Search Results for: Celia Cruz

Louie Ramírez. The Hidden Talent of Salsa Ahead of its time

North America / USA / New York

Louie Ramírez.

Music often requires characters who are always behind the scenes and support the work of singers and performers with their talent, who are ultimately the ones who “put on their face” and become popular. Sometimes, however, these anonymous characters rise to fame in order to perform their own work and even become more popular than any popular singer.

In the case of Pop, this character is called Quincy Jones, of whom it is enough to say that he has been an arranger for Frank Sinatra and a producer for Michael Jackson. A nobody”. In the case of Salsa, these characters have been symbolized by Jones’ emulator, a guy named Louie Ramírez who has done everything with everyone.

One afternoon in 1994, Ramírez was driving his car down the highway that would take him to Variety Studios in New York. It was going to be a quick session since he only needed one song to complete his 20th album as conductor. Perhaps that was why he was nervous and that filled him with anxiety. Minutes later he couldn’t resist the feeling and had to pull over to the side of the car. He had not finished doing it when a cardiac arrest ended his life.

Louie Ramirez was a genius. The classic man to whom everyone turns for advice and solutions to their problems. It didn’t matter if they were young or old musicians. The fact was, Louie had the answer, and visiting him was like rubbing Aladdin’s lamp. That was a characteristic that always accompanied him, from that first recording “Conozca a Louie Ramírez” in 1963.

He was 20 years old at the time and had already stood out for composing some pachangas and arranging for Pete and Tito Rodríguez’s orchestras. The commentator Dick Sugar then presented it like this: Ramírez breaks the image of the director of a group that uses the talent of other composers and becomes a follower of a rhythm. No, Louie Ramírez is a creator in his genre.

That talent did not go unnoticed by the new Czar of Latin music in New York, Jerry Masucci, who hired him as a star for Fania Records and at the same time, as an arranger for the orchestras and ensembles that belonged to the record company. Ramírez was soon involved in work and was only able to record two albums during the sixties, “Good news” and “Alí Babá”.

On that last album appeared the hit that allowed him to be a famous artist, El Títere, a true Salsa classic. The theme was sung by Rudy Calzado, the third of the soneros that Louie had used without finding the ideal. That was a burden that accompanied him as a director during the seventies, when he used singers of the stature of Pete Bonet, Tito Allen, Jimmy Sabater, “Azuquita” Rodríguez, Adalberto Santiago, and even Rubén Blades.

It was with Blades, precisely, that he made an anthological album, “Louie Ramírez and his friends”, in which the song Paula C was included, with an arrangement of those that deserve -hats off-. By then, Ramírez was considered in New York as the most progressive arranger that Salsa had, thanks to the brilliant work done for the Fania All Stars. An excellent job had been the instrumental arrangement of Juan Pachanga, to be sung by Blades, of Canta Canta for a performance by Cheo Feliciano, and of the entire album “Algo nuevo” that Tito Rodríguez sang with Louie’s orchestra.

But the high point of Ramírez’s career came in 1980 when Joni Figueras, representative of the K-Tel International label, hired him to arrange the ballads Todo se derrumbó and Estar Enamorado de Manuel Alejandro. The album, which included these and other tracks, was released two years later under the title “Hot Night” and was recorded by Louie’s own orchestra.

Louie Ramírez - Salsa Progresiva — Louie Ramírez – Salsa Progresiva

This is how the Salsa-ballad or Salsa-romántica was born in a job that Ramírez continued until his death, making attempts at Latin Jazz from time to time, which he loved. That is why he recorded an album in tribute to Cal Tjader, where Louie was director, producer, composer and arranger, in addition to playing the timpani and his favorite instrument: the vibraphone.

Louie Ramírez was a genius in arranging, in a career where those of Guantanamera and Isadora stand out for Celia Cruz, El Guiro de Macorina for Johnny Pacheco and El Caminante for Roberto Torres. Apart from this, there are his works for the Alegre and the Cesta All Stars. Regarding this profile of Ramírez, the critic Eleazar López defined it very well:

Louie Ramírez - salsero — Louie Ramírez – salsero

It is not easy to arrange for a dance band, especially when it comes to a group that cultivates the hot tropical genre. Many musicians feel influenced by Jazz and the result of their orchestrations leaves a void in the dancer. Others arrange simple, but so simple that they repeat and copy themselves, and the result is tiresome music, without any degree of creativity: music that says nothing, that leaves nothing. Louie Ramírez has found the perfect balance… that’s why he always stays current.

Hernan Olivera the sonero of the 21st century

Latin America / Puerto Rico / Puerto Rico

Hernan Olivera, this excellent Salsa singer named Hermenegildo Olivera was born on January 30, 1959 in Newark, New Jersey.

Hernan Olivera is the son of Puerto Rican parents and from an early age he felt a great affinity for Latin music since his father listened to the groups of the moment such as Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Machito, Ismael Rivera with Cortijo y su Combo, Alegre All Stars, Tito Rodríguez, Santitos Colon, etc.

Then, in the 70s, in the midst of the Salsa Boom, Herman began his love of singing listening to the performances of Chamaco Ramírez, Héctor Lavo’e, Cheo Feliciano and Marvin Santiago, among others. These vocalists were mainly his source of inspiration; That school of soneros served as an apprenticeship for him and that is when he made the decision to sing professionally.

Hernan Olivera - photo — Hernan Olivera – photo

When he was just 15 years old, Herman began his career as a Salsa performer with an orchestra called “La Justicia”, after this he was part of the band “La Sónica” where he met his friend and trombonist Jimmy Bosch, after this He spent time with the “Caramelo” orchestra and later made the most important leap in his career by joining the “Con Conjunto Libre” in 1978, where he left his voice for the first time on the LP “Increíble” from 1981 under the direction by percussionist Manolo Oquendo and Bassist Andy González where he stands out with the song “Decide”.

Then in 1983 he would record with the Conjunto Libre in the production “Rhythm, sound and style” the song “Que Humanity” that would become a success. In 1988 Herman left the group “Libre” and became part of a project by Mr. Fernando Pastrana and under the musical direction of trumpeter Miguel Santiago whose album was called “La Exclusiva” which shared the vocal part with Roberto Mier, in this album stands out interpreting the songs “Xiomara” and “Te vi pasa”.

After this, in 1990 he was invited to record on the album “Salsa Sudada”, for the Valdesa Records label of Víctor Raúl Sánchez “Patillas” and with the musical direction of Isidro Infante, sharing vocals with Mario Muñoz “Papaíto”, Adalberto Santiago, Eladio Peguero “Yayo El Indio” and Pablo Villanueva Branda “Melcochita”; in this work he interprets the themes “La needle” and a tribute to the city of Cali called “Valle plata de salsa”.

He continued with his career as a performer and in 1993 he was once again invited to record the production “Now” with the Free Ensemble, where his great conditions and resources as a singer are undoubtedly reflected, there the song “You belong to me” became a hit in addition to other songs such as “Obsesión” and “El Son” stand out on this album.

Subsequently, he launched an independent project called Herman Olivera and La Exclusiva “Chequea La Mercancía” produced by Fernando Pestana, where the song “Me Extra Spider” is one of the most outstanding. In 1996 he reunited with the Conjunto Libre and made the live album entitled “On The Movie”.

Caratula Alta resolucin sin letras of Hernan Olivera

In 1997 he participated in the CD of the band Rikoson All Stars called “Evoluciones Del Son” where he stands out very well in the romantic theme “Aquella Noche”.

Photo - Hernan Olivera in concert — Photo – Hernan Olivera in concert

In 1998 he was requested by the piano teacher Eddie Palmieri and together with the vocalist Wichy Camacho they recorded the album “El Rumbero Del Piano” in which he stood out as a singer in the songs “Malagueña salerosa” and “Oiga mi guaguancó” that same year. he is invited to the recording studios by the trombonist Jimmy Bosch and they release the album titled “Soneando Trombón” which contains the hit “Otra opportunity” that he performs as a duet with Frankie Vázquez, on this CD the song “Descargarana” is also inserted. ”.

That same duo Olivera and Bosch meet the following year (1999) and make the production “Salsa Dura” where Herman shines interpreting the full “Impact we will have” this album also has the participation of the singers Frankie “Nene” Morales and Frankie Vázquez parallel to this album, the RMM label launches a live CD and DVD entitled “Eddie Palmieri & Friend’s” where Herman looks excellent in the number “Palo Pa’ Rumba”.

Tribute to Johnny “Dandy” Rodríguez Jr. His first recording was professionally with Tito Puente in 1964 and was titled “Exciting Rhythm of Tito Puente”

Johnny “Dandy” Rodriguez, (September 11, 1945, United States August 17, 2024) son of Johnny Rodriguez Sr. who was nicknamed “La Vaca”, remembered percussionist who was part of the orchestras of Tito Puente and Tito Rodriguez, among others; as we can deduce, music for Johnny Rodriguez is something clearly hereditary given that as a child he attended his father’s rehearsals and his mother was a dancer.

Johnny Dandy Rodriguez Foto By Miguel Martillo

To get an idea of the musical family, let’s say that Johnny Rodriguez Sr. also took part in performances and recordings with musicians and singers of the stature of: Alfredito Levy, Joe Quijano, Jose Curbelo, Lou Perez Louie Ramirez, Machito, Miguelito Valdes, Noro Morales, Orlando Marin, Pete Terrace, Pupi Campo and Xavier Cugat.

The father’s enormous musical background was emulated in a great way with ample merits by the son.

Dandy Rodriguez grew up in Spanish Harlem in Manhattan, his home was very musical and when he was in high school he learned the details of percussion represented by the bongos, congas, timbales and drums. Influenced by his father he became interested in music and so in 1962 he joined the band of maestro Tito Puente.

His first professional recording was with Tito Puente and was titled Excitante Ritmo De Tito Puente; after this first album with Puente, “Dandy” Rodriguez began to deepen his musical studies listening and learning from leading musicians such as: José Mangual Senior bongosero from Machito, Rogelio “Yeyito” Iglesias bongosero from Cachao and Vitin Palacio bongosero from Johnny Segui.

He worked with the King of Timbales for more than three decades, initially in the sixties, more specifically from 1962 to 1972, then he rejoined Tito Puente’s band at the end of the seventies and was part of it practically until the death of the famous King of Timbales.

In the extensive career of our Johnny Rodriguez in music we must mention his internship with Joe Cuba’s orchestra, with whom “Dandy” Rodriguez himself says he participated in seven or eight albums since the mid-sixties; the first of them titled Joe Cuba Sextette – Comin’ At Yous; without forgetting to mention that in those albums the name of Johnny Rodriguez Jr. does not appear in the credits due to issues related to contracts with record companies.

His stay with Puente was not a limitation for him to be part of other musical groups, so he also worked for several years with another great of Latin music, the remembered Tito Rodríguez. He was also part of the band of the famous conguero Ray Barreto, replacing Tony Fuentes, and was one of the founders of the famous Típica 73 in 1972 and even took part in a couple of albums with Machito.

In the seventies, during the Salsa Boom, “Dandy” Rodriguez left his mark on recordings with: Jose “Cheo” Feliciano, Charlie Palmieri, Roberto Torres, Willie Rosario, Ismael Quintana, Celia Cruz & Johnny Pacheco, Louie Ramirez, Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz, Fania All Stars, Alfredo De La Fe, Conjunto Clásico, Henry Fiol and Tito Allen.

As we mentioned before, John Rodriguez returned to the band of maestro Tito Puente in 1978 and was part of the band until Ernesto Antonio Puente’s death in 2000 at the age of 77; he participated in this cycle in at least twenty musical works apart from a large number of concerts and performances on tours in different countries around the world.

During those two decades with Tito Puente he also worked with other musicians, singers and groups such as: Miguel Quintana, Roberto Torres, Charlie Rodriguez, Tito Allen, Alfredo De La Fe, Azuquita Y Su Melao, Charlie Palmieri, Celia Cruz & Johnny Pacheco, Paquito D’ Rivera, Raulin, The Bronx Horns and Angelo Vaillant.

Luisito Quintero, Johnny Rodriguez y George Delgado

During the first two decades of the new century, the musical work of maestro Johnny Rodriguez continued and his musical mark has remained in other publications with The Latin-Jazz Coalition, Frankie Morales, Eddie Palmieri, Gilberto Santa Rosa, George Delgado, Victor Manuelle, Rick Arroyo, Orestes Vilato, Mitch Frohman, Cita Rodriguez, Doug Beaver, Adalberto Santiago and Jeremy Bosch.

Also, special mention must be made of the participation of maestro Johnny Rodriguez with a group called The Latin Giants Of Jazz, in the best style of the classic Big Bands made up of great teachers, including some of the former members of maestro Tito Puente’s band; with this group they have published four albums; this project gave rise to another band called The Mambo Legends, who recorded the album entitled: Watch Out! Be careful!

John Rodriguez is without a doubt one of the most prolific percussionists in the world of Latin music called Salsa. The nickname “Dandy” dates back to his childhood when the car he was driven in was bought at a store or shop called “Dandy” and people said look how cute “Dandy” is and from there he stuck with that nickname. In music he is better known as Johnny instead of John.

In (the year 2022) the experienced Johnny Rodriguez had three or four groups with which he is playing, including Dandy Rodriguez and his Dream Team, while teaching percussion classes online.

He is one of the true legends of Latin music, not to mention that his talent has also been reflected in recordings for other musical genres such as: Electronic, Folk Rock, Folk, World & Country, Funk / Soul, Heavy Metal, Jazz, Stage & Screen, Jazz-Funk, Merengue and Pop.

In his very extensive artistic career, maestro Johnny Rodríguez was part of historic and iconic recordings of our musical culture, some of these albums have been worthy of awards such as the Grammy Award, among which are:

Tribute to Beny Moré – Year 1978

On Broadway – Year 1983

El Rey: Tito Puente & His Latin Ensemble – Year 1984

Mambo Diablo – Year 1985

Goza Mi Timbal – Year 1990

Mambo Birdland – Year 1999

Masterpiece / Obra Maestra Tito Puente & Eddie Palmieri – Year 2000.

“In 2008, Johny entrusted LP’s Research and Development Department with the design of the John “Dandy” Rodriguez Jr. Legends Series bongos. John is proud that these drums, which bear his name, feature such outstanding sound and visual characteristics.”

Also Read: Jerry Ferrao says in salsa key: “My life is a drum”

Collaboration: Marino de Jesus (1588) from Salsa History from the Dominican Republic

Isidro Infante is one of the most successful producers and arrangers in the history of Salsa

Born August 12, 1952, San Juan, Puerto Rico) is a professional pianist, arranger, composer and music producer, working in genres such as Classical Music, Rock, Pop Rock, Latin Ballad, Rock in Spanish, Salsa, Latin Jazz etc.

In addition, he has 5 awards and 47 Grammy nominations and several Billboard projects, Lo Nuestro Awards and Ace & Paoli Awards.

His parents were Dr. Isidoro Infante and Carmen Santiago.

From a young age Isidro was influenced by listening to his father play the violin, getting involved with music at age 14 when he participated in a band that played songs by Santana and Chicago.

At the age of 15 he formed his band “Carpe Diem” (Live Life), a Rock/Salsa group that played Rock’n’Roll, Pop, Salsa and included Tommy Villarini on trumpet, Cuto Soto on trombone and guitarist Manolo Sastre.

With this band Isidro wrote his first arrangement “Tiempo De Ti”.

Two years later, Infante was in charge of the background music for Myrta Silva’s television show.

After taking private piano lessons with the famous pianist Carmen Socorro Duclerc, he studied at the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico and at the University of Puerto Rico, obtaining bachelor’s degrees in music and chemistry.

Although he was inclined towards medicine because it was his father’s profession, he decided to delve into music and graduated in composition and arrangements at Temple University in Philadelphia in the late 1970s.

In 1995, Isidro Infante and ‘La Élite’ signed a contract with RMM Records as an exclusive artist. Isidro also signed as A&R director for RMM records.

With him he gained experience, quality and evident success in his productions for the label. His work with La India earned him double platinum sales and a Grammy nomination for their album “Sobre El Fuego.”

Within just four years of its founding, La Élite became a dominant force in the Salsa music industry. The band’s first release earned a gold record as well as awards from AS, Paoli and Diplo.

Isidro Infante He also has 5 Grammy awards and 47 nominations and several Billboard projects, Lo Nuestro Awards and Ace & Paoli Awards.

The hit songs “Que Tengo de Ti,” “Nave de Papel,” “Ganas” and “Has Quedado Retratada” all topped the Tropical Salsa charts.

On Isidro Infante y La Élite II, the group’s second production, Isidro added vocalist Maggie Ramos. This helped him create an album with an exceptional variety of music.

Songs like “Quítame ese Hombre” and “Santo Militar y Montuno” made Isidro Infante a favorite of many.

Along with Louie Ramírez, Infante was credited as one of the creators and pioneers in the Salsa movement. Romantic Salsa.

In 1998, his production “Licencia Para Engañar” was released, which was the result of his creativity and flexibility as a musician. In his orchestra, Isidro Infante y La Élite, Jennifer Jiménez and Guillermo Duval participate as vocalists.

In his first album “Secretos”, Kevin Ceballo made his debut as a soloist in “Licencia Para Engañar”, produced by Isidro Infante.

His work as a producer earned his album “India’s Sola” a Grammy nomination. Venezuelan Oscar D’León also received a nomination for “La Fórmula Original” which Isidro also produced.

Isidro’s commitment to everything related to the Latin community prompted him to produce the event “Canto Para La Guaira”.

The concert was held with the purpose of raising funds for the victims of the disaster that affected thousands in Venezuela and thus “Poliedro de Caracas” has been filled to full capacity.

Among the RMM artists who performed were Kevin Ceballo, Ray Sepúlveda, Cheo Feliciano, Tito Nieves, Roberto Avellanet, Michael Stuart and Tony Vega.

In 1981, Ramírez and Infante were approached with the idea of producing an album of famous ballads with Salsa arrangements.

Both found the project interesting and ambitious, so they accepted the challenge. Isidro added his experience in the field of ballads, acquired through his work with José Luis Rodríguez, Camilo Sesto and Yolandita Monge, to Ramírez’s knowledge of Latin jazz.

The result was “Noche Caliente”, the first album in the genre to sell over a million copies.

Memories at El Corso Night Club in New York City with my friend and mentor, Master Louie Ramirez, producer, arranger, vibraphonist, timpanist, marimba player

Isidro Infante is one of the most sought-after arrangers in Salsa.

Venturing into a genre other than salsa, he also participated in Willennium, Will Smith’s most recent recording where Isidro played piano and keyboards.

Isidro Infante was working with artists such as Stevie Wonder, Herb Alpert, Gloria Estefan, Dizzy Gillespie, Dionne Warwick, Patty La Belle, Will Smith, Wyclef Jean, Clark Terry, Jon Anderson & Yes, Vangellis, Sheila E., Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Machito, Marc Anthony, La India, Fania All-Stars, Oscar D’Leon, Hector Lavoe, Willie Colon, Larry Harlow, Roberto Roena, Johnny Pacheco, Pete El Conde Rodriguez, Louie Ramirez, Ray De La Paz, Jose Alberto “El Canario”, Adalberto Santiago, Eddie Santiago, Lalo Rodriguez, Paquito Guzman, Marvin Santiago, Domingo Quinones, Camilo Azuquita, Kako, Rafael Cortijo, Ismael Rivera, Manny Manuel, Raul Marrero, Vitin Aviles, Papaito, Tony Vega, Puerto Rico All Stars, Ralphy Leavitt & La Selecta, The Latin Corporation, Jose Mangual Jr,Jr. Gonzalez, Ramon Rodriguez,Orquesta La Terrifica, German Olivera, Wichy Camacho, Johnny Ventura, Sergio Vargas, Cuco Valoy, Ramon Orlando, Los Hermanos Rosario, Los Niches, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Little Louie Vega, Robert Avellanet, Michael Stuart, Yanko, Kevin Ceballo Danny Rivera, Sophy, Mirta Silva, Ivy Queen, Tego Calderon, Mickey Perfecto, TNT and many more.

Among his compositions are “Viejo Pachanguero”, “Vicio de Quererte”, “Esa Niña” etc.

With more than 2,500 arrangements in his resume, Isidro is one of the most successful producers and arrangers in the history of Salsa.

Isidro Infante has been working for major record labels such as Sony BMG (Epic, Sony Discos, Sony International, etc.), Universal EMI Capitol TH Records Salsa International Velvet (Venezuela), Co Discos (Colombia), J&N Records, Univision Poligram, Luna Records Fonovisa, Sono Tone, Caiman Records, Faisán Records, GB Records, Ibero- Records, Salsoul Records and many more.

Isidro Infante produced the Special for Banco Popular 2010: Truibuto Al Gran Combo on CD & DVD which achieved platinum sales.

The project included the participation of El Gran Combo, Ismael Miranda, La India, José Alberto, Isaac Delgado, Michael Stuart, Domingo Quiñones, NG2, Luisito Carrión, Sammy García and El Sabor de Puerto Rico.

He was sharing the Fania All-Stars as musical director with maestro Johnny Pacheco in several concerts throughout Latin America and was involved in musical projects with the Mexican singer-songwriter Juan Gabriel.

In 2010, Isidro Infante and Iván Joy established the new company Artist System Inc. which is in collaboration with Diamond Music and has gained important positions in the market of digital production and promotion and also has a lot of experience in the creation and management of digital content.

Con India y La Cantante cubana, Laritza Bacallao

The company is working with such artists as Isidro Infante, Lucecita Benítez “La Voz Nacional De Puerto Rico”, Lunna, Lourdes Robles, Conjunto Canayón, Сorporación Latina, Manolo Lezcano, Lou Briel, Jowell & Randy, Arcángel, Tego Calderón, Jadiel, Endo, Guelo Star, Kastrofobia, Los Metalicoz and many more.

Awards

5-time Grammy winner

47 Grammy nominations and several Billboard projects

Premios Lo Nuestro and Ace & Paoli Awards.

Also Read: Ezequiel Lino Frías Gómez was an excellent musician, pianist, arranger and composer.

Source and Collaboration: Marino de Jesus (1588) from Salsa History of the Dominican Republic

Omar Ledezma Jr. and Pacific Mambo on tour in Europe

We had several occasions to talk with Venezuelan singer and percussionist Omar Ledezma Jr. because he always has interesting things to say about his projects and tours, and this time it was no exception.

Recently, the artist along with the rest of Pacific Mambo Orchestra were doing a small tour in Europe, more specifically in France and Italy, and we wanted to know all he could tell us about these performances, most notably the great musical event Tempo Latino, which is held every year in Vic-Fezensac, France.

Omar at the festival — Omar Ledezma Jr. at the Umbria Jazz Festival in Peruvia, Italy

Pacific Mambo in Italy

Something interesting about this year is that Pacific Mambo not only went to Tempo Latino, but they also had a few shows in Italy prior to the festival. Before that, they played in one of the most important events of jazz and music in general which was the Umbria Jazz Festival that took place in Peruvia, where they had the opportunity to play after the impeccable performance by Brazilian singer and guitarist Djavan.

He also describes this concert as a great experience and a great opportunity to continue to demonstrate their talent to audiences that had never heard them before, so they enjoyed it and took full advantage of it.

Later, they had another performance in the city of Palermo, where they were accompanied by the Palermo Brass Orchestra. Omar says that this combination was spectacular and that the music sounded incredible with the brass in the background, to the extent that they spoke to the group and several of the musicians accompanied them to France to play with them at Tempo Latino as well.

Pacific Mambo at Tempo Latino one more year

Omar explained to us that he does not handle the details of the contact to Pacific Mambo to attend Tempo Latino again, but he did tell us that the singer of the group, Cristel Durandi, was the godmother of the festival, which was a real honor for all its members and they were very gratefulfor that. It can now be said that there is an important connection between the orchestra and the organization of the event for future editions.

He told us that there is nothing particularly different than previous years and that, in his case, he felt he was treated like family by the organizers and the other musicians with whom they had the opportunity to talk to. The ones with whom they shared the most were Latin jazz trumpeter Maite Hontelé and the guys from La Orquesta La 33, who had their own performances on that stage that has seen so many Latin talents shine over the years.

Pacific Mambo in Palermo — Pacific Mambo Orchestra rehearsing at The Royal Theater of Saint Cecilia in Palermo, Italy

On Saturday 27 July, it was finally their turn after Maite played with her new orchestra of young musicians, which was preparing the audience for them when they had to delight the audience with the best of their repertoire.

We are always happy to be able to bring our music to the people of France and the world in general because, as always, there were people from all over the world who traveled just to attend the festival. It was very nice to be able to play there again and soak up so much energy. Whenever we go, we always feel at home” said Omar about Tempo Latino.

General details of the tour

Omar’s tour with Pacific Mambo was conducted entirely in Italy and France. As mentioned previously, the guys had never played in Italy before, so this was something very special for them, since the people they met had excellent receptivity to their music and the organization of these concerts offered them all the support they needed in the technical, administrative and hotel part.

The first place they visited was the city of Peruvia, Italy, where they participated in the Umbria Jazz Festival. From there, they moved to Palermo, Sicily, where they had their second performance, and finally, they flew to France for Tempo Latino.

Regarding the accommodation in France, the artist told us that he and his orchestra fellows stayed in a hotel in the town of Auch, a place they had never been to before and which was about 25 to 30 minutes by bus from Vic-Fezensac. Omar highlighted the spectacular view they enjoyed on their journey and all the fields of vineyards and crops they had the opportunity to observe.

Omar and Maite — Musician Maite Hontelé and Omar Ledezma Jr.

Upcoming performances

As for the next Tempo Latino edition, it is still too early to know if Pacific Mambo will participate again in the festival, so those conversations with the group to go to France next year remain to be seen.

However, the musician could confirm that they will have a local performance in September. He also informed us that they will have a concert at Yoshi`s the first weekend of next year, which is already a tradition for the band every year.

For the time being, the band will use these months to refresh their repertoire, create new music and prepare for what is to come in 2025.