Search Results for: Carlos Navarro

Salsa at its best, led by the leader of La Puertorriqueña: Don Perignon

The most recent production of the Bailable Víspera de Reyes, which was instituted in 1987 by the timbalero and band leader known in the salsa scene as Don Perignon, was quite an event. Thirty-eight years ago, ‘La Puertorriqueña’ was still known as ‘Compañeros y amigos’.

El líder de La Puertorriqueña, Don Perignon

However, the dance that fulfills a promise made by Perignon to kings has continued to be celebrated beyond the names with which Perignon has identified his band over time.

Each year, the show brings with it a box of surprises. In addition to what is promised during the promotion, the salsa public that comes to the traditional gala knows that anything can happen there. This year, the stage showcased great artists in addition to the luxurious closing that gave us the night by way of El Caballero de la Salsa, Gilberto Santa Rosa performing the emblematic song by Johnny Ortiz, ‘Tu música popular’.

Ángel Martínez, Efraín Hernández, Don Perignon y Miguel Aponte

In this edition, held on January 5, 2025, the concert was started by the successor of the Perignon dynasty, also a percussionist, Pete Perignon; flanked by vocalists Ricardo Rodríguez in the more melodic songs and Julio López in the heavier numbers. López got the first turn at the microphone with ‘Azúcar pa’ un amarga’o’, followed by Rodríguez in the key of ‘Cuéntame tu historia’.

According to Pete himself, he invited Jorge Yadiel Santos to silence rumors regarding the singer’s departure from his orchestra. With the vocal power that characterizes him, the now soloist closed the presentation of the first orchestra of the night; performing ‘Baila’ and ‘Gotita caído en clave’.

Cuto Soto, Gamalier González, Rafy Torres, Pedro Marcano, Carlos __Coamito__ Martínez, Jr., Ángel Segarra y Humberto Ramírez

The group led by Pete Perignon and his timbal offered a great performance with master musicians of the present generation. These were: Jean Carlos Camuñas on the tumbadoras, Carlos Pagán on the bongó, Reynaldo Burgos on the piano, Jorge Rivera on the bass; Víctor Ambert and Jahaziel García on the trumpets; Darnell Febres and César Javier Ayala on the trombones, and Víctor “Yuca” Maldonado on the baritone saxophone.

La Mulenze kept the crowd on the dance floor, with the first song of their repertoire being ‘La sala pa’l baile’, performed by Rafy Andino. The vocal front was completed by Rafy Cruz and Alex Ojeda. The bassist, director of the orchestra of eternal youth, Edwin Morales led his boys, as he affectionately refers to his musicians; Among them were Emanuel Navarro on the tumbadoras, Robert Watts on the timbal, Alberto Muriel on the bongo, Manolo Navarro on the piano, Carlos “Coamito” Martínez, Jr. and Abdel Rivera on the trumpets; in addition to Willie Torres Ortiz and Heity Morales Nogueras on the trombones. The golden touch was offered to those present during the interpretation of the song “Mala paga”, written by our Moncho Rivera, when the Venezuelan master musician and sonero Marcial Istúriz took on the task of accompanying Rafy Andino on the soneos, shortly after Rafy confessed to being a great admirer of one of the greatest exponents of the salsa sound in Venezuela.

Henry Santiago, Joe González, Rico Walker, Marcial Istúriz, Hermán Olivera, Jerry Rivas, Pichie Pérez, Josué Rosado y Pedro Brull

Before starting his presentation, the star of the annual gala, Don Perignon marked and conducted the orchestra to play ‘Happy Birthday’ in honor of the evening’s host, also Z-93 announcer: Néstor Galán, “El Búho”. The timbalero conducted the orchestra, which was reinforced for the evening with guest musicians. The group in its Bailable Víspera de Reyes 2025 version was composed of: Charlie Padilla on the tumbadoras, Miguel Aponte on the bongó, Ángel Martínez on percussion (güiro), Luis Marín on the piano, Efraín Hernández on the bass; Cuto Soto, Gamalier González and Rafy Torres on the trombones; in addition to Pedro Marcano, Carlos “Coamito” Martínez, Jr., Ángel Segarra and Humberto Ramírez on the trumpets. For the vocal front, Perignon called on: Henry Santiago, Pedro Brull, Joe González, Pichie Pérez, Josué Rosado, Jerry Rivas, Rico Walker, Marcial Istúriz, Hermán Olivera and Gilberto Santa Rosa.

The repertoire took the followers of La Puertorriqueña on a historic tour that demonstrated the variety of songs and voices that come together in a salsa key with the cadence and flavor that Perignon manages to give to each project he leads. Joe González performed ‘Ciudad, ciudad’, Pedro Brull excelled singing ‘Represento’, Pichie Pérez was in charge of vocalizing ‘Como mangó’, Josué Rosado visited to sing ‘Cantándole al amor’, Jerry Rivas was in charge of ‘El pin pin’, Rico Walker shined with ‘Que vengan rumberos’, followed by Marcial Istúriz and a masterful interpretation of ‘La familia’ and Hermán Olivera with his spectacular ‘Ritmo Bembé’.

Marcial Istúriz comparte micrófono con Hermán Olivera

La Puertorriqueña was born in 1988 near the promise of Kings, which happens every January 5. The dance of January 5, 2025, which was held at the Sheraton in San Juan, Puerto Rico and was dedicated to trombonist Toñito Vázquez (RIP) showed that the promise of Reyes by Don Perignon -who is the leader of a generation of musicians- established more than three decades ago, remains valid. The participation of El Caballero de la Salsa recreated the beginning of his career, together with his first musical director: Don Perignon. That brotherhood between Gilberto and Perín, like the promise of Reyes, also remains valid. For our part, we will continue in salsa thanks to the call of the leader of La Puertorriqueña.

Also Read: Don Perignon and La Puertorriqueña are prides of Puerto Rico

Alberto Crespo and his magical muse

Latin America / Venezuela / Caracas

Alberto Crespo, a young pianist, arranger, composer and music producer, from an early age began his studies in Piano and Theory and music theory at the “José Ángel Lamas” music conservatory in the city of Caracas, to later continue his studies in harmony, counterpoint , orchestration and improvisation in different music schools

Since the age of seventeen he has accompanied and toured nationally and internationally with orchestras and artists such as Celia Cruz, Bobby Capo, Carmen Delia Depiní, Ray Barreto, Héctor Lavoe, José Alberto El Canario, Henry Fiol , Ismael Miranda, Mulenze Orchestra, Andy Montañés, Adalberto Santiago, Tito Nieves, La India, Herman Olivera, Frankie Vásquez, José Mangual Jr., Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz, Carlos Cano Estremera, Tito Allen, Pete Conde Rodríguez, Junior Gonzáles, Frankie Vazquez Guatacando.

He has stood out as a producer, arranger and pianist for national and international artists such as Maikel Stuart Ny. Frankie Morales Former singer of Tito Puente Ny, Dancer Orchestra of Cheo Navarro, Grupo Mango.Grupo Bacheo, Naty y Su Orquesta, Rumberos Del Callejon de Carlitos Padron, José Papo Rivera Ny, Renzo Padilla Ny, Soneros De La Calle, Freddery el Frederyck El Coco II, Wilmer Cobos Cuenta Nueva II and his Orchestra, La Kindness Orchestra, Efrén Avellaneda and his Orchestra, Lisandro Torres and his Orchestra, Mariana La Sonera and his Orchestra, Canelita Medina, Andy Duran and His Latin Jazz, Herman Olivera Ny , Angie Rincón in London, among others.

With more than thirty years of experience in salsa and Latin Jazz, he has integrated the best groups in Venezuela, including the Orquesta Bailatino, Naty y Su Orquesta, Grupo Bacheo, Andy Durán and his Latin Jazz, El Pavo Frank and his orchestra, Orquesta La Renovación, Los Rumberos Del Callejón, Orquesta las Vibraciones, Verónica Rey and Her Orchestra, Salsa Silva and Guerra by Mauricio Silva Musician and, Mariana La Sonera and Her Orchestra, Grupo Mango. Between his tours he has visited countries such as the United States, France, Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Australia, Curaçao, Mexico and Aruba.

Photo - Alberto Crespo — Photo – Alberto Crespo

Alberto Crespo and Bacheo Latin Jazz has two record productions, the first el Chuchu del viejo and the second de África Soy, which will be on sale soon, and they feature musicians with a long career and perform salsa and Latin jazz with a varied repertoire in rhythms such as son, danzón, chachachá, guajira, salsa, etc.

He currently serves as director, arranger, composer of the Salsera Resistance of Venezuela Bailatino and at the same time working hand in hand with musicians of international stature.

Javier Plaza – Biography

Europe / Alemania / Munich

Javier Plaza was born on October 4, 1952 in the Target Shooting sector of the populous neighborhood of Sarría, in Caracas – Venezuela.

In 1957 the urbanization 23 de Enero was inaugurated and the Plaza Castillo family is one of the many founding families of this beautiful project of the government of Marcos Pérez Jiménez. Javier’s Plaza childhood and adolescence take place in this environment.

The parking lot of block 5 of the Monte Piedad area on January 23, was the space where Javier Plaza began to discover his skills as a percussionist, because it was the place chosen by the neighborhood boys to take out the drums, unload and share. Among some of these future stars we can mention Bitervo Plaza, José “Cheo” Navarro and Alfredo “Cutuflá” Franchesqui.

Starting in the mid-70s, he began his professional career in Latin music, forming part of groups such as Rumbón 10, Sexteto Juventud, Enrique “Culebra” Iriarte y su Orquesta, Culebra being the one who gave him the opportunity to be one of the orchestra singers.

This work opens the doors for him in the record market, with the help of producer Víctor Mendoza, he participates in recordings of different groups such as José Rosario y sus Soneros, Federico y Su Combo and El Clan de Victor.

At the beginning of the 80s, the Orquesta Café was formed, Javier is one of its vocalists along with Joe Ruiz and Carlos Espósito, managing to record one of the most important albums of his career and one of the most significant for the inhabitants of January 23, Due to the fact that most of its musicians are parishioners, the rehearsals were held in Monte Piedad and the economic resources for the recording of the album arose in the neighborhood, thanks to a great collaborator and music lover, Mr. Andrés “Culebra” Vasquéz.

In this group musicians participated, who at the time were not as recognized as today, among others Jose “Tucky” Torres, César “Chino” Pérez, Carlos “Kutimba” Espósito, Bitervo Plaza, Gerardo Rosales, Jorge “Venado” Ponce and the late Joe Ruiz.

By the mid-1980s, Javier began to knock on doors in the old continent and Alfredo Cutuflá, who lives in Paris, invited him to participate in Combo Ventú, a group established in Paris with most of its Venezuelan members.

There he began a successful career in Europe participating in different groups and collaborating in recordings and presentations of other artists. Thanks to the presentations of Combo Ventú, the director of the Conexión Latina Orchestra, based in Munich-Germany, contacted him to be part of their ranks, he has remained with this orchestra for 18 years, currently being the oldest musician of the grouping.

Since he (Javier Plaza) was hired by the Connection, he has lived in the city of Cologne-Germany, a place where a large group of Venezuelans live, many of them dedicated to culture.

He (Javier Plaza) reinforced his musical studies of vocal technique, theory and music theory at the Köln Mülheim and studied the German language at the IBM Institute.

He has participated in groups such as Kimbiza, La Charanga Nueva de Alfredo Cutuflá, the Colombian pianist Francisco Zumaqué, Salsamanía, Cesar “Chino” Pérez and Gerardo Rosales, without abandoning his responsibility within the Latin Connection vocalists.

With La Conexión, he has had the opportunity to accompany international stars of Latin music, such as Perico Ortiz, Ismael Miranda, Adalberto Santiago and Azuquita, among others. Javier comments that Nicky Marrero worked with La Conexión for five years.

Since 1992, Javier Plaza has been managing his personal project, the Son-Risa Orchestra. With her he has made two productions entitled “Libre Soy” and “Mi Música”, with most of the songs of his own authorship.

In 2006 he came to Venezuela with a project under his arm, lyrics, musical arrangements and a proposal, in search of private or government financial support.

The name of the project “El Reencuentro”, with which he planned to bring six talented Venezuelan musicians based in Europe to meet again with musicians who make life in our country and thus make a recording where this experience would be reflected, these musicians were Alfredo ” Cutuflá” Franchesqui, Orlando “Watussi” Castillo, Carlos “Kutimba” Espósito, Orlando Poleo, Yma América and José Ávila…

but the money was not enough to purchase the tickets. Therefore, El Proyecto Reencuentro was recorded with the musicians residing in our country, resulting in a product of excellent quality, among others, Nelson “Melo” Douglas, Alberto Crespo, Leonel Sanchez, Charles Peñalver, Alberto Naranjo, Tucky Torres, Rafael González, Carlos Julio “El Oso” Ramírez, Marcial Istúriz and José Ramoncini.

During the recording of this album, his mother passed away (02-04-2006), Rosario Castillo, popularly known in the neighborhood as Rosarito, to whom he dedicated this album and one of its songs was written especially for her.

The chorus of one of the themes of the new Son-Risa production says: “Let’s get the drums out again, let Caribe not die”.

As the boys did in the parking lot of Block 5 of Monte Piedad, we know that Javier Plaza and his Son-Risa Orchestra will have the support of all Venezuelan music lovers.

Veruska Verdú woman full of Barloventeña roots currently doing artistic work in Peru

On January 26, 1993 was born in the city of Caracas Venezuela, Cristina Veruska Verdú Mendoza, a woman full of Barloventeña roots.

Currently doing artistic work in Peru,

Veruska Verdú woman full of Barloventeñas

Premiering the songs “ME CANSE DE TI, LA NEGRITA, Y PASITO A PASITO” This is the first advance of “Caminando”, solo album that the Venezuelan artist plans to release this year and which will include songs of her authorship.

Third finalist of “LA VOZ PERU” season 2022, a program of great artistic relevance, where for the first time in the program a participant arrives as a foreign singer to the final.

Singer in Tonny Succar’s orchestra in Peru with Mimy Succar.

Special participation in the video clip, QUIMBARA of the producer Tonny Succar.

Participates hand in hand with the great musician and international producer Tito Manrique creator of the Salsa criolla, nominated to the Latin Grammy and winner of VIÑA DEL MAR. Participating in a solo track on his album Abriendo Caminos with the song and video of the song Taita Bilongo (Peruvian salsa/afro fusion).

From the production of Puerto Rican composer Eduardo Zayas and his project ¨EZ la Banda¨ sings with another legend of salsa singer Rafy Andino singer of the MULENZE Orchestra the song ¨Sabor y Sandunga¨, also recorded a song with Luchito Muños “Dos puntos de vista”.

Veruska fue invitada especial en dos temas de la producción llamada “Huerta de Soneros” con el tema ¨Yo soy la Rumba¨ y otro junto al legendario cantante Johnny Vega (cantante de Cortijo y su Combo) ¨Nació para cantar¨, igual del compositor Eduardo Zayas.

Veruska Verdú, a woman full of Barloventeño roots, is currently doing artistic work in Peru.

Also invited to the production of producer Gerson Zayas, performing the song “Cuando deje de amarte”.

Works with producer and pianist Kike Purizaga, Mario Cuba, singer Carlos Mosquera, with Juan Medrano “Cotito” known as the voice of the cajo of Peru and many more.

Along with producer Alberto Crespo and Daniel Espinoza, recording choirs for the film of Ricardo Rey and Bobby Cruz with Rodrigo Mendoza and Wilmer Lozano.

She is invited to work with international musician Alfredo Naranjo in his project “El Guageo” with singer Edgar Dolor Quijada.

Later they work together with the great Venezuelan musician Nene Quintero in the “Be Jazz Sessions” project also winner of the Pepsi Awards 2019 which sold out all their concerts during the framework of its activities which had international reach.

She sings as a special guest with the classic Sonero del Caribe.

She shares the stage as a duo with Rodrigo Mendoza, singer of Dimensión Latina and of great worldwide trajectory.

She is part of the project “Salsa Master” with the participation of Edgar dolor Quijada, Marcial Isturiz, Rodrigo Mendoza and percussionist Cheo Navarro.

Veruzska was also a special guest in the orchestra “RUMBEROS DEL CALLEJON” of Carlos Padron in which she participates in its production along with the staff of artists such as Wilmer Lozano, Rodrigo Mendoza, Gonzalo Diaz, Memo Arroyave, and international artists such as Tito Nieves, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Maelo Ruiz and Domingo Quiñonez.

He began his musical career when he was only eight years old in the Afro-Venezuelan genre (traditional Venezuelan Afro music). Where he participated in various festivals being in first place in each of them.

Later he joined the ranks of the prestigious “Orquesta Latino Caribeña” of the orchestra system which is directed at that time by the great maestro Alberto Vergara, orchestra with great projection and impact in the country (Venezuela), participating in major festivals in countries like the United States and Colombia captivating the public with his voice.

Pasito a Pasito · Veruska Verdú

All the power of her voice, the flavor and the feeling.

Songs from the album that she is recently finishing the recording of

La Negrita

Pasito a Pasito

Me Canse de ti

It is a great joy for me to share this event with you. My dear friend Veruska Verdu does not stop growing and now she is going all out with the help of Takina Records to make a Celia Cruz Tribute in style.
By: Alberto Valles Salazar.

Also Read: Virginia Ramirez is the artist of the XXI century, the Princess of Piano and Voice, the hope that will save the new generations of anti-music

No man is a prophet in his own land

“Cherry” Navarro, the Latin American Elvis Presley

As indicated the title of this material, no man is a prophet in his own land and one of the best proofs of that is Cherry Navarro, one of the greatest artists that Venezuela has given birth to, whose talent has not been matched despite the time elapsed.

Alexis Enrique Navarro Velásquez, artistically known as Cherry Navarro, was a Venezuelan singer and musician born in Caripito, Monagas State, on July 9, 1944 with the marriage of his parents Manuel de Jesús Navarro and María de Jesús Velázquez de Navarro. He had five other siblings whoe names were Manuel, Rene. Lelys, Audy and Carlos, the latter also being a great artist today.

After age 14, he moved with his family to the parish of El Valle, Caracas, where he would continue his studies and start his way in the world of music with some friends in his area. One of them was the world famous José Luis Rodríguez ”El Puma”, with whom Cherry shared his passion for music, a group called ”Canaima” and a close friendship.

Alexis Enrique Navarro Velásquez, whose artistic name was Cherry Navarro

Beginnings in music

By deciding that he wanted to dedicate himself professionally to music, he started training in various instruments and performing at small parties and meetings to gain fame and become known. It was not long before he was invited to participate in the TV show ”Show Del Twist”, which would represent a giant leap in the musical and public life of the young artist.

Some time later, he was spotted by Chelique Sarabia, who invited him to join his group and started a media tour that helped him gain even more popularity and fans all over the national territory.

In the 1960s, he met the woman who would become his wife and mother of his son Belkis Montero, a Cuban national, but it did not take long for them to divorce due to the artist’s busy schedule and professional commitments, which prevented him from spending enough time with his family. Their little boy was named José Enrique Navarro Montero.

In 1964, he recorded his first album with Velvet de Venezuela and named it ”Pavísimo” which would contain some of his best known pieces such as ”Hoy”, ”Amor Goajiro” and ”Confidente”. Around the same time, he had a cameo appearance in the movie ”Soltero En Apuros”, in which his song ”Hoy” was part of the soundtrack.

In Mexico, one of the first countries to receive him with open arms, he recorded a long-playing album called ”Me Conformo” and some of his most important songs were ”Me Conformo”, ”Norma” and ”Si Dios Me Quita La Vida”.

Cherry Navarro and his girlfriend María de las Casas Mcgrill

Time in Europe

In 1966, he permanently separated from Montero and started a romantic relationship with former beauty queen María de Las Casas McGill, who would become his public relationist and be a fundamental piece in the internationalization of Cherry as one of the greatest artists of the time. the first steps in that direction were the preparation of Navarro in languages and the Maria’s completion of diplomacy studies.

Thanks to the efforts made by the new love of the singer, both were able to travel to Spain, a country that would be key in the exponential growth in the singer’s popularity. It is in that territory where the young woman got the necessary connections in order to get Cherry to record with the label Polidor, which meant an enormous prestige for a Venezuelan at that time. Not any Latin could record with such an important label in the European country.

Thanks to all the gains made in Europe, he was received in Venezuela with distinction. Finally, the humble young man from Caripito had delivered his dreams and was at the peak of his popularity. Both Cherry and Felipe Pirela were the most played artists of the moment and all the TV shows of that time were fighting to have their performances in their studios. One of those was the show hosted by the unforgettable Renny Ottolina, who received him with all honors despite his short career.

In 1967, while in Madrid, the city chosen by the singer as his work base in the Old Continent, he had the great idea to use the song ”Aleluya” written by Luis Eduardo Aute, make his own version and add to it his particular touch. The result could not have been better. Cherry’s version became a national and international sales success that established the Venezuelan as one of the greatest ones in Latin America. It continues to be listened to in the main radio stations of the country in spite of the decades that have passed.

Cover of the album ''Aleluya'' — Cover of the album ”Aleluya”

Death

In the aforesaid year, he had an intense international tour in which he had to travel to Colombia, Mexico and the Antilles. In the middle of the tour, he noticed some signs that something could be wrong with his health, such as the lack of wound healing while shaving, nosebleeds and extreme pallor. Seeing he had a lot of professional commitments, he preferred to ignore these symptoms and move forward with his responsibilities. However, there were so many discomforts that he could no longer ignore them.

In fact, he was once forbidden to travel to Spain where she had a series of performances that could not be postponed, but Cherry refused to cancel his trip and disappoint his fans. His doctor’s advice came after he found some bruises on his stomach and legs.

Soon after, he was diagnosed with bone marrow aplasia and refused a bone marrow transplant with one of his brothers in a desperate attempt to save his life. Unfortunately it was all in vain and the talented Venezuelan finally lost his life on September 28, 1967 at only 23 years of age.

For the Venezuelan society of that day, the artist’s departure was an extremely strong blow and thousands of fans were felt from the very moment that the news announced his death. At 10 am on September 29, the funeral cortege began to scort the body of the singer from the Vallés funeral home to the headquarters of the Asociación Venezolana de Artistas de la Escena (EVADE) and then to Radio Caracas Televisión, a channel with which the artist had an exclusive contract.

TV hosts Guillermo ''Fantástico'' González and Renny Ottolina at Cherry Navarro's funeral — TV hosts Guillermo ”Fantástico” González and Renny Ottolina at Cherry Navarro’s funeral

Alng the way, there were all kinds of intense reactions from many women who admired Cherry in life, such as tears, faints, screams and wailings. It was even reported that 17-year-old Melba Elena Contreras took her own life at the news of Navarro’s death.

During those days, numerous Venezuelan and foreign media outlets reported the news with pictures of the crowd that accompanied this young promise to his final resting place, showing the love that Venezuelan people felt for this musical icon since he became known until his last breath.