North America

Julio Vilchez and his orchestra conquer Miami

Peru continues to give us something to talk about thanks to all the salsa talent coming out that country in recent years and today we had the opportunity to talk with one of them, which is the producer, composer and singer Julio Vilchez.

After we communicated with Vilchez via email and WhatsApp to schedule an interview, we have managed to have a great conversation in which we knew a little more about the artist’s beginnings in this fascinating world that is music.

This is Peruvian producer, composer and singer Julio Vilchez

Childhood and musical roots in the Vilchez family

It is not surprising that Vilchez took that parth of life considering that his father, Juan José Vilchez Sanchez, was a talented actor, comedian and professional dancer who carried music in the blood and ran some of the most famous salsa clubs in the city of Lima, which served as a stage for important national and international groups and singers of all genres.

Having referred with admiration to his father because of all that he achieved in life thanks to music, he assured that music definitely ran through the veins of his family and had always been a very important part of his childhood and youth.

Seeing all this, the years were not many when Vilchez became interested in musical instruments such as maracas, the bongo bell and the güiro, which led him to participate in groups such as Raíces, La Fragua and Soy Calidad.

Salsa and other genres

A large majority of Peruvian artists whom we had the honor to interview have typically ventured in Peruvian Creole music before getting involved in salsa, but not Vilchez. In fact, he pointed out to us that his country was heavily influenced by Cuba musically speaking and there used to be a time when groups from the island visited Peru such as La Sonora Matancera and Los Compadres. Peru also received influence from Colombia, Venezuela and Puerto Rico, although to a lesser extent.

The artist also remembers that, at home, he and his family always used to listen to Venezuelan singers and orchestras such as La Dimensión Latina, Oscar D’ León, Luisito Quintero, Nati Y Su Orquesta, among others. In the case of Puerto Rico, of course Vilchez and his family used to listen to La Fania All Stars.

Vilchez was part of Raíces, La Fragua and Soy Calidad — Julio Vilchez was part of groups such as Raíces, La Fragua and Soy Calidad

Formal beginnings of Julio Vilchez in music

In the neighborhood Vilchez and his family lived in, the singer made friends with other local boys and met up with them to sing in a completely amateur way. In addition to that, he liked to participate in school talent shows, in which he delighted the crowd performing songs from Oscar D’León, Rubén Blades and Willie Colón.

After attaining the age of 17, he began working alongside his father in the business of running clubs, which gave him the opportunity to spend time with the members of the orchestra La Progresiva del Callao, who performed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in one of those places.

Since Vilchez loved to dance and the orchestra focused a lot on its choreographies, the young man identified himself a lot with the group and began to learn the steps the singers performed on stage. One day, the boys saw him dancing and invited him to sing with them in one of their shows, in which he danced very well, but he did not sing in the best way. For this reason, he got the opportunity to stay permanently in the orchestra, but only as a dancer for the moment.

Over time, he was grabbing experience on stage and getting over stage fright until he managed to keep up with the rest of his orchestra fellows with the passing of days.

Julio Vilchez with Cano Estremera — Julio Vilchez with Puerto Rican salsa singer Cano Estremera

Vilchez’s time in Venezuela

Vilchez made friends with a group of Venezuelan musicians who accompanied Oscar D’ León in one of his concerts and invited him to travel with them to Venezuela because they wanted him to be part of the sextet they were going to create, which was meant to perform at a tavern in Caracas.

Seeing that things were going well in Venezuela at that time, Vílchez decided to accept the invitation and immigrate to the South American country to try his luck. Once there, he spent a lot of time alone because the boys from the sextet traveled a lot, something which took advantage to get to know other groups, one of them being La Selecta de Cúa. One day, Vilchez was walking down the street and heard this orchestra rehearsing, but it needed a singer. That is when Vilchez proposed himself as an option, was admitted and worked for about two years in this orchestra.

Although he did well in Venezuela, he ended up returning to his native country because he missed his homeland and his father could not get used to having him away, so he packed suitcases and decided to return.

Cover of the album Tributo al Caballero by Julio Vilchez

Life in the United States

One of the songs he released in 1995 led him to make a video clip, which started to become very popular on music channels and shows, giving him the recognition Vilchez aimed for so long.

Since things were not going as he expected on his solo career, he joined the Orquesta La Novel to continue working on music for the next two years. Although his name was not as well known as Vilchez needed it to be, his song was still sounding loud internationally for quite some time, which led him to receive a proposal to perform eight shows with his orchestra in the United States in 2000.

When Vilchez and the rest of the musicians traveled to Miami, about nine members of the orchestra received proposals to stay in the country and decided to accept. It was there where the artist gathered his courage and says to himself ”I’m staying too”. That was over 24 years ago now.

At that point, the Peruvian had to look for other musicians to replace the others in order to finish the concert tour they had scheduled. It was then when he contacted José Alberto ”El Canario” through a Peruvian colleague of his to use his band for the remainder of the tour and so he did. Vilchez did two or three shows with this band and stayed in Miami from 2001 to 2004.

Given the lack of musical proposals, he spent a few years in New York, but returned to Miami some time later to work both with music and with a business sector linked to gastronomy, since living only from music is complicated. In addition to that, his children live in Miami and he wanted to spend more time with them, so this was also a powerful reason to return.

What The Namm Show is and how it works

Latinos and their music have managed to conquer all types of spaces over time thanks to their talent and dedication, and one of them has been The NAMM Show, which is the event to which we are going to dedicate the next lines to be read.

The NAMM Show is an annual trade fair for music producers from all over the world which is organized by The National Association of Music Marchants (NAMM) and is intended to receive suppliers, distributors, social communicators, artists and guests from NAMM member companies. The event takes place in January of each year at the Anaheim Convention Center in California, United States, and the 2024 edition took place between January 23 and 35.

Among the main reasons for the realization The NAMM Show we can mention the promotion of the music industry and the producers offered to consumers anywhere on the planet, which makes it a very important space for anyone who wants to have a place in this highly competitive business.

NAMM Show at the Anaheim Convention Center — The Anaheim Convention Center, where the NAMM Show is held every year

The National Association of Music Merchants

Before delving into what The NAMM Show is, we think it is appropriate to talk about the organization in charge of realizing it and what exactly it does.

The National Association of Music Merchants is a non-profit association that focuses on promoting the advantages and benefits of music and seeks to strengthen the marketing of music products in general as much as possible.

The association was founded in 1901 under the name of The National Association Piano Dealers of America, but since it had much more ambitious aims for the future, the name was changed to NAMM. Today, NAMM and its trade shows function as a meeting center and bank of information for all who wish to stay abreast of the very latest in music products, recording, sound, among other things. However, it is important to note that activities and courses created by NAMM were offered to interested parties of all ages and musical backgrounds.

An important division of Namm that must also be mentioned is The NAMM Foundation, which is a subdivision founded in 2006 of the aforementioned organization that seeks to promote active participation in the creation of music making use of scientific research, donations and public service. A very important element of The NAMM Foundation is that it relies on the generosity of industry members and is based on donations and trade association activities.

This foundation provides opportunities for people of all ages, funding scientific research in music and music education.

The NAMM Show

The NAMM Show is considered as one of the largest trade shows in the music industry to be found on a global level and the most important producers, distributors, artists, record labels, music entrepreneurs and accredited members of the media get together every year at this lavish event to promote everything it has to offer to its audience.

All who enters The NAMM Show will see vendors displaying all kinds of products in stands, allowing traders and producers present to keep up with the latest in music, reach all types o agreements and make purchases of what they need for the next few months of work. In addition to that, the event draws renowned musicians, who also exhibit their own models and equipment to those who may want to acquire them.

Among some important facts about The NAMM Show, we can mention that 2018 was very important for the event, as it was the year in which it began to be held at the Anaheim Convention Center, joined the Audio Engineering Society and organized the Parnelli Awards, which are the prizes that reward all those professionals and companies that work behind the scenes so that everything works such as lights, effects, projection, among other areas.

Three years later, The NAMM Show was not held in January due to the Covid-19 pandemic, so instead, NAMM held a virtual meeting which it named ”Believe In Music Week” starting on January 18 and had over 500,000 views from the general NAMM membership. While it is true that this event was about The NAMM Show every year, its purposes were very similar, as it sought to answer the immediate needs of the companies that are part of NAMM through training for opinion leaders who lead each of the music industry segments, especially at a time as complicated as those experienced back then.

Products at the NAMM Show — Some of the music products offered at The NAMM Show in 2024

Last events of The NAMM Show

Once the pandemic began to decline, fortunately the event was again held at the Anaheim Convention Center in 2022 with a three-day trade show that compensated perfectly for the previous year’s lockout.

In 2023, the trade show held in April of that year welcomed more than 46,700 attendees from more than 120 countries and more than 1,200 exhibitors representing more than 3,000 brands overall, making it one of the largest and most beat-attended editions in recent years. This is not surprising due to the quarantine.

As for this year’s edition, the event had a number of 1600 stands offering their music products, 3500 brands and about 62,000 attendees.

Birdland announces the new Latin Live Jazz Shows this February

North America / USA / New York

The famous Latin Jazz’s Nightclub brings to their stage four renowned artists of the New York Jazz scene to present their biggest hits during this month

Birdland kicks off the New Latin Live Jazz Shows with Arturo O’Farrill, a modern composer and pianist. He combines European harmony and instruments with those from India, Africa, and the Caribbean to bring a never heard ensemble sound to bear.

“Resist” comprises a weaving together of different influences into a new fabric, partly rough-textured, but with an internal dialogue that honors of each musical idea. There is the combination of flute (Alejandro Aviles) and tuba (Earl McIntyre) – two ends of the tonal and pitch spectrum, in duet with one another plus trumpet (Adam O’Farrill).

Sometimes they play the same notes, only octaves apart, and sometimes in counterpoint with one another. Latin percussion (Carlos “Carly” Maldonado) combines with African drums (Neil Clarke) and drum set (Zack O’Farrill), held together by the bassist Bambam Rodriguez. Special guest slam poet Baba Israel is also featured.

DATE: Sunday, February 3^rd
SHOW: 9:00PM & 11:00PM
PRICE: $40 General Seating

Continuing with the Live Jazz entertaiment in this famous Nigthclub will be Claudia Acuña, celebrating the release of her album “TURNING PAGES”. This new album is an exquisite reintroduction to a singer who has thrived at the cusp of jazz and Latin American music.

Slated for release on February 1st, 2019, the project captures an artist in the process of reinventing herself, with a program of strikingly melodic original songs expressing her singular vision. Please, visit her Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/Claudiaacunamusic/

DATES: From Wednesday, February 6^th to Saturday, February 9^th
SHOWS: 7:00PM & 9:45PM
PRICE: $20 – $30

The third important Latin Orchestra that will be present in this venue during two Sundays in February is: THE AFRO LATIN JAZZ ORCHESTRA, which is the resident large format ensemble of the nonprofit Afro Latin Jazz Alliance (ALJA) founded by Arturo O’Farrill in 2007 and dedicated to preserving the heritage of big band Latin jazz, supporting its performance for new audiences. For more information about the orchestra and other ALJA initiatives, please visit them at www.afrolatinjazz.org

DATES: Sunday, February 10^TH & Sunday, February 17^TH
SHOWS: 9:00PM & 11:00PM
PRICE: $40 General Seating

And finally, the Grammy nominated Argentine pianist, composer and bandleader Emilio Solla has chosen Birdland for the official premiere of his brand new TANGO JAZZ ORCHESTRA on February 24^th, a 17 piece band that incorporates many of the best NY jazz players.

SOLLA has written music for and recorded/performed with Paquito D’Rivera, Arturo O’Farrill, Edmar Castañeda, and many others tango and Latin Jazz genius, and his album “Second Half” was nominated for a 2015 Grammy Award as Best Latin Jazz Album. For major information please, visit www.emiliosolla.com

DATES: Sunday, February 24^TH
SHOW: 6:00PM
PRICE: $30

Birdland Details:

$10 food/drink minimum per person

Dinner is served between 5:00PM – 1:00AM

Venue: 315w 44th St, NY, New York 10036

Website: birdlandjazz.com

Afro latin jazz orchestra: Birdland — Afro latin jazz orchestra

Nixmotion begins to mid- February 2019 in the Vermont State

North America / USA / Burlington

The major Salsa experience together to the pleasures of the winter in this creative Latin event similar to a Salsa Congress

Date: From Friday, February 22^thto Sunday, February 24^th

Nixpass (All -Access): $195 + $6.87 FEE (Sales end on February 22^nd)

**Venue: Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain.** 60 Battery Street, Burlington, Vermont 05401

Nixmotion is something truly unconventional! This creative and unique Latin entertainment is designed for learning, so they have crafted workshops of one hour and 15 minute, with the last 15 minutes exclusively dedicated to practice and questions to the instructors. Also, 11 DJs will keep you dancing as early as 8PM, all the way until 5AM. As if this wasn’t enough, in addition to their Salsa room and Bachata room, they now will have a separate Kizomba chamber!

The refreshing experience NIXMOTION includes:

GRAMMY-NOMINATED NEW SWING SEXTET LIVE
1HR SHOWCASE PER NIGHT
3 NIGHTS OF PERFORMANCES
SALSA & BACHATA ROOM
NEW: KIZOMBA CHAMBER
ENHANCED WORKSHOPS
ICEBLOCK OUTDOOR SOCIAL
23 HOURS OF SOCIAL DANCING
AFTER PARTY THEMATIC
AND MUCH MORE!

LIVE BAND

New Swing Sextet on February 23^rd:

The band has been a popular and innovative exponent of Latin Jazz and Salsa with a long history of making music on the streets of Latin New York through harmonized vocals, piano, vibes, bass and Latin percussion for over five decades.

New Swing Sextet (NSS) had their professional debut performing in the Singer Bowl at the last New York World’s Fair in 1965 and recorded the last of 4 albums, all under the “Cotique” Label in 1970 and broke up in the late seventies.

The band offers the classic Latin New York sound of another era, perfectly preserved and bottled for today’s global Salsa enthusiasts. Their recent performances to large audiences all over the North America, South America, Europe, Russia, Asia and the Middle East have proven that NSS is better than ever.

Today, New Swing Sextet celebrates their 50th Anniversary preparing to release their new CD “50 Years of Swing” early next year, following up their “Back on the Streets…a taste of Spanish Harlem Vol 2” which was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2009 by the Recording Academy, and “Yesterday Today & Tomorrow,” released in January 2013. Please, visit: https://nixmotion.com/new-swing-sextet

The Unique Salsa Experience That You Don’t Miss Out!

Reserve your TICKETS Today:
https://www.nixmotion.com

Event Details:

FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/nixmotion

Don Perignon and La Puertorriqueña are prides of Puerto Rico

There are many legendary orchestras in Puerto Rico that may not be widely known to many, but La Puertorriqueña is one of those names that cannot be excluded from the musical history of Puerto Rico and Latin America in general. Today, we were fortunate to interview Don Perignon, leader of the group, so that he could tell us about himself and the orchestra he founded.

Pedro Luis Morales Cortijos, better known as Don Perignon, is a bandleader and timbalero with whom we had the pleasure to talk about his musical background and the Orquesta La Puertorriqueña, which has given him the recognition he has nowadays. Then, these are the most important topics covered in the pleasant conversation we had with the veteran musician.

Don Perignon from La Puertorriqueña — This is Don Perignon, bandleader of La Puertorriqueña

Why the nickname ”Don Perignon”?

When asked about why he is known as Don Perignon, he laughs and says that this is the most frequently asked question he has answered in the past three decades.

It all started because his familly called him ”Perin”. Then, one day, a musician from Andy Montañez orchestra in Miami asked him why he was called that, to which he replied that he has always been called ”Perin” in Puerto Rico. Later, the same gentleman arrived with a bottle of Dom Perignon (a well-known vintage champagne brand) and said that, for him, this young man was a grown man because of how he conducted himself, so from now on he was going to call him Don Perignon.

After that, Andy Montañez took it as a joke and began referring to the musician as Don Perignon, which other fellow musicians began to do, so it ended up being his official stage name.

How did Don Perignon fall in love with music?

Don Perignon told us that the first instruments he liked were the bongo and the conga, but that changed immediately as he knew the timbal, which he felt was more in line with the personality that he projected.

This curiosity for music led him and other teens his age to create an improvised group, while being at the school and studying at the Puerto Rico school of music. It was not a long time that he was in the institution, but it was enough to learn everything he would need in the future. In addition, the style he has nowadays when performing and leading an orchestra was acquired by watching Barry White, Ray Charles, Elvis Presley, among other celebrities of the day.

Don Perignon and Andy Montañez — Don Perignon next to Andy Montañez

La Puertorriqueña

Something that Don Perignon wanted to clarify with regards to La Puertorriqueña is that the project did not start in 1975 as we thought, but that the group started with other names until 1987, which is when the artist and his colleagues finally decided to name it that way.

In the early 1970s, both Don Perignon and the rest of his colleagues, in his own words, were ”kids playing at being musicians” who were only interested in playing. However, over time, they started taking things a lot more seriously and decided it was time to pass the baton to someone, so they all took a vote and chose the young man as their bandleader because he was the tallest, had more physical presence and more character.

That responsibility he was given was a training-school for Don Perignon and acquired most of the knowledge he has today about music. Although the group eventually broke up, the artist is proud that his former orchestra fellows have achieved success and obtain prestige in the projects they undertook, which shows that those seeds they sowed at the time have borne fruit. According to him, ”they all achieved their dream thanks to discipline”.

Over time, other musicians joined the orchestra and also did their bit to make La Puertorriqueña what it is today.

Demostrando a Tiempo

Don Peringnon has said that one of the most important features of La Puertorriqueña is to always pay homage to the dancers and of course their latest album ”Demostrando a Tiempo” could not be the exception. Orchestras and Latin artists in general can interpret music in their own way, but a common denominator between all of them is that they will always include the characteristic spice of the dance and that is what we aim for in each of our productions,” said the musician.

It is for this that the artist says that ”Demostrando a Tiempo” is not very different from the rest of the work made by the orchestra, since they have always paid homage to dancers and they will never deviate from that path. What has changed is that the group experienced with much more romantic lyrics than ever and included them in special rhythms for dancers. This makes the production have the perfect fusion of rhythms for those who dance or simply listen.

Another important detail is that ”Demostrando a Tiempo” can also be defined as a mix between tradition and modernity. In this regard, the bandleader points out that, in the early days of salsa, most musicians were self-taught, until conservatories and music schools welcomed salsa, so musicians were better academically trained and new ways of performing and doing things in general emerged. Therefore, Don Perignon and his musicians, who are from the old guard, have had to adapt to the new times, but without leaving aside the essence with which they started their project.

Some of its main songs are a new version of the classic ”Soy Tu Ley”, ”A Quien Iré”, ”Sácala A Bailar”, ”Sin Rumbo”, among many others that La Puertorriqueña fans will find in this album.

After a few weeks of its release, critical reception to the album was very positive and Don Perignon trusts that the impact will be greater as days go by.