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Charlie Haden was an extraordinary double bassist and composer who was a key figure in the history of modern jazz.

Double bassist and composer extraordinaire, Charlie Haden (Shenandoah, Iowa, August 6, 1937 – Los Angeles, California, July 11, 2014).

Charlie Haden began his professional activity in 1959 with Ornette Coleman’s quartet, a key figure in the history of modern jazz, and very soon began to investigate in that direction that Coleman initiated known as free jazz.

In that context, Charlie Haden participated in the recording baptism of that movement with the album recorded on May 22, 1959 for the Atlantic label and entitled: “The Shape of Jazz to Come” with the invaluable collaboration of Don Cherry, another incomparable musician and leader together with Coleman of that revolutionary musical movement that still lasts today.

Charlie Haden (August 6, 1937- July 11, 2014)

Charlie Haden in 1960 participated with another double bass player, Scott LaFaro in an operatic manifesto entitled: “Free Jazz” of whom both were distinguished representatives in their instrument.

In 1964 he worked with Denny Zeitin’s trio and in 1966 he returned with Ornette Coleman while expanding his performance area with collaborations left and right.

In these areas he stood out for his participation in the work, studio and recording meetings of the “Jazz Composer’s Orchestra” and in 1969 he was finally able to realize a wish he had been pursuing for years: to record his first album under his own name with the Liberation Music Orchestra.

With original arrangements by Carla Bley, the music of the Liberation also stood out for the political character of the songs, being the first time that, in that context, a jazz group echoed the popular songs alluding to the Republican side of the Spanish Civil War.

After the album recorded by Impulse in 1976 entitled: “Song for Che” in homage to Ernesto Che Guevara, Charlie Haden formed with Don Cherry, the quartet “Old and New Dreams” with which he toured throughout Europe, Asia and North America. At the end of the eighties, Charlie Haden elaborates a new musical discourse within the framework of his new formation entitled “Quartet West”.

The founding album of this new discourse was an extraordinary album generically entitled “Quartet West”, a musical manifesto of great beauty and one of the essential albums of contemporary jazz. From 1990 onwards, Charlie Haden explores more intimate jazz universes, introducing the duo format into his discourse.

In this context, the musician explores himself in the composition and his relaxation together with the other protagonist discovers us a music of great inventiveness, clean in the execution and approached from a purely instrumental point of view.

This is how on Thursday, November 14, 2002, Charlie Haden appears in Seville at the Central Theater with the master of the guitar, Jim Hall to offer a portentous concert, full of sensitivity, art and talent.

Fortunately Apoloybaco was present that magical night in Seville and Charlie Haden is still making music of the highest level. ~ (apoloybaco)

Charlie Haden teams up again with the young Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba in this melancholic and relaxing album. Ignacio Berroa on drums and percussion completes the main trio.

Special guests include tenor saxophonists Joe Lovano and David Sánchez, violinist Federico Britos Ruiz and guitarist Pat Metheny (one track only).

Charlie Haden photo 1978 Roger Ressmeyer

Rubalcaba contributes orchestrations on two tracks, both of which omit drums and percussion. Haden’s intention is to explore the bolero, a distinctive Latin dance rhythm that Ignacio Berroa accentuates with a soft, subtle snare drum roll, played with brushes, that begins on the “y” of the first beat of the measure and ends on the second.

This rhythm is perfect for a slow dance and, in fact, the whole album is very romantic, with bittersweet melodies and lilting cadences.

The only problem is that Berroa’s bolero figure is present on almost every track, perhaps what you would expect from a bolero album, but there is no getting around the fact that the music sounds pretty much the same on every track.

(To be fair, Berroa is not the only one guilty of uniformity.) Most of the songs, except for two Haden originals and one by Rubalcaba, are Cuban and Mexican standards, and they are beauties. Haden’s reluctance to mess with them is understandable.

But the arrangements, always straightforward, fade too easily into the background.

Nocturne may be the best music for a candlelit dinner party, but Haden and his guests are capable of much more. David R. Adler.

Charlie Haden – Nocturne (2001)
Temas:
01. En La Orilla Del Mundo (At The Edge Of The World) (Martin Rojas)
02. Noche De Ronda (Night Of Wandering) (Maria Teresa Lara)
03. Nocturnal (Sabre Marroquin/José Mojica)
04. Moonlight (Claro De Luna) (Charlie Haden)
05. Yo Sin Ti (Me Without You) (Arturo Castro)
06. No Te Empeñes Mas (Don’t Try Anymore) (Marta Valdès)
07. Transparence (Gonzalo Rubalcaba)
08. El Ciego (The Blind) (Armando Manzanero)
09. Nightfall (Charlie Haden)
10. Tres Palabras (Three Words) (Osvaldo Farrès)
11. Contigo En La Distancia·En Nosotros (With You In The Distance·In Us) (Cèsar Portillo De La Luz/Tania Castellanos)

Músicos:
Charlie Haden (Bajo)
Gonzalo Rubalcaba (Piano, Orquestación)
Ignacio Berroa (Percusión, Batería)
Joe Lovano (Saxo tenor en temas #1, #4, #7, #11)
David Sánchez (Saxo tenor en temas #6, #10)
Pat Metheny (Guitarra acústica en tema #2)
Federico Ruiz (Violín en temas #1, #5, #8)

Grabado del 27 al 31 de agosto de 2000 en Criteria / The Hit Factory Studios, Miami, FL.

Charlie Haden - Nocturne (2001) — Charlie Haden – Nocturne (2001)

Research Sources:

L’Òstia Latin Jazz

Dj, Augusto Felibertt

Also Read: Andy Gonzalez started as a musician at the age of 13 in the Latin Jazz Quintet in New York

ISM presents 2 Venezuelan DJ with a great passion for Salsa

Latin America / Venezuela / Caracas

DJ Katiuska Oropeza

Katiuska Oropeza. Born in Caracas, the capital of salsa in Venezuela, currently based in the Carabobo State, Valencia – Venezuela.

He mentions “My passion for salsa began at the age of 3, influenced by my father who was a great connoisseur of this genre and at the age of 7 I already wanted to learn to play the timbal since I love percussion.

Over the years and by chance I got to know the salsa movement produced by a number of virtual collection salsa stations where a number of music lovers gather to enjoy and keep alive what is the essence and basis of salsa, I become passionate and I begin an incredible learning about everything that Venezuelan salsa is and that is when I become a programmer for the pioneering station on the Internet called www.rumbayguateque.com through this I was the representative in Venezuela of Mr. Alfredo Maleta Torres, the last singer who had the Joe Cuba sextet.

Today I try to spread the little that I have learned from this genre that has an endless history and from time to time participating as a musicalizer in different salsa events.” “Long live salsa forever.”

DJ Jaime Guanipa

During his interview on La Maceta radio conducted by me, Jaime mentioned that he was born in December 1966 in Caracas Venezuela, a native of Sarria belonging to the La Candelaria parish, where he grew up in two aspects in his early years, between Sarria and Alta Vista. in Catia parish Sucre also in Caracas.

His first tangible experience within Latin music called “SALSA” was thanks to the Venezuelan “PHIDIAS DANILO ESCALONA” who gave him this label that has immortalized the genre, and for Jaime’s memory it was in 1973 with the premiere of the movie “Nuestra Cosa Latina” and The SALSA Movie in different theaters in Caracas, and through its soundtrack I was shocked, and began to develop a definitive taste within the musical field, nurturing and wanting to be more extensive…

In this way, through the years, I achieved a broader knowledge within the Latin American culture, where it was enriched by absorbing like a sponge everything related to the environment and listening to Radio where they moderated great knowledge to which I can name our Venezuelans and connoisseurs. and moderators in different Radio stations in Modulated Amplitude for the time in Caracas such as Phidias Danilo Escalona, Floro Manco, Enrique Bolívar Navas, Héctor Castillo, Rafael Rivas, among other great broadcasters, achieving a very solid understanding within the majesty of salsa , but…

As of 1979 he has the concern to share and listen to the coarsest of our Latin music, beginning with family parties and friends, then he made comments and selected music from the acetate discs that were in said meetings, being this a cult and from 1982 he defined himself as a DJ. Salsero, enriching the technology and the true art of the moment, which is research, the study of the genre and the credits of his albums that logically were and are in LP format.

Generating in this way a breeding ground for experimentation and musical selection, it is from this moment referring to the date in which his experience and exchange of criteria between friends who throughout these years have followed and accompanied him within this passion, having successes as Salsero Musicalizer in extinct venues in the city of Caracas for the years 1985 to 1990, was triggered.

Later, in 1993, he temporarily retired due to family responsibilities, but without ever abandoning my passion for music and genre research both here in my country Venezuela and abroad, and in 2008, he decided to resume after a reasonable time. my most significant taste for salsa musicalization, already for the moment obtaining many valuartes but with its due time within the genre, evolving distinctively in terms of its versatility and exponents, highlighting that for me it is not a challenge since due to the concept earned and maintained has given me a preferential position within the taste of the salsero and the dancer that…

I call demanding, experience experience gained due to the fact that at the time I was surrounded by great friends who love the salsa genre that many of them share today, which is why and subscribed to current technology and its ease of access, it means that in a masterly way I can give the what the dancing public really wants and desires in each meeting, event and party, without a doubt, before it I expose an interactive referential synthesis of my time in this exciting world as it is and I define “Salsa musicalization in Caracas nightlife ”.

The best Salsa-Latin bands in London! Are you in London?

Europe / England / London

London: Here we bring you the best Latin bands you must check right now!

PALENKE, the Latin dance leader in London

Palenke was born in 1990 to the collective talents of Fernando Suarez – “Kinacho” and Lisandro Zapata from Colombia. Both are highly professional performers and are widely experienced in the Latin and Jazz scene.

Photo 1 - The best Salsa-Latin bands in London — Photo 1 – The best Salsa-Latin bands in London

The Band’s eclectic repertoire is passionate, dynamic and eminently danceable: from the characteristically hot blooded tempos of Cuban Salsa and Brazilian Lambada, the traditional folk rhythms of Colombian cumbia and Dominican Merengue, to the latest Caribbean Reggae and universally popular Spanish style “Gypsy Kings”. This all singing band includes the traditional latin rhythm section, piano, guitar, bass, congas, bongos and timbale. It is fronted by Adriana Santana also Colombian, who has become the “Queen of Salsa” in London captivating the audience with her magnetic voice and sensual dancing.

Over the years Palenke has toured: Switzerland (Montreaux Festival), France, Italy, Spain, Tunisia, Morocco, Malaysia, Indonesia, Ireland and Turkey. The band has performed for dignitaries such as Prince Charles, the late King Hussein of Jordan, King Juan Carlos of Spain and has become a spicy ingredient at hotels, clubs and many pop stars parties.

In the UK, the band is well known from North to South as a leading Latin band spreading the Latin fever from small to big audiences. Palenke has been invited to the Barbican Centre, the South Bank, The Edinburgh Festival and several TV shows. Palenke over the years had worked with the collaboration of great Musicians such as: Oscar Ruiz, timbale; Bill Bland, congas; Alejandro Martinez, multi-percussionist and Luis Carlos Fuentes, Drummer.

Photo 3 - The best Salsa-Latin bands in London — Photo 3 – The best Salsa-Latin bands in London

SAMBOSSA, a band playing the sounds & rhythms of Brazil

With music ranging from sultry Bossa Nova & grooving Afro-funk to blistering samba, Sambossa have everything needed to delight both the listener & the dancer.

Featuring the unique vocal talents of ELISANGELA MAHOGANY, who brings originality to some classic Brazilian tunes.

Also from Rio is hugely talented multi-instrumentalist MARCELO ANDRADE who showcases his saxophone & flute styles.

Guitarist PAUL RUMBOL leads this band as well as being band leader of the celebrated group Viramundo. He also sings & plays the cavquinho (small Brazilian guitar) & has been working alongside the most talented Brazilian performers for more than 20 years.

Completing the quartet is XAVIER OSMIR from São Paulo, Brazil who brings his wonderful percussion & vocal talents. The band is also available as a trio and duo for smaller events/budgets. SAMBOSSA, a compact but very powerful Brazilian/Latin group.

Photo 4 - The best Salsa-Latin bands in London — Photo 4 – The best Salsa-Latin bands in London

RIAMBA: the professionals of rhythm!

With flair for performing, Riamba is one of the most sought after and lively Latin music bands on the London scene today. Its flexible 3 to 7 piece line-up is led by a superb female vocalist and backed by a strong rhythm section which includes: piano, trumpet, bass and typical Latin American percussion.

With their combined musical talents, the group is perfectly suited for the many different occasions and requests that Riamba receives; from a fully blown Salsa dance band with optional dance tuition, to a more relaxed event where lively background music in the Latin style is required.

Photo 5 - The best Salsa-Latin bands in London — Photo 5 – The best Salsa-Latin bands in London

Riamba’s musicians, who are from Latin America, Europe and the UK, have had an eclectic musical training with professional experiences to match, encompassing: Latin American, jazz, pop and classical music.

As individuals this has led them to perform on tours in the UK and around the world with artists such as: Björk, Jason Rebello, The Ghana Dance Ensemble, Stewart Copeland (The Police), and at venues which include: Pizza on the Park, The 606 Club, The Royal Festival Hall, Glastonbury Festival, The Sydney Festival (Australia) and The National Theatres (London and Ghana).

Photo 2 - The best Salsa-Latin bands in London — Photo 2 – The best Salsa-Latin bands in London

Riamba has performed for many private clients and at venues which include: The National Theatre (London), The National Portrait Gallery, The Dorchester Hotel, The Cultural Olympiad, Battersea Park and Regent’s Park Festival as well as travelling abroad for European performances.

Melina Almodóvar “La Muñeca de la Salsa”

North America / USA / New York

Melina Almodóvar

With an unwavering spirit, melodious voice, Caribbean cadence on her hips, friendly and cataloged by many as sexy, Melina Almodóvar has represented the Latin female son in the US. During her 20 years of artistic career, Melina Almodóvar has conquered audiences in the most imposing scenarios and has shared stages with the most recognized artists of the tropical genre

The nickname as many know she is “La Muñeca de la salsa” and which for a long period of time she sought to have because she had the same name that already identified another Salsa singer. Getting an ideal pseudonym to her was difficult, but not for a fan who, while delighting in her live presentation, cataloged her with this nickname with which they would later recognize her in the whole world.

“I wanted to give myself a nickname for Salsa … But I did not want to change my name … And then one day a gentleman says to me:” Hey, but you are a doll and look how you sing “, and then it was there that I stayed “La Muñeca de la Salsa”. It’s a name that stuck with me and it stayed there, so everyone knows who “La Muñeca de la Salsa” is and sometimes they do not know who Melina Almodóvar is, but I really like that name, I think it’s very beautiful”, she said.

At the age of 14, the interpreter born in San Juan de Puerto Rico lived an experience that marked her life since then. She moved with her mother to Memphis, Tennessee, leaving behind her culture and family, which caused an emotional shock and made her take full refuge in the music.

Melina Almodóvar - Photo — Melina Almodóvar – Photo

“Salsa saved my life.” The Salsa is my way of life. It’s my way of breathing, of doing things “.

“We moved to a very white place to an extremely American place. The south of the US is a very different place from New York or Florida. There are not many Latin people and for me it was very hard … I started studying music at the High School. I got into all the choirs that I could and all the bands in the school where I could be”, told me Melina.

Melina Almodóvar - Photo 2 — Melina Almodóvar – Photo 2

This Puerto Rican composer not only prepared in salsa, also studied different musical styles: Blues, Jazz and Gospel. What made her race for only 3 years at the University of Memphis the career of Musical Execution. Studies that she decided to abandon for working at the same time as a receptionist and translator for the City Council and also to continue pursuing her dream of singing Salsa professionally. “I decided to quit my university studies because I was really doing what I wanted to do: that was to be a singer… I thought it was better to leave school and nothing has gone wrong, I have continued doing everything at that moment, but on a slightly larger scale and for me it was the right decision”, commented Amodóvar.

During the 90s, Melina and other music professionals created the first salsa orchestra in Memphis called “La Orquesta Caliente”. With this band toured places like Alanna, Kentucky and Alabama. They played at such iconic venues as Beale Street, one of the most famous music streets in all the US for almost 4 years, just as they did at Young Ave Deli, a place that filled to its maximum capacity just to hear them sing and play Salsa every Monday. In this regard, Melina told me: “That’s when I started singing Salsa. That’s when I fell in love with salsa and I wanted to continue being a professional Salsa singer.”

Melina Almodóvar “La Muñeca de la Salsa” in concert

Melina Almodóvar “La Muñeca de la Salsa” in concert photo

In 2003, she began her musical career as an independent soloist with her first album Rumba’s Salsa Soul Delight, where she exhibited her creative freedom to compose, work with other people in the music industry and create her own identity in this tropical genre. So, her second álbum was La Muñeca De La Salsa Y Más (2008) and Pasión y Salsa Live in 2013.

In all her productions this Puerto Rican singer based in Miami, likes to sing to the love in a very positive way. Each song is a tropical proposal of Latin culture, passion, celebration, dance and happiness that invites the dancer to enjoy. “I like to talk positively about things that make me happy. I do not like to shoot men … Because it’s not what happened to me. “She added: “I have a bolero that’s called Mi Nueva Página de Amor, but it’s very positive.

Melina Almodóvar “La Muñeca de la Salsa” - Cover — Melina Almodóvar “La Muñeca de la Salsa” – Cover

”Although the Salsa is a genre dominated by men, Melina has shown to take firm steps and open field solidly in the music industry, she has sung alongside major figures such as: The Great Combo of Puerto Rico, Andy Montanez, Bobby Cruz, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Marlo Rosa, Tito Puente Jr., el maestro Larry Harlow and Tromboranga.

She has developed a successful musical career of 20 uninterrupted years that has led her to perform at the biggest annual festivals and daily events in the country. For nine years “La Muñeca de la Salsa” performed live shows in South Florida at Tapas y Tintos club located in Miami’s South Beach with el maestro Ricky Torres, where thousands of dancers from all over the world gathered every Tuesday to dance and enjoy her music.

Melina Almodóvar “La Muñeca de la Salsa” - Singing — Melina Almodóvar “La Muñeca de la Salsa” – Singing

In 2010, Melina and approximately more than 600 dancers broke the Guinness Record for the largest number of people dancing Salsa at the same time a song. The idea got with her former manager Frank Nieves. The theme was “Lista pa’ Impresionar” of her authorship and doesn’t rule in the near future to do it again. “We were there seeing how we could do something different for an event that he was doing here for the Broward County Patron Festivities and we said why we did not try to break the Guinness Record. Establish a Guinness Record of the greatest number of dancers dancing a song and then we did it and it was spectacular”, said Melina.

In 2016, she released to the national and international market the salsa version single “Estoy aquí” of the popular Pop singer Shakira, whose arrangement was made by Seferino Cavan. The video of “Estoy Aquí” was shot on the famous beaches of Miami Beach and already has almost 1 million views.

Melina Almodóvar “La Muñeca de la Salsa” - Photo — Melina Almodóvar “La Muñeca de la Salsa” – Photo

Likewise, and in mid of 2017, Almodóvar recorded with Tito Puente Jr. a new version in Salsa Mambo of the song “Mi Socio” created by Tito Puente and Cuban singer La Lupe popularized in 1965. In the same way, she did with the singer and composer Bobby Cruz the song “La Chica del Bling”.

Currently, Melina does live performances every Friday to 6pm at Best Time Wine Shop located on 8th Street at 64th and 8th, a wine warehouse with a large dance floor. “Ándale! Pon a Sonar el Güiro” is her most recent single, it was released since last December and you can find it on all digital platforms. During this month of January, Melina will continue playing her music through the territory of Florida with the event Los Patrones de la Salsa and on April 7 she will produce along with her friend Kristina Moinelo the biggest salsa festival in Miami, the Hollywood Salsa Fest, in which she will also participate as a main star with great figures of salsa music.

la muneca de la salsa - flyers — la muneca de la salsa – flyers

Melina Almodóvar believes that the Salsa will never die because it is in the Latin idiosyncrasy and at some point this AfroCaribbean genre will return to be that people like most. She also commented that she does not rule out the possibility in the future to do a fusion with the new urban musical trends of the moment.

“For me to represent Latin music in the US is a very big honor because I love tropical music more than anything. It’s my life, it’s my way of breathing like all the SALSEROS … For me, it’s the whole world to be able to continue my long-standing career, to go ahead and bring good Salsa for the whole World.” Melina Almodóvar

The Salsa is the NUMBER ONE music genre that is danced around the world. I believe that we are keeping this genre alive with what we are doing every day. “Melina Almodóvar

Melina Almodóvar “La Muñeca de la Salsa”

To more information about La Muñeca de la Salsa, please visit www.melinaalmodovar.com or like her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/pg/MelinaSalsa

Sitara Son Cuban – Latin Band

North America / USA / Angeles

Sitara Son - Integrants — Sitara Son – Integrants

Master percussionist and singer, Maestro Lázaro Galarraga is a native of Havana, Cuba, now living in Los Angeles. He was a founding member of the premier Cuban music troupe, Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba (1961-62, 1977-82) A world-renowned teacher, performing artist, choreographer and writer of Afro-Cuban music, culture and folklore, he has recorded, performed and taught across the U.S. and worldwide. He is also regarded as one of the great ‘Akpons’ or lead singers in the Afro-Cuban religious traditions and a master of the bata drums.

Guitarist/Vocalist, Jon-Oliver Knight is an accomplished classical guitarist who has toured extensively throughout the US, Central America, Mexico and Europe. He has played countless wedding ceremonies, cocktail hours and receptions and epitomizes the flexibility required to be a wedding guitarist. Jon-O is also in demand for his Vocals and plays sitar (Indian) and cuatro (Puerto Rican) in the band as well.

Bobby Wilmore’s is an incredibly well seasoned percussionist. From drum set to congas, bongos, or anything that Bobby can find that will make a noise, he is sure to captivate with his precision and creativity behind the drum. Bobby is one of the busiest percussionists in California with his unique “good vibes” personality and his astounding rhythmic ability and passion.

Pianist extraordinaire, Matt Amper is not only one of the most sought after Latin pianists on the west coast, but is also an accomplished Jazz and Classical pianist. Matt’s musicality is preceded by his need to dive deeper and deeper into exploring and perfecting his craft which many would say has already reached perfection!

Josiel Perez has performed and toured all over the world with some of the best bands out there. He currently plays Trumpet with SitaraSon among other La based bands. A wizard with his countless percussion instruments, Josiel brings that same skill and creativity to the Latin side.

Together these accomplished musicians form a Band that will astound and captivate you, leaving you wanting more.