International Salsa Magazine

May

Orestes Vilato

North America / USA / New York

Orestes Vilato. Cuban Multi-Percussionist.

Cuban multi-percussionist, Orestes Vilato, is undoubtedly one of the greatest figures in the history of the Cuban drums known as timbales.

Orestes Vilato
Orestes Vilato

During the fifties, the Vilato family moved to New York, salsa capital of the world, where young Orestes would rise to fame as an innovator of his beloved traditional instrument, “Los Timbales”.  While living in New York for 25 years, Orestes was intimately involved with many musical organizations that played seminal roles in shaping the course of Latin Music around the world.

Among the many groups were: Fania All Starts (founding member), Ray Barretto, Tipica 73 (founding member), Los Kimbos (founder-director), Tito Puente, Johnny Pacheco, Cheo Feliciano, Ismael Rivera, Joe Cuba, Eddie Palmieri, Ruben Blades, La Lupe, Celia Cruz, Rolando La Serie, Chico O’Farril, Lionel Hampton, Los Chavales de Espana, Cal Tjader.

Other artists with whom he has recorded or worked include: Winton and Bradford Marsalis, Paco De Lucia, Whitney Houston, Linda Ronstadt, Aretha Franklin, Willie Nelson, Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, Cachao, Andy Garcia, Emilio Estefan, Gloria Estefan, Paquito de Rivera, Dave Valentin, Mongo Santamaria, Armando Peraza, John Santos, Rebeca Mauleon, Giovanni Hidalgo and Raul Rekow.

Orestes Vilato - Photo
Orestes Vilato – Photo

In 1981, Mr. Vilato moved to the San Francisco Bay area, where he still resides with his family.   From 1980 to 1989 he recorded and toured with the renowned Carlos Santana Band.

Orestes was nominated for a Grammy in 1995 (Latin Jazz category) for his CD, Ritmo Y Candela With Patato and Changuito. In 2009 his solo CD Its About Time was nominated for a Latin Grammy.

Orestes has recorded several movie sound tracks that include:  Our Latin Thing, Mambo Kings, Carlito’s Way, Steal Big Steal Little, The Bird Cage, Dance With Me, Just A Ticket, Things To Do In Denver and The Lost City.

He has been a special guest artist in multiple Jazz Festivals around the country and Puerto Rico including the San Jose Jazz Festival.   He has performed and taught at numerous music conservatories including The Berkeley School of Music, UCLA, Fresno University, Standford University as well as many conservatories overseas.

Orestes was given tribute at Yerba Buena Garden, Monterey and San Francisco Jazz Festivals.

Photo of Orestes Vilato
Photo of Orestes Vilato

Orestes’ style is one of the most imitated and emulated among recording-performing artists.

Melómana – Salsa has a woman’s name

Latin America / Venezuela / Caracas

The Salsa World by Melómana

Born on July 2 in the populous and musical parish of San Agustín del Sur, she reserves the year of her birth, which, although it does not weigh her down, assures that they are years of hers and each one has earned them by hand.

She studied at the Don Pedro “Fe y Alegría” school, and although he has prepared himself for life, he does not like to talk about titles. Consider that these do not define the human being, because the higher you get, the more humble you must be. At this point in his life, with fewer shocks, he finds himself pursuing another professional dream.

Music lover from her mother’s belly, affirms that they fed her with a bottle to the rhythm of the Matanzas sound and other rhythms of that golden age. She feels a great passion for her friend salsa, the one that doesn’t let anyone down.

Asocosalsa - Melómana - Salsa
Asocosalsa – Melómana – Salsa

She has been President of Asocosalsa San Agustín for nearly 5 years, an Association of Salsa Collectors in Venezuela, which was born 44 years ago by Elio Navas, with the purpose of highlighting and publicizing the great musical talent that Venezuela has. , today is one of the largest collectors’ associations in the country, with almost 48 representatives nationally and internationally.

Attending the different events that take place in some places of the capital city, he realized that very few media echo the great work that the country’s musicians do to show their talent.

This is how she began to leave a photographic record of each one of them, that is when Elio Navas called her to create an Asocosalsa page with the name of the parish where she lives: and that is how “Asocosalsa San Agustín” was born.

The rest is embodied in its two Facebooks, where it seeks to make the micro visible and turn it into a macro; They are already part of the history of salsa, each one contributing their grain of sand to highlight what is ours and that the salsa does not decline. Because as our friend says: It’s no use having everything, if you don’t contribute or leave a positive mark in your time in this world.

Asocosalsa - Melómana - Salsa
Asocosalsa – Melómana – Salsa

And how not to love salsa if he was born and grew up where the thing started!!

Salsa has a woman’s name…

Salsa is the seasoning that gives joy to the days.

Salsa always cheers you up, because its rhythm is contagious and moves the hip to the cadenced woman.

Salsa enters your skin and shakes your veins, it makes you forget all your sorrows with its melodious rhythm. Salsa fills your being with its tasty rhythm and makes your friends enjoy feet, oh what a tasty rhythm!

Betty Zapata ¨The Lady of Salsa¨

Latin America / Venezuela / Caracas

In Venezuela, Caracas, the neighborhood is a way of life with its own identity. The neighborhoods of the entire National Territory, its inhabitants, become outstanding characters. Such is the case of Betty Zapata who was born in the emblematic La Pastora Parish located in the Capital (Caracas). There he spends his childhood in a neighborhood of colonial and historical houses of Venezuela.

Betty Zapata ¨The Lady of Salsa¨
Betty Zapata ¨The Lady of Salsa¨

There are many memories of that legendary Zone, they are inevitably built by those associated with survival, preparation, development, work, love, struggle and family formation, its magic and what marked it for life… . “Music”.

My connection with music is due in part to the fact that I live in a popular area where the music that was heard was Afro-Caribbean (mostly Salsa), the parties or meetings in my house and the neighborhood were always enlivened by that type of music, the most rooted and sticky collectively, originating the most varied dancers.

In the Carnestolendas festivities, improvised platforms (Templetes) were installed to stage the most varied costume and dance contests. Leaving my childhood and beginning my adolescent stage, I participated in dance competitions, obtaining recognition and prizes that were awarded to the young people of my generation.

I attended festive celebrations (dance meetings) with my older sisters at the age of 12, not because I was a dancer, but to not leave me alone, since I was the youngest of 3 sisters, this allowed me to share with people older than me and which I was learning the different dance styles “remembering with great affection the Cayender family, made up of excellent dancers” they are part of my school and love for dance. My cadence, flavor and body movement also allowed me to learn until I had my own dance style.

The music of the moment was the Danzones, Billo’s, Melodicos and in my house my sisters listened in the 70’s to Joe Cuba, Ricardo Rey and Bobby Cruz, Eddie Palmieri, the Latin Dimension prevails, Grupo Mango, Salsa Mayor, La Banda and his Young Sauce. That stuck with me forever and I felt drawn to Salsa.

That gave me the basis to fully incorporate myself into the exciting world of music. In the Barrio salsa is something essential, if you don’t dance it, enjoy it, feel it, you’re nothing.

Attending a meeting, an event, a concert, a presentation, a party or a meeting and there is no salsa, you feel an emptiness since with it we enjoy, we share, we dance and it definitely puts us to enjoy.

Photo - Betty Zapata ¨The Lady of Salsa¨
Photo – Betty Zapata ¨The Lady of Salsa¨

In the course of my 6 decades of existence, I have not ceased to be linked to it in different facets: as an audience, spectator, guest, contestant, jury, organizer, producer and director of events.

Each of these participations has allowed me to stand out, stand out and be a well-known, popular and loved person, a reference in the organization of a good party, night events, presentations of representative groups of the world of Salsa such as:

Ray de La Paz, Herman Olivera, Frankie Vásquez, Bobbie Valentin, Willie Rosario, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Sonora Ponceña, La Selecta, Mulenze, Carlos Cano Estremera, Julio López, Yolandita Rivera, Mambo Legends among others, and for those from the Patio: Bailatino, Rumberos del Callejón , Ensamble La Calle, Albondiga y su Pandilla, Repicao, Tributo, On Fire, La áquina de la Salsa, La Negramenta, Gerardo Rosales, Javier Plaza’s Son Risa Orchestra among others.

This has allowed me to be an obligatory reference when it comes to producing and making an event of great importance and musical quality where the Dancing Public is respected and appreciated, providing them with the comforts to enjoy an excellent show and Latin music is seen as an element of identity that belongs to all of us to live it and feel it.

I am (Betty Zapata) currently planning and developing projects in the short, medium and long term and to give you a heads-up I am giving you the scoop: I am here with my radio program to promote, support, disseminate and promote our exciting and magical world of Caribbean music.

Alberto Crespo and his magical muse

Latin America / Venezuela / Caracas

Alberto Crespo, a young pianist, arranger, composer and music producer, from an early age began his studies in Piano and Theory and music theory at the “José Ángel Lamas” music conservatory in the city of Caracas, to later continue his studies in harmony, counterpoint , orchestration and improvisation in different music schools

Alberto Crespo
Alberto Crespo

Since the age of seventeen he has accompanied and toured nationally and internationally with orchestras and artists such as Celia Cruz, Bobby Capo, Carmen Delia Depiní, Ray Barreto, Héctor Lavoe, José Alberto El Canario, Henry Fiol , Ismael Miranda, Mulenze Orchestra, Andy Montañés, Adalberto Santiago, Tito Nieves, La India, Herman Olivera, Frankie Vásquez, José Mangual Jr., Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz, Carlos Cano Estremera, Tito Allen, Pete Conde Rodríguez, Junior Gonzáles, Frankie Vazquez Guatacando.

Photo of Alberto Crespo
Photo of Alberto Crespo

He has stood out as a producer, arranger and pianist for national and international artists such as Maikel Stuart Ny. Frankie Morales Former singer of Tito Puente Ny, Dancer Orchestra of Cheo Navarro, Grupo Mango.Grupo Bacheo, Naty y Su Orquesta, Rumberos Del Callejon de Carlitos Padron, José Papo Rivera Ny, Renzo Padilla Ny, Soneros De La Calle, Freddery el Frederyck El Coco II, Wilmer Cobos Cuenta Nueva II and his Orchestra, La Kindness Orchestra, Efrén Avellaneda and his Orchestra, Lisandro Torres and his Orchestra, Mariana La Sonera and his Orchestra, Canelita Medina, Andy Duran and His Latin Jazz, Herman Olivera Ny , Angie Rincón in London, among others.

With more than thirty years of experience in salsa and Latin Jazz, he has integrated the best groups in Venezuela, including the Orquesta Bailatino, Naty y Su Orquesta, Grupo Bacheo, Andy Durán and his Latin Jazz, El Pavo Frank and his orchestra, Orquesta La Renovación, Los Rumberos Del Callejón, Orquesta las Vibraciones, Verónica Rey and Her Orchestra, Salsa Silva and Guerra by Mauricio Silva Musician and, Mariana La Sonera and Her Orchestra, Grupo Mango. Between his tours he has visited countries such as the United States, France, Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Australia, Curaçao, Mexico and Aruba.

Photo - Alberto Crespo
Photo – Alberto Crespo

Alberto Crespo and Bacheo Latin Jazz has two record productions, the first el Chuchu del viejo and the second de África Soy, which will be on sale soon, and they feature musicians with a long career and perform salsa and Latin jazz with a varied repertoire in rhythms such as son, danzón, chachachá, guajira, salsa, etc.

He currently serves as director, arranger, composer of the Salsera Resistance of Venezuela Bailatino and at the same time working hand in hand with musicians of international stature.

Alberto Crespo anh his piano
Alberto Crespo anh his piano

Yasser Peralta and his musical experience

Latin America / Argentina / Buenos Aire

We have the opportunity to meet the dancer and teacher Yasser Peralta, who is dedicated to teaching Son and Rumba in the Cuban style, being something very striking due to the naturalness of his classes and we can believe that it is because his Cuban blood flows through his veins, giving the essence and flavor to the dance. He tells us that the development of his profession as a dancer and instructor began when he was little, since he was dedicated to dancing at parties, being a very common characteristic for most Cubans.

Yasser Peralta
Yasser Peralta

When he moved to Argentina, that did not stop him and in order to maintain his firm roots in his native land and to have his beloved culture very close, he went dancing, where he took advantage of every trip to Cuba to take classes, of which he was with:

  • Julia Fernández Regisseur of the National Folkloric Ensemble.
  • The Aspirins: Rumberos majors of Regla.
  • Luis Roblejo, professor of Modern Cuban Dance.
Yasser Peralta and his students
Yasser Peralta and his students

He tells us that he not only took classes, he also took training courses in both Cuba and Argentina; in Cuba he was in Cubadanza and in FolkCuba. In Argentina he was with two great dance masters of various genres and musical styles including the Cuban style such as the Mambo in 2 L.A. styles. All this made him increase his knowledge and resume of his musical career, being expanded by studying music, where he learned to play piano, guitar and percussion. And over time he began to organize events through his production company “AhíNaMá!”.

Workshop with Yasser Peralta
Workshop with Yasser Peralta

Of all his life journey, he tells us that “it was not only learning and having a profession, he enjoys dancing and teaching the genres of popular Cuban roots such as Afro-Cuban dances, Son and Rumba, because I understand that you have to go to the basis to better interpret current Cuban music…

On the other hand, I am from the Timba generation and I apply all of the above”, that is, dancing and teaching Cuban popular root genres are 2 of the things that I enjoy a lot, especially since In the future, he sees the possibility of traveling to, meanwhile, dedicate himself more to the production of cultural events of these Latin genres.

Photo - Workshop with Yasser Peralta
Photo – Workshop with Yasser Peralta

Yasser tells us that he has an event production company called “AhíNaMá!” where they hold workshops and teach at other academies:

La Viruta AhíNaMá! Vibra Dance
Tuesday: 20.30hs. $140

Thursday: 20.30hs $150

 Wednesday: en Feeling 21.30hs más baile Social $120 Friday: 21.30hs más baile Social $150

Yasser expresses himself to all of us and above all recommends that lovers of Latin rhythms, whether they are dancers or artists who want to expand in the artistic area, “open your studio to other genres, other styles.” “Everything nourishes and gives resources to personal dance and there is nothing more difficult (but sublime) than achieving one’s own style; especially that they study the music they dance to, understand its structure and the “root” sub-genres that make it up. That is what makes the detail, and the difference is in the detail”.

Salsa Casino with Yasser Peralta
Salsa Casino with Yasser Peralta

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