North America

ISM was in NAMM Show 2020

North America - United States - Anaheim - California

From January 16 to 19 the musical instruments, professional audio and accessories industry met again in Anaheim, California, for the expected annual event that opens the calendar of fairs related to the music market segment.

NAMM Show has been reinvented and this year came with a new structure so we could better appreciate the ideas and proposals. The organizers divided the different items to which the exhibition is dedicated, offering specific spaces for each group of exhibitors and visitors and making it easier to find the desired companies and products.

The NAMM Show Music sector for musical instruments and accessories, The Namm Show Sound for professional audio and sound reinforcement, and The NAMM Show Live bringing together technologies for live events and entertainment were inaugurated in this new organization.

The Namm Show Music

More than 7000 brands, more than 300 educational sessions, more than 150 free interconnection events and hundreds of concerts and performances. Among the spaces dedicated to music, in this sector of the fair was the Boutique Guitar Showcase (sample of manufacturers of boutique guitars from around the world), the Lounge 88 Showcase (collection of renowned piano brands illustrating the history of that instrument), Software. NAMM (a curated selection of the latest music applications and plug-ins). The Sytnth Showcase (shows the latest analog and digital synthesizer technology) and the Innovator Showcase (showing the latest products that aim to revolutionize music, sound and entertainment technology).

On the educational side will be the Retail Innovation Summit, the NAMM U Breakfast Sessions, Music Education Days for students and educators, the Retail Financial Summit, the NAMM Idea Center presented sessions every half hour with all kinds of tips and ideas, and the program GenNext for students who want to develop their career.

Gabrielito Gonzalez - La Verdad — Gabrielito Gonzalez – La Verdad

Other events were in this section such as the She Rocks Awards dedicated to women, the NAMM Foundation Celebration for Music Education, the Yamaha All-Star Concert, hundreds of concerts, jams and live performances through NAMM Jam, the Yamaha Night of Worship with Christian bands, Roomful of Pianos with symphonic works adapted to the piano, and the Grand Rally for Music Education, honoring the outstanding educators in our field.

The Namm Show Sound

More than 3,000 brands in areas dedicated to professional audio and sound reinforcement, more than 200 audio production sessions, more than 50 demonstrations and more than 150 free interconnection events with audio professionals from around the world.

The outstanding samples? The Loudspeaker System Showcase to experience line array and loudspeaker technologies in a real environment, and also Software. NAMM, with a curated selection of the latest music applications and plug-ins.

Educational opportunities were available with the AES Academy (education and training program for live sound, recording and audio professionals in performances), A3E (sessions focused on the future and how audio applications are transforming the industry), Teck Tracks (sessions with high profile themes in recording, live sound and the music business) and Dante Training (free Dante certified training conducted by Audinate).

In addition to the She Rocks Awards, the Yamaha All-Star Contest, and the Yamaha Night of Worship, the NAMM Pro Audio Pool Party (an outdoor party for the professional audio and sound community) was added to this space. NAMM TEC Awards (recognizing the best products and innovations in this segment) and the Parnelli Awards (highlighting professionals in the live event scene).

The Namm Show Live

For those interested in the live events sector there were more than 7,000 brands, more than 50 free educational sessions, opportunities to obtain 80 ETCP credits, hundreds of ESTA interconnection events, and live music throughout the space.

Education was in the hands of the sessions curated by ESTA, technology sessions organized by Lighting & Sound America and PLASA, professional production sessions conducted by PLSN and FOH, in addition to the Dante Audinate training.

In the part of special events will be the Happy Hour for Behind the Scenes (a charitable event that raises funds for industry professionals who are going through problems), the welcome reception of Namm show Live, and visitors can also find interesting Parnelli Awards and the NAMM TEC Awards.

International Salsa Magazine had correspondents at the Namm Show 2020 so you can enjoy all details.

Four days of exciting performances by local and international artists and demonstrations of new high-end technology products were presented at the biggest and the most prestigious annual event in the Music Industry.

Among the main stars that showed musical performances were: Los Lobos, Paris Escovedo, Bobbi Escoto, Adelaide Band, Gabrielito González, Jamal, Abel Flores Band, Calico Oviedo Soultone Cymbals, the winner of two Latin Grammy awards, Tony Succar, and others.

Also, the organization in this unique and memorable event was unsurpassed, the family, brotherhood and cultural environment were present during each day. “People were always very happy, musicians and dancers were very friendly and enthusiastic at all times.” Said our correspondent Bryan “Scorpio” Astrachan

For the first day (Media Day) at the Anaheim Convention Center, Los Lobos was in charge of the first musical performance producing the applause and admiration of the present press. On the other hand, the famous local artist Paris Escovedo once again demonstrated the connection between the public and his music by grabbing attention for hisvirtuosity on the second day.

Likewise, the third day was led by the musical environment of the Bandleader, Director and Bongo player of Afro Son, Bobby Escoto.

During the fourth and last day of the Namm Show, they were present at the Yamaha Grand Plaza State and highlighted the band leader and vocalist of La Verdad, Gabrielito González, and Adelaide Band. This prodigious band played for about an hour, a total of 12 songs. Among his repertoire was a tribute to Salsa with the Celia Cruz’s hits, covers by Gloria Estefan and other Latin singers, in addition to playing the songs of her second album “Reflexiones de mi Mente” released in 2019 and available on all digital platforms. If you want to know more about this Latin urban music band as well as dates events visit their website: http://adelaidetheband.com/

We don’t forget to inform you that during this invitation to the global musical innovation platform, the technology never ceases to amaze. The new ATC Dolby Atmos immersive music audio system was one of our favorites. The next-generation surround audio experience takes music far beyond traditional “surround sound” that includes 3D spatial information to bring the listener to music. This free demonstration and installed on the Smartphone was tested by our correspondent Bryan “Scorpio” Astrachan.

Our correspondent, Carlos Navarro, was also at the event and could verify that the DJs are acquiring a new air and, although it is not something new in the music industry, it is working with a lot of emphasis on everything that refers to DJ Equipment, Technology and more.

The Namm Show 2020 was a perfect platform to publicize and reveal numerous technological advances. And also, the opportunity in which the artists could try everything for themselves in the different jam sessions that took place throughout the event.

Navarro was able to coincide with other artists from the world of salsa in the percussion booth. He had the opportunity to talk with Tito Quintero, Alex Acuña, Luis Conte and John «Dandy» Rodríguez, who was with Latin Percussion at the launch of a limited edition (of only 100 copies) of the Dandy Bongo Cowbell, as a tribute in his honor, with a comfortable, practical case with wheels; and also made with cutting-edge technology and high-end materials and a dazzling aesthetic.

The highlight was the live presentation of Tower of Power. “Incredible. I realized that people are appreciating live music badly, because they are accustomed to DJs, although that is not new,” Carlos Navarro told us.

In this way, we say goodbye to an event of high quality, maximum organization, unsurpassed treatment, and unmatched technological development platform.

Each day this event culminated from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM, we culminate standing and with applause. Until next year Namm Show 2021!

Brad Dutz

North America / Los Angeles / California

Brad Dutz, His endorsements include Innovative Percussion, Gon Bops, Remo, Yamaha, Paiste and Roland

While recording CD’s for artists like Kiss, Willie Nelson, Michael Wolff, Tribal Tech, David Benoit, Rick Braun, Vinny Golia, Alanis Morrisette, LeAnn Rimes, Mitch Forman, Kim Richmond, Rickie Lee Jones, Hands’Onsemble and even actors Jeff Bridges and Ronny Cox, Brad Dutz tries to bring the strangest percussion instruments he has to the session to create a unique sound.

He can be heard on TV shows King of the Hill, Family Guy, American Dad, Enterprise and Firefly. Some of the movies that Brad has played on include Last Vegas, Battleship, Bourne Legacy, Cowboys And Aliens, Prince Of Egypt, Syriana, Hildago, Rugrats Of Egypt, Syriana, Hildago, Rugrats Go Wild, Star Trek 5, Ocean’s Eleven, Anchorman, Hollywood Homicide, Transformers 1 And 2, Rush Hour 3, Run Down, I Spy and Imax Films’ Mysteries Of Egypt, Mt. Kilamanjaro, The Amazon and Island Of Sharks.

As a member of BMI since 1985, Brad Dutz has produced over thirty CD s as a leader and composed the entire body of music on more than twenty of those releases. He is the owner of the publishing company Leaky Spleen music. The ensembles he has written for cover a wide range of instrumental combinations.

In 1990, Brad Dutz started his composition studies of multiple scores mainly of 20th century music and privately with composers Terry Plumeri, Ron Jones, Russell Steinberg. In addition to CD projects, he has composed for dance companies and theatre as well as television, movies including a few silent films.

The main focus of his composition over the last twenty years however, has been his numerous CD releases.

Everything from solo pieces to nonets is featured on his compact discs. Last year saw the fourth release- ‘”Peripheral Hearing” ‘of his latest quartet project.

This unit has the unique instrumental combination of mallet percussion, oboe, cello and bass clarinet.

Other recent ensembles include The Other Three (a trio with Kim Richmond and John Fumo), Obliteration 4tet (found objects for percussionists), Polarity Taskmasters (keyboards, voice, Theremin, percussion) and the duet CD with reedman Vinny Golia.

In 2002 his Obliteration quartet was the subject of a documentary lm. As an educator, Brad has taught hand percussion at Cal State Long Beach since 1997.

He has conducted hundreds of clinics at colleges and high schools on a variety of topics (including studio work, composing for percussion, producing his own CD of world percussion and freelancing in the music industry) He has also conducted master classes, lectures at many schools including University of KY Cal Arts, Saddleback College, Chapman College, NIU, WINONA State in MN.

Cal state LA, Indiana University, UNT, WEBER College, USC, UCLA, EIU, Eagle Rock Community Center, Southern Methodist University, ISU, U. of I, MILLIKIN, Pierce College, University Nebraska, Southern Utah University, Brigham Young ,Utah state, University of Alaska- Fairbanks and many others.

In 1995, Brad Dutz was featured on four videotapes (now reissued on DVD) Have Fun Playing Hand Drums that taught newcomers about playing hand percussion.

In addition, for four years Brad Dutz wrote a monthly column for Drum Magazine on hand percussion and he has written three (3) books featuring his original compositions -Manipulations in Sound and Time, Music for Hand Percussion and Percussion Pieces for Duos, Trios and Quartets. There are brand new compositions since 2012 now published by Honey rock Music. His endorsements include Innovative Percussion, Gon Bops, Remo, Yamaha, Paiste and Roland.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brad.dutz/abo ut?lst=833588259%3A569504777%3A15 81456694

Kirk Douglas

North America / United Stated / New York

Kirk Douglas “My greatest achievement un my long career was to help end the blacklist at the movies”

At the age of 103, Isuur Danielovitch Demsky, on February 5th, 2020 passed away. He was better known as Kirk Douglas. At the Sarah Lawrence College in Canton, new York. He discovered acting. He was rejected from the fraternities for being Jewish. However, eventually, Douglas became the president of the Student Council, the first time a Jew help that position. In his career he made over 90 film. He brought a certain air of powerful rebellion in his characters and left a legacy. A part of that legacy is the recognition for his humanitarian sense and “commitment to justice”

Douglas said that his greatest achievement was in helping to end McCarthyism. People from the industry were persecuted for their alleged communist affiliation. Artistic creativity was being censured. Douglas had hired screenwriter Dalton Trumbo to do the screenplay for Spartacus.

Trumbo was one of the highest paid screenwriters of this time, accredited with works like Oscar winning The Brave One, Exodus, Spartacus and Roman holiday and many other famous works. In 1950 Dalton spent 11 months in prison as one out he Hollywood 10. The Junior senator from Wisconsin Joseph McCarthy wanted to make a name for himself, along with attorney Roy Cohn, senator (later president) Richard Nixon, and Hollywood gossip columnist Hedda Hopper. The committee assured that Blacklisted individuals wound’s work for years to come. Hedda Hopper organized a picket line at the opening of the film, urging her 35 million reader toy boycott the movies Spartacus.

Spartacus - film

Otto Preminger was the first to fight back against Joseph McCarthy and his witch-hunt, recognizing the work of Trumbo for Exodus. In 1955 Kirk Douglas had established his own production company. If Spartacus was boycotted, it would cause financial chaos for Douglas, and after being placed in the backlist, no one would work with him and Hollywood would ostracize him.

It took a great deal of courage for Mr. Kirk Douglas to stand up for his beliefs and fight to abolish blacklist and all that it meant. He joined the ranks with Otto Preminger. One of the first persons to cross Hedda Hopper’s picket line and give his support to Kirk Douglas was president elect John F. Kennedy.

Undoubtedly, the death of Kirk Douglas server for us to reflect on our role in society, and how we can contribute for our spaces, whether from art, film or music: and in different directions, beyond religion or politic. That sense of justice in the real legacy of Kirk Douglas. Some articles mention tha his already successful son Michael Douglas, how is married to actress Catherine Zeta Jones was left out o the will. Mr kirk Douglas left a vast part of his fortune to charity, His successful son Michael Douglas already is reputed to have a fortune in excess of $ 300,000,000 dollars.

Salsa: From New York to the world!

North America – United States – New York

Last February we actively participated in different activities in New York, promoted by different instances and always supported from the Spanish Harlem Salsa Gallery Museum and The Johnny Cruz Show.

Johnny Cruz: We were part of the Somos Puerto Rico event, together with more than 25 artists and with the collaboration of La Boom, which allowed thousands of people to work for our island: Puerto Rico. There was a lot of music, and we were accompanied by artists such as Jova Rodríguez, Arlene, Roberto Vásquez, Anissa Gatners, Fernando Berniero, Alex Bautista, Jen Carrasco and Kevin Tapia, among others.

We also had typical food for sale and many initiatives aimed at saving so many lives in need. From this event we want to continue bringing families to the United States and they can be calm until they stop shaking in the south west of Puerto Rico. You are not alone!

In addition, we are working hard on a documentary about Frank Ferrer, always thinking of immortalizing figures that have consolidated Salsa in the world as a Latin genre of world projection.

Salsa, as you know, is a typically New York musical genre, the result of the influence of great Latin jazz musicians, and the existence of a youth of Latin origin born, or resident in New York, in slums where Salsa is the best expression, spiced up by the exile produced by the Cuban Revolution and the awareness of American racial minorities.

In 1964, Johnny Pacheco, a flutist of Dominican origin, and Jerry Masucci, a young businessman, founded the Fania label, which gave the old Latin labels, a more modern sense of Caribbean music. Musicians and singers of the previous generation were reinvented, but others were incorporated as a young Willie Colon, the Palmieri brothers, Eddy and Charlie; Papo Luca, Ray Barreto, Larry Harlow. And, there were also singers who put their voice to Salsa to tell stories of the street, daily or reflexive, that were the mirror of the life of the neighborhoods: Cheo Feliciano, Adalberto de Santiago, Andy Montáñez, the Ismaeles -Miranda and Ribera-, Justo Betancourt, Héctor Lavoe or Rubén Blades.

Johnny Cruz Salsa: From New York to the world!

The influence of the Cuban revolution had led composers and salsa musicians to become aware that it was necessary to compose songs that talked about what was happening in the streets from a critical perspective, giving way to a new salsa and foot reality for characters as Frank Ferrer started from folklore and protest to arrive at salsa mixing both concepts in an exemplary album: Yerbabuena. All this and much more can be enjoyed very soon.

For this month of March, Puerto Rico will organize the 1st World Salsa Collectors Meeting and of course we will be there representing New York with the Salsa Museum (SPAHA Salsa Gallery Museum). From March 7th, at least 15 organizations of this type of collector from seven countries will exhibit their collections of the Caribbean genre.

The collectors meeting will take place at the Sheraton Hotel, in Miramar, under the theme “La Salsa se baila así” and will be free admission. It will be attended by collectors from Puerto Rico, Colombia, Panama, Peru, Ecuador, Mexico and several cities in the United States.

That day will be the official release in LP format of the album “Mario Ortiz, 55 Aniversario”, nominated for the last edition of the Latin Grammys.

The event includes memorabilia exhibitors of legendary salsa artists such as Willie Rosario, Bobby Valentín, Roberto Roena o la Sonora Ponceña, as well as the Museo de la Salsa de Puerto Rico or the Fundación Nacional para la Cultura Popular.

Pieces from the Jairo Varela Museum, renowned deceased Colombian musician, whose orchestra Grupo Niche is still active and triumphing around the world will be presented. The writer Daniel Nina, will give a lecture about Salsa, and Puerto Rican dancer Tito Ortos will talk about the history of salsa dancing. We can enjoy live music with the group Cubaneo 54, and a great closing with the several times awarded Big Band of the Free School of Music of San Juan, directed by Professor Manuel García. See you there!

As always, remember that Spanish Harlem Salsa Gallery is in 1708 Lexington ave New York N.Y. 10029. Open free to the public all Thursdays & Fridays from 4 to 7 pm and Saturdays from 1 to 8 pm. Check the updates in our website: spahasalsagallery.com.

Johnny Cruz - Spaha Salsa Gallery — Johnny Cruz – Spaha Salsa Gallery

Also, The Johnny Cruz Show, the #1 Salsa Show on television on all 5 Boroughs of New York on CH67. Saturdays from 3:30 to 4:30 pm.

Contact: Johnny Cruz. 917-747-8505. [email protected].

By Johnny Cruz Correspondent, New York City, New York

Joe Bataan’s music remains in force

Joe Bataan in the Spaha Salsa Gallery

There are many artists of international stature have been in the Salsa Museum and left some valuable object in our facilities, and this month, it was the turn of American singer and musician Joe Bataan, who was kind enough to share with producer Johnny Cruz and his show partner Boris Calderón.

Joe Bataan and Johnny Cruz in the Spaha Salsa Gallery

In one of the videos taken during the visit, the artist mentioned that the place was awesome and had expanded so much that another building would have to be made soon for so many valuable acquisitions. Let’s remember that both the artists and their families have been donating all kinds of garments, instruments and things related to their careers to be exhibited in the museum with the purpose of showing the public this valuable part of our culture.

After such an extraordinary exchange, we believe it believe to talk a little about the story of this talented man and how he has reaped all the success obtained at the time.

Story of Joe Battan

Bataan Nitollano is a New York singer of African-American and Filipino origin from his parents, but he grew up in the neighborhood of Harlem, where he got in trouble with the law and was trained in music.

Joe Bataan signing a jacket in the Spaha Salsa Gallery

While he spent a short time in prison, he studied music, and trained in playing the piano, something that would be extremely important for his artistic career. Once he was released, he formally began his career as a singer and formed his first group, which he named ”Joe Bataan and the Latin Swingers”. At that time, the young man was heavily influenced by two genres that were very fashionable at the time, which are boogaloo and Afro-American Doo-wop.

Although Bataan was not the first to enter the aforementioned genres, his very particular talent made him worthy of the attention of the newly created record label Fania Records, which signed the artist in 1966 and released his first single ”Gypsy Woman” the following year. The song ended up being a huge hit in the Latin community in New York City and laid the foundation for what would end up becoming what we know today as Latin Soul.

During the time Joe worked with Fania, he recorded about eight albums, which became a true sensation due to their mix of Doo-wop in Latin rhythms with English soul, which was quite new at the time. Everything was going well until he had some frictions with the label manager Jerry Masucci concerning the economic issue, so the singer ended up leaving the company to launch his own label Ghetto Records.

The artist's signature — The artist’s signature

In the 1980s, he spent a long time away from music to devote himself to teaching at the same center where he was held and experienced some health declines that kept him silent for quite some time until he ws back in play in 2005, when he released his album ”Call My Name” whose rhythms were based on Latin soul and got many positive reviews. This album proved that Bataan was still a talented artist even though his genres are no longer the most popular.

Today, he is a person with extensive experience in the world of music who is always willing to give his everything to any fan who wants to listen to him. The Spaha Salsa Gallery team is pleased to have had his presence in recent days, so we hope that meetings like this one can be repeated.

Contact: Johnny Cruz. 917-747-8505. [email protected].

By Johnny Cruz, ISM Correspondent, New York, New York City