North America

Wilson “Chembo” Corniel Jr.

Wilson “Chembo” Corniel Jr.“A sprinkling of be-bop, a touch of swing with a dollop of bomba, rumba, tango and danzón topped with ‘un chin’ de charanga.”

Grammy award nominated percussionist Wilson “Chembo” Corniel was born in Manhattan on November 22, 1953 of proud Puerto Rican parents; Chembo was raised in the humble streets of Red Hook, Brooklyn.

1- Wilson “Chembo” Corniel Jr

Wilson “Chembo” Corniel Jr

It was during these years, as a quick-witted youngster, that he had the privilege and honor to study with such percussion luminaries as, Tommy Lopez Sr., “Little Ray” Romero, Louie Bauzo, and Cachete Maldonado.

Chembo honed his skills at The Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts in New York, and also at the prestigious La Escuela Nacional de Arte in Havana, Cuba under the direction of the great Chucho Valdés.

His intense studies with such legends noted above channeled his energy onto a path where Wilson “Chembo” Corniel has now created a reputation for himself among musicians and the public. Today, he is considered as one of the best hard-hitting, versatile percussionists around.

Chembo teaches percussion to students at the SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music and leads numerous clinics throughout the United States where he brings awareness to others of the rich Afro-Caribbean traditions.

Among his credits, Chembo was chosen to create his own instructional DVD called, “An Introduction to Hand Percussion: Volume I—Congas”. It was released in December of 2000 and with distribution by Warner Brothers it has been a success.

He’s been a vital endorser of Latin Percussion instruments since 1982 as he is currently for Remo drum heads, Vic Firth sticks and Sabian cymbals.

His touring credits are as long as his performing credits. Chembo has toured with many major artists throughout Europe, Asia, North & South America, and the Caribbean. Television credits include an appearance on the “Bill Cosby Show” and a recurring recording gig on Nickelodeon’s children show, “Dora the Explorer”.

Chembo continues to perform and/or record with many artists of different genres. He is currently concentrating on leading his own Latin Jazz quintet, “Chembo Corniel Quintet”. Chembo received a GRAMMY NOMINATION by NARAS IN 2009 for “BEST LATIN

JAZZ ALBUM” for his 2009 cd “Things I Wanted To Do”. This is a well-balanced Latin Jazz group that incorporates many rich traditions, such as writer Aurora Flores states:

“A sprinkling of be-bop, a touch of swing with a dollop of bomba, rumba, tango and danzón topped with ‘un chin’ de charanga.”

Wilson “Chembo” Corniel Jr. ARTISTS: RECORDINGS:

Wilson “Chembo” Corniel – “Land Of The Descendants” – 2016
Wilson “Chembo” Corniel – “Blue Monk” (ASM) – 2012
Wilson “Chembo” Corniel – “Things I Wanted To Do” – 2009
Akiko Tusuruga – Orient Express – 2009
Wilson “Chembo” Corniel – “For The Rest Of Your Life” – 2007
Mark Sherman – Family – 2007
Carlos Jimenez – El Flautista – 2007
Akiko Tusuruga – Sweet And Funky – 2006
Chris Washburne & SYOTOS – Land Of Nod – 2006
Chembo Corniel & Andrea Brachfeld – Beyond Standards 2006
Willie Martinez – La Familia – 2005
Hilton Ruiz – Steppin’ With T.P. – 2005
Wilson “Chembo” Corniel – Portrait In Rhythms – 2004
Ray Vega – Squeeze Squeeze2004
Chris Washburne & SYOTOS – Paradise In Trouble – 2003
Steve Wilson – Soulful Songs – 2003 Larry Harlow’s
Latin Jazz – Live At Birdland -12/02
Chico Freeman – By The Way -4/2002
Ray Vega – Pa’lante -3/2002
Blood, Sweat & Tears – Christmas Album -12/02
Chris Washburne & SYOTOS – The Other Side – 4/2001
David Gonzalez & LLB – Sofrito3/2000
Bobby Sanabria BIG BAND-Live At Birdland -2/2000
(Grammy Nominated) Chris Washburne & SYOTOS – Nuyorican Nights -10/99
Ray Vega – Boperation- 8/99
Larry Harlow – Latin Legends Band – 5/98
The Bronx Horns – Silver in the Bronx – 4/98
Greg Abate – Sweet Samba – 3/98
Buddy Montgomery Trio – Here Again -1/98
Ray Vega – Ray Vega -12/97
Willie Colón – Honra y Cultura Louie Ramirez – El Genio de la Salsa Jose Bello – Jose Bello y su Orchestra Bobby Rodriguez y la Compañia – Hay Que Cambiar La Rutina

ARTISTS: TOURS/PERFORMANCES:

Chucho Valdés
Hilton Ruiz
Buddy Montgomery
Angela Boll
Tito Puente
Grady Tate
Machito
Willie Colón
Toshiko Akiyoshi
Jane Bunnett & Spirits of Havana
Bobby Sanabria Big Band
Charlie Sepulveda
Andrea Brachfeld
Ray Vega
Bob Baldwin
Jose Alberto “El Canario”
Pete “El Conde” Rodriguez
Larry Harlow
Tito Nieves
Louie Ramirez
Chico Freeman
Chris Washburne & the Syotos Band
Chico O’Farrill Big Band
Bobby Rodriguez y Compañia
Lainie Kazan
Celia Cruz

The 5 most famous Latin music DJs in USA

Latin music is characterized by its incomparable rhythm. Those who have Latin blood vibrate when listening to songs that remind them of their roots. However, Latinos are not the only ones who enjoy them, audiences of all ages and nationalities end up trying to dance to the tune of salsa, merengue or bossa nova.

Its growth has been increasing over the years and more and more Latino artists are performing on large stages; Important events in the United States and become the favorites of non-Hispanic people.

For this reason, it is very common to listen to these types of songs in different bars and clubs. Some DJs based in the US have wanted to enhance their roots and, even when they dabble in other genres, they are still famous for their Latin mixes .

Famous DJs of Latin music

DJ Deorro

Erick Orrosquieta, is a DJ and music producer, born in California but to Mexican parents. It is characterized by its inclination towards electro house. However, it does not neglect the Latin music sets. To his credit he has pieces such as “Bailar” with Elvis Crespo, where he did not hesitate to place his personal stamp.

He is working on a new album where he plans to gather more Latin songs and songs in Spanish. Even when he tours different countries, he always plays in his native USA again.

“I want to grab the sounds we used to hear when we were little, cumbia, merengue, mariachi, everything, in order to give them new music”

DJ Louie Vega

Luis Ferdinand Vega Jr. is an American with Puerto Rican roots. His uncle was nothing more and nothing less than the famous singer Héctor Lavoe. Little Louie Vega, as he is also known, grew up surrounded by Latin music. For this reason, his training and his passion for music of this style have always been noticed.

He is one of those artists who enjoy each show and immerse themselves in what they do. Dj Louie had his beginnings at parties in the Bronx and has not neglected his Hispanic side. Making different Latin mixes that he does not stop taking advantage of in many of his presentations. One of his most requested songs is “My people by Héctor Lavoe”. He has also participated in songs with a tropical rhythm like “Starring” with Roberto Roena and performed live with the accompaniment of different percussionists.

“Music comes from our hearts and we try to express it. We don’t look at the others, we just follow what we think is our path, ” he told estaybullshit.com.

DJ Buddha

Urals Vargas, born in the United States, is a renowned DJ, songwriter, producer and music publisher who has earned a good place in the industry. Recognized for including Latin music and dancehall among his mixes. He is one of the critics’ favorites and remains in constant innovation. DJ Buddha has an album called “Ultra Latino” that contains some of his most requested Latin tracks. In addition, it has countless tracks produced, remixed or written that today belong to renowned Latino artists.

“For me, success has been not putting myself alone in a genre because I make electronic music, … and yet, I have also made songs in the Latin market,” he said in an interview with Deyanira Martínez.

DJ Alex Sensation

He is a Colombian who grew up in the United States and from an early age began mixing at nightclubs. He also worked at the station La Mega 97.9 Fm, walking through different musical genres but not forgetting where he came from.

“I grew up listening to salsa and cumbia because of my roots. One of the first clubs where he played on the weekends was a Dominican club. There, I learned about the Dominican culture Bachata, Merengue, typical merengue when I was still very young. I made many Dominican friends and fell in love with their culture. I mix everything under that genre,” he commented for an interview.

He is considered a very valuable artist for music. In fact, he has participated in different festivals, parades in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico and has been awarded the ACE, an award from the Association of American Entertainment Critics.

DJ Cristhian Terán

This is a Venezuelan who has positioned herself in the city of the sun. Its proposal is based on Latin rhythms and is the favorite of most nightclubs. He has a history that has accompanied her since its inception in Venezuela. Caramelos de Cianuro, Chyno, Nacho and Guaco are some of the artists from her country with whom she has shared the stage. However, he has also managed to rub shoulders with singers such as Maluma, Alexis and Fido and Arcangel. Cristhian is one of the DJs who has managed to get the most out of the Latin genres and keep them present in the United States. His music is usually heard in the different clubs in Miami.

” Latin music “, a legacy that does not go out

Musical genres have been part of the citizen’s common life for more than fifty years. In principle, it originated to differentiate religious music from other styles. Starting the great variety of musical genres that we know today. The term “Latin music” was born in the United States to refer to the rhythms from Latin America.

This is due to the large number of groups that emerged in the 1950s. It sought to differentiate African American music from Latin American ones. From now on, different rhythms belonging to this category have come off, such as: salsa, merengue, bachata, cumbia, bossa nova, among others.

Long live Latin music!

Salsa, merengue and bachata, to name just a few, have become the flag of most Latinos; inside and outside their borders they dance, sing and teach others to move with that particular “son”. It is a rhythm that prints passion and a lot of dedication. The music industry is part of the history of this genre. Those who have managed to belong to their ranks have been immortalized through their songs. This movement has been on the rise, making those who were born in Latin American lands proud and accommodating documentaries and movies. Everyone wants to tell a story around Latin music!

5 movies you can’t miss

Films have become a window into the past and what we do not live but would like to recreate. In the case of music, there have been many themes that have been exposed. For this reason, we wanted to compile some of the best ones. You will love their content and you will want to see them immediately. Make your notes!

El Cantante, 2006

Movie - The Singer, 2006

The Singer, 2006

Héctor Lavoe is a Puerto Rican legend. A singer, composer and musical producer with a voice and talent what catapulted him as the greatest salsa performer in history. The film starring the also Puerto Rican Marc Anthony describes Lavoe’s life from his teenage years. The singer, as he is fondly remembered, traveled to New York City at just 16 years old.

Against his father’s will, he decided to go after his dreams. In the scenes we can see how he is part of a musical group and perform in a bar, he meets Eddie (Manny Pérez), Willie Colón (John Ortiz) and gets his first contract with a record label.

However, you will also get to know the darker side of Héctor Lavoe who went through drug and alcohol problems. Héctor meets and falls in love with Puchi (Jennifer López), mother of his son and a very important character in the film. Puchi accompanies him on this path of constant ups and downs until little by little his life begins to change.

They lose their son Tito, as a result of an accident with Héctor’s weapon, and he is definitely not the same again. A story that shows us the success of an artist, his talent and dedication, without neglecting his bad habits that led to his death.

Dance with Me, 1998

Dance With me - Img

Dance With me – 1998

A film in which rhythm and romance will run through your veins. Chayanne and Vanessa Williams play a dance couple who meet in the middle of a great coincidence. Rafael Infante (Chayanne) loses his mother and decides to travel from Cuba to Texas to meet his father, the owner of a dance school.

When she gets to see him, she doesn’t know how to tell him the truth and prefers to apply for a job as a cleaning assistant. However, they realize how great a dancer he is and he begins to have participation in the academy. In the scenes we will be able to see how they get together through dance and enjoy the Latin rhythms. A fun film that should be among your weekend selection. Enjoy it!

Cuban Fury, 2014

Image of Cuban Fury 2014

Cuban Fury 2014

It tells us a story of love, self-improvement, improvement of self-esteem and, of course, salsa. Bruce Garrett (Nick Frost) is attracted to his boss Julia (Rashida Jones) and wants to conquer her through dancing. Garret had qualities for salsa but during his teens he was intimidated and put it aside.

Today, he wants to regain that rhythm, overcoming self-esteem issues and personal fears. For the character it is not easy to leave behind those events that marked his life. However, you must put aside self-pity and allow the dance to define everything. Will it have good results? Find out for yourself!

Ciudad Delirio, 2014

4- City of Delirium 2014

City of Delirium 2014

Cali, Colombia becomes the setting for an adventure full of dance and new experiences. Javier (Julian Villagrán) is a Spaniard who travels to Colombia for work and cannot help but fall in love with its people, customs and women. He meets Angie (Carolina Ramírez) a Colombian who owns a dance school. Their encounters are marked by the music and dancers that characterize this city. Javier ends up learning to dance salsa and guess what? Become an expert!

If you want to know more, find it now!

Shine, 2017

Shine tells us about two Puerto Rican brothers Ralphi Matas (Jorge Burgos) and Junior (Gilbert Saldivar) who have separated due to bad experiences and after a few years, they meet again. Between them, an even greater distance is created when they are on opposite sides of the fight for the gentrification of the area where they grew up.

The dance and cultural roots are present throughout the film, with Uncle Julio (Nelson Gonzales) trying to unite them again. Drama, dance and romance take sides in Shine, a very common story among Latinos in the United States who struggle not to let their principles die.

Latin music is life, it gives color, improves mood and is part of a cultural legacy that will continue to be maintained through the years. Every day new exponents of the genre appear and this will continue to happen over the years. So be it!

Anya Katsevman: “You have the dream, I have the tools”

USA - New York - New York

When we refer to Anya Katsevman, the first word that comes to mind is: passion! And that is the only way we could explain that a woman has so much strength, dedication and dedication in different facets of her life.

Anya Katsevman is not only a dancer and choreographer, but also a motivational coach and dream builder. In addition, it has its own line of dance dresses and costumes. An unstoppable woman!

Anya Katsevman by Franklin Liranzo — Anya Katsevman Courtesy of Franklin Liranzo

A native of Kiev, Ukraine, Anya and her family immigrated to the United States when she was 8 years old. She is the younger sister of award-winning Latin dancer Eugene Katsevman. She lives in New York.

She also holds numerous titles in salsa. Among them, she is a two-time World Champion as well as the San Francisco International Salsa Congress and New York Salsa Congress Champion.

Anya Katsevman is a maker of champions

This is precisely the distinctive mark of Anya Katsevman , that ability to make each dancer, each artist, each dreamer discover in himself his potential to succeed, his style and make the most of his abilities.

She believes that “the art of dance requires much physical ability, exposure and practice. The art of dance is also developing your own voice and getting to know the artist behind the athlete that makes the dancer”

A wonderful career

“Queen of Salsa” Anya Katsevman is a two-time World Salsa Champion, coach and choreographer to more than a dozen world champions, noted costume designer, respected salsa congress circuit judge and advocate for international Latin dance who has transformed the sport during her more than 25-year career.

Renowned for her unique coaching methods, Anya’s style blends multiple cultures and dance forms: her eastern European upbringing and the appreciation for Latin dance culture that she developed in the United States; and her ballroom and salsa backgrounds. She demands rigor, discipline and excellence, and uses her understanding of anatomy, physiology and movement while encouraging freedom of expression to turn her students into the top dancers in the world.

Anya trains and choreographs for “Dancing with the Stars Costa Rica” principal dancer Lucia Jimenez (2020 World Bachata, Chacha and Salsa Champion), “America’s Got Talent” stars Harold Rancano and Regan Hirose (9-time World Bachata Champions), the Huracan Dance Company (2019 World Team Salsa Champions), the stars of Quebec’s  Revolucion Adriano Leropoli and Samantha Scali (2017 World Salsa Champions), principal dancers in Carmen to Havana and Back Isabelle Freiberger and Hunter Houde and the USA World Games Olympic salsa team.

Always successful and sharing her knowledge

As a competitor and performer, Anya has won more than 20 world titles including the 2009 and 2010 Salsa World Championships. She is also the 2008 North American Salsa Champion, a two-time San Francisco Open Salsa Champion, two-time New York Congress Salsa Champion, Puerto Rico Open Salsa Champion and La Classique Du Quebec Champion. Anya has starred in touring shows “Burn the Floor ” on Broadway and ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars, in addition to numerous other television productions, stage shows, movies, and showcases in the U.S. She has performed with El Gran Combo, Gilberto Santa Rosa and “The Mambo King” Eddie Torres, and for President Barack Obama.

Anya Katsevman - dancers — Anya Katsevman – dancers

Anya is an ambassador for salsa, helping to expand its popularity worldwide. She believes connection is one of the most important aspects of the human experience, and dance is the best medium to explore how we connect with each other and ourselves. Anya has expanded her dance instruction to include GoDeeper, which she co-founded in 2019 to provide monthly movement classes, individual coaching sessions, and group workshops to promote professional growth and self discovery.

Meet this talented woman

International Salsa Magazine had the pleasure of interviewing Anya recently and invites you to learn a little more about this magnificent artist.

International Salsa Magazine (ISM): How did you discover your passion for Latin Dance?

Anya Katsevman (AK): My brother is a professional ballroom dancer

I started to dance ballroom in 1995 following his footsteps I competed in the international Latin category world wide in 2007 I was teaching in a dance studio in Manhattan and they did a lot of salsa that’s where I was introduced to social dancing I fell in love with the idea that dance is accessible to all people and doesn’t have to be competitive from there my love for salsa turned in to a career choice I decided to study Latin social dance and became a two time world salsa champion for me it was a passion to spread the beauty of dance through teaching as much as performing that did the trick.

ISM: Have you had any obstacle in your professional life? How could you overcome them?

AK: I think when your career is long enough you will probably have many obstacles to overcome and your passion for your craft and the reason you do it is usually stronger than the obstacle in front of you that gives you the drive to overcome it it is hard to narrow specifics down because I’ve had so many my competitive dance partner lived 3000 miles away from me when we won the worlds in 2010 and I just made the commitment to work hard and travel pick up the slack where needed and get the job done regardless I think that was the formula in every struggle.

ISM: What is the achievement that has made you most proud?

AK: I am most proud of all of my students accomplishments I am of course extremely proud and honored to be a world champion but for me the pleasure of having developed other world champion’s especially those who started learning from me from scratch makes me extremely proud beyond all measures I am also very proud of how individual and independent all of my students are the variety and diversity of their dancing makes me really happy.

ISM: In the path of entrepreneurship, how did you manage to find the strategy to grow your business? What are the skills you consider an entrepreneur must have to achieve success?

AK: Honestly I believe success comes from genuine passion and desire it is easy for us to study a successful person after the fact and say which moves appeared strategic but I believe who ever is on their way working toward that goal should do it because they are passionate about each step not because of the end result my business grows because I am committed to my craft and doing it at my best capacity.

I am genuinely passionate about my dance quality my students growth and the subjects I am teaching I study the Industry I watch for what’s missing I ask what contribution would be of most value this doesn’t feel like hard work to me it is my passion my genuine interest and the rest flows when I feel I am doing something strategic or because it’s good for my brand or etc it doesn’t flow the same way feels forced and isn’t as successful so I try to only go with my own flow current interest and most passionate desires.

ISM: Could you give us some advice to maintain discipline, even in complex situations?

AK: Absolutely discipline is hard for anyone when it feels needed and forced so I always try to flip the mindset if I have to do something I’m bored of or am avoiding because it’s hard or tedious I always find something to be excited about instead whether it is dreaming of what the task will do for me or adding something Sensory I enjoy to the task like my favorite sounds smells or visuals or including a friend in the process.

If you focus on what you do like about it it’s much easier to do it. Also discipline is really only hard at first pretty quickly it becomes a habit so if you put more disciplined things in to practice it will all feel like a habitual part of your day and you’ll start to enjoy it and feeling accomplished.

ISM: What would you say to all those young dancers who want to achieve a dream?

AK: They do come true!!!!!

Dream more!!!! Everything is possible want it bad enough to work for it but don’t be afraid to dream those wild dreams if it wasn’t possible you wouldn’t have had the dream in the first place.

The beautiful story of dancer, actor and singer Pancho Martinez Pey

Dance has been always important for Pancho

Pancho Martinez Pey is an Argentine dance teacher, choreographer, actor, singer and dancer who has had a large participation in various shows and theatre plays in which he has demonstrated his skills in those disciplines where he has become an expert in recent years, among which we can mention ”Casa Blanca”, ”Café Tortoni”, ”Michelangelo”, ”Esquina Carlos Gardel”, ”Sabor a Tango” and many more.

His father was a musician and second guitar player for Oscar Alemán in the 1970s, so he was always involved in the world of dance since he was eight years old and started learning to dance in a more professional way at the age of 12. However, the first time he had contact with tango was at 16, when he began to take his first steps in this particular genre. Three years later, he moved to Spain for a while to work as a drummer and singer in a musical group, with which he would tour the entire European country to offer his talent to the local public.

When they were not playing, they danced tango and Argentine folklore, which inspired him enough to devote himself entirely to tango in his country of origin, something that happened when a very young Pancho was just 22 years old. Once he was in his homeland, he worked as a ticket-taker at a train station for a few years while taking dancing lessons in the evenings, which trained and prepared him for his big break.

His big moment came when he was offered to participate in the piece ”Miguelangelo” together with Gloria and Eduardo Arquimbau, who formed one of the most emblematic couples of Argentine tango. He did not think twice about it and quit his job at the train station to go to dance professionally just as he does to the date.

In view of the fact that he was always used to listening to all kinds of music from a very young age, he had no trouble adapting to all the rhythms that he found in the way, such as folklore, tango, forró, swing, Argentine rock, among others.

He also enjoys singing very much and ensures he can sing all kinds of genres ”from K-Pop to tango”.

Pancho Martínez Pey dancing tango with María Nieves. Photo courtesy of Yumba Rojas

Combining dancing and singing with acting

When asked how he mixes dancing and singing with acting and all that histrionic part that makes his performances so particular, he says that his taste for this branch of the arts was also born in his childhood, since he always watched Argentine films in which dancing was very present and it goes without saying that they were always his favorites. Then, little by little, destiny led him to combine all these elements until he starred in his first important musical called ”Tanguera”. In this piece, participants did not talk or act too much, but they had to focus on putting on a good show at the level of dancing.

Another important musical in his career was ”Tita: Una Vida en Tiempo de Tango” with Nacha Guevara, which focused on the life and career of tango dancer and actress Tita Merello. This piece did require vocal talents between dialogues, so Pancho was finally able to show what he was made of as a singer.

All these facets have their degree of complexity, but the Argentinean performer thinks that the hardest part of his work is trying to combine all these areas, something a friend and colleague of his acted as a coach and helped him to train in the linking between singing, dancing and acting. He pointed out that this is a very strong training in which you have to control certain elements such as breathing, the air when dancing, concentration, among other details.

Role of man and woman in tango

According to Pancho, given that it is a dance of two, it is very important that both understand each other’s role in the dance. ”The leader leads and the other follows. In most cases, the leader is the man of the couple, who at the same time is the one who provides support and leads at the same time, while the follower has to follow the leader, but must also be an active member of the situation. Let’s remember that we are two people dancing and not one, so we are both active subjects in the dance. The woman expresses all her own beauty and sensuality, while the gentleman has that strength and guidance that, at the same time, seduces and makes his partner feel safe” said the artist.

Pancho with his father Oscar Cacho Martinez, and his uncle Raúl Martinez

How history and social changes have affected tango

Martínez explains that the World Tango championship gave a huge boost to this musical genre. It was always very popular in Argentina, but it did not have the importance it now has in most of the world. Tango came from a mixture of cultures in Buenos Aires, where the first lyrics of its social protest songs began to emerge. Tango has that popular and rebellious element coming from the people” explains the performer.

The golden age of tango was in the 1940s, when musicians and poets at the highest level began to emerge until foreign musical groups such as The Beatles or Elvis Presley appeared, who won over audiences of the time, which caused a temporary decline of tango. That is how matters stood until the early 1990s when the film Tango Argentino was released, which contributed significantly to the worldwide explosion of tango in those years and to improvement of techniques used for that dance”, he continued.

Finally, the dancer expressed his joy for the moment that tango is living nowadays, since he had never seen so many people interested in learning to dance it, both as entertainment and profession. He thinks that this current popularity is due to the need of people to connect with others after the pandemic and the multiple benefits that it brings at a mental level.