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Two radio programs of the salsa movement in California

Introduction

After the entire journey, the cultural salsa movement in the state of California is well established, which includes a good number of media outlets that focus on this and other Latin music genres. In this article, we are going to talk a little about two very important radio shows in Los Angeles, which play a very important role in the spread of salsa and its greatest exponents today.

They are the radio shows ”Alma Del Barrio” and ”Canto Tropical”, whose work has provided an immense contribution to the world of music and gained a huge audience both in Los Angeles and in the rest of the world.

Alma Del Barrio

In the autumn of 1973, what would become one of the most important Latin radio shows in Los Angeles started to go on the air, which is known as ”Alma Del Barrio” to this day and its main founders were Enrique Soto and Raul Villa, who were still university students at the time. What Raul and Enrique were looking for with this show was to educate the audience musically speaking and ensure that listeners to learn much more about their favorite artists.

A key part of this show is to interview the greatest exponents of the salsa genre and some of these have been Celia Cruz, Chucho Valdes, Manny Oquendo, Tito Puente, Roberto Roena and many more. Thanks to these conversations, fans of these artists have managed to learn more about their favorite artists and their future projects.

From the day of its founding, the show has been broadcast through the radio waves of KXLU, which is one of the largest radio stations in Los Angeles and offers all kinds of variety and musical genres in its programming.

Host Eddie López and Venezuelan Latin music bandleader Rudy Regalado

Canto Tropical

”Canto Tropical” is a radio show created with the firm intention of serving as a bridge to unite generations, cultures and countries that appear to not have anything to do with each other. The main musical genres on which the programming is based are salsa, Latin jazz, merengue, Afro-Cuban rhythms, among others. The music comes from all over the world, but most of the material comes from South and Central America and the Caribbean.

In addition to being always aware of the latest Latin music, hosts Kathy Diaz and Hector Resendez always make sure to get the best interviews with the most famous local and foreign artists so that their fans can get to know them better both personally and professionally. Likewise, listeners have the possibility to participate in contests and sweeptakes to win free tickets to concerts and events that are of their interest.

One of the requirements to be met by the show is to always invite local artists and singers to help them promote their music, new albums and concerts. In this way, the audience is aware of what local talent is currently doing. In fact, there are many figures who are still thankful for the exposure given the program, thanks to which they have achieved the popularity they were seeking.

Another detail that cannot be overlooked is that several social and community organizations have publicly thanked the show for its voluntary work and its hosts Kathy and Hector, who have even written for major publications such as Hispanic, Bilboard Magazine CASHBOX, among others.

Alma Del Barrio’s logo

From Cali, Colombia, “La Crítica Orquesta” by Harold Estrada

With a unique, impacting, dynamic sound and with an explosion of musical energy, “La Crítica Orquesta” of Harold Estrada comes to us in this delivery, directly from the city of Cali, Colombia; who presents to the world, a different proposal with a clear and forceful message of much social sense in his interpretations. In a brief conversation we had with its director Harold Estrada, a young musician of great experience with Colombian Orchestras, he shared with us aspects of this successful group from Caleña.

Welcome Harold to International Salsa Magazine “The Only Salsa Magazine in the World”. First of all, tell us: since what date does “La Crítica Orquesta” come out? Thank you Professor Carlos Colmenárez, for the wonderful invitation that you make us from your city Barquisimeto, in our sister Venezuela, with a fraternal greeting and thus let us know a little more through you and this prestigious media; because let me tell you friend, that the Orchestra begins to sound since 2012, with an enterprising, constructive, quality and very professional work, in search of an authentic sound that identifies it and allows it to take its rightful place in the salsa environment here in Colombia and internationally.

De Cali, Colombia, “La Crítica Orquesta” de Harold Estrada

And in these 10 years of trajectory, have you had important participations in events and festivals? Indeed Professor Carlos, we had the honor of being present at the World Salsa Festival 2012 and also in the fairs of Cali, likewise several departments of the country have witnessed this magnificent evolution, seeking to remember the essence and expression of salsa Caleña with that characteristic sound and Orchestras that left their mark on the Afro-Caribbean and Colombian music.

Harold friend I understand that you develop a social and musical work in the city of Cali, tell us… Yes, our orchestra is developing and forming a “Collective of salsa to the street”, which is a program that is ready to rescue the Caleña culture, with the purpose of safeguarding the salsa in the city.

Which international artists have been accompanied so far by “La Crítica Orquesta”. Carlos, we have had the privilege of accompanying here in Colombia salsa artists of the stature of: Rafu Warner, Luigi Texidor, Chamaco Rivera, Ruben Sierra, Julio Lopez, Manny Fuentes, and more, demonstrating the musical support of the group.

What is the mission of “La Crítica Orquesta”? We are convinced that our mission is to make quality music for the enjoyment of the people, for the delight of the dancer and the ear of the music lover, but especially, music to free the spirit and cheer the soul.

Who are the members of the Orchestra? “La Crítica Orquesta”, is conformed by: Harold Estrada (conductor and conguero), Oscar Eduardo González (Trumpeter), Cruz Ramón Mayora (Bongos player), Andrés Holguín (Trumpeter), Ramiro Lennis (Singer), Leo Bonilla (Trombonist), Andrés Felipe Silva (Bassist), Marco Felipe Ramírez (Timbalero), Carlos Alberto Cruz and Harrison Muñoz (Singers), Mauricio Bastidas (Saxophonist), Jerry Alejandro Figueroa (Pianist), Gregorio Gómez (Singer), by the way our bongos player, is Venezuelan, born in the city of Naiguatá, but since he was a child he lives in the city of Barquisimeto, to which soon will be back, the experienced and excellent musician Cruz Ramón Mayora Medina.

La Critica Orquesta de Harold Silva — La Critica Orquesta de Harold Estrada

As for productions, have you already recorded some? Yes Professor Carlos, we already have several songs and even videos on Youtube for the knowledge of all. And these are the titles, composers, arrangers and performers: “Cannabis”, this is the most recent single recorded just a month ago, with lyrics by: Einar Flores and in the arrangements Andrés Silva, both Colombians. “Canallón”, lyrics by Einar Flores (Colombia) and arrangements by Pedro Cruz, (Dominican Republic). “Dale Duro”, composer and arranger Luis Cabezas (Venezuelan), the interpreters are: Carlos Cruz, Harold Aguirre and Adrián Barragán, respectively.

Excellent friend Harold and the social networks of the Orchestra. On Youtube you can reach us as: Orquesta la Crítica de Harold Estrada, Instagram: lacriticadeharoldestrada and Facebook: lacriticaorquestacali; for bookings you can contact us at: +573147800543.

Upcoming concerts or events? We will be present God willing at the “Concierto Circulación”, on November 26 and also at the Cali Fair.

Thank you for accepting the invitation, brother and friend Harold Estrada and the whole Orchestra, for us it was an honor to have you in International Salsa Magazine salsagoogle.com, and from here we wish the greatest success to “La Crítica” of Colombia, a group that undoubtedly, is putting well in high the Salsa made in Cali.

The privilege is ours, Professor Carlos Colmenárez, and from Colombia, we will transmit you the best wishes of the Orchestra and the whole country, so that you continue to make known the salsa talent of your beloved Venezuela as well as of all the Salseros in the world. Thank you a thousand times for the support you give to “La Crítica Orquesta”, and on behalf of all its members, we send you blessings and wish you many successes and long life. You, the social communicators are a key factor to promote and publicize the musical work for Salsa made with quality and international flavor for the dancers and connoisseurs of the genre.

Until next time and we continue salseando…!

Carlos Colmenarez

You can read: Henry Valladares, a brilliant, versatile, and disciplined percussionist

Perspectives of our senses in being an excellent Dj. and or Musicalizer

It is known as Disc Jockey (also known with the abbreviation of DJ, and its Anglo-Saxon pronunciation of Deejay) or disyóquey to “the person who selects and mixes recorded music of his own or of other composers and artists, to be listened to by an audience”.

Musicalizador: is that person who can extract a periodic and varied list of an equis amount of songs of proven success loaded in the storage system.

Many people and/or dancers express the controversy of the musicalizadores and Dj’s. Of the rumbas salseras of all the times nowadays that call it of (Salsa Guateque and Baúl).

With respect to the content or musical selection that they place or propose each one to give to understand to the public rumbero dancer.

Today there are many musicalizers and above all self-appointed “Dj`s” and they use to call themselves from one day to another and what they do not know that to reach this art they must study and know the art of basic music such as harmonies, theory and solfeggio, to be more complex.

First, one thing is to be a Dj and another musicalizer, both have to know music, but the Dj is responsible for making the mix of one over the other in couplings of the song without distorting the original revolutions or Bpm that makes you feel the harmony of both in one. Making the dancers flow and make the place feel good and cool.

The Djs and musicalizers have a difficult task to bring the creativity and the magic to put to dance to their public some traditional and others demanding to be able to over carry a rumba or danceable night.

This work has been difficult, but also easy to have an ear to select a song with a good sense of lyrics and above all with a harmonious and contagious arrangement that gives pleasure at the time of dancing. Making of them the work of how and when to place the melody to make the hook between the public/dancer.

The public rumbero, dancer…It is hard to understand that going out one night and feeling the atmosphere with something musical that not only you like, but also your partner or whoever you ask to dance likes the theme. Remember that not only the song makes the night enjoyable, but also the sound of the song and the people around you.

On the other hand, there is the audience that is not even a dancer. Many have the bad sense to bother with a drink in hand, dance alone, even take pictures and record the musicians and / or DJs. They get in the way of those who really want to enjoy the dance floor.

The criticisms are constructive to be better for the next dance, remember that there is a lot of music from the older music stirring memories of the public. As well as the newest, given that the music is modern and evolving.

With this I do not mean that all are bad, on the contrary there are good musicians and DJs par excellence that I follow for many years. But there is a large group that is coming out in this that lacks some of the conditions mentioned above.

For DJ’s

If you are going to play a number, play the original. The musicians, composers, arrangers and dancers will thank you for it.
Music with instrument downloads are UNCOMFORTABLE FOR DANCING. Know how to choose which solos are danceable. Give swing to the dancer.
Don’t cut the end of the music, or mix it up. It takes away the happy moment of that final punch.
Just because it’s fast doesn’t mean it’s danceable; listen and see how people enjoy the different tempos in the music.
Hey…the guajira, the son montuno, the chachacha…whatever you call it, it’s part of the genre. Why do you have to ask for it and they look at you funny? Out of every three to four salsas, a chacha goes down very well.

NOTICIAS CON SABOR- SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA/NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

News about the San Francisco Bay Area live music scene

The SF Bay Area live music scene has been slowly reopening since the Summer and these are the latest developments. The Seahorse in Sausalito continues to offer live Salsa on Sundays in November. The Sunday Salsa calendar for November includes rising Salsa star Carlos Xavier on Nov. 7, Edgardo Cambon y Candela on Nov. 14, Louie Romero and Mazacote on Nov. 21 and Anthony Blea on Nov. 28. The live Sundays also feature the DJ music of KPOO/KPFA DJ Jose Ruiz.

Space 550 at 550 Barneveld in SF that was offering Live Salsa with Bachata and Kizomba rooms on Friday and Saturdays are resuming their live music offerings on Friday nights. The popular Friday nights cater to the dancers featuring popular bands such as Orquesta Borinquen, Julio Bravo and Salsabor and VibraSON plus Salsa Congress type of DJ’s on the decks.

The Ramp at 855 Terry Francois Blvd in San Francisco continues to offer Salsa at their popular outdoor venue that offers live Salsa every Saturday from 5 to 9 pm and resident DJ Mendy continues his DJ sets until 11pm. Their November calendar features N’Rumba on Nov. 6, Orquesta La Original w/lead vocalist Alexis Guillen on Nov. 13, Karabali with Karl Perazo (of Santana) and Michael Spiro on Nov. 20 and La Clave Del Blanco on Nov. 27.

Rocky’s Market at Oakland’s Brooklyn Basin has finished their events season for the year. This new outdoor venue has been a welcomed addition to the local scene and has made quite a splash since offering live Salsa, Afro-Cuban, World music, Comedy and Dance shows. All-star percussionist Javier Navarette is the curator for the Modupue Sundays Latin shows. Dancers have enjoyed the live music of the SF Charanga All Star reunions featuring Dr. John Calloway, Anthony Blea, Marco Diaz, Christelle Durandy, Orlando Torriente and others, Edgardo and Candela, Pellejo Seco, La Mixta Criolla, Mio Flores Habana All Stars and Navarette and his all-star Socially Distanced Friends band! I look forward to next year!

Logotype of Rocky’s Market Brooklyn Basin

More news

Speaking about Anthony Blea…the all-star violin virtuoso has started a new Friday night scene at the Gestalt Bar, 3159 16th Street near Valencia in San Francisco. Blea, led his popular Anthony Blea y Su Charanga (aka Charanson) for many years and was part of legendary SF based bands such as Orquesta Batachanga and Tipica Cienfuegos. Blea is featuring his hot quartet which includes bassist Ayla Davila. Patrons can expect a hot descarga (jam session) with special guests to sit in every Friday night.

Popular Timba/Cuban music DJ Walt Digz has moved his El Timbon Wednesday nights to the Slate Bar 2925-16th Street between Capp and South Van Ness in SF. Digz continues to livestream his “El Timbon” three hour webcasts full of the latest Timba and Cuban Dance videos on Twitch every Tuesday night from 7 to 10 PM PST….Walt Digz is also part of the rotating all-star DJ crew that includes veteran DJ/Promoter Tony O (of Roccapulco fame) and DJ Leydis who are featured on various events produced by Jaffe Events at swanky hotel rooftops and exclusive venues in SF, Berkeley and Oakland. For more information, visit www.jaffeevents.com or check out their Facebook page.

The Peruvian restaurant Kimbara that now occupies the former large space that was part of Bissap Baobab on 3380-19th Street in SF’s Mission District is now offering DJ Salsa nights on Wednesday nights….Cigar Bar, 850 Montgomery Street in San Francisco continues to keep their doors open to Salsa aficionados and dancers on weekend nights. Recent bookings have included their Halloween bash featuring the dynamic Edgardo Cambon and Candela. Patrons can enjoy their drinks, food and cigars at this established North Beach venue for Latin music with no cover.

Don’t forget to check out the Northern California return of the explosive Grammy Award winners Spanish Harlem Orchestra for the holidays at the Monterey Conference Center, 1 Portola Plaza in Monterey on Saturday, December 11th! Yours truly, Luis Medina will be your MC and DJ for this special event coming to Monterey! For tickets and more information, visit www.montunoproductions.com or call (510) 586-3215.

International Salsa coming to SF Bay/Northern California…. Look out for Ruben Blades Salswing Tour to land at Oakland’s Paramount Theater on Saturday, November 20th at 8 PM. Ruben will be backed up by the swinging big band of Panamanian bassist Roberto Delgado who are awesome live!! Blades will be performing selections of his current critically acclaimed recording Salswing as well as his vast repertoire of hits and crowd favorites. Salswing which combines Salsa, Jazz and Swing music is already on my top 20 list for this year!!

Gilberto Santa Rosa “El Caballero De La Salsa” and his orchestra will be at the San Jose Center For The Performing Arts on Friday, November 12th. Santa Rosa released one of the best Salsa recordings of the year “Colegas” last Fall featuring all-star duets with Tito Nieves, the late Tito Rojas, Issac Delgado, Herman Olivera and others!….Grammy award winners Grupo Niche from Colombia will be appearing at Roccapulco in SF on Saturday, November 20th as well…..Superstar Marc Anthony will finally perform after several postponements at San Jose’s SAP Center on Friday, December 17th. Anthony is riding high on the charts with Pa’alla Voy, his remake of the group Africando’s Yay Voy 90’s salsa classic.

Be sure to check out my radio programs Con Sabor every Saturday evening 9 to 11 PM PST on KPFA 94.1 FM and worldwide at www.kpfa.org. And…Sabiduria Con Tumbao every Wednesday night 5 to 7 PM PST on WorldSalsaRadio.com. Con Sabor past programs are just archived for two weeks at www.kpfa.org/archives. Sabiduria Con Tumbao’s past programs are archived at www.soundcloud.com. Just go to the World Salsa radio.com page to access the programs and check it out!!!

See you next time. Ciao 4 now!!!

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

Johnny Vega Musical legend Composer and Vocalist

Born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, veteran songwriter, and singer Johnny Vega grew up surrounded by music and relatives with the same natural talent he discovered in himself at an early age.

It wasn’t long before his obvious gift of writing accompanied by strong vocals was in demand.

Many salsa greats highlighted Johnny Vega, as a songwriter and vocalist at an early age New York was the vanguard of his success.

Relocating as a teenager, with his family, he mastered his craft in both Spanish and English being one of the first Puerto Rican musicians to compose and sing a bilingual hit, singing with Cortijo for the legendary band “Cortijo y su Combo” in the early 70s.

His musical career as described here gave him the notoriety that follows today, currently involved in multiple projects, Johnny continues to write and often performs at sold-out venues in his hometown.

It wasn't long before his obvious gift of writing accompanied by strong vocals was in demand. Many great salseros highlighted Johnny Vega, as a songwriter and vocalist at an early age New York was the vanguard of his success. — Johnny Vega veteran Puerto Rican singer and songwriter Born in Santurce, Puerto Rico

Johnny Vega has participated with a myriad of orchestras to name a few:

Trio Las 3 Voces

Jóvenes Del Ritmo

Gil Suarez Y Su Orquesta Latin Highs

Sonora Casino

Cortijo Y Su Combo

Kako And His Trabuco

Conjunto Los Imposibles

Orquesta Sabor

Conjunto Antonetti

Orquesta La Muralla

Conjunto La Villa Arecibo

Paquito Guzman Y Su Orquesta

Conjunto Santurce

Los 7 Gatos

Renovación 90

Hermanos Gonzalez (Help Yourselves 2015)

Noel Quintana & Latin Crew Popeye Y La Flaca 2016

Soloist Tribute To Celia

From this era of inspiration, Johnny gives the master Tommy Olivencia the song "Pancuco", especially for Frankie Ruiz. — Johnny Vega has participated with countless orchestras.

Some of his compositions:

Popeye – Ay Caray – Adalberto Santiago

Pancuco – Frankie Ruiz

Tú y tu novela – Pasado, presenté y futuro – Mike Cora

Avísale – Clown – incredulous – La Muralla

I’m dying inside – Rafi Marrero

Volver- Tito Rodriguez Jr. Singing Gilberto Santa Rosa

My Salsa is my Cura- Josean Rivera

Hermano Cortijo- Josean Rivera

Sueño de un Borincano- Willie Morales “El Piloto de la Salsa”.

Que le Pasa al Cielo- Chevy El Pitirre de la Salsa

Aquí Mando Yo- Chevy El Pitirre de la Salsa

From that moment on Johnny began to write and share his compositions with local bands so that they could establish their own musical identity.

From that era of inspiration, Johnny gave the maestro Tommy Olivencia the song “Pancuco”, especially for Frankie Ruiz.

Also “Ay Caray” & “Popeye el Marino” for Adalberto Santiago. Many of the musicians who grew up under the supervision of maestro Johnny Vega initially, went on to form part of the orchestras of Celia Cruz, Sonora Ponceña, Héctor Lavoe and many other high caliber bands.

In Rochester, Johnny sang with Orquesta Sabor, Antonetti, and Mike Rosario’s Muralla with whom he formed a solid partnership which included great productions, one of them being “Avísale” a collector’s item for which royalties are still being paid three decades later.