Orchestra

Cultural impact of Edwin “El Calvito” Reyes and his management of the “salsa nueva”

On November 9, 2024, the second edition of the International Bailable in Honor of Our Heroes was held in Orlando, FL. The first edition of what is already shaping up to be an annual activity was held in November 2023. This unprecedented initiative is the brainchild of U.S.-based Puerto Rican salsa artist Edwin “El Calvito” Reyes. During both editions of the bailable, personalities within the music scene have been recognized for being pillars in the production, promotion and dissemination of the salsa sound.

The night before the bailable, a press conference was held in Kissimmee, FL. Afterwards, the five salsa generals of the year 2024 were named: Carmen Aguilar, Bella Martínez, Migdalia Sánchez, Herman Olivera and Richard Román. The ceremony was framed by the protocol and discipline characteristic of the civilian and military decorations that exalt with seriousness the personnel who fulfill the mission entrusted to them. In the first collation of salsa generals, invested in the 2023 ceremony, the work of the following was recognized: Chamaco Rivera, Eduardo Robles, Joey Hernandez, Luis Gonzalez and Richie Sanchez.

“The idea arose from the need to recognize the sacrifice of our heroes,” said ‘El Calvito’, adding: ‘I wanted to create a space where veterans could feel valued and celebrate with their loved ones’.

Since its first edition, the bailable and the activities surrounding it seek to acknowledge the commendable work and dedication of veterans, active duty military and other heroes of the community whose mission is to maintain the integrity and security of our nation, our communities and our families.

The bailable featured a good balance of established and emerging artists. Attendees enjoyed performances by Chamaco Rivera, Edwin “El Calvito” Reyes, Izis “La Enfermera de la Salsa”, Ivan Cacu and Christian Ray. Fernandito Rentas, Jai Ramos, José Cheo Torres, Harold Montañez and Wiki González were the evening’s special guests. Last year, the artists who also celebrated with “El Calvito” the 5th anniversary of his so-called salsa nueva were: Melina Almodovar, Kharim Santos, David Atanacio, Christian Ray, Fabian Rosales and the ensemble Reunidos por la salsa.

El Calvito Reyes e Izis La enfermera de la salsa

The production of Con Clase Media Group and La Feria Salsera, with the collaboration of Taíno Shirts and Latinos in uniform was at the level of any concert of international stature. Thus, “El Calvito” has materialized an unprecedented idea, achieving the recognition of the sacrifice of the heroes of the nation, in the key of salsa. For the second consecutive year, the novel initiative brought together a large number of veterans, family members and members of the community, who are also followers of salsa. This staging, at the initiative of “El Calvito” promotes respect and gratitude to those who have served the nation from different trenches.

Having been more than pleased, we have reserved in our agenda the weekend of November 7-9, 2025, to go to Orlando, FL to celebrate the third “wikén de sabrosura para nuestros héroes”. Once again, the team led by Reyes will aim to pay tribute to U.S. military veterans, as well as police officers, firefighters and first responders who have dedicated their lives to protecting and serving the nation. November 8 already promises to be a night full of music, dancing and recognition.

Images: Jefferson López

Also Read: Sessions from La Loma brings together salsa fans from all over the world in Puerto Rico

Melómana – Salsa has a woman’s name

Latin America / Venezuela / Caracas

The Salsa World by Melómana

Born on July 2 in the populous and musical parish of San Agustín del Sur, she reserves the year of her birth, which, although it does not weigh her down, assures that they are years of hers and each one has earned them by hand.

She studied at the Don Pedro “Fe y Alegría” school, and although he has prepared himself for life, he does not like to talk about titles. Consider that these do not define the human being, because the higher you get, the more humble you must be. At this point in his life, with fewer shocks, he finds himself pursuing another professional dream.

Music lover from her mother’s belly, affirms that they fed her with a bottle to the rhythm of the Matanzas sound and other rhythms of that golden age. She feels a great passion for her friend salsa, the one that doesn’t let anyone down.

Asocosalsa - Melómana - Salsa — Asocosalsa – Melómana – Salsa

She has been President of Asocosalsa San Agustín for nearly 5 years, an Association of Salsa Collectors in Venezuela, which was born 44 years ago by Elio Navas, with the purpose of highlighting and publicizing the great musical talent that Venezuela has. , today is one of the largest collectors’ associations in the country, with almost 48 representatives nationally and internationally.

Attending the different events that take place in some places of the capital city, he realized that very few media echo the great work that the country’s musicians do to show their talent.

This is how she began to leave a photographic record of each one of them, that is when Elio Navas called her to create an Asocosalsa page with the name of the parish where she lives: and that is how “Asocosalsa San Agustín” was born.

The rest is embodied in its two Facebooks, where it seeks to make the micro visible and turn it into a macro; They are already part of the history of salsa, each one contributing their grain of sand to highlight what is ours and that the salsa does not decline. Because as our friend says: It’s no use having everything, if you don’t contribute or leave a positive mark in your time in this world.

And how not to love salsa if he was born and grew up where the thing started!!

Salsa has a woman’s name…

Salsa is the seasoning that gives joy to the days.

Salsa always cheers you up, because its rhythm is contagious and moves the hip to the cadenced woman.

Salsa enters your skin and shakes your veins, it makes you forget all your sorrows with its melodious rhythm. Salsa fills your being with its tasty rhythm and makes your friends enjoy feet, oh what a tasty rhythm!

Great Christmas salsa songs and their stories

Christmas is a time of joy where one of the most important elements is music, so we believe this is the best opportunity to feature some of the best Christmas salsa songs that we can remember. Here are the most cheerful songs in Latin music to listen to during the most beautiful time of the year.

Aires de Navidad by Héctor Lavoe and Willie Colón

”Aires de Navidad” is a great song which is part of the Christmas album ”Asalto Navideño Vol. I” from 1971. In the same year, Lavoe and Colón were already making preparations to record an album entirely dedicated to the festivities, indeed, they already had some songs recorded, but they knew that there were still details to finish.

Then, Héctor asked musician Roberto García to join the project that was underway, as they needed a guitarist to accompany them. Garcia accepted the proposal almost immediately and got excited about the project that he even proposed Yomo Toro to join them, to which Hector and Willie agreed with no problems.

The day they agreed to record the material, Toro came in first and began playing a Puerto Rican cuatro when he was scheduled to play the electric guitar. However, Johnny Pacheco, upon hearing the sounds, liked the arrangement and approved it without question.

That is how the four artists set out and recorded what would soon become one of the greatest Christmas hymns in recent times, and it will surely be in thousands of homes around the world this month.

One of the photos taken during the recording of ”Aires de Navidad”

La Fiesta de Pilito by El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico

”La Fiesta de Pilito” is included in the album ”Nuestra Música” by El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, which was recorded in 1985 as a tribute to the most beautiful and endearing of the Island of Enchantment during the Christmas holidays. Back then, any musical work created by El Gran Combo always became a resounding success once it was released and its members were sure that this would be no exception.

It is then when the composer of one of the main songs of ”Nuestra Música” came on the scene, and we are talking about Luis ”Pilito” Cruz, who would become part of the internationally acclaimed salsa group that same year.

What is known in the first instance about the song is that it did not have a specific name, so it was baptized as ”La Fiesta de Pilito” honoring the composer of its first two verses. Subsequently, the piece was completed with pregones and soneos created by the rest of the orchestra members.

Additionally, they received the support and collaboration from ‘‘El Caballero de La Salsa” Gilberto Santa Rosa, who served as a guest artist for the legendary recording.

Nuestra música at Christmas — Cover of the Christmas album ”Nuestra Música”

Bembé en Casa de Pinki by Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz

”Bembé En Casa de Pinki” is a Christmas song written by the famous duo Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz, which was released in 1971 and is the first single from the Christmas album ”Felices Pascuas”.

The song’s title comes from someone who would be very important in the career of the two aforementioned artists and that was the Panamanian-born diplomat named José Rogelio ”Pinki” Arias. The gentleman was a close friend of Richie and Bobby and, at the same time, director of the Panamanian Institute of Tourism. He used his friendship with the vocalists to invite them to various events in his country, knowing that they would be a complete success with the presence of the duo.

Such was the affection both exponents had for ”Pinki” that they dedicated to him two songs from their extensive repertoire, which were ”Bembé en Casa de Pinki” and one belonging to the album ”El Diferente”.

Among other songs, ”Felices Pascuas” also includes tracks such as ”Bomba en Navidad”, ”Mi Niñez”, ”San José”, and ”Aguinaldo Navideño”.

Felices fiestas at Christmas — Cover of the Christmas album ”Felices Fiestas”

Estelita by La Sonora Ponceña

Another group that never misses a chance to offer their talent to please their fans and make them enter the Christmas atmosphere during the holiday season, leaving great classics that can not be missing every year in our homes and one of them is ”Estelita”.

Something that can never be missed in a Christmas album is that colorful character who always brings playfulness and good humor to the atmosphere. In this case, it is Estelita, who is a party neighbor who always sneaks into the Christmas parrandas in her neighborhood, something that many people will surely feel identified with in various parts of Latin America.

The song was written by the late maestro Joe Torres and was part of the album ”Otra Navidad Criolla!” along with ”Opera Gandinga”, ”Vamonos Pa’l Campo”, ”La Vengo Siguiendo”.

Meet the venezuelan Oeste 11 orchestra

Latin America /  Venezuela / Caracas

Did you know that tropical music arises from the region surrounding the Caribbean Sea and the Antillean region of the American continent, where there is a mixture of rhythms from the African continent, fused with folklore and rhythms from the different American countries?

In this edition we can say that many music and dance lovers tend to choose Salsa and/or Tropical music, since they are musical genres that people enjoy as a couple or in a group, whether at an event, party or festival. giving it essence, life and sharing among all the members, for this reason there are many singers and members of orchestras that specialize in these genres, today we have as a special guest the Oeste 11 Orchestra from Caracas, Venezuela.

It was made up of young musicians belonging to the Venezuelan Orchestral Movement, among them the Venezuelan percussionist Alejandro Alfonzo who baptized it in 2007 with the name “Oeste 11” for all the musical experiences they shared since childhood, because most of their members were formed together in said parish.

It is currently made up of 13 musicians, who specialize in the musical genre “Salsa”, giving life to 2 discographies, the first entitled “AL NATURAL” that came out in 2015, consists of 8 unreleased songs and a cover. “With his songs I lie, Al natural, I forgot about you, Forget you, Medicine, You made fun of me, I have decided to forget you, My sweet friend and Dancing”

And for this month of May their second discography “Amor y gusto” will be available, which will be composed of 11 unreleased songs, and to give a preview of the new album they already presented us this March 31 their first single (theme), titled “ I want you to feel Mine”, which is accompanied by a music video that you can enjoy on her YouTube page https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpleKvxCg9Y.

And over the years they had the opportunity to share on stage with several well-known artists and/or groups, such as the Latin Dimension, Rafael el Pollo Brito, Proyecto A, Los Satélites, Magia Caribeña, Grupo Mango, and other national artists. of different musical genres.

Among their achievements, they mention that in the National Festival of Salsa Orchestras Dile no a la Payola de PDVSA la Estancia were the winners in 2014, they were also selected to honor the Sonora Ponceña for her 60 years of artistic career and were in the Festival Sounds Caracas.

If you want to listen to their discographies “Al Natural” and “I want you to feel mine”, they are available worldwide on the platforms Amazon, Itunes, Spotify, Tidal, Google Music, among others.

For more information:

E-mail: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Oeste11/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/oeste11?lang=es
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oeste11/?hl=es-la
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR-wi3ybnoTbLH9C3-8keMA
Phones: +584242251360 / +584265161630 del manager Alejandro Alfonzo

Goodbye to José Antonio Abreu, the most beloved Master – Part 2

Latin America / Venezuela / Caracas

José Antonio Abreu. The Venezuelan musical miracle

BY ANA ROSA MASSIEU

The pedagogical plan of El Sistema contemplated, since 1980, approximately, the foundation of exemplary pedagogical structures and models as scenarios for the training and improvement of musicians. As the demand for children entering El Sistema and its nuclei has grown, projects for the construction of new educational centers are on the rise.

José Antonio Abreu - On the European stage — José Antonio Abreu – On the European stage

Among them, the Simón Bolívar Conservatory, the Montalbán Children’s Academic Center, the Center for Social Action for Music, the Academic Center for Luteria and the twelve Latin American Academies for the instruments of Violin, Viola, Cello, Flute, Horn, Contrabass, Clarinet , Classical Harp, Trumpet, Oboe, Bassoon and Trombone.

http://www.musicabancaribe.com/Publicaciones /Libro_digital/VenezuelaEnElCielo/info/capitulo6 /i/index.php#prev

The Simon Bolivar Conservatory

The Simón Bolívar Conservatory offers training of the highest pedagogical and artistic rank to the ever-increasing number of students, with a very complete curriculum of studies in which orchestral practice accounts for approximately 70%. The title of Performing Musician is awarded, an important endorsement that allows graduates to continue higher studies at universities.

“…the Simón Bolívar Conservatory has emerged as the head and model of a network of conservatories already established in Yaracuy, Carabobo, Aragua, Guárico and Ciudad Bolívar. However, I am excited and pleased with the new challenge we are facing: broadening the musical and artistic horizon of that large contingent of students that El Sistema has and of those who will join in the future.

These are the new contents: the Venezuelan Popular Music Teaching Program, in all its aspects, including that of Afro-Venezuelan roots; the Urban Music Program; the Jazz Program, which is already in progress with our Simón Bolívar Big Band Jazz Symphony and the Latin and Caribbean Music Program, which especially includes the salsa genre.

Cambiando Vidas - flyers — Cambiando Vidas – flyers

This is already underway with the creation of more than 15 pilot nuclei and the formation of a body of teachers specialized in these genres. The idea is that these programs capture and channel the talent of many musicians and students who have greater virtues for these musical currents, always pursuing and achieving the same level of excellence as those who perform symphonic music in our orchestras”.

Valdemar Rodriguez. Taken from the interview with Valdemar Rodríguez, clarinetist, Director of the CSB, creator of the Latin American Clarinet Academy, among other titles and positions, by Chefi Borzhacchini in the digital book Venezuela en el Cielo de Los Escenarios. Caribbean Bank, 2010

http://www.musicabancaribe.com/Publicacio nes/Libro_digital/VenezuelaEnElCielo/info/c apitulo6/ii/

Diversification of teaching, orchestras and festivals

In the same way that teaching has been diversified, including different musical genres –popular, urban, jazz, Latin Caribbean, salsa– other orchestras have emerged dedicated to developing each of these genres, as well as festivals to promote them at the regional level.

These events, organized by El Sistema, revolve around an artist, musician, composer, instrument, or arise for the meeting between musical talents from various regions, local or international.

Among them are the FIP-Llanos International Percussion Festivals, the Spain Venezuela Festival, the Festival of New Venezuelan Clarinetists, the Chamber Music Festival (in Mérida and Caracas), the International Flute Festival, the International Bassoon Festival, and the International Clarinet Festival. , International Oboe Festival, Young Virtuosos Festival, Youth Festival, Young Directors Festival and Latin American Music Festival, among others.

Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela

The Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela (OSSBV) was founded by maestro José Antonio Abreu and is currently the apex ensemble of the National System of Youth and Children’s Orchestras and Choirs of Venezuela.

Concert directed by Dudamel 40th anniversary Feb 2015

Under the musical direction of maestro Gustavo Dudamel, its 180 young musicians, whose ages range between 18 and 28 years old, named Ambassadors of Peace by UNESCO, have been trained in the Orchestral Academic Program of the Simón Bolívar Musical Foundation, through the which have received master classes with outstanding world-class teachers and soloists, including teachers from the Berlin Philharmonic, the Sibelius Academy in Finland, the Bach Academy in Stuttgart and the New England Conservatory in Boston.

His performances with internationally renowned directors include Simon Rattle, Claudio Abbado, Daniel Baremboim, Krzysztof Penderecki, Essa Pekka-Salonen, and Lorin Maazel, among many others.

Other Orchestras

Simón Bolívar Afro-Venezuelan Orchestra
Simón Bolívar Youth Baroque Orchestra
Youth Orchestra of Caracas
Youth and Children’s Orchestra Alma Llanera of Guárico State
Simón Bolívar Latin Caribbean Orchestra
National Flute Orchestra of Venezuela
National Children’s Orchestra of Venezuela
Simón Bolívar Symphonic Rock Orchestra
Francisco de Miranda Youth Symphony Orchestra
Carabobo Youth Symphony Orchestra
Prison Symphony Orchestras
Teresa Carreño Youth Symphony of Venezuela

Bands

Youth Symphonic Band
Simon Bolivar Simon Bolivar Big-Band Jazz

Assemblies

Assembly 7/4
Carabobo Metal Assembly
Metal Ensemble of Venezuela

Chamber Groups

Simón Bolívar String Quartet
Liberators Quartet
Teresa Carreño Quartet
Yaracuy Quartet

Choirs

Choir of White Hands Simón Bolívar National Youth Choir of Venezuela Network of Prison Orchestras and Choirs

More information at: http://fundamusical.org.ve/agrupaciones/

The system in the world

The philosophy and methodology of El Sistema has had an almost magical ability to inspire artists, educators, and social activists across the globe, as Tricia Tunstall puts it in her book Changing Lives…

“its guiding principles—the orchestra as school of civility and the passage from a vision centered on music to a humanistic vision of social change through music” have been taken as a model to follow and El Sistema has been implemented or adapted in more than 66 countries in which five continents Programs inspired by El Sistema have emerged in:

AMERICA: Argentina, Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, United States, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Republic Dominican Republic, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay.
AFRICA: Angola, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda.
EUROPE: Germany, Armenia, Austria, Bosnia, Croatia, Denmark, Scotland, Slovakia, Spain, Finland, France, Wales, Greenland, England, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Luzembourg, Norway, Netherlands, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania , Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey.
ASIA: Afghanistan, Japan, South Korea, Philippines, India, Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore.
OCEANIA: Australia, New Zealand. More than 66 countries on five continents.

Venezuela Sembrada de orquestas Coros Cortesía FundaMusical

More information can be found at:

http://www.elsistemausa.org/el-sistemaaround-the-world.htm http://sistemaglobal.org/ http://www.sistemaeurope.org/ http://fundamusical.org.ve/category/elsistema/el-sistema-en-el-mundo