International Salsa Magazine

Search Results for: Awards 2020

Takafumi Nikaido Born in Sapporo Japan in 1993

“To Takafumi Nikaido we send our congratulations for his professionalism, virtuosity and mastery of the tumbadoras”.
Giraldo Piloto Barreto (Klimax)

During his time in Cuba, he studied with leading percussionists such as José Luis Quintana “Changuito”.

Takafumi Nikaido began playing the saxophone at age 6 and was inspired to venture into percussion and studied with Fujio Saito after seeing a live performance by Earth Wind & Fire at age of 7.

At the age of 12, he traveled to Cuba to take dance and drumming lessons where he collaborated with Los Muñequitos de Matanzas.

He studied theory and interpretation with people like Eguie Castrillo, Tiger Okoshi, Mark Walker, Oscar Stagnaro and Jim Odgren.

Takafumi Nikaido Born in Sapporo Japan in the year 1993
Takafumi Nikaido professionalism, virtuosity and mastery of the tumbadora drums

In 2014 he traveled back to Cuba to attend the Fiesta del Tambor Percussion Competition where he received the “Best Foreign Participant Award”.

During his time in Cuba he studied with prominent percussionists such as Jose Luis Quintana “Changuito”, Adel Gonzalez, Adonis Panter Calderon and Osain Del Monte.

At Berklee, he performed with artists such as Oscar Feldman, Terence Blanchard, Jon Secada, FANTINE, Sivamani, Ruben Rada, Totó la Momposina and Mane De La Parra.

That summer, he became involved with “The United East Jazz Quintet” and performed live in 9 clubs from all over Japan and South Korea.

In the summer of that same year, he became involved with "The Untied East Jazz Quintet" and played at 9 venues throughout Japan and South Korea.
During his time in Cuba he studied with the outstanding

They formed the musical group “MIXCLA” together with musicians Zahili Gonzalez Zamora and Gerson Lazo and perform pretty regularly, especially within Boston.

In 2015, he performed at the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal as a Zahili Gonzalez Zamora Project member.

He is currently studying at Berklee College of Music and participating in musical projects other than Latin music such as pop and jazz.

After high school, he attended Berklee College of Music as a scholarship student. He studied theory and interpretation with people like Eguie Castrillo, Tiger Okoshi, Mark Walker, Oscar Stagnaro and Jim Odgren. While at Berklee he performed with artists such as Carlos Vives,Yosvany Terry, Oscar Feldman,Terence Blanchard,Jon Secada, Darren Barrett, Sivamani,Ruben Rada,Totó la Momposina, and Mane De La Parra. He graduated with a degree from Berklee College of Music in 2016.

In 2014 he traveled to Cuba to attend the Fiesta del Tambor Percussion Competition where he received the “Best Foreign Participant Award”. During his time in Cuba he studied with prominent percussionists such as Jose Luis Quintana “Changuito”, Adel Gonzalez, Adonis Panter Calderon, Barbaro Crespo “Machito”, and Osain Del Monte.

At Berklee he performed at international jazz festivals such as the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, the Monterey Jazz Festival and the DC Jazz Festival, among others.

The Latin trio “MIXCLA” was nominated for “International Artist of the Year” by the Boston Music Awards in 2018 and 2019.

As well as recorded the sounds of percussion for the soundtrack of “Final Fantasy XV”, which is a video game series that has surpassed 6 million sales worldwide and for the original soundtrack of the anime Dr. Stone.

After moving to New York in 2020, he continues to perform with legendary artists such as Paquito D’ Rivera, and Darren Barrett. Next year, he will perform as an ensemble/dummer in the off-broadway musical “The Visitor” directed by Daniel Sullivan which is a Tony Award winner in 2001.(Last updated Sep, 2020)

Website: Takafumi Nikaido

Ángel “Cucco” Peña and a great legacy

Cucco Peña has donated his emblematic tuxedo to the Spanish Harlem Salsa Gallery Museum

By Johnny Cruz

News from NY City

Who is Cucco Peña

The emblematic tuxedo
Ángel “Cucco” Peña

On September 1, 1948, Angel ‘Cucco’ Peña was born, someone who from elementary school showed his interest in music and as the years passed, showed that there were little flashes of that brilliant talent he had. His talent and passion were aligned, so he always spent his life surrounded by music. Today he could be considered an icon of Latin music thanks to his achievements as an artist and thanks to everything he offered to the industry; he has managed to trace a career full of successes, one that today continues to inspire many people.

Peña’s talent led him to interact in many music-related activities, not only did he graduate from the Puerto Rico Music Conservatory, but also, after graduation, he joined the Pan-American Orchestra, starting with what would be a career full of reached goals. In the orchestra, he would familiarize himself with many different styles that would help him as a musician, since in the orchestra he played a wide variety of music, from bolero, blues and jazz, to pop and even rock.

Cucco Peña’s path

Cucco Peña is a great artist

Cucco left the band and began to trace his own path with everything he learned, he didn’t just become a music director, but a producer, composer, and arranger for many internationally famous artists such as: Ricky Martin, Chayanne, Ricardo Arjona, Olga Tañon, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Luis Fonsi, Franco de Vita and many other artists; despite each artist’s very different styles, Peña’s talent has allowed him to understand perfectly what all of them needed. In his own words, “it is important to see that music has three perspectives: the artist perspective, the company’s perspective, and my own.” Finding a perfect harmony between these three perspectives, Peña has participated in the creation of great themes.

Achievements

The North American has not only managed to collaborate with a large number of renowned artists, but has also achieved a lot of recognition for his work, he is a two times Grammy winner, the first is the Grammy for the best tropical album contra la corriente, Marc Anthony’s album (1999), the second is Latin Grammy for best musical production, this thanks to Olga Tañón’s album, Yo por ti. Grammy is not the only award he has won, he also received a total of 60 Cuspide awards and 40 Addy awards, plus 20 awards from the New York Theater Festival and an “Agüeybaná de Oro” for Director of the Year.

The awards are not everything, he has been both the director and the composer of the Central American games’ opening and closing ceremonies, and the composer of two movie soundtracks (“La Gran Fiesta” and “Nicolás y Los Demás”); Plus, he has produced more than 100 compositions, not to mention that he also worked as a producer for important figures in the industry, such as Lunna, Jerry Rivera, Chayanne, and many others.

Without a doubt, Ángel “Cucco” Peña is a very important figure for the industry, and after a long career dedicated to music, he has shown that his talent is worthy of being recognized.

The new piece of Spanish Harlem Salsa Museum

The invitation to tune in to the new Fm / Internet radio station on Live365.com: Salsagallery continues. Great music, artist interviews and much more.

At the Spanish Harlem Salsa Gallery Museum we are happy to affirm that New York City is preparing to resume its activities little by little. We hope to have more news soon and that we can return to normal soon.

The Museum is open free to the public. We wait for you!

Yolanda Rivera The Lady of Salsa and the Sonera of Ponce

By: Diana Marie

Yolanda Rivera La Sonera of Ponce

Yolanda Rivera was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico on June 30, 1951, she admits to listening to Cuban music since the age of 8.

Her hometown of Ponce saw the Cuban singer Celeste Mendoza’s event that triggered in the young Yolanda her desire to sing.

Naturally, with an exceptional voice, she says she never took singing lessons. In her family everyone sang, without making it a profession.

Yolanda Rivera had the opportunity to meet Quique Lucca-founder of the Ponceña who decided to recruit
in the 90’s she integrated for 3 years the Rubby Haddock Orchestra

She began her singing career in New York in 1969 as a member of Willie Rosario’s choir. Returning to Puerto Rico in 1975, she has joined the group Roberto y su Changó.

His real professional debut with the orchestra can be considered as the Terrífica. With this formation, in 1976 he recorded 33 tours: “sabor a pueblo” (int 908), where he sang the hit “mi corazón es para ti” and “Guaguancó No. 3” boleros “para que sufras” and “esta demás” on the same album “Pichie” Pérez is responsible for other pieces.

Unfortunately the episode was very brief due to disagreements within the group.

Naturally, with an exceptional voice, she says she never took singing lessons. In her family everyone sang, without making it a profession
Yolanda Rivera The Lady of Salsa

After a few months of unemployment, he had the opportunity to meet Quique Lucca-founder of the Ponceña who decided to recruit.

With them he recorded “Borinquen”, his favorite song. He stayed from 1977 to 1984, the time to record some albums and browse the scenes around the world, albums with this prestigious formation are:

“The Giant of the South” (Inca-1977-1054)

“Exploring” (inca-1978-1060);

“The orchestra of my land” (1978-inca-1064);

Compilation “Energized” (1979-1072-Inca)

“New heights (1980-inca-1074)

“Unchained force” (1980-inca-1077)

“Night Raider (1981-inca-1079)

“Determinación” (1982-inca-1080)

“Squeezing” (1983-inca-1089)

Yolanda Rivera was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico on June 30, 1951
Yolanda Rivera La Sonera of Ponce

Parallel to her career, Yolanda had to take care of her family, she will stay in Florida for five years, but not stop completely with the song, indeed it is a record with the noble strength of ensemble led by Gabino Pampini.

The return home was more difficult to revive the trade. only in the 90s she integrated for 3 years the Rubby Haddock orchestra where several records, since then she has worked regularly with Luigi Texidor .

From time to time she attended the anniversaries of the Ponceña:

Sonora Ponceña 30th anniversary golden age (inca 1992);

Sonora Ponceña 45th anniversary live: history and we continue to make, (bmg / ariola 81 167) 2000 (only appears on cd).

But she never returned because Ponceña Papo Lucca the beloved joins Luigi Texidor in his career as a soloist in the interpretation of the orchestra’s old hit.

She also participated in the album “Ray Barretto 50th Anniversary Live” where she sings “Nadie se salva de la Rumba” with Adalberto Santiago for the year 2001, a song included in the production Tremendo Trio with Celia Cruz, Ray Barretto and with Adalberto Santiago, for the year 1983 distributed by Fania Record.

"Nobody is saved from the Rumba" with Adalberto Santiago for the year 2001
“Ray Barretto 50th Anniversary Live”

 

In February 2009, in Puerto Rico, Yolanda received the “Salsa Awards”, in recognition of her musical career.

That same year she participated once again in another event in La Ponceña, this time in the 55th anniversary of the Ponce giants.

The most recent musical production of the Dama de Ponce is a single titled “Yo no tengo marido” recorded in 2012.

The most recent musical production of the Dama de Ponce is a single titled "Yo no tengo esposo" recorded in 2012
Congratulations to the Lady of Salsa Yolanda Rivera

Congratulations to the Lady of Salsa Yolanda Rivera

 

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Armando Manzanero “The King of Romanticism” left us this morning

Master Armando Manzanero said goodbye to us due to covid-19 complications

The morning of December 28, Mexico and the rest of Latin America woke up to the sad news of the death of another of its great artists: Maestro Armando Manzanero. A few days ago it was announced that the singer-songwriter had tested positive for covid-19, the virus that has the world paralyzed and on edge, he was hospitalized on December 17 for complications associated with it.

Despite informing that Armando was improving at respiratory level after being intubated, it was reported that he would remain under observation for some kidney problems. This morning the Society of Authors and Composers of Mexico, of which he was the president, announced his death due to a heart attack associated with his complications.

With his 86 years, the maestro always remained active, contributing a lot to the history of Latin music and his native Mexico. Nobody would have thought that we will not only say goodbye to 2020 but also to the great musician, his ashes will be delivered to his family during this Monday, which will be transferred to his born city Mérida, where at the beginning of the month he had inaugurated the Casa Manzanero museum where the best milestones of his career of more than 60 years are exhibited.

Armando Manzanero was one of the greatest
The master Armando Manzanero.

The incredible long career of Armando Manzanero

Armando Manzanero passed away at the age of 86, leaving a legacy of golden years on stage with his favorite instrument: the piano, demonstrating the great talent that exists in Latin America. In 1950 he composed what would be his first tune “Never in the world”, this was only the beginning of his great career.

There are more than 400 songs that the maestro composed, which are divided between those used for his own discography and those that many artists have had the honor of singing, among which we can name: Elvis Presley, Andrea Bocelli, Angélica María, Luis Fonsi, Belinda, Joan Sebastian, La Arrolladora Banda El Limón, Roberto Carlos, Andrés Calamaro, Ana Torroja, Ana Gabriel, Daniela Romo, Laura Pausini, Cristian Castro, Alejandro Fernández, Lucero, Paulina Rubio, Ricardo Montaner, Miguel Bosé, Rocío Dúrcal, Raphael, David Bisbal, Pedro Fernández, José José, Luis Miguel, Vicente Fernández and many more.

Armando Manzanero died last December
The King of Romanticism is no longer with us.

Not only did he participate in songwriting for albums and artists, but he also participated in the composition of many songs for movies and soap operas. Among all his great awards are several Grammys including the Award for Musical Excellence for his great contributions to music.

The Recording Academy posted on its Twitter account: “Armando Manzanero, recipient of the Award for Musical Excellence and winner of the Latin GRAMMY, as well as a great friend of the Academy, has left us. We celebrate his life and work. Irreparable loss for the world of Latin music. We accompany the Manzanero family in their deep pain.”

We must remember that the maestro was honored this year in many ways, the most memorable were those made at the Billboard Latin Music Awards and the Latin Grammy, no one thought that they would be the last tributes in life for Mr. Manzanero. During this week more posthumous tributes, and many words from different Latin artists are expected.

Rest in peace Armando Manzanero, may heaven be filled with his romantic words and great tunes!

 

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Daniela Darcourt and Tony Succar together for a charming photo

Daniela visits Tony on her trip to Miami

While she was in the United States, the artist visited the renowned producer, in what was a nice surprise for the fans of both of them. The news was released by the singer herself through her Instagram, where she told a small but motivating story while sharing a photograph of both posing together with the talented Peruvian-American producer’s Grammys.

Daniela mentions the first contact she had with who is her friend now, Tony, saying that five years ago she wrote to him to express her admiration for the producer’s work; she also added that she would love to meet him one day, which happened, for 4 years after that message was sent, they played together at a huge concert in Peru.

Daniela’s touching words

The words dedicated to Tony Succar by the artist are overflowing with love, the second we read them, we realize how happy she felt about the visit. “You know better than anyone how much I adore, love, and respect you, your family, your work, your heart”. All of these words, accompanied by the two big smiles in the picture.

Daniela Darcourt and Tony Succar
Daniela Darcourt and Tony Succar together.

She concluded her post with a nice message and an ambitious promise, “You can count on me forever and always (I promise that in the next photo we take, my Grammys will be there too) I love you with all my heart!” she said in a cheerful tone.

Not only Daniela made a post about the reunion, but Tony also posted another photo of them together in his studio with a shorter but just as loving message. “It was an honor to have you here for the first time! You have too much talent. I am super proud of what you are achieving”.

As expected, as a result of these events, rumors of a collaboration between the two of them did not take long to arrive, not only due to their reunion, but also to the photograph published by Tony, where Daniela is seen with an expression that suggests that she is singing, which is enough reason to put all the fans of both artists to the expectations of what may happen between them, although it is important to note that until now there has been no statement by either of them that confirms or denies the rumors.

Whether there is a collaboration between the two artists or not, what is clear is that Daniela Darcourt is at a great moment in her musical career, and her ambitions are not low, she has made clear her intentions to apply to the Grammy awards and get one, a dream that can be achieved if she continues to grow as an artist.

Despite how problematic the year has been for everyone, the interpreter of ‘Señor mentira’ has had a couple of remarkable moments in 2020, one of them is her nomination for the Heat Awards with her song ‘probabilidad de amor’ ; also, her music has been widely heard on Spotify, which is quite significant, especially when we take into account her obvious intentions to internationalize musically.

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