North America

Renowned timbalero, composer, bandleader and vocalist Mario Solomon is the leader of one of the hottest groups performing modern Cuban Dance music in the US: Mario Y Su Timbeko.  Although Mario moved from Oakland to Austin, Texas during the pandemic, he hasn’t stopped his original music from coming out.  His latest single “Sola Te Quedaste” follows three singles that he has released during the pandemic: “Llego Lo Que Te Esperabas”, “Lo Mas Grande” and “Nadie Sabe Nada”.  These songs are to be released as an EP in the first quarter of this year.  Mario Y Su Timbeko consisting of bassist Ayla Davila, guitarist David Lechuga, vocalist and keyboardist Jordan Wilson, pianist and recording producer Jason Moen and conguero Carlitos Medrano will be performing a special concert “Timbeko By The Bay at La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley on Saturday, February 12 starting at 8 pm.

Mario explained that the show is like taking a trip with the history of Cuban Music featuring traditional rhythms of Danzon, Cha Cha Cha, Boleros and Changui which will be the focus of the first set.  The second set will feature original music with selections from the new EP.  Many Bay Area-Northern California dancers and listeners alike are big fans of Timbeko’s infectious timba sound which contains elements of RnB, Gospel and Funk.  Mario hopes to have copies of the EP ready to sell at the dance/concert.  There will also be a dance after party with DJ Antonio included in the admission to the show.  For more information on the concert, visit lapena.org.  For more information on Mario Y Su Timbeko, check out their page on Facebook and Instagram.

Montuno Productions will be presenting a Valentine’s Day Concert as part of their Bay Area Latin Jazz Series at Oakland’s fine art deco California Ballroom located on 1736 Franklin Street.  This triple billed show will feature the debut of Cuban jazz vocalist Jessy Diaz accompanied by 4 time Grammy award winner Oscar Hernandez of Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Edgardo Cambon and Candela and ending the show with be the MP All Star Salsa Project directed by pianist Israel “Izzy” Tannenbaum (formerly of Grupo Niche).  I will be your Master of Ceremonies and DJ for the entire evening.  Cuban food will be available for hungry patrons at the concert/dance.  For more ticket information on this dance/concert, you can visit montunoproductions.com

Major cancellations and postponements continue due to the latest Omicron variant of the Coronavirus pandemic.  The Victor Manuelle concert/dance scheduled for the Hyatt Regency in Burlingame has been postponed until Saturday, April 9th per show producers JC Coral and Bosco Vega.  Cuban born Brother-virtuosos violinist Ilmar and pianist Aldo Lopez-Gavilàn protagonists of the film documentary Los Hermanos/The Brothers cancelled their scheduled January 23rd concert at U.C. Berkeley’s Zellerbach Auditorium.  There is no rescheduled date for that show.

On the local club front, Oakland’s own Fresquecito Timba DJ monthly at La Furia Chalaca near Jack London Square produced by DJ Walt Digz was cancelled as well at the beginning of January but the event will be back in February.  The Ramp in San Francisco has temporarily suspended their live and DJ music shows per order of the San Francisco Port.  The Ramp is hoping to resume their live music dates in March.  Other venues such as Space 550 just didn’t reopen in January but will reopen on February 11th with Julio Bravo y Salsabor headlining their Valentine’s Day weekend party.  You may want to double check that the venue is still open and that live music is still going to be presented on the night that you are planning to go out.

A scene of many a popular, crowded club night, Lukas on West Grand and Broadway in Oakland the home of Thursday Cuban nights will close at the end of January.  Ahi Na Ma, the production company in charge of the popular Cuban dance night featuring DJ’s Leydis and Antonio have announced that their weekly event will move to a new location soon to be announced.

Ex El Gran Combo vocalist Charlie Aponte will be visiting the SF Bay Area on Friday, April 1 at Roccapulco, 3140 Mission St. in San Francisco.  Jaffe Events will be presenting the show.  Look for Aponte to feature original material from his recordings as well as the many hit songs he recorded with El Gran Combo during his tenure with this great musical institution.  It promises to be a smokin’ show!!

The Seahorse in Sausalito continues to buck the trend and continues to present live music on their outdoors patio stage on Saturday and Sunday evenings starting around 5 pm.  They are featuring Orquesta Taino Feb 6, Karabali with Karl Perazo of Santana and Michael Spiro Feb 12, Louie Romero & Mazacote Feb 13, Salsa Caliente w/Gary Flores Feb 19, Edgardo Cambon & Candela Feb 20 and Braulio Barrera’s Somos El Son on Feb 27th.  KPOO/KPFA DJ Jose Ruiz is the house DJ behind the decks.

Another venue that has stayed open for business in spite of this tough COVID time is the Cigar Bar, 850 Montgomery St. in San Francisco.  You can still enjoy good drinks, fine food and a selection of cigars for your enjoyment.  They have a full schedule on Fridays and Saturdays for February which includes Somos El Son Feb. 4, N’Rumba Feb. 5, Manteca,  Feb. 11, Josh Jones Latin Jazz Ensemble, Feb. 12, La Clave Del Blanco, Feb. 18, Edgardo Cambon y Candela Feb. 19, The Latin Rhythm Boys Feb. 25 and Pacho Y Orquesta Evolution on Feb. 26.  Schedule subject to change due to COVID so check their calendar to confirm acts.  Visit their website at www.cigarbarandgrill.com

BY LUIS MEDINA, PRODUCER AND HOST OF CON SABOR ON KPFA 94.1 FM AND SABIDURIA CON TUMBAO ON WORLD SALSA RADIO.COM

“El Sonero de la Sangre Nueva”

For International Salsa Magazine by the hand of www.SalsaGoogle.com is pleased to present again a singer of the new generation that is growing by leaps and bounds creating his own style and leaving footprints in the music industry in these new times of many difficulties that we all know and have learned to cope with hard work, we refer to Edwin “El Calvito” Reyes better known as “El Sonero de la Sangre Nueva”.

Undoubtedly, today, considered by legends and colleagues of the salsa genre, as one of the fastest-growing exponents, projecting and establishing his brand, steadily and worldwide; Winner of the 2019 Paoli Award, as Tropical Revelation of the Year, he is Edwin “El Calvito” Reyes.

Born on April 19, 1974, he had his childhood in a humble 20-foot square wooden house and graduated as an Electrician from the Vocational High School in his beloved Trujillo Alto in May 1992. He then graduated with a degree in Tele-Communication from Sacred Heart University in P.R. This 2020, “El Calvito” is scheduled to finish his Master of Science, with a major in Entertainment Business, at Full Sail University in Orlando, FL. (Entertainment Business, Master of Science).

Today, the collaboration between emerging artists has made a change in the salsa world, worldwide. An extremely positive and general change, where radio broadcasters, DJs. have made their modifications, to be up to date, creating a much-needed balance in Salsa, which is still dominated by the classic.

However, the salsero listener also asks for songs to learn and make them his own. For that and more, we bring you this new collaboration.

A song for the listener, and with “swing” for the dancer. In short, daring.

Our friend, Edwin “El Calvito” Reyes & Lluvia y Sus Soneros

(One of the most emblematic and colorful salsa singers in Colombia) join forces to delight us with a fresh and daring song; a fusion of lilting rhythms, loved around the world;

La Cumbia and La Salsa, in the form of the song “Amor de Actualidad”.

AMOR DE ACTUALIDAD, written by the sensational composer Edgardo Irizarry, in conjunction with the Chilean, based in Medellin, Robert Requena, who also served as the arranger of this, joining the voices of these exponents of modern salsa and fusing the rhythms of Cumbia and Salsa, for this song.

AMOR DE ACTUALIDAD, is about a virtual love between two people who have never seen each other in person, but live their romance through social networks.

AMOR DE ACTUALIDAD unites two voices from different countries, two salseros with a high desire to succeed, and above all respect for the genre and its pioneers.

What’s left? Well, YOUR SUPPORT and DIFFUSION.

Let’s hope you like it.

For Contracting Edwin “El Calvito” Reyes:

CON CLASE RECORDS

Office: WhatsApp: +1-912-980-8476

E-mail: [email protected]

Bio: www.ElCalvitoReyes.com/Biografia

Follow him on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/EDWINELCALVITOREYES  

For Booking Lluvia y Sus Soneros:

Office: WhatsApp: +57 312 2165743

E-mail: [email protected]

Follow her on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9QsgPGETMBW0BarPecY58w/featured

May God watch over you all, and may health be your best ally in these difficult times.

We literally admire your work and dedication to salsa.

Respectfully yours,

Edwin “El Calvito” Reyes & Lluvia y Sus Soneros

Note: Track has been sent in MP3 from the offices of Con Clase Entertainment. If anyone would like the track in WAV, please contact [email protected] or [email protected] and request it directly.

The most progressive arranger and innovator of New York Salsa in the 70s and 80s.

Music often requires characters who are always backstage and support with their talent the work of singers and performers, who are eventually the ones who “come forward” and assume the popularity. Sometimes, though, these anonymous characters shot to fame in order to be able to perform their own work and even become more popular than any fashion singer.

In the case of Pop, this character is named Quincy Jones, who was said to be the arranger for Frank Sinatra and the producer for Michael Jackson. A “nonentity”. In the case of Salsa, these characters have been symbolized by the emulator of Jones, a guy named Louie Ramirez who has done everything with everyone.

An afternoon in 1994, Ramirez was driving his car on the highway that took him to Variety Studios in New York. It was going to be a quick session because he only lacked one track to complete his 20th album as a bandleader. Perhaps this is why he was nervous and full of anxiety. Minutes later, he could not resist the feeling and had to stop the car. He had not finished doing it when a heart attack ended his life.

Introducing Louie Ramirez

Louie Ramirez was a genius. The one to whom all run for advice and solutions to their problems. It did not matter if they were young or old musicians. The fact was that Louie had the answer and visiting him was like rubbing Aladdin’s lamp. That was a characteristic that always accompanied him, from the first recording “Meet Louie Ramirez” in 1963.

He was 20 years old back then and had a good record with regard to composing some pachangas and arranging for the orchestras of Pete and Tito Rodriguez. Commentator Dick Sugar introduced him like this: Ramirez breaks through the image of a bandleader who uses the talents of other composers and becomes a follower of a rhythm. No, Louie Ramirez is a creator in his genre.

Louie Ramirez Ali Baba

That talent did not go unnoticed by the new Czar of Latin music in New York, Jerry Masucci, who hired him as a star of Fania Records and at the same time, as an arranger for the orchestras and ensembles that belonged to the record company. Ramirez was soon wrapped up in work and could only record two albums during the 1960s, “Good news” and “Alí Babá”.

The last album included the hit that allowed him to be a famous artist, El Títere, a true Salsa classic. The song was performed by Rudy Calzado, the third of the soneros Louie had used without finding the right one. It was a ballast that stayed with him as a director during the 1970s, when he used singers such as Pete Bonet, Tito Allen, Jimmy Sabater, “Azuquita” Rodríguez, Adalberto Santiago, and even Rubén Blades.

Louie Ramirez y Sus Amigos

It was precisely Blades that he made an anthological album with, “Louie Ramirez y sus amigos”, which included the song Paula C, with an arrangement of those that deserve to be admired. By then, Ramirez was already considered as the most progressive arranger of Salsa in New York, thanks to the brilliant works done for the Fania All Stars. An excellent work had been the instrumental arrangement for Juan Pachanga, to be performed by Blades, from Canta for a performance by Cheo Feliciano, and of the entire album “Algo nuevo” performed by Tito Rodriguez with Louie’s orchestra.

Noche Caliente

The peak of Ramírez’s career was in 1980 when Joni Figueras, a representative of the K-Tel International label, hired him to maka arrangements for the ballads Todo se derrumbó and Estar enamorado by Manuel Alejandro. The album, which included these and other songs, was released two years later under the title “Noche caliente” and was recorded by Louie’s orchestra.

Ballad-salsa or romantic salsa was born as a result of a work Ramírez did until his death, making occasional attempts in Latin Jazz, which he loved. That is why he recorded a tribute album to Cal Tjader in which Louie was the director, producer, composer and arranger. Apart from that, he played the timbales and his favorite instrument: the vibraphone.

Louie Ramirez was a genius of arrangements, in a career that included Guantanamera and Isadora for Celia Cruz, El Guiro de Macorina for Johnny Pacheco and El Caminante for Roberto Torres.

The Cesta All-Stars Vol. 1

Further to that, there are his works for La Alegre and the Cesta All-Stars. Regarding this Ramírez’s profile, critic Eleazar López defined it very well.

“It is not easy to arrange for a dance orchestra, especially when it is a group that cultivates the hot tropical genre. Many musicians feel influenced by Jazz and the result of their orchestrations leaves a vacuum in the dancer”.

Others arrange in a simple way, but it is so simple that they repeat and copy themselves, and the result is tired music, without any degree of creativity: music that says nothing, that leaves nothing. Louie Ramirez has found the perfect balance… that’s why he always stays relevant.

Article of Interest: Bobby Valentin, the King of Bass at the Fania All-Stars Machinery

#ISMPublicity

Bella Martinez “La Escritora Irreverente de la Salsa” en Cuarta de Ponce from Puerto Rico the Island of Enchantment.

Ángel “Papote” Alvarado, who is also a composer, percussionist, vocal leader, and founder of Grupo Esencia, manages culture by fertilizing our Afro-Caribbean roots every year, making sure to bring the National Afro-Caribbean Festival to Ponce’s La Cuarta neighborhood, where he grew up.  Usually, the event takes place in June of each year.  However, this year -due to the global health emergency brought on by the pandemic that still threatens us- the iconic annual festival was held from November 19 to 21, 2021 at its usual venue.

On Friday the 19th November 2021 and coinciding with Puerto Rican Day, Angel “Papote” Alvarado kicked off the festivities to usher in the 22nd edition of the festival that each year makes the neighborhood the center of our Afro-descendant culture.

This year, the festival paid tribute to Willie Rosario, Ottoniel Vélez, Jesús Chu López and Héctor Pochy Gastón.

The musical offerings on Friday 19 included:  Los Cimarrones, Robert Burgos and Descarga Zasón in addition to the stellar Míster Afinque. Willie Rosario’s orchestra has delighted with its unique compact format and has remained active for more than six decades under the direction of maestro Rosario himself, whom the salsa dancer keeps at the top of his preference within the environment that groups only connoisseurs.

The closing of the first night of the festival was preceded by the impeccable performance of the Willie Rosario Orchestra, a well-deserved tribute to the longest-serving bandleader in the salsa sound. Afterward, the author of the authorized biography of Mister Afinque -Robert Tellez- praised Maestro Rosario with some moving words.

Afterward, “Papote” Alvarado thanked Robert for his support to Afro-Caribbean cultural activities and presented him with a commemorative poster of the 22nd edition of the festival.  The poster contains a photo by a photographer who stands out as one of the most committed cultural connoisseurs of the salsa scene: Conrado Pastrano.

It is worth mentioning that journalist Robert Tellez, who is also known as “the one who knows the most about salsa” traveled from Colombia to Ponce’s Barrio La Cuarta to be part of the festival and specifically to accompany the artist who is the subject of his work “Willie Rosario, el Rey del Ritmo” during the tribute.  Maestro Rosario made us laugh when, in his usual serious and firm tone, he affirmed, microphone in hand, that he was grateful for the tribute, and at the same time said that he deserved it.

On Saturday 20, the following were presented: Boricua y de Mayagüez, Tribute to Héctor “Pochy” Gastón and Jesús López, Ángel “Papote” Alvarado and El Grupo Esencia, Roberto Roena’s Apollo Sound with Carlos Santos and Tito Cruz singing. On Sunday 21, the stage was decorated with Ausuba, Bambalué, Homenaje a Ottoniel Vélez, Guayacanes de San Antón and Abran Paso, with Pichíe Pérez and Rafy Santana singing.

This 2021 would have been the 23rd edition of the festival.  However, the 2020 edition was canceled.  In a stoic manner, the team in support of the persistence of the president and founder of the Comité Pro Nuestra Cultura – “Papote”- who has the unconditional support of William Rodríguez Thillet did not give up so that this 2021 edition would be achieved. Following all the rules that the COVID-19 protocol demands, the public was able to enjoy a luxury show.

Security and parking added comfort and convenience to the event.  The festival featured, as usual, a display of artisans and kiosks, with the best of Puerto Rican fritanga.

For more than two decades, which are easy to say but are twenty-two struggles for the benefit of culture and its permanence, Angel “Papote” Alvarado has kept our Afro-Latin culture afloat, beyond the border of the southern pearl. Congratulations!

Lots of good energy, health, and success to this musician and cultural manager who carries on his shoulders an invaluable legacy.  As for the rest, we look forward to the next edition of this unmissable festival that takes place every year.  In the meantime, let’s follow the transcendental feat of his Grupo Esencia.

By: Bella Martínez

Photos: Conrado Pastrano

Article of Interest: Raymundo “Ray” Barretto Pagan was born in Brooklyn, New York on April 29, 1929.

Ray Barretto, Giant Force