Latin America

La Banda surprises with their first work full of tropical sounds

La Banda is a group with a lot of experience in the musical field and on stage. They have become known in the movement of private events held in the Dominican Republic, but it is not until this year that they decide to release their first production entitled “Es La Banda” whose promotional song is called “La Casita”. Get to know all the details and the career of these incredible artists in the following lines.

“Es La Banda” is the first production that presents this duo

La Banda finally presents its first musical production with modern and refreshing merengue rhythms in preparation for the summer months. In addition to several other tropical rhythms such as salsa. The quality of “Es La Banda” is 1A, something that is expected thanks to all the recognition that this duo has achieved in the private entertainment industry in the Dominican Republic.

“La Casita” is the promotional song with which they want to engage listeners so that they get into the other tracks that accompany this work. The song was composed by Marcos López, vocalist and leader of La Banda, with production by the experienced Patricio Bonilla, trombonist of maestro Juan Luis Guerra and Grupo 440, who is the other side of this interesting project.

In Marcos’ own words: “It’s our first unreleased single and we’re super excited. It was part of the plans at the beginning of 2020 that had to be delayed and it’s coming out right now in the company of our musical production.” Something more than understandable, since the entertainment world put everything on pause due to the pandemic that affected all the countries in the globe.

To talk more about “Es La Banda” Patricio comments: “The musical production contains 5 merengues that represent us as a group and with what we are capable of doing on stage, but we also wanted to include 2 salsas that give it a touch of versatility”. One of those salsa songs is “Bethania”, a classic that was released 20 years ago. In fact, they had the participation of their creator Pavel Núñez, to give this beloved song a new and modern touch.

Get to know La Banda

This group is made up of two compadres who decided to unite their individual talents to form an excellent duo, with the rest of the musicians, and thus offer the public all the best of their careers. In this way, Patricio Bonilla and Marcos López bring La Banda to the front.

First is the maestro and director Patricio Bonilla, with more than 20 years as trombonist for the Dominican icon Juan Luis Guerra and his Grupo 440, puts the academy and rigor that guide the perfect execution of one of the most complete and constantly reinvented repertoires. Then we have Marcos López (popularly known as El Hijo De Nelo or Nelito), who always gives his best with great energy to raise the level of each performance, as well as connecting with the audience to make them part of the show.

Despite knowing each other for many years and beginning to work together in 2011, it was not until mid-2016 that they decided to define the project and seek a musical identity for their group. In this way they have managed to captivate the Dominican public, especially in private events throughout the Caribbean country.

“Our passion is music… our job is to entertain” are Marcos’ words when asked the meaning of La Banda. In addition, the great talent of these musicians who now want to show their own identity, after years of paying tribute to the greatest of the tropical genres, as is normally done in all the events that take place in the Caribbean. All that remains is to wait a lot more from this great duet, and see how this synergy continues to develop.

Willy García releases a new album full of salsa named “Siendo Yo”

The Colombian salsa artist Willy García has surprised his fans with a new album full of salsa, of course the fast one, but where he also shows love songs hand in hand with nostalgia. Without neglecting touches of calculated risks and adventures to give all the listeners an album with a lot of great sounds, just like the one from Buenaventura has accustomed us to. Know a little more about this album with the following words.

“Mentiroso” is the title track that Willy García shows in “Siendo yo”

Mentiroso is a fast-tempo song that is exactly what Willy enjoys the most, but that doesn’t mean that the album isn’t a walk through different rhythms and tempos that offer us a glimpse into the thoughts of this great artist. There are songs in the style of “Como lo extraño” where each emigrant can feel identified with the nostalgia towards his homeland. But then we can find some risky tracks that go a bit far from his classic style.

For example, there is “Aquí le pago con esto” which is a collaboration with Cali Flow Latino where sounds of salsa, urban, tropical rhythms and holiday flavors are fused. In this way Willy wants to please his old fans but attract the new generations with modern sounds. The other songs are all romantic in style, but it is the last one on this list that Willy is most proud of,“Me enamoré de ella” is one of his favorites.

“Mujeres”, “Me Recuerda a Ti”, “Que Se Detenga el Tiempo” and “Si Eres Tu”, are all about love and romantic feelings that are precisely part of that essence that makes so many stick to the salsa genre. Another song that is worth talking about is “Cada día” which could be another hit for the radio and especially on the dance floors.

Arrangements of “Siendo Yo”

Starting with the song “Mentiroso”, it should be noted that it was mastered in New York City, recorded between Cali and Miami, with lyrics by Willy himself, in addition to the fact that he participated in the production together with the great Oscar Iván Lozano.

Among the musicians who participated in the recordings we can find many well-known names from the Colombian territory, such as Diego Galé who played the congas and the bongo, Diego Galindo, Johan Castro, Luis Araque and Christian Fernández did the choirs, while Luis Bravo and Carlos Latoche in the horn section, bassist Carlos Córdoba, timbalero Robert Vilera and Óscar Iván Lozano himself on piano.

A quick look at Willy Garcia’s career

Willy García’s career as a soloist is an incredible example that when there is talent, no matter how it is represented, it will always shine. We can name many recognitions and achievements, but the last few years have been one achievement after another that fill this son of the South American country with great pride.

First we must name achieving nominations for the Latin GRAMMY® 2021, in addition to the 2022 Heat Awards and 2022 Lo Nuestro Awards. Not counting the excellent positions it achieved on charts such as Billboard’s Tropical Airplay where it entered the top 10. It also managed to position himself at the number 1 of the USA Today’s chart, one of the most read publications in North America, with “Lo Veo y No Lo Creo” together with Gilberto SantaRosa “El Caballero de la Salsa”.

In addition to participating in the concert “Night of the Dominican Restoration” where he sang with Sergio Vargas. He also received from El Espectador the “Afro-Colombian Of The Year” award in the Arts and Music category. In general, 2022 only smiles at this great Colombian and more success are only expected from his fifth production as a soloist.

Eddy Herrera presents his new production “Aquí Estoy”

Eddy Herrera is “El Galán del Merengue” and one of the most recognized tropical music artists in the region and the world. He returns to the music scene with an album of 8 songs where he wants to demonstrate his experience, and the perseverance he has had throughout the years. This album is not just another taste of his particular flavor, but also shows different facets of the Dominican star. In this article we tell you all the details.

“Aquí estoy” by Eddy Herrera has the best production

For this album Eddy promised to show his facet as a composer, and the best possible quality for all his fans and those who enjoy tropical music. This production has different sounds to capture Herrera’s tastes. In addition to songs like “Y cómo te olvido”, “Bla bla bla”, “Cómo iba a saber”, “Adicto a ti”, “Te lo pido mi amor”, “A beber”, “Nadie como tú” and the hit “Si yo se lo pido,” which is the main song of this album, were produced and arranged by the best of the best.

In this very special album, Eddy had the participation of prominent producers and musical arrangers from the Dominican Republic such as Junior Cabrera, Edwin García, Moisés Sánchez, Isaías Leclerc, Francis Enmanuel Contreras (Dary Darys), Juan Daniel Montero and his own orchestra that accompanies him in all his productions and tours. In Eddy’s own words:

“I understand that this album will mark interesting things this year and years to come. Having the professionalism, talent and experience of producers, musicians, composers, mixing and mastering engineers was more than a real pleasure, it was an honor. I hope it is to everyone’s liking and long live the merengue”.

The lyrics of each track are authored by the following talents: Giordano Morel, Martín De León, René Solís, Luis A. Herrera, Jorge A. Herrera, César Brizuela, Ernesto Díaz (EL Duende), Enghel Mata and Valerio De León. Wanting to give this new production the best quality possible, Eddy worked on mixes and sound with the best technicians and sound engineers.

Highlighting the work of the talented and experienced mixing engineer and musician Allan Leschhorn, who is the winner of 14 Latin GRAMMY® Awards, and who has worked with leading national and international artists. Along with Boris Milan, also winner of 8 Latin GRAMMY®, more than 30 nominations and 3 GRAMMY® nominations, who was also in charge of the mastering of the complete album and the song “Y cómo te olvido”.

“With this new album I want to capture mainly that, regardless of the fact that in the last two years the situation at levels of work, economy and health has been devastating for everyone, despite everything, I remain firm and on my own feet working even a little more than usual,” explained the Dominican Eddy.

Eddy Herrera has a long career

Under the long list of successes that this son of the Dominican Republic has are “El jardinero”, “El loco y la luna”, “La medicina”, “Mujer tirana”, “Tu eres ajena” and “A dormir juntos” featuring the Venezuelan artist Liz. His previous production “Ahora” received the highest award by winning the Latin GRAMMY® for Best Merengue and/or Bachata Album.

With a 30-year career with a long list of achievements and success, it could be said that Eddy has already done it all. But he continues to go on stage to cheer up and make his fans and the public dance with everything he shows. Hence his commitment to offer the best quality in each production. He will soon do a promotional tour through Latin America so stay tuned for where you can see him.

José Mosquera from Barquisimeto for the World “The bodybuilder and elegant”

Barquisimeto, is well known as the musical capital of Venezuela and in this opportunity we will make special mention to the musician José Jesús Mosquera Cañizales, born in our city in the Antonio María Pineda Hospital, on May 23, 1969, son of Rafael Mosquera and Juana Cañizales, married to Yolanda García and from this union were born their children Yolanda José and Luis José.

Mosquera was always inclined to music since he was a child, participating in the musical activities of his school “Ciudad Bolivar”, located on Carrera 13 and 48th Street, in Barquisimeto, singing and playing the cuatro in a self-taught way and with the help of his father who taught him to improve his playing.

At the age of 8 he studied at Pablo Canela’s academy, at the age of 10 he learned to play guitar, also with the support of his father and his cousin Carlos Romero.

At the age of 11 he participates in the musical groups of the Christian church, standing out as a guitarist, drummer and timbalero. When he turned 15, he became interested in playing the bass guitar and during his high school studies at the Ezequiel Bujanda Combined Cycle, he met Jesús Rincón, also a musician, and joined the ranks of the “Obeligaitas” bagpipe group, where he began his career as a bass player.

When he turned 18 years old, he was part of the staff of the group “Tecnogaitas” of the Tecnológico Antonio José de Sucre and simultaneously he was bassist of the band “La Salle”. Afterwards, he is recommended to Alí Rojas and auditions to be the bassist of the “Sonora de Alí”, where he remains for 3 years.

Alí Rojas gave him the responsibility of being the bassist of the dance orchestra “Sensación”, where he remained for 15 years. In 1992, he began working as a music instructor for the Fundación del Niño until 1996.

Mosquera, besides being an excellent bass player, plays string instruments such as the cuatro, guitar and requinto.

In 1993, Mosquera turned to romantic music and created the duet “Génesis” with his friend and compadre Carlos Enrique Prince, performing in nightclubs and private parties. In 1997, he joined the Poliboys Orchestra of the General Command of the Lara State Police as a bass player, where he currently works. In 2004 he began his musical studies at the Vicente Emilio Sojo Conservatory and graduated as an academic musician in 2009 with excellent grades. José has performed on regional television stations demonstrating his qualities in various prestigious programs and in 2016, he won 3rd place in the Police Voice Festival.

Mosquera, at what date do you become interested in salsa as a musical genre?, Professor Carlos in 2007 I start playing the baby bass and in 2011 I join the K’dencia Latina Orchestra of Carlos Sanchez and also had the privilege of accompanying Benjamin Rausseo “El Conde del Guácharo”, performing with his band and with K’dencia Latina, accompanied the late Willy Rodriguez, and vocalists of national and international renown: Hildemaro, Pibo Márquez, Charlie Guzmán, Alejandro Mayora, Mariana “La Sonera de Venezuela” and the official doubles in Venezuela of Rubén Blades (Jhony Heredia) and Celia Cruz (Ibrahíma Rondón).

Mosquera finally told us that musical excellence is achieved through perseverance and dedication.

Finally we wish the best of success on behalf of International Salsa Magazine, to the excellent musician José Mosquera “The bodybuilder and elegant bass”.

See you next time and let’s keep on salsaing!

José Mosquera “The bodybuilder and elegant”.

The 4 Ladies of Venezuelan Salsa project

The rumba night is dressed as a woman with the arrival of Las 4 Damas de la Salsa de Venezuela, a project of musicalizers at parties and events to exalt one of the Afro-Caribbean rhythms that most identifies Latin culture: SALSA.

The 4 ladies of Venezuelan Salsa debuted in May 2018, on the initiative of Sol Graffe after feeling that there was no female and group movement as DJane’s or musicalizadoras.

When musicalizing becomes, not a job but a passion, the commitment grows, and so these D’jane’s arrive presenting a different proposal giving prominence to females, with the aim of incorporating into the salsa market 4 women willing to permeate in a movement where the male presence predominates.

Professional and tasteful, lovers of this genre that unites us in one spirit: SALSA, to bring a musical selection, energy and good vibes to encourage salsa dancers and dancers of Venezuela and beyond its borders.

4 Personalities Conjugated in one Rhythm

DJane. Sol Graffe: Born in Caracas, a salsa dancer at heart, she became a radio promoter, TV producer and event producer under her slogan “Sol 100% Salsa” with more than 25 years of experience in the salsa industry.

DJane. Rocío Blanco: Born in Maracay edo. Aragua, lawyer, manager of the Posada Turística África and salsera by birth, dedicated to the musicalization five years ago being the only lady of the aragüeña entity baptized “La Consentida de la Salsa”.

DJane. Zaire Plater: “La del Melao Salsero”, born in Caracas, economist by profession, salsera by conviction; dedicated to the musicalization of salsa for five years, leads the family project called “El Arepazo Salsero Plater”, where they gather a large group of dancers and salsa lovers to dance and share eating some typical and delicious arepas.

DJane. Zulay Millán: Caraqueña, lives between two passions: Radio and Salsa. She is a teacher by profession and a salsa dancer by heart. Announcer, certificate #55.721, voice over, radio producer, with experience in events and TV production, radio host for 25 years and counting, presenter/entertainer, composer and article writer, which explains her slogan “Soy Salsa y Más” (I am Salsa and More).

The 4 Ladies of Venezuelan Salsa have managed to position themselves with this interesting project in the salsa environment, whose protagonism brings a touch of elegance and distinction when they go on stage uniformed and organized, supporting each other, where camaraderie and good vibes are noted, as well as the demonstration of commitment and discipline setting a precedent, opening the way for alternatives to enrich the forms of dissemination of the salsa genre.

A solid project, which has the acceptance of producers and especially the dancers, who have become an important support for the permanence of Las 4 Damas de la Salsa in the collective memory and the salsa scene.

Sol, Zaire, Rocio and Zulay.

Last March 12, 2022 they were awarded as best musical project 2021 – 2022 event held at Cerro del Avila V.I.P Disco in Caracas, this activity was conducted and sponsored by Libia Ascanio and Edgar Mendoza.

They are The 4 Ladies of Venezuelan Salsa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/4damasdelasalsadura