Search Results for: Celia Cruz

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.

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Jimmy Bosch. The Creole Trombone of New York.

Norteamerica / USA / Nueva York

Jimmy Bosch was born on October 18, 1959 to a Puerto Rican family in the city of Hoboken in the state of New Jersey.

At the elementary school of his hometown, at the age of eleven Jimmy Bosch was offered a trombone which would give the starting point in his career. According to him, that metallic, valveless, long instrument (which was taller than him) was not necessarily what a child dreamed of; Perhaps, at that time, children dreamed of traveling to the moon, or with an electric guitar that would make them look like The Beatles or, failing that, the Rolling Stones. It didn’t take long for that 11-year-old boy to transform this instrument into an expression of his already visible creativity.

At the age of 13, the talented Jimmy was rehearsing with local bands and making his first foray onto the public stage a year or two later. His determination, the Latin blood that ran through his veins and the taste for the genre that had captivated him on so many occasions, led him to play with the most recognized band in the city: Manny Oquendo & Conjunto Libre. His dexterity and ingenuity in playing “moñas” (a section of trombone solos that enrich the melody) helped him to work with them since 1978, which is why it was alongside the Mythical Free Ensemble that Jimmy experienced the freedom to express himself musically with the trombone

On March 11, 1996, Jimmy Bosch debuted with his band at the internationally known S.O.B.’s nightclub. The result was immediate: Publications in the most prestigious newspapers in the Big Apple such as the “New York Times”, praising his excellence and a house full of loyal fans began to crown the dream of this tropical music worker. In this way he becomes a remarkably respected musician and an icon of Latin culture in New York.

His compositions reflect the creativity and depth of who Jimmy Bosch is. He takes his audience on a journey from Bronx-style “funk” to “hot” guajiras, melodious cha-cha-chás, and clearly poetic lyrics awash with feeling. Thus, Jimmy pays tribute to the other teachers who share their presentations generating remembrance and posterity in each one of them.

In 1998, under the Ryko Latino label, his first solo album, “Soneando trombone”, was released. Jimmy included a “Big Band” with renowned Latin virtuoso artists, such as trumpeter Alfredo “Chocolate” Armenteros, bassist Andy González, and singers like Jimmy Sabater and Pete “El Conde” Rodríguez. They played a mix of Latin styles, including “hard sauce,” of which Bosch is one of its greatest exponents. Bosch not only played a virtuoso trombone, but was also the musical director on that recording.

With his recording debut as a solo artist, Bosch scored a definite success on the international scene. In Europe critics welcomed his musical creations. And in the United States, newspapers such as the Los Angeles Times and The New York Times were full of praise for their brilliant performances.

At the beginning of 1999, the popular musician returns to the charts with a new production: “Salsa dura“. In this production, including musicians like Steve Turre and Chucho Valdés, it was as diverse, strong, and tough as his first production. The recording also included songs like I’m Still Changing. For the release of “Salsa dura” the Creole trombonist traveled to Europe and performed on countless stages of the Old Continent.

Persevering in his creativity, in 2004 Bosch received new applause in Puerto Rico, presenting his musical proposal at jazz festivals. His bows have accompanied such important figures in the salsa industry around the planet as the aforementioned Free Ensemble of Manny Oquendo and Andy González, Eddie Palmieri, Ray Barretto, Rubén Blades, India, the Lebron Brothers, La Combinación Perfecta, Cachao, Spanish Harlem Orchestra and Celia Cruz among others. He was the musical director of the outstanding Puerto Rican performer Marc Anthony.

The late creator of the Mambo, Israel “Cachao” López, composed for him the song “Lluvia, viento y caña”. The legendary trombone solo can be heard on the Grammy-winning recording, “Master Sessions Vol. 1” produced by Emilio Estefan and Andy García.

This talented musician stamps his signature with his particular way of playing the trombone, becoming his personal stamp in the music industry. Today, Jimmy Bosch is famous for his explosive solos, full of melody, vibration and funk.

Known by many as “El Trombón Criollo” for the strength of his improvisations, Jimmy radiates his energy to any musical challenge. Jimmy brings us El airplane de la salsa, his latest production, surrounded by high-voltage musicians and soneros.

Pedro ”Pocholo” Segundo supports the Spaha Harlem Salsa Museum

At the Spanish Harlem Spaha Museum we always welcome the best of Latin music and, on this occasion, we could not stay behind, so we are glad to have had the opportunity to share with one of the best percussionists of the moment, Pedro Pocholo, who has a very interesting career that we will review below.

Pocholo signing his album — Pedro ”Pocholo” Segundo signing a copy of his album ”A Guapetear” in 2022

Who is Pedro ”Pocholo” Segundo? How were his beginnings in music like?

Pedro ”Pocholo” Segundo is an important producer and percussionist who has made a recognizable name in the Latin music industry thanks to his participation in some of the most critically acclaimed salsa and jazz orchestras.

In music, it all started for him at the young age of 13, which is when he began playing with Ismael Miranda, representing the formal beginning of his professional career as a teenager. His efforts fortunately paid off, since a few years later, he was playing with Andy Montañez.

In 1988, he joined Johnny and Ray’s group, causing him move to New York City, a place that gave him the greatest opportunities he would ever have in the artistic area. He became so well known for his skills as a percussionist that he was sought after by many artists to play with them such as Celia Cruz, Héctor Lavoe, Andy Montañez, Tito Rojas, Tito Nieves, José Alberto ”El Canario”, David Pabón, among many others.

Pocholo playing the cowbell — Pedro ”Pocholo” Segundo playing the cowbell in his studio

Important things Pedro ”Pocholo” Segundo has done in his career

Pedro ”Pocholo” lived many peak moments in the musical aspect, but without a doubt, the possibility to play to former presidents Bill Clinton and Al Gore with Celia Cruz and ”El Rey de Los Timbales” Tito Puente has been extremely important to his prestige as an artist, so he just went for more and more.

This performance would not be the only collaboration he would have with Puente, as he also joined his talent to that of the timbalero in the DVD entitled ”Live at Manhattan Center” and traveled with him, The Big 3 Orchestra and Jimmy Bosch’s group to several countries in South America, Central America and Europe.

Sometime later, in partnership with vocalists Carlos Santos and José Peña, Pocholo formed the group Madera Fina, with which he and his two fellow musicians managed to place some hits such as ”Guarimbo”, ”Palo de Son”, ”Desde Que Te Casaste”in very good places on the charts. They also went to Puerto Rico to promote the group and seek the support of local media such as La Mega 97.9 FM, being this radio station very important in the dissemination of these musicians’ work.

Thanks to the experience gained from belonging to Madera Fina, Pocholo was more than ready to face bigger musical challenges, which led him to take on the creation, production and percussion of Boricua Legends, which has become one of the most popular New York orchestras of the moment.

One of the best years of Boricua Legends was undoubtedly 2015, which was when it released its own version of ”Si Por Mi Llueve”, a song that was part of the world-renowned Cheo Feliciano’s repertory. He also took second place in the GenGenSalsa Top 70 chart and eighth in the LatinosUnidosOnline chart.

Pocholo performing live — Pedro ”Pocholo” Segundo during a live performance

Pocholo supports the Salsa Museum

As many other Latin artists, Pocholo also supported the Spaha Harlem Salsa Museum and was a special guest on The Johnny Cruz Show to talk with the host and director of the museum, who was very pleased to welcome him on his show.

In a video uploaded to Johnny Cruz’s social networks, the host can be seen introducing his guest and saying that they would talk about a number of very interesting topics, such as the beginning of his career, the founding of Boricua Legends and much more. Then, Cruz asks Pocholo to greet the audience and the musician, who was decked in a grayish suit and pink shirt, invites people to tune in to the show and assures them that they will talk about important things such as Latin music in New York and Puerto Rico.

Finally, Johnny closes by saying that viewers can enjoy the show from 3:30pm to 4:30 every Saturday on channel 67 and says goodbye with the song ”La Fama” by Héctor Lavoe playing in the background.

Oskar Cartaya “My Music, My Friends, My Time” He counted with the collaboration of illustrious friends such as Eddie Palmieri, Giovanni Hidalgo, Dave Valentín and Justo Almario.

Friendship and personal relationships seem to have always played a key role in Oskar Cartaya‘s recording career.

This was demonstrated Cartaya in his first recording, “My Music, My Friends, My Time” (2004) in which he had the collaboration of illustrious friends such as Eddie Palmieri, Giovanni Hidalgo, Dave Valentín and Justo Almario.

Bajista, arreglista, compositor y productor neoyorquino de nacimiento y bayamonés

This is also demonstrated by the second one, “Lifetime Friends”, which he co-led with trumpeter Humberto Ramírez and which was chosen as one of the best Puerto Rican productions of 2015.

For the bassist, arranger, composer and producer – born in New York and raised in Bayamon – connections with other people are a vital element for the development of any musician.

Those connections coupled with the tenacity Cartaya has always shown to continually improve himself as a musician allowed him to be part of the legendary progressive jazz-rock group Spyro Gyra for five years, produce albums for Willie Colón or Herb Alpert, and play with a long list of stars including Jennifer López, Christina Aguilera, Rubén Blades, Héctor Lavoe, Tito Nieves, Tania María, Arturo Sandoval, Steve Winwood and Randy Brecker, among others.

To all of them he has lent the sound of his electric bass, able to insert itself with total naturalness in modern jazz, Cuban rumba, Spanish flamenco or Brazilian cadences, but without ever losing its funky essence, which gives rhythmic impulse to the musical genre before him. For Cartaya, music is not a profession, but a passion of life.

That passion manifested itself at a very early age, when he told his Cuban-born father that he wanted to be a musician when he was just 10 years old. He completed his initial studies at the Escuela Libre de Música de San Juan, which he remembers with pride and affection.

However, he has affirmed that his first real musical school were the records of Willie Colón and Héctor Lavoe, which he listened to at full volume in his room.

At the Escuela Libre de Música he was able to meet teachers and classmates who today are great masters of Latin music and colleagues of his, such as Humberto Ramírez himself. He also studied at the Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico.

Cartaya recalls that, although he studied chamber music in school, his real passion was Latin music…until he discovered jazz, thanks to an album by the great bassist Stanley Clarke. A new world opened up to his ears.

“I found a freedom in jazz that I didn’t find in Latin styles,” the musician said in an interview. “In salsa, for example, the maximum is when you are playing as part of a unit. Unlike jazz, whose pinnacle is when all the musicians improvise and go crazy playing, but everyone knows what they are doing.”

At 18, Cartaya moved to Los Angeles, where he began studying at the Musicians Institute of Technology. There he practiced for 15 hours a day, a devotion that brought him his first recognition: being accepted as a professor at the prestigious institution, two years after graduating from it.

However, his restless spirit and continuous desire to improve led him to make what he has described as the best decision of his life, moving to New York City. In the Big Apple – the place many consider the jazz capital of the world – he had the privilege of playing and recording with the late Argentine pianist Jorge Dalto; with Willie Colón and Rubén Blades; Celia Cruz, Tito Puente and Dave Valentín.

“I learned a lot, matured and saw firsthand what it was like to be on my own,” the bassist said in an interview about this period of his life. “If the opportunity was going to be given to me, it wasn’t going to come to my house. I would have to look for it.” And so he did.

At that time he also had the opportunity to meet the late rock icon Prince, at his Paisley Park, Minneapolis studios, and to become a member of Spyro Gyra. By being accepted into that group over 10 other bass players auditioning for the position, Cartaya realized that success belongs to those who work hard and have faith in themselves.

“I was able to show a lot of people that there’s nothing worse than feeling bad about yourself if you don’t try,” he said in an interview. “All the nights I played for free or for five bucks to earn a chance were well worth it.”

In 1997, the bassist produced the “Passion Dance” recording project for veteran trumpeter Herb Alpert, an experience he has described as a new learning experience in his career, as well as a chance to expose himself to a wider audience.

“My Music, My Friends, My Time,” released in 2004, is a fusion of Latin, Brazilian, American and Flamenco rhythms that was very well received by critics.

“I wanted to do a project that would fill that gap that exists between Latin music and the world. I truly believe that the world needs to know that Latin musicians can do countless things within music, without throwing away their roots,” Cartaya said of the recording.

“Lifetime Friends,” produced alongside Ramirez, was described upon its release in 2015 as “an album of a cohesive and jubilant band,” in which all participating musicians – representatives of the new jazz generation in Puerto Rico – have a chance to stand out. “It’s the album we always wanted to make… to describe almost 40 years of friendship,” Cartaya and Ramírez indicated.

In 2017, Oskar presented the production “Bajo mundo” in tribute to the great Cuban bassist Israel “Cachao” López. This intense, exuberant album, with a multiplicity of rhythms, colors and guest musicians was distinguished as one of the most outstanding productions of the year by the National Foundation for Popular Culture.

It also won a Latin Grammy Award nomination in the category of Best Latin Jazz Album.

Source: Rafae Vega Curry

National Foundation for Popular Culture

“This biography is part of the archives of the National Foundation for Popular Culture. In our interest to disseminate knowledge about our great figures, it may be cited as a basis for research studies or as an assignment for pedagogical purposes, as long as credit is given to the Foundation and its author, if indicated. All rights reserved. The reproduction of the same in any printed, technical or mass media, with or without commercial purposes, is not authorized without prior written request to the Foundation and its consequent approval”.

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Wilmer Lozano from a very young age his mother saw in him the desire to be a musician

Wilmer Lozano is a Venezuelan singer and composer. He was born in Caracas, Venezuela, on October 7.

When talking about successful Latin singers and good salsa, one has to talk about Wilmer Lozano, one of the greatest exponents of Latin music in the world, who has made millions of people around the world dance.

Among his musical hits are: “Me marcharé”, “Aún estoy de pie”, “Si acaba bien”, “Descarga pa ti”, “Se me pasó la mano” and “Igual que yo”.

Childhood, Youth and Family Life.

Wilmar Lozano’s mother saw in him the desire to be a musician since he was a child.

Every night before going to sleep and saying his prayers, he would dedicate himself with his grandfather Lino Lozano to practicing décimas, which would be very useful in his career as a sonero.

Wilmer Lozano’s Beginnings in Music.

Wilmer Lozano’s career began when he was in school, participating in all the events that took place there.

He got his first singing lessons at the Casa de la Cultura Germán Lira and that’s how he arrived at a very popular radio program for the time, rumbos, coplas y canciones directed by the great Venezuelan Simón Díaz.

Wilmer Lozano and his union with different groups.

Soon after, he belonged to an orchestra in the block where he lived and shared his studies with music. Little by little he belonged to orchestras based in Caracas, such as: Grupo Autana, Grupo Rayta, La Quinta Galaxia, Quinteto Visa, Conjunto Sensación, Sonora Habanera, Hildemaro y su Orquesta, Orquesta Selecto, Marianela y su Orquesta, Orquesta Vía de Escape and Orquesta La Júnior.

He later joined the ranks of the Dimensión Latina Orchestra. With this orchestra he has the privilege of sharing with the excellent bolerista Wladimir Lozano and the sonero Rodrigo Mendoza, both recognized nationally and internationally, with whom he further nurtured his knowledge as an interpreter and sonero.

He also formed part of the youth orchestra called Los Adolescentes, where he is a key piece of it, standing out as a leading artist.

With this project he recorded two productions where he performed several hits, with which he became known worldwide.

Musical genre.

Wilmer Lozano is a performer who is considered one of the best salsa singers due to his graceful voice register.

Career and Legacy

Wilmer Lozano has managed to place eleven songs in the first place of the Hit Parade. According to information provided by the company Record Report, besides being the only Venezuelan singer, who in two opportunities being in the first place, is incorporated again to the same place of honor with the same interpretations.

Wilmer Lozano, Tuky Torres, Dj. Augusto Felibertt y Rey Torcatt

Then his artistic life assumes another challenge, which he achieves with great professionalism, since his talent exceeds many expectations. Proof of this was his record production “Wilmer Lozano Original”, where he took the opportunity to launch himself as a soloist.

In this work he shows all the experience he has acquired during his artistic career, with the help of producer Thomas Bernal.

He achieves an excellent production, with very varied Latin rhythms and social themes. This album has the participation of the composers: Thomas Bernal, Ruby Pérez, José Luis Perales, Amaury Gutiérrez, Ángel Flores and Pedro Vargas, among others.

Among the hits of his debut are: “Me han contando que existe un paraíso”, “Me marcharé”, “Se me pasó la mano”, “Completamente” and “Sueño guaireño”, this last one was dedicated to the people who had something to do with the tragedy of La Guaira, Vargas, Venezuela.

In many of his songs he also talks about the social content, as well as the concern of many people to move forward beyond their borders.

He has also collaborated with renowned interpreters of the salsa genre, such as: Tito Puente, Tito Rojas, Rey Ruiz, Victor Manuel, Cheo Feliciano, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Tony Vega, Celia Cruz and Oscar D’León.

Wilmer Lozano is a salsa performer who has achieved musical success. His career has excelled nationally and internationally, with his arduous talent that has characterized him.

His tours have taken him to Latin America, the United States, Asia and Europe.

Theme: Se me paso la mano

Album: Wilmer Lozano “Original”.

Composition and Arrangement: Tomas “Monchy” Bernal (RIP)

Year: 2001

Label: Plátano Record

“I don’t know what I’m going to do with me, today I’m destroying myself little by little, I was wrong I lost my way because of her my destiny is transformed, because I don’t know what to do with this love that makes me run amok, she makes me see everything differently”.

Sources: Buena Música

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