music to listen to during the most beautiful time of the year.

Aires de Navidad by Héctor Lavoe and Willie Colón

”Aires de Navidad” is a great song which is part of the Christmas album ”Asalto Navideño Vol. I” from 1971. In the same year, Lavoe and Colón were already making preparations to record an album entirely dedicated to the festivities, indeed, they already had some songs recorded, but they knew that there were still details to finish.

Then, Héctor asked musician Roberto García to join the project that was underway, as they needed a guitarist to accompany them. Garcia accepted the proposal almost immediately and got excited about the project that he even proposed Yomo Toro to join them, to which Hector and Willie agreed with no problems.

The day they agreed to record the material, Toro came in first and began playing a Puerto Rican cuatro when he was scheduled to play the electric guitar. However, Johnny Pacheco, upon hearing the sounds, liked the arrangement and approved it without question.

That is how the four artists set out and recorded what would soon become one of the greatest Christmas hymns in recent times, and it will surely be in thousands of homes around the world this month.

One of the photos taken during the recording of ”Aires de Navidad”

La Fiesta de Pilito by El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico

”La Fiesta de Pilito” is included in the album ”Nuestra Música” by El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, which was recorded in 1985 as a tribute to the most beautiful and endearing of the Island of Enchantment during the Christmas holidays. Back then, any musical work created by El Gran Combo always became a resounding success once it was released and its members were sure that this would be no exception.

It is then when the composer of one of the main songs of ”Nuestra Música” came on the scene, and we are talking about Luis ”Pilito” Cruz, who would become part of the internationally acclaimed salsa group that same year.

What is known in the first instance about the song is that it did not have a specific name, so it was baptized as ”La Fiesta de Pilito” honoring the composer of its first two verses. Subsequently, the piece was completed with pregones and soneos created by the rest of the orchestra members.

Additionally, they received the support and collaboration from ‘‘El Caballero de La Salsa” Gilberto Santa Rosa, who served as a guest artist for the legendary recording.

Nuestra música at Christmas — Cover of the Christmas album ”Nuestra Música”

Bembé en Casa de Pinki by Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz

”Bembé En Casa de Pinki” is a Christmas song written by the famous duo Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz, which was released in 1971 and is the first single from the Christmas album ”Felices Pascuas”.

The song’s title comes from someone who would be very important in the career of the two aforementioned artists and that was the Panamanian-born diplomat named José Rogelio ”Pinki” Arias. The gentleman was a close friend of Richie and Bobby and, at the same time, director of the Panamanian Institute of Tourism. He used his friendship with the vocalists to invite them to various events in his country, knowing that they would be a complete success with the presence of the duo.

Such was the affection both exponents had for ”Pinki” that they dedicated to him two songs from their extensive repertoire, which were ”Bembé en Casa de Pinki” and one belonging to the album ”El Diferente”.

Among other songs, ”Felices Pascuas” also includes tracks such as ”Bomba en Navidad”, ”Mi Niñez”, ”San José”, and ”Aguinaldo Navideño”.

Felices fiestas at Christmas — Cover of the Christmas album ”Felices Fiestas”

Estelita by La Sonora Ponceña

Another group that never misses a chance to offer their talent to please their fans and make them enter the Christmas atmosphere during the holiday season, leaving great classics that can not be missing every year in our homes and one of them is ”Estelita”.

Something that can never be missed in a Christmas album is that colorful character who always brings playfulness and good humor to the atmosphere. In this case, it is Estelita, who is a party neighbor who always sneaks into the Christmas parrandas in her neighborhood, something that many people will surely feel identified with in various parts of Latin America.

The song was written by the late maestro Joe Torres and was part of the album ”Otra Navidad Criolla!” along with ”Opera Gandinga”, ”Vamonos Pa’l Campo”, ”La Vengo Siguiendo”.

Eukaris Figeroa

Latin American / Venezuela / Caracas

Eukaris Figeroa. I don’t imitate Celia Cruz

Five years ago, Eukaris Figueroa dared to initiate an investigation into Celia Cruz. A work came out of that work, La guarachera del mundo.

Figueroa is also in charge of directing and producing the play. It explores from Cruz’s beginnings, in 1950, until his death, in 2003; addressing his personal life and ailments.

Where did that idea of presenting the life of the sauce boat come from?

When I decided to launch myself as a singer 10 years ago, I visited his grave in New York and asked his permission, not to take his place, but to perpetuate the salsa genre. Later, I began to investigate his life and this montage emerged, which I am very proud of. This is the second season and we hope it will be as well received as the first.

Was it easy to interpret a character as mediatic as she?

There is no imitation here. There is, yes, a lot of admiration. And the public will realize this in the monologue of the piece, where they will discover things that she wanted to do, but could not and that she did not see on a stage either. Impersonators always make her old and fat. And no. Celia was also a very beautiful young woman.

Doesn’t her nickname “The sexy salsa babe” pigeonhole her and distance her from the image of Celia?

The fact that I have made myself known like this does not imply that I do not have training and that I do not worry about studying. It was the way I got them to notice me, and I did it.

But behind these curves there are many hours of work. An orchestra of 14 musicians. This montage that I am passionate about does not separate me from my career as a salsa singer. Everything is complemented to offer the best to the public.

Meet the Carlos Rodríguez Quintet

Latin America / Venezuela / Caracas

There are many Latin music orchestras worldwide, and our duty is to know and recommend the best orchestras, whether they are known or new talents. On this occasion we had the opportunity to interview Carlos Rodríguez and his orchestra who were playing Jazz, Latin Jazz, Salsa and various mixes of Latin rhythms at the “Café Mi Cosa” located in City Market, Caracas, Venezuela.

At this meeting in the cafe, there was the Carlos Rodríguez Quintet, who make it up: Antonio Davicenzo (Drummer), Darwin Manzi (Trumpet), Pancho Santangelo (Piano), Cesar Bolivar Changu (Percussion) and lastly Carlos himself as soloist.

Carlos mentions that his orchestra has in its themes and/or songs a mixture of Venezuelan music with jazz, Afro-Venezuelan, begin bolero, merengue with a bolerito, among others. Currently for the time they demand the search for new rhythms and stay stuck with the current rhythms, seeking to satisfy and enjoy the public and something that impacts them.

In his first album that was based on Jazz, he made several combinations with various Latin rhythms, such as: Guaguacom, Afro, Bolero, Jazz with Latin rhythm, Jazz with Venezuelan rhythm and other fusions.

It started a long time ago, he tells us that he was with the “National Philharmonic Orchestra”, where he learned and gained experience in the area of music. Of course he not only works with them but with other orchestras and/or artists.

Later he won an international award in Colombia as the best bassist, and his project is to be known as a soloist in his orchestra and not just another accompanist of another orchestra; however, he continues to work with a wide variety of musicians since that is the world of music, living from music not only as his profession but as his greatest passion.

His recommendation for new talents is that there is always a certainty in their musical career, discipline, gain and perseverance to progress and move forward since the road is hard and with obstacles, therefore one should not be discouraged and continue fighting and progressing to so be recognized.

For more information:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlosrodriguezfalcon6/ @carlosrodriguezfalcon6
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: +58 414-2037324

Gilberto Santa Rosa

Latin America/ Puerto Rico / Puerto Rico

Gilberto Santa Rosa – The Salsa Knight

Gilberto Santa Rosa (Santurce, 1962) Puerto Rican singer. Nicknamed El Caballero de la Salsa, he has been one of the most prominent performers of the genre, particularly since the 1990s. From an early age his love of music manifested itself, which led him to organize his first amateur ensemble.

At only fourteen years old, he already recorded his first songs, thanks to the trumpeter and orchestra director Mario Ortiz. His first group as a professional singer was the Orquesta Grande; Later, as a result of a performance in 1980 in homage to Eddie Palmieri, he joined Tommy Olivencia’s band. Later he sang for a time with Willie Rosario’s orchestra, with which he would record six albums.

Gilberto Santa Rosa

In 1986 he began his solo career at the head of his own orchestra within the Combo Records record company, owned by producer Ralph Cartagena. His first solo album was titled Good Vibrations. This was followed by three more jobs with the same label, which he left in 1990 to sign with CBS Records (later Sony Records).

That same year, Punto de vista was published, a romantic salsa album that went platinum and number one on the Latin charts thanks to its successful songs Vivir sin ella and Perdóname. The album also earned him the award for best Latin singer awarded by Billboard.

In 1991 his album Perspectiva confirmed a brilliant artistic career and opened up new markets for him. In May of this year he made his debut in Spain in a series of concerts in which he shared the stage with Pete Rodríguez, Johnny Pacheco and Roberto Torres, also from the Caribbean, and in September he made an equally successful Central European tour.

Gilberto Santa Rosa singing at the concert

In 1992 he recorded an album in tribute to the singer Tito Rodríguez entitled A dos tiempo de un tiempo. This work was followed by Born Here (1993) and Facing the Wind (1994), which would be his business card in Japan, a country he visited in 1995.

After the publication of Esencia, in 1996, and De corazón, the following year , in 1999 came his successful Expresion, an album that consolidated his position in the international Latin music market and that included hits like Déjate Quiero and especially Que somebody dice me, number one on Billboard for several weeks.

Santa Rosa was one of the first performers to fuse salsa music with classical music, with results such as his well-known work Salsa Sinfónica, which he presented at the Center for Fine Arts on his native island accompanied by the Puerto Rican Symphony Orchestra.

In addition to this historic performance, the concerts given by Santa Rosa at New York’s Carnegie Hall in 1995 (which would be included on the live album The Man and His Music) are well remembered; his performance at the I President Festival of Latin Music (Santo Domingo, June 1997); or the presentation at the Lincoln Center in New York with his compatriot Andy Montañez in July 1997.

Also of note are his performances at the Anayansi Theater in Panama in September 1997; at the Teresa Carreño Theater in Caracas, in February 1998; the concert at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan; and his 1998 European tour with performances in London, Milan and Rome. Apart from his facet as a singer, he showed his qualities as an actor in the play The Uneven Couple (1990), together with Luis Vigoreaux Jr. and Rafo Muñiz.