North America

“David Lucca and his Salsa Classics”

He was born on September 16, 1957 to Puerto Rican parents in New York City.

At the age of 13 he moved to Ponce, Puerto Rico where he graduated from the University of Puerto Rico (UPR). He began his musical career at the age of 18.

He leads the “Panchanga Band” at the Miami Marlins Baseball Park and is widely known for his orchestra “David Lucca & Los Clásicos de la Salsa”.

The famed percussionist is followed by thousands of people in South Florida.

With an extensive and successful musical career, percussionist David Lucca has accompanied the greats of salsa for 45 years and finally founded his own orchestra “David Lucca & Los Clásicos de la Salsa”, which since 2013 has been recognized as one of the most followed in South Florida, United States.

This excellent Puerto Rican musician, after touring the world and being part of various orchestras, making recordings, and many activities of his art, decided to settle in Miami to retire, considering that his goals were already fulfilled, but his musical essence did not leave him, perhaps motivated by his Puerto Rican origin. As a good lover of salsa, he returned to his adventures with his orchestra “David Lucca & Los Clásicos de la Salsa”, which has stood out as one of the best in South Florida.

Lucca has more than 45 years in music. Throughout his career, he has accompanied many artists such as:

Andy Montañez, Ismael Miranda, Ray de la Paz, Michael Stuart, El Cano Estremera, Luisito Carrion, Moncho Rivera, Tommy Olivencia Jr, Hector Tricoche, Frankie Negron, Tito Allen, Adalberto Santiago, Ismael Rivera Jr, Elvis Crespo, Victor Manuel and Many more.

David Lucca Achievements: During the 80’s he traveled the world with artists such as Ray Barreto, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, El Budda All Star, El Flamingo All Star, among others.

David Lucca Productions: for 2010 I did the production “David’s Dream” which is a production of 10 songs and a mix of Salsa and Latin Jazz. For 2020 I just came out with the production “Ponle Corazón” which has 10 original songs. It is composed of Salsa, Son Montuno, Bolero, Plena.

He is currently the director of the Bomba and Plena group “PLENA ES”. He has also worked around the world doing Folkloric rhythms.

Right now I am one of the most requested Bands in South Florida under the name of David Lucca y Los Clásicos.

My new single “PONLE” video was considered as Short Video of the Year by Latin Grammy’s but was not nominated. The same with my production of David’s Dream was also considered by the Latin Grammy’s but was not nominated.

Lucca also mentioned that in 2020, he came out with a production called “Ponle Corazón”. We really put heart into this. The production is all original, but if you look at the arrangements, if you listen to the music, it has the feeling of the seventies, the little flavor for the dancer. We put heart into it to always please the dancer. This production is being heard all over the world, sales are going very well and I am very happy.

God willing, next year we will start with another production”, he said after pointing out that those interested in buying the album can find it on Spotify, Itunes, Amazon, among other platforms, as well as in the Casa Latina and Casa del Barrio stores in New York.

Those interested in acquiring the album of master percussionist David Lucca can contact him through his Facebook page “David Lucca & Los Clásicos de la Salsa“, or by sending an email to [email protected].

Source: https://latinopinionbaltimore.com/maestro-david-lucca/

Article of Interest: Alexandra Albán Manitas de Piedra baptized by Bobby Cruz

By: Diana Marie International Salsa Magazine Miami Correspondent

 

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The Salsa Pilot Willie Morales, “Vivencias mi Misión”

Is his second and most recent musical production after debuting with Desafiando la Gravedad, el Piloto returns with more power and an original sound that bets on the style of Salsa de la Vieja Guardia or Gorda in the same way of interpreting a Son Montuno, a Guaracha, a Bolero or El Mambo and surrounds us with a voice of the original Sonero.

The main theme and title track of the production “Vivencias mi Misión” features an excellent Congas solo by veteran Puerto Rican percussionist Paoli Mejías and the Vázquez brothers (Víctor and Toñito) on Trombones.

 William Morales Echeverría, better known as Willie Morales. Born in East Chicago, Indiana on December 1st. Son of Puerto Rican parents from the town of Añasco.

From a very young age, the inclination towards music was apparent, inspired by his brother Jose Rodolfo Morales (Rudy) who sang with various musical groups in the city of Chicago.

Willie developed in choirs of different schools in the city of Chicago where he demonstrated his vocal range where he performed all voices from soprano to baritone.

At the age of 13, after his parents’ retirement, he took up residence in Añasco, Puerto Rico on Nicolás Soto Ramos Street, better known as La Gallera.

It was here where his passion for Salsa grew and he had gatherings in the neighborhood with family and childhood friends where we spent hours in street rumbones.

He attended the Escuela Libre de Música de Mayagüez, where he took piano lessons with Luciano Quiñones, and also participated in the school’s band as a singer. He sang with several musical groups in the area such as Polanco, Nelson (Ruido), and La Dictadora, which belonged to Willie Sotelo, the current pianist of the Gran Combo.

His favorite singers are Cheo Feliciano, Marvin Santiago, Ismael Miranda, his relative among others. During this trajectory, he began another passion in his life, aviation.

His desire to be a pilot grew with the same intensity he felt to be a singer, as time went by, he took the path of aviation where he has been flying around the world for more than 30 years. He never stopped singing, bringing joy to co-workers, neighbors and the general public.

Bringing music and joy in every corner, in every place, dancing and singing even in the airplane.

Always with the hope that in the future he could realize his dream of making his own musical production. After such a long wait, he got the opportunity to do what he loves so much in life, taking both careers hand in hand, singing and defying gravity, two dreams come true.

Here is Willie Morales, El Piloto de la Salsa! As his friends called him.

Family…

Just out of the oven!

Now available for sale by PayPal, Zelle or money order. Bufete de Salsa, features 12 tracks, Pa’ Gozá!!!! Each unit has a cost of $16.00 includes shipping (USA) with tracking number. Autographed if you wish!

“YOUR SUPPORT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO CONTINUE MAKING MUSIC FOR THE SALSA PEOPLE”.

Contact: Willie Morales II or call 832-515-3522

Por: Erika Muñoz 

La Mulata Rumbera

“Se Armó la Rumba en México”

Corresponsal de International Salsa Magazine

Article of Interest: Fabián Rosales Araos Chilean singer-songwriter, native of the city of Valparaíso

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What is Willie’s Steak House

Willie’s Steak House is one of those places where The Bronx visitors have to go, whether tourists or local residents. This spectacular restaurant with live music has absolutely everything anyone may need to have a nice and lovely time in the company of friends and relatives. The best of cuts of steak mixed with live jazz result in a heady combination that is hard to ignore.

This restaurant specializing in meat offers an impressive menu to be enjoyed by all those who visit at its facility to take their minds off of the routine and the health situation in the world during the last year and a half. In its wide catalogue of options, we can find pork leg, crispy chicken, flame-broiled, pork chop, among many other dishes. As for the side dishes, there are also various options that can be included such as rice with pigeon peas, fried yucca, hash browns, potato chips and much more.

Although the food is wonderful and one of the biggest attractions of the place, we cannot ignore the fact that this space also includes the best jazz that can be found across the Bronx and its surroundings. In addition, it is also very common to invite groups from Puerto Rico to play the guitar, mostly on Saturday. However, the place is not only limited to these musical styles to harmonize the environment for diners, but further has been responsible for bringing artists linked to all kinds of genres and instruments that can make an evening a great opportunity to enjoy the best Latin music.

The best music and food in the same place

The owners and those responsible for handling the advertising side are always announcing new events and shows suitable for the whole family, primarily related to music. In fact, last month the return of Live Salsa Wednesdays was announced with a different live singer or orchestra each week. This had been suspended indefinitely after the pandemic broke out in New York and other American cities. This was big news for regular customers of the restaurant, who cannot wait to see a live show again after all this time.

Against that background, it is safe to assume that the place provides facilities for private parties, banquets and all kinds of meetings and social events just by contacting the staff of the restaurant to make the necessary reservations. If that is the case, all one has to go into the web portal www.williessteakhousebronx.com, go to the Contact section, leave a comment with the required information or call (718) 822-9697.

As far as open hours are concerned, the place runs on Mondays between 4 p.m. and 12 midnight, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 12 noon to 2 a.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 12 noon to 3 a.m. and Sundays from 12 noon to 12 midnight.

So any of our readers who want to enjoy an exquisite cut of meat with the side dishes from the Island of Enchantment and listen to the best Latin music bands and orchestras, they only have go to Willie’s Steak House to spend a time they will never forget.

Website: www.williessteakhousebronx.com

 

Phone: (718) 822-9697

 

Opening hours:

Monday and Tuesday: from 4:00 p.m. to 12 midnight.

Wednesday and Thursday: from 12:00 noon to 2:00 a.m.

Friday and Saturday: from 12 noon to 3:00 a.m.

Sunday: from 12:00 noon to 12:00 midnight

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What is happening in New York?

There are several reports in New York for the coming months in terms of salsa and Latin music in general. There are so many that we could not mention them all here, but we will summarize the most outstanding and interesting of the month. So make yourselves comfortable because we have many things to say.  

Salsa International Day Celebration 

Recently, it was announced that New York will host the First Salsa International Day Celebration, an event that has been announced by Carlos Velasquez from GrupoCKV and myself on 27 June of this year. This fabulous festivity will be broadcast through Canal America in an exclusive way and carried out on 14 August between 4 and 5 pm on New York time. 

In the words of Velasquez, this will be an event meant to unify and glorify all salsa lovers. He also mentions that for him and the rest of the team that makes this possible are proud to be able to share this great event with all viewers who are interested in the show that has been prepared for them.   

Donation of the last jacket worn by Franklin Ruíz in one of his shows 

For me and for the rest of the Spaha Salsa Gallery, it is a great honor that Franklin Ruíz’s brother Víctor Rolando Negrón Ruiz, best known as Viti Ruíz, has donated the last jacket worn by the artist at Madison Square Garden before his unfortunate death due to liver cirrhosis that had afflicted him a while ago. With this special offer, we will always have a pleasant memory of El Papá de La Salsa, who has left a bottomless void after his departure. 

Viti Ruiz is a huge iconic figure like his brother Franklin, who made us be more honored to receive him in our facilities and meet him about the gift to the Salsa Museum and how much this priceless possession meant to him. What makes this jacket so special is that it was worn by the singer during a heartfelt tribute in which his name was chanted for more than 15 minutes at Times Square Garden, time that will remain forever in the memory of the musician until his last days and that of all his fans.  

Tito Allen is more relevant than ever 

We all know the artistic career of Tito Allen for more than 60 years, whose songs hit speak for themselves. Despite so many decades, the Puerto Rican is still a very active man and wants everyone to know that he will return to the stage and will do it with a few surprises up his sleeve. 

He has announced that he will be part of the Salsa Festival, which will take place on 21 August from 8 pm. According to information recently published, the place chosen is the Stereo Garden in New York, which is a multi-use venue built in the 1940s under the name of Patchogue Roller Rink. One of the best characteristics of this place is the absence of inconvenient columns that can hinder the movement and view of the spectators, providing them with much more space in which they can move about. 

Additional to that, Tito will not be the only one performing that night, as the concert will count on the participation of Franklin Vasquez and Hector Tricoche. Those who wish to book their tickets may do so through Ticketmaster and they have a value of $40. 

By: Johnny Cruz correspondent of International Salsa Magazine in New York City, New York

 

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