• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

International Salsa Magazine

  • Home
  • Previous editions
    • 2025
      • ISM / August 2025
      • ISM / July 2025
      • ISM / June 2025
      • ISM / May2025
      • ISM / April 2025
      • ISM / March 2025
      • ISM / February 2025
      • ISM / January 2025
    • 2024
      • ISM / December 2024
      • ISM / November 2024
      • ISM / October 2024
      • ISM / September 2024
      • ISM / August 2024
      • ISM / July 2024
      • ISM / June 2024
      • ISM / May 2024
      • ISM / April 2024
      • ISM / March 2024
      • ISM / February 2024
      • ISM / January 2024
    • 2023
      • ISM / December 2023
      • ISM / November 2023
      • ISM / October 2023
      • ISM – September 2023
      • ISM – August 2023
      • ISM July 2023
      • ISM Edition June 2023
      • ISM – May 2023
      • ISM April 2023
      • ISM March 2023
      • ISM February 2023
      • ISM January 2023
    • 2022
      • ISM December 2022
      • ISM November 2022
      • ISM October 2022
      • ISM September 2022
      • ISM August 2022
      • ISM July 2022
      • ISM June 2022
      • ISM May 2022
      • ISM February 2022
      • ISM January 2022
    • 2021
      • ISM December 2021
      • ISM November 2021
      • ISM October – 2021
      • ISM September 2021
      • ISM August 2021
      • ISM July 2021
      • ISM May 2021
      • ISM April 2021
      • ISM June 2021
      • ISM March 2021
      • ISM February 2021
      • ISM January 2021
    • 2020
      • ISM December 2020
      • ISM November 2020
      • ISM October 2020
      • ISM September 2020
      • ISM August 2020
      • ISM July 2020
      • ISM June 2020
      • ISM May 2020
      • ISM April 2020
      • ISM March 2020
      • ISM February 2020
      • ISM January 2020
    • 2019
      • ISM December 2019
      • ISM November 2019
      • ISM October 2019
      • ISM Septembre 2019
      • ISM August 2019
      • ISM July 2019
      • ISM June 2019
      • ISM May 2019
      • ISM April 2019
      • ISM March 2019
      • ISM February 2019
      • ISM January 2019
    • 2018
      • ISM December 2018
      • ISM November 2018
      • ISM October 2018
      • ISM September 2018
      • ISM August 2018
      • ISM July 2018
      • ISM June 2018
      • ISM May 2018
      • ISM April 2018
      • ISM March 2018
      • ISM February 2018
      • ISM January 2018
    • 2017
      • ISM December 2017
      • ISM November 2017
      • ISM October 2017
      • ISM September 2017
      • ISM August 2017
      • ISM July 2017
      • ISM June 2017
  • Download Salsa App
    • Android
    • Apple
  • Spanish

Search Results for: Celia Cruz

Gerson Aranda “La Tabla de Caracas”.

Restarting again our usual reviews, this time we return with a special guest, the virtuous and spectacular Venezuelan percussionist Gerson Aranda, who kindly gave us this interview from the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he is currently based.

 

Gerson Aranda Rodil was born on March 8, 1973, in the Concepción Palacios maternity hospital in the parish of San Juan, Caracas.

He is the son of Pedro Aranda and Ana Teresa Rodil. Gerson, welcome to the salsa column that is currently at the forefront of Afro-Caribbean music worldwide and in which our Venezuelan musicians make themselves known, project themselves and share their artistic life with our regular readers.

To begin with, we want to know how did you get started in music and who were your mentors? -Thank you Professor Carlos Colmenárez for this opportunity that you give me to share with my dear brothers from my country and other countries around the world. Well, I have been a musician since I can remember, thanks to my parents, brothers, cousins and uncles.

Since I was very young, my father Pedro Aranda, was the founder of the Sonero Clasico del Caribe, who recorded the first two productions of this famous group, which celebrated my birthday, since my father always brought them to my house.

I was raised in the parish of Catia, in Cútira and well, the whole neighborhood would come into my home to listen to the famous Sonero Clásico, and they would listen to the songs: Carmelina, Papá Montero, El enterrador and many more.

Well, since I was a child I had an interest in music, because at home they used to play those rumbas and I had the desire to play the congas and bongo.

Gerson Aranda Rodil was born on March 8, 1973, at the Concepción Palacios maternity hospital in the parish of San Juan, Caracas.
Gerson Aranda “La Tabla de Caracas”

But there was a tres player, a great friend of the family, who met a lot with my father, who was also a tres player, bassist and guitarist; then he saw my interest in percussion and took me to the Sarría school of the maestro Orlando Poleo, who saw me playing despite my young age, he told the tres player René Zambrano, let him always come, because he has interest and conditions and that’s when things started.

At that time those greats like Gerardo Rosales, José Martínez Viruta, Willian Troconis, Wladimir Rivero, Miguelito Urbina were studying and well in that concern I began to study theory and solfeggio with Professor Carlos Ramírez, in the “Tucosan” school and then I studied percussion with Professor Jesús Blanco, known as “El Totoño”. From there my musical career practically began and at the age of 13 I started playing professionally with “El Trabuco Venezolano”, Swing y Color, Magia Caribeña, Hildemaro, Trina Medina, Grupo Repicao, Los Incorregibles, Pasión Juvenil, Grupo Mango and many more orchestras.

Gerson, I understand that you accompanied Soledad Bravo musically and performed advertising jingles? Indeed Professor Carlos, I had the joy of playing with her and toured the world and let me tell you that at that time I did advertising jingles for products on television and radio.

-Gerson, you are known as “La Tabla”, referring also to your hard hands to play the tumbadoras with very accurate hits.

I was raised in the parish of Catia, in Cútira, and well, the whole neighborhood would come into my home to listen to the famous Sonero Clásico, and they would listen to the songs: Carmelina, Papá Montero, El enterrador and many others.
Gerson, you are known as “La Tabla”, referring also to your hard hands to execute the tumbadoras with very accurate blows.

Now then, tell us, which international artists have you accompanied? Well my friend Carlos, I had the honor of accompanying Celia Cruz, Cheo Feliciano, Luigi Texidor, Junior González, Larry Harlow, Marvin Santiago, Willie Colón; among many; thanks to the fact that Naty and his Orchestra and Magia Caribeña, were the base orchestras for those artists.

I also played with Silva and Guerra, of Mauricio and Manuel. Hey Carlos, I also accompanied Justo Betancourt, Adalberto Santiago, Ismael Miranda, Andy Montañez, Jhonny Pacheco y Casanova, Pete Conde Rodríguez and others.

Gerson, what are your current projects in Argentina? -Carlitos, in Argentina I am well thank God, because I have a big band called “La Salsa Brava”, I play a lot and now with the problems with the COVID-19, everything is paralyzed, but I have been very active for three years in all the “boliches”, name given to the night clubs and I have accompanied Los Adolescentes, Rey Ruiz, Charlie Sepúlveda, Jimmy El León, Charlie Aponte, among many others.

My band is made up of Venezuelan, Argentinean, Colombian and Cuban musicians. I have earned respect and they call me “maestro”; I am also giving classes to advanced percussionists, with techniques of different genres and rhythms, unknown to them, since here what is known is the Cuban timba and salsa brava.

Excellent Gerson, apart from the full band, do you have other smaller formats? Yes, I have a sextet called “La Crisis”, because when there is not much money, we make it available and play music by Joe Cuba, Conjunto Libre and others. With “Salsa Brava” I am about to record my production, which I suspended due to my accident before coming to Buenos Aires and the other thing is that my comadre Indira Velasquez came over there and I made a Sonora Matancera format, which is called “Sonora Consoltura” and we have made several presentations and people are very happy with that genre, since they are getting to know what a pachanga, a danzón, among others, is.

Apart from that, I am also doing advertising jingles again. What can you tell us about the Tributo Orchestra and El Guajeo? -The thing about Tributo and Cheo, is that since I was very young I had the fortune that before Tributo and Bailatino existed, we formed the group “Repicao”, which was a school band formed by: Édgar Dolor Quijada, Tuky Torres, José Soto Mortadelo, Prisco Oropeza, Manuel Barrios, Cheo Navarro, Catú Rodríguez and myself, which we played emblematic themes and from here begins the affinity with Cheo and from there, then he arms Tributo and tells me to conform his staff, which was integrated by: Alberto Crespo, José Soto Mortadelo, Jhonny Rivero, Javier Vivas, Johán Muñoz, Eliel Rivero, Osquita, Marcial Istúriz, Édgar Dolor Quijada, Gonzalo Díaz, Rónald Gómez and my substitute is Miguel Urbina and we recorded several albums. They are my friends and we are still in contact, and with “El Guajeo”, the experience was wonderful with the great Alfredo Naranjo. Professor Carlos, I tell you in all honesty that the musical level in Venezuela is very superior and out of this world, with all due respect.

a tres player, a great friend of the family, who used to meet a lot with my father, who was also a tres player, bass player and guitarist.
Gerson Aranda “La Tabla de Caracas”

-Gerson, who are the members of your band of musicians in Argentina? Professor Carlos, it is made up of A Barquisimetana named Lauremys Vanesa on trombone, Catalina Keiti (trombone), Luis Sulbarán (trumpet), Bruno Espinola (trumpet), Ángel Vargas (piano), Bernardo Vásquez (bass), Esteban Leandro “El Puca” (singer), Felipe Figueroa (singer), Deiby Bandre (bongo), Martín Barrera (congas) and me on timbales; It’s my orchestra called “La Salsa Brava”, here in Buenos Aires.

Your social networks? My social networks are: [email protected]. Instagram: Orquesta La Salsa Brava. Facebook: Gelson Aranda Musician. Cell: +54 911 36244963.

Well friend Gerson, for me it was a pleasure to have had you as the protagonist of this installment of Salsa Escrita “La Columna Salsera de Barquisimeto”, through International Salsa Magazine, www.salsagoogle.com and at the same time we wish you the greatest success and continue to represent us worthily outside our borders, giving “tabla” to percussion. Thank you professor and friend Carlos Colmenárez for this opportunity that you give to all the artists of Afro-Caribbean music to project us worldwide in your prestigious salsa column and may God bless and protect you greatly and you know that you count on your brother Gerson Aranda.

Gerson Aranda “La Tabla de Caracas”
Gerson Aranda “La Tabla de Caracas” y su Sexteto

By: Professor MSc. Carlos Colmenárez  Correspondent in Venezuela for International Salsa Magazine

Home

Let’s meet the Pharaoh of Salsa, who is he? Oscar D ‘Leon .

Biography of Oscar D ‘Leon

Óscar Emilio León Simosa, was born in the populous Antimano parish in Caracas -Venezuela, on July 11, 1943, known in the artistic world Óscar d ‘León, son of Carmen Dionisia Simoza and Florentino Padrón. However, he did not recognize him at the time of birth, so the marriage of Carmen Simoza and Justo León decided to take care of the child.

From an early age, little Oscar enjoyed the popular parties that were held in Antímano and listened to the music of great orchestras such as La Sonora Matancera, the Billo’s Caracas Boys Orchestra, the Matamoros Trio, and two of his greatest musical inspirations, Celia Cruz. and Benny Moré.

He began his musical career relatively late, at 28 years of age, after having carried out two jobs totally unrelated to music, such as taxi driver and mechanic; He was educated academically as a surveyor, but never practiced that profession.

Oscar D' Leon
Oscar D’ Leon Photo

Oscar learned to play bass empirically, his innate talent for music was so extraordinary that it allowed him to earn a position in one of the orchestras that played in a renowned nightclub in the city of Caracas. There Oscar also did the choirs, but he did not interpret any song as a soloist.

His life changed when the lead singer of the orchestra was absent from one of the presentations and Oscar proposed to fill that vacancy and he did it in a great way, so much so that he received the approval of all those present.

In 1972, the owner of “La Distinción” told him that he would dispense with his services, since he would require an orchestra of higher quality and experience. Oscar offered his group to the owner of the premises, although he did not have it. It was here that D ’León went, together with the trombonist César Monges, from door to door looking for some musicians with whom he considered he could put together a group with which the venue could get out of trouble. It is there where they meet the percussionists Elio Pacheco and José Rodríguez, the trombonist José Antonio Rojas (Rojita) and the pianist Enrique “Culebra” Iriarte (who would later be replaced by Jesús Narváez). At this moment the project to create the Latin Dimension is accelerating.

They premiered on March 15, 1972, in a rehearsal at the home of “Culebra” Iriarte in La Guaira and debuted in “La Distinción”. In that same 1972 the orchestra recorded their first full-length album and obtained their first hit, the song “Pensando en ti”. This first success led them to be hired to participate in the Maracaibo carnival festivities. We must emphasize that Víctor Mendoza was the one who suggested using his stage name as “Oscar D´León”. There were many songs that Oscar hit with the Latin Dimension, “Llorarás”, “Taboga”, “El Frutero”, “Mi Tierra”, among many more.

In 1976, at the highest point of popularity, Oscar D’León confronted differences with the rest of the members of the group, for which he separated from the Latin Dimension and formed his own orchestra; “La Salsa Mayor” recording his first LP titled “Con Bajo y Todo”.

After some legal problems that momentarily led him to remain briefly detained and deprived of liberty and to be questioned in the media, he decided to change his image and presence, dispensing with the qualifier “El Diablo de la salsa” that had been given to him in Panama.

In 1986 he relapsed into acting, this time in the Venezuelan film “Hell is sure.” Later, he began his international leap, taking his music to countries such as Japan and to stages such as Madison Square Garden in New York, the Poliedro de Caracas and the Teresa Carreño Theater. At this stage, he alternates and records with those who had been his youth idols: Celia Cruz, Eddie Palmieri and Tito Puente.

He also presented himself as the companion for singers of the new salsa generation who was part, like him, of the label belonging to Ralph Mercado “RMM”: La India with whom he would record the song “Hazme el amor” or José Alberto “El Canario” with who would record “The flavor arrived.”

Oscar D' Leon Photo
Oscar D ‘Leon smiling for the photo

Oscar D´León has received numerous awards and honors. In 1996, with the album “Sonero del Mundo” in collaboration with the Cuban musician Willy Chirino makes him obtain the nomination for the Grammy.

On March 15, 1998, the city of New York honored him by naming that date as Oscar D’León Day.

On December 20, 2009, he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of a Caracas clinic after suffering a heart attack in Martinique, from which he recovered after undergoing catheterization.

On November 21, 2013 he received the Latin Grammy Award for Excellence for his musical career, thus recognizing the impact of his performance in the world, also that same year he would receive the Grammy Award.

Today, Oscar continues to delight us with his wonderful musical talent …

DIEGO “EL CIGALA”

The “Cantaor” Of The XXI Century

Flamenco has been his principal victory. Tango his maximum exploration. Salsa his greatest ambition, and Bolero his deepest romanticism. The world has witnessed his talent, Diego Ramón Jiménez Salazar or better known as Diego “El Cigala” has immersed us in these torrential musical genres with his masterful voice for 24 years. Each album shows us intoxicating rhythms that introduce you to joy on many occasions, and many others evoke stories of deep melancholy in their unequivocal lyrics.

Diego, a good, upright, and friendly man has lived very hard moments like the loss of the two most important women in his life. Her wife, Amparo Fernandez, a victim of cancer that took her life in 2015 in her home (Punta Cana, Dominican Republic), and a year after lost her mother, Aurora Salazar Motos.

Diego "El Cigala" with his Wife Amparo
Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) “… It is a place where you can live, not just work. There is more space for life. “Amparo Fernandez

For 26 years, Amparo was his manager, friend, confidant, wife, and mother of his two oldest children (Diego and Rafael). She was always his stick of support even during the worst stage of his career.

Diego El Cigala has always been very familiar, sentimental, and a believer in God. “… My children make me and they will always keep me going, music heals me from the inside, and God accompanies me making everything possible”, explains the nationalized Dominican artist.

A year and a half after these fateful circumstances, the XXI century cantaor resurfaces and rebuilds his life with his current couple Dolores “Quina” and his third son Manuel, who was the product of this relationship.

Quina loves me, I love her, and she understands me like nobody. I have grief and joy every day of my life. I see my children, my wife, my granddaughters and shot forward.”

The Meeting

At the beginning of 2000, there was a meeting. Diego “El Cigala” and Bebo Valdés got together for the first time, and very much in the style of a bridal link, Diego and Bebo created a strong bond of friendship, mutual respect, and professional admiration.

Diego "El Cigala" with Bebo Valdés
His popularity arrived with Bebo Valdes and his album Lágrimas Negras

It was an afternoon at the house of musical director Fernando Trueba where they met and did not stop exchanging opinions about flamenco and Cuban music. From there their first collaboration together, three songs from the CD “Corren tiempos de alegría” released in 2001.

Bebo ever transmitted serenity and tranquility to Diego, which allowed them to record two years later Lágrimas Negras, an album with which they won a Latin Grammy Award for Traditional Tropical Album in 2004.

Both artists lived moments of unique and spiritual teachings. Each day Diego regrets Bebo’s physical departure and misses him so much that every day he looks up and sees Bebo saying to him: What’s wrong?

Bebo helped him get to know the Caribbean where he ended up living, helped him transcend flamenco, and learn about other genres. For that, the only way to pay tribute to him was with the sixth track belonging to the Indestructible record production, Fiesta para Bebo, with the special guest, Los Muñequitos de Matanza.

Since Lágrimas Negras, the cantaor of the XXI century has been able to venture into new genres and collaborations, such as the material Cigala & Tango (2010), Indestructible (2016), and his most recent record production “Cigala canta a México” presented in 2020.

El Cigala Indestructible

Since 2016 Indestructible presented the greatest musical fusion of the American and European continent. It was a Salsa and flamenco production that brought together the founders of the Fania All-Stars after 25 years and recalled emblematic songs such as El ratón, Periódico de ayer, Moreno soy, and Juanito alimaña popularized by Willie Colón and Hector Lavoe, among many others.

Diego "El Cigala" cantando
Indestructible released in 2016 is the tenth studio album of Diego “El Cigala”

Diego El Cigala from the gypsy ethnic group grew up in love with this Latin music since his childhood thanks to his father and the great stars of hard Salsa such as Héctor Lavoe, Celia Cruz, Cheo Feliciano, La Fania All-Stars, and El Gran Combo.

Diego "El Cigala" black and white
Diego “El Cigala” has always been very familiar, sentimental, and a believer in God

This tenth studio album in tribute to his wife Amparo Fernandez, and his great teacher and friend, Bebo Valdés, was recorded in different territories of the American continent, bringing the color and sound of Salsa from each area to this CD. The cities that he visited and captured part of the recording were: Cali (Colombia), San Juan (Puerto Rico), Havana (Cuba), Punta Cana (Dominican Republic), New York (United States), Miami (United States), and Jerez de la Frontera (Spain) where the production ended with the addition of guitar, choirs, cajón, and flamenco clapping.

As part of this fusion of genres, El Cigala had the opportunity to count on the talent of Oscar D’Leon, Bobby Valentin, Larry Harlow, Roberto Roena, Eddie Montalvo, Nicky Marrero, Jorge Santana, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Luis Perico Ortiz, Horacio el Negro, José Aguirre, Diego del Morao, and the percussion group Los Muñequitos de Matanza with whom he created a very special connection because they have a lot of similarity with the culture of his gypsy people, “I love them, no I’ve seen better people with so much heart “, that’s how El Cigala described them.

Indestructible, nominated for the Latin Grammy for Best Tropical Album in 2018, represents the immortality of Salsa, the essence of the Afro-Caribbean rhythm that endures in the Latin roots of the new generations although it no longer has the same boom that is enjoyed between the period from 1970 to 2000.

Salsa was in the 70s a way to confront racism and xenophobia that Latin Americans were experiencing in the United States. That unites Salsa with gypsy music and the gypsy people, who have also experienced these prejudices”. Diego “El Cigala”

Discover The 8 Orchestras Of Tempo Latino 2021 (Cancelled)

The major Salsa Festival in France announced the lineup of orchestras to perform at Les Arènes: Pacific Mambo Orchestra, Los Van Van, Interactivo, London Afrobeat Collective, Alain Pérez, and Issac Delgado will display their talent on stage

Les Arènes (the only paid access area of the festival) will be the Latin and Afro-Caribbean music concerts. Here, you will enjoy the cultural and generational exchange, also the talent of the great trajectory & emerging artists, who will present their repertoire for the maximum Salseros. In this 27th edition of Tempo Latino (a festival held outdoors), all the biosecurity measures implemented in the country will be respected.

Concerts in Tempo Latino 2021

Pacific Mambo Orchestra

Pacific Mambo Orchestra
Friday, July 30, 2021 – 9:00 P.M.

The renaissance of the Latin sound of the Big Bands of the 1940s will be in the performance by one of the most important orchestras in the United States, Pacific Mambo Orchestra. Their music combines Mambo, Pop, Cha Cha, Timba, and Bolero. Additionally, Pacific Mambo Orchestra was the winner of the “Best Tropical Album” at the 2014 Grammy Awards.

This North American orchestra was founded 11 years ago by the Mexican pianist Christian Tumalan and the German trumpeter Steffen Kuehn. They have collaborated with famous artists such as Carlos Santana, Poncho Sánchez, Pete Escovedo, and Arturo Sandoval. Currently, this Latin Big Band performs on the west coast of the United States, and its repertoire is in English and Spanish. His third album: The III Side fuses the Mambo traditions of the 50s with the music of the moment.

Los Van Van

Los van Van vestidos de negro
Friday, July 30, 2021 – 11:00 P.M.

The emblematic Cuban music orchestra will celebrate its 50 years of experience on the Les Arènes of Tempo Latino stage.

Los Van Van was founded in 1969 by the bassist, composer, and legend of Cuban music, Juan Formell.

Juan, accompanied by José Luis Quintana, known as “Changuito” and César “Pupy” Pedroso, invented the “Songo”, a Cuban rhythm predecessor of the “Timba” or Cuban Salsa. This rhythmic fusion generated the Salsa-Son, a sound with a Cuban style.

In 2018 they recorded their first record production “Legado” since Juan Formell’s passed away in 2014. This tribute album has 14 songs with 3 new versions of international singles: “Te extraño”, “Por qué lo haces”, and “Amiga mía”. 

Interactive

Interactivo 2021
Saturday, July 31, 2021 – 9:00 P.M.

The avant-garde Cuban collective, Interactivo, is the most innovative and interesting project in Cuban music today.

This emerging orchestra on international stages brings together the brightest and most eclectic talents in Havana. Each member brings his specialty: Timba, Funk, Jazz, Hip Hop, Rock, Rumba, Cuban traditional music, and Soul for an optimal result of great richness, where individual originality, musical creativity, and avant-garde ideas enrich the group.

London Afrobeat Collective

LondonAfrobeatCollective 2021
Saturday, July 31, 2021 – 11:00 P.M.

London’s addicting Afrobeat for ten years has offered festive music based on Jazz, Funk, Rock, Dumb, and African Vibes. Its international ADN, composed of nine members from England, Italy, France, Congo, Argentina, and New Zealand, has made its rhythm together with the powerful voice of the Congolese singer Juanita Euka, addictive music with powerful and committed messages. Enjoy this emerging band from international stages, London Afrobeat Collective, at Tempo Latino.

Alain Pérez and The Orchestra

Alain Pérez de blanco
Sunday, August 1, 2021 – 9:00 P.M.

Alain Pérez, bassist, singer, and arranger, composes his orchestra of 13 young musicians on stage to offer a mixed show of contemporary Cuban Salsa, Timba, and Latin Jazz. His talent has given him marvelous experiences with internationally renowned orchestras and musicians such as Los Van Van, Irakere, Issac Delgado, Paquito D’Rivera, and Celia Cruz. He always is accompanied by his elephant-head cane, in homage to Cuban musician Benny Moré.

Alain also has been influenced by flamenco for his work with Spanish artist Paco de Lucía.

This multifaceted artist born in Havana was nominated twice for the Latin Grammy Awards, the first in 2015, in the category Best Traditional Tropical Music Album with “El alma del Son, tributo a Matamoros” and the second, “ADN” nominated in 2017 in the category Best Salsa Album.

El Cuento de la Buena Pipa 2020 is his most recent record production, and you can enjoy it on the main stage of the festival.

Issac Delgado

Isaac Delgado con bufanda
Sunday, August 1, 2021 – 11:00 P.M.

The great voice of Cuban Salsa, Issac Delgado, released his first album “Dando La Hora” in 1991 under the direction of Cuban pianist and composer Gonzalo Rubalcaba.

On November 13, 2020, he presented his new album “Dando La Hora 30th Anniversary Gold Edition” with eight temas remastered themes: La Novia Que Nunca Tuve, Aunque Soy Como Soy, Amor De Tierra Y Cuerpo, Entrégate a Mí, Cuando estás Lejos Estas Inalcanzable, Centímetro a Centímetro, Si La Vuelvo a Encontrar y Ella Es Un Reloj. “¡Vaya que chévere!”

Purchase your tickets at:

At the Tempo Latino Office: 3, rue du Général Delort, 32190 Vic-Fezensac

Authorized payments: Check (payable to Tempo Latino), Vacation Voucher, Cash, and Credit Card

During the Festival: The Tempo box office moves to Les Arènes. 18-20, Avenue Edmond Berges, 32190 Vic-Fezensac. Telephone: 05 62 06 40 40 / 05.62.06.66.56

Authorized Payments: Check (payable to Tempo Latino), Vacation Vouchers, Cash, and Credit Card

Twenty-Seventh Edition Of Tempo Latino Will Be Unmissable

CANCELLED

The festival in its 27th edition will present international stars of great trajectory and emerging from July 29 to August 1

Tempo Latino, the leader Salsa Festival in France, resumes its activities after its forced pause due to the Pandemic. The whole family will be able to enjoy this summer in the open air, on its main stage “Les Arènes” of the presentations of established and emerging artists of Latin music in Vic-Fezensac (Gers, France) during the last weekend of July. Tickets for all performances are already available in advance since last January on their website.

At Les Arènes (main stage), Tempo Latino will present the concerts: Pacific Mambo Orchestra (Friday, July 30 – 9:00 P.M.), Los Van Van (Friday, July 30 – 11:00 P.M.), Interactivo (Saturday, July 31 – 9:00 P.M.), London Afrobeat Collective (Saturday, July 31 – 11:00 P.M.), Alain Pérez (Sunday, August 1 – 9:00 P.M.), and Issac Delgado (Sunday, August 1 – 11:00 P.M.), to close all their nights.

Every day of the festival, before the nightly live performances, in between each concert or before leaving Les Arènes, Tempo Latino offers a Caribbean atmosphere where you can taste exquisite dishes and enjoy a guest DJ each day in La Conga. Also, you can do the same at Bar Habana, in front of the bullring “El Pueblito”. Here, from 12:30 P.M. to 1:30 P.M., you can improve your Salsa steps with Atocha Showman with a free dance lesson.

To quench your thirst, you can head to La Placita, located at the back of Les Arènes. In this corner from 6:00 P.M., you will be able to savor varied and national wines, or if you prefer to continue discovering Latin specialties and crafts, you will find them in the dozens of stands in El Barrio. The El Barrio area is located in the center of the international market.

Post Tempo Latino
Tempo Latino will take place under favorable sanitary conditions for all attendees.

First Salsa Festival in Europe!

The Festival Tempo Latino maintains since 1994 its artistic focus on Latin and Afro-Cuban Music. The desire of this festival was and continues to be to make this live and popular music known. Its 500 volunteers invite event attendees each year to discover Latin rhythms for four consecutive days.

Since the beginning of Tempo Latino in the town of Vic-Fezensac, Les Arènes and its georithmic satellites of Conga and Cap Tempo have been the places designed to receive the maximum Salseros, who discover and enjoy the rhythms, artists, and Caribbean flavors of the moment.

Tempo Latino, being the Salsa ambassador in Europe, has presented for 27 years more than 200 renowned and emerging artists and orchestras, among which are: Papo Luca, Sonora Ponceña, Oscar D’Léon, Yuri Buenaventura, Los Van Van, Ernesto “Tito” Puentes, Afro Cuban All-Stars, Celia Cruz, Eddie Palmieri Orchestra & Alfredo De La Fé, Jimmy Bosch, Willie Colon, La Sonora Ponceña, Orishas, ​​El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Omar Sosa, Omara Portuondo, José Alberto “El Canario”, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Johny Pacheco and his Tumbao Anejo, among many others.

Know the Ticket Reservation Methods

The three-day ticket for access to all Les Arènes concerts, which will take place from Friday to Sunday, is available for € 85 on its online platform.

This pass can be exchanged for a bracelet, valid for one person, and can be collected starting Friday at noon, at the counters dedicated to ticket controls located on both sides of the doors of the main stage.

You can also purchase your tickets at:

Pass 3 jours
Tempo Latino offers a special pass for the three-day festival of concerts

At the Tempo Latino Office: 3, rue du Général Delort, 32190 Vic-Fezensac

Authorized payments: Check (payable to Tempo Latino), Vacation Voucher, Cash, and Credit Card

During the Festival: The Tempo box office moves to Les Arènes. 18-20, Avenue Edmond Berges, 32190 Vic-Fezensac. Telephone: 05 62 06 40 40 / 05.62.06.66.56

Authorized Payments: Check (payable to Tempo Latino), Vacation Vouchers, Cash, and Credit Card

At the Artagnan Tourist Office in Vic-Fezensac: 18, rue des Cordeliers, 32190 Vic-Fezensac.

Authorized payments: Check and Cash

How do you Get to the Festival?

By car: Distance by car. Bordeaux – 170 km | Montauban – 115 km | Toulouse – 100 km | Tarbes – 80 km | Agen | 70 km | Auch | 25 km

By Train: Vic-Fezensac does not benefit from a station. Toulouse, Agen, and Auch are stations suggested for arrival. Tempo ferries will meet you there and escort you directly to the festival venue.

Unmissable Will Be Tempo Latino 2021!

Pacific Mambo Orchestra, Los Van Van, Interactivo, London Afrobeat Collective, Alain Pérez, and Issac Delgado will display their talent on stage

In this Twenty-Seventh Edition of Tempo Latino (a festival held outdoors), all the biosecurity measures implemented in the country will be respected.

First Salsa Festival in Europe!

Los Van Van will close on the first night of the festival. They will celebrate its 50 years of trajectory in Tempo Latino 2021.

Los Van Van was founded in 1969 by the bassist, composer, and legend of Cuban music, Juan Formell.

Juan, accompanied by José Luis Quintana, known as “Changuito” and César “Pupy” Pedroso, invented the “Songo”, a Cuban rhythm predecessor of the “Timba” or Cuban Salsa.

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 30
  • Page 31
  • Page 32
  • Page 33
  • Page 34
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 38
  • Go to Next Page »

International Salsa Magazine (ISM) is a monthly publication about Salsa activities around the world, that has been publishing since 2007. It is a world network of volunteers coordinated by ISM Magazine. We are working to strengthen all the events by working together.