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Search Results for: Chucho Valdés

Quinteto D’Amore

Latin America / Cuba / Havana

Quinteto D’Amore, cultivating traditional Cuban music throughout the world

Quinteto D'Amore - floridita
Quinteto D’Amore – floridita

Quinteto D’Amore was founded in 2000 with an acoustic format, cultivating traditional Cuban music, although its repertoire includes international themes, it has made various national and international presentations.

In all these years different musicians have integrated the group, currently two years ago the group has been renewed and is composed of Bass, Tres, Violin, bongo, minor percussion and soloist.

Quinteto D'Amore & integrants
Quinteto D’Amore & integrants

They are characterized by combining music, voices and choreography in some of their songs, filling those who can enjoy their show with joy and energy.

Yasney (violin): Graduated from the Higher Institute of Art in the specialty of Violin (ISA). Member of the UNEAC, he was a member of the National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba, has participated in record recordings of outstanding groups and soundtracks, as well as in the CD “Mi Querido Pablo II” with Pablo Milanés and his guests: Milton Nacimiento, Lucecita Benítez,

Fito Páez, Joaquín Sabina, Alberto Cortes, and in the concert offered at the National Auditorium of Mexico.

He has made numerous artistic tours and concerts with the band “Mambo Así”, the group “Sol y Arena”, “Piel Morena” among others in various countries such as: Moscow, Spain, Thailand, Hong Kong, Isla San Martín and Guadalupe, Italy. , Angola. yasney joined D’Amore in May 2014.

Quinteto D'Amore & integrants - Photos
Quinteto D’Amore & integrants – Photos

Yonel (three/four Cuban guitar) I started in music at the age of 6 when I learned to play the guitar since then I sang some songs and accompanied others like my brother. At the age of 7 I started at the art school of Sgt.

From Cuba to study the violin for more or less three years, over time I got to know other instruments such as the piano, percussion until I got to the bass with which I spent several years with the group Son Chévere de Matanzas.

Then I came to Havana and started playing the tres until I transformed it into a CUATRO, adding a couple more strings and it is the instrument I currently work with in Quinteto D’Amore.

Quinteto D'Amore & integrants
Quinteto D’Amore & integrants

Evelyn (soloist), began studying music when she was little, receiving piano and music theory lessons at age 11, she received her first prize as a solo singer awarded by the pioneer organization, she also received dance classes at the National Ballet School of the Havana and contemporary dance workshops, integrating several dance companies and performing in the 2nd Tropicana Show. She is a mid-level micro operator graduate. I study at the school of art instructors.

As a singer, he began his professional career integrating several groups such as: Lady Salsa Mix, Cuban Salsa Orchestra, Las Canelas, Ketlman Ferrer and his orchestra, etc. She is currently the solo singer of the Quinteto D’Amore.

Photo of Quinteto D'Amore & integrants
Photo of Quinteto D’Amore & integrants

Orley (Bass): He studied Bass and Double Bass, he began his musical career in Ciego de Ávila as part of different groups of small and large format such as: Orquesta Eclipse, Conjunto Campesino “Campo Lindo”, among others, later he joined groups in Havana as the Tradition Septet, the group of the singer Leyanis López traveling to France (Paris) under the record label “Luz Africa”, from 2007 to 2011 in the Maykel Blanco Orchestra and its Salsa Mayor making several international tours by Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Switzerland, Belgium and Peru, thus participating in the recording of their 2 albums.

From 2011 to 2013 he was a member of the groups “Amor y el Son”, Pepitín y su CumBachá”, and Habana Midic, performing in Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia and Lebanon. Orey joined D’Amore in May 2014.

Daymé (Director, tres and bongó): Graduated in Telecommunications and Electronics Engineering at ISPJAE, and in intermediate level in music in the specialty of “Tres”, she belonged to the movement of amateur artists for 14 years, participating in international festivals, more Later as a professional, he joined several small-format groups performing in Cuba at the “Dos Gardenias” complex, La Bodeguita del Medio, at the Floridita Restaurant and in various hotels, abroad he has fulfilled various contracts in Jamaica, Qatar, United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Al Ain), Jordan, Egypt, Japan, Spain, Turkey and China, she is currently the bongo player and director of the DÁmore Quintet.

Maria Carla (2nd violin) She began her music studies at the “Alejandro García Caturla Conservatory” where she reached the level of Junior High School and the 7th year of violin.

In 2006 he entered the “Amadeo Roldán Conservatory” to continue his studies up to the upper middle level of violin. During his student stage he was part of the orchestras of the respective schools participating in meetings, competitions and concerts both as an instrumentalist and as a vocalist in choirs.

Upon graduation, he taught in the province of Pinar del Río and for two years taught at the Vocational School of Art in the city of Pinar del Río.

Since 2010 he has been part of the National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba, collaborating simultaneously with various groups of both classical music and popular music with groups such as “La Camerata del Son”, “Ensemble Alternativo”, “Quinteto D Amore”, “Orquesta Panorama”, “Quinteto Doble Sabor”.

María Carla also participated in several events and festivals: National Meeting of Symphony Orchestras, International Fair

Cubadisco, Encounter of Choirs, -Festival América Canta, Festival of Contemporary Music, Festival of Young Pianists,

Danzón Festival, International Book Fair of Havana as well as in various recordings of phonograms with artists such as José María and Sergio Vitier, Toni Pinelli, Rafael Guedes, Aldo López-Gavilán.

He has also accompanied renowned soloists such as pianists Lang Lang, Chucho Valdés, Frank Fernández, Aldo López Gavilán, singer Omara Portuondo, violinists Ryu Goto, Francesco Manara, clarinetist Keisuke Wakao, guitarist Joaquín Clerch.

I work under the baton of directors such as Yoshikazu Fukumura, Marin Alsop, Francesco Belli.

Photo of Quinteto D'Amore & integrants
Photo of Quinteto D’Amore & integrants

Quintet D’Amore Repertoire

Latin/English Recent Hits

Havana – Camila Cabello

Someone Like You ‐ Adele

Don’t You Remember ‐ Adele

Unbreak My Heart ‐ Tony Braxton

Rehab ‐ Amy Winehouse

Whenever Whatever ‐ Shakira

Dancing – Enrique Iglesias,

Lambada‐Kapma,

Macarena ‐ Those of the River,

Mambo No 5 ‐ Lou Bega,

Nossa Nossa ‐ Miechl Telo

I Have Your Love ‐ Si7e

I just want to give you a kiss – Prince Royce

Despacito – Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee

English Pop, Rock, Blues, Jazz, R&B

Stand By Me ‐ Ben E. King

Yesterday ‐ The Beatles

Only You (And You Alone) ‐ The Platters

New York New York ‐ Frank Sinatra, Liza Minelli

Misty ‐ Errol Garner & Johnny Burke / Johnny Mathis

Girl From Ipanema ‐ Pery Ribeiro, Frank Sinatra

Flying To The Moon ‐ Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, Tony Bennett, Diana Krall

Summertime ‐ Ella Fitzgerald, Janis Joplin, Billie Holiday …

Autumn Leaves ‐ Nat King Cole, Andrea Bocleli, Eric Clapton …

My Way – Jacques Revaux, Paul Anka / Claude Francois, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley

I Just Called To Say I Love You ‐ Stevie Wonder

Somewhere Over the Rainbown ‐ Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg / Judy Garland, Israel

For Ever And Ever ‐ Demis Roussos

Hotel California – Eagles …

Cuban/Latin Salsa, Son, Rumba, Cumbia, Bolero

The Modern Yerbero ‐ Celia Cruz,

Quimbara ‐ Celia Cruz

Life is a Carnival – Celia Cruz

Idyll ‐ Wilie Colon

El Cartero ‐ Buena Vista Social Club

Tula Room ‐ Buena Vista Social Club

Discreet Kisses ‐ Compay Segundo

Chan chan ‐ Compay Segundo

Goodbye, Commander ‐ Carlos Puebla

Husbands Majaderos ‐ Perdro Luis Ferrer

Yolanda ‐ Pablo Milanes

I’ll be back – Diego Verdaguer

Pile of Stars ‐ Polo Montañez

Cariñito ‐ The Children of the Sun

Hey How It Goes ‐ Tito Puente / Carlos Santana

Nel blu dipinto di blu (Volare) ‐ Dean Martin …

Cocoon of Aleli ‐ Catean Veloso

Dos Gardenias ‐ Daniel Santos, Buena Vista Social Club

The Pale Flower ‐ Polo Montanez / Marc Anthony

Perfidia ‐ Alberto Domínguez / Los Panchos, Perez Prado, Nat King Cole, Ben E. King,

Luis Miguel

Guantanamera ‐ Celia Cruz, Compay Segundo, Tito Puente, Joan Baez

Black Tears ‐ Trio Matamorros, Omara Portuondo, Celia Cruz, Compay

Segundo/Cesaria Evora

Grinding Coffee ‐ Jose Manzo Perroni / Mario Suárez, Xiomara Alfaro, Ricardo

Montaner

El Manisero ‐ Rita Montaner, Antonio Machin, Mistinguett, Louis Armstrong

Story of a love ‐ Carlos Eleta Almaran, Guadalupe Pineda

Besame Mucho ‐ Consuelo Velasquez / Los Panchos, Pedro Infante, Louis Arnstrong,

Andrea Bocelli

Maybe Maybe Maybe ‐ Osvaldo Farres / Bobby Capo, Celia Cruz, Nat King Cole

The cumbanchero ‐ Rafael Hernandez / Tito Puente

Que Sera, Sera ‐ Jay Livingston and Ray Evans / Connie Francis, Natalie Cole

Pink Cherry ‐ Los Tecolines

Photo of Quinteto D'Amore & integrants
Photo of Quinteto D’Amore & integrants

www.quintetodamore.com

www.facebook.com/QuintetoDAmore

Youtube Quinteto D’Amore

Contact us at [email protected]

 

Wilson “Chembo” Corniel Jr.

Wilson “Chembo” Corniel Jr.“A sprinkling of be-bop, a touch of swing with a dollop of bomba, rumba, tango and danzón topped with ‘un chin’ de charanga.”

Grammy award nominated percussionist Wilson “Chembo” Corniel was born in Manhattan on November 22, 1953 of proud Puerto Rican parents; Chembo was raised in the humble streets of Red Hook, Brooklyn.

1- Wilson “Chembo” Corniel Jr

Wilson “Chembo” Corniel Jr

It was during these years, as a quick-witted youngster, that he had the privilege and honor to study with such percussion luminaries as, Tommy Lopez Sr., “Little Ray” Romero, Louie Bauzo, and Cachete Maldonado.

Chembo honed his skills at The Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts in New York, and also at the prestigious La Escuela Nacional de Arte in Havana, Cuba under the direction of the great Chucho Valdés.

His intense studies with such legends noted above channeled his energy onto a path where Wilson “Chembo” Corniel has now created a reputation for himself among musicians and the public. Today, he is considered as one of the best hard-hitting, versatile percussionists around.

Chembo teaches percussion to students at the SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music and leads numerous clinics throughout the United States where he brings awareness to others of the rich Afro-Caribbean traditions.

Among his credits, Chembo was chosen to create his own instructional DVD called, “An Introduction to Hand Percussion: Volume I—Congas”. It was released in December of 2000 and with distribution by Warner Brothers it has been a success.

He’s been a vital endorser of Latin Percussion instruments since 1982 as he is currently for Remo drum heads, Vic Firth sticks and Sabian cymbals.

His touring credits are as long as his performing credits. Chembo has toured with many major artists throughout Europe, Asia, North & South America, and the Caribbean. Television credits include an appearance on the “Bill Cosby Show” and a recurring recording gig on Nickelodeon’s children show, “Dora the Explorer”.

Chembo continues to perform and/or record with many artists of different genres. He is currently concentrating on leading his own Latin Jazz quintet, “Chembo Corniel Quintet”. Chembo received a GRAMMY NOMINATION by NARAS IN 2009 for “BEST LATIN

JAZZ ALBUM” for his 2009 cd “Things I Wanted To Do”. This is a well-balanced Latin Jazz group that incorporates many rich traditions, such as writer Aurora Flores states:

“A sprinkling of be-bop, a touch of swing with a dollop of bomba, rumba, tango and danzón topped with ‘un chin’ de charanga.”

Wilson “Chembo” Corniel Jr. ARTISTS: RECORDINGS:

  • Wilson “Chembo” Corniel – “Land Of The Descendants” – 2016
  • Wilson “Chembo” Corniel – “Blue Monk” (ASM) – 2012
  • Wilson “Chembo” Corniel – “Things I Wanted To Do” – 2009
  • Akiko Tusuruga – Orient Express – 2009
  • Wilson “Chembo” Corniel – “For The Rest Of Your Life” – 2007
  • Mark Sherman – Family – 2007
  • Carlos Jimenez – El Flautista – 2007
  • Akiko Tusuruga – Sweet And Funky – 2006
  • Chris Washburne & SYOTOS – Land Of Nod – 2006
  • Chembo Corniel & Andrea Brachfeld – Beyond Standards 2006
  • Willie Martinez – La Familia – 2005
  • Hilton Ruiz – Steppin’ With T.P. – 2005
  • Wilson “Chembo” Corniel – Portrait In Rhythms – 2004
  • Ray Vega – Squeeze Squeeze2004
  • Chris Washburne & SYOTOS – Paradise In Trouble – 2003
  • Steve Wilson – Soulful Songs – 2003 Larry Harlow’s
  • Latin Jazz – Live At Birdland -12/02
  • Chico Freeman – By The Way -4/2002
  • Ray Vega – Pa’lante -3/2002
  • Blood, Sweat & Tears – Christmas Album -12/02
  • Chris Washburne & SYOTOS – The Other Side – 4/2001
  • David Gonzalez & LLB – Sofrito3/2000
  • Bobby Sanabria BIG BAND-Live At Birdland -2/2000
  • (Grammy Nominated) Chris Washburne & SYOTOS – Nuyorican Nights -10/99
  • Ray Vega – Boperation- 8/99
  • Larry Harlow – Latin Legends Band – 5/98
  • The Bronx Horns – Silver in the Bronx – 4/98
  • Greg Abate – Sweet Samba – 3/98
  • Buddy Montgomery Trio – Here Again -1/98
  • Ray Vega – Ray Vega -12/97
  • Willie Colón – Honra y Cultura Louie Ramirez – El Genio de la Salsa Jose Bello – Jose Bello y su Orchestra Bobby Rodriguez y la Compañia – Hay Que Cambiar La Rutina

ARTISTS: TOURS/PERFORMANCES:

  • Chucho Valdés
  • Hilton Ruiz
  • Buddy Montgomery
  • Angela Boll
  • Tito Puente
  • Grady Tate
  • Machito
  • Willie Colón
  • Toshiko Akiyoshi
  • Jane Bunnett & Spirits of Havana
  • Bobby Sanabria Big Band
  • Charlie Sepulveda
  • Andrea Brachfeld
  • Ray Vega
  • Bob Baldwin
  • Jose Alberto “El Canario”
  • Pete “El Conde” Rodriguez
  • Larry Harlow
  • Tito Nieves
  • Louie Ramirez
  • Chico Freeman
  • Chris Washburne & the Syotos Band
  • Chico O’Farrill Big Band
  • Bobby Rodriguez y Compañia
  • Lainie Kazan
  • Celia Cruz

Yaroldy Abreu Robles is one of the talents of the new generation present in Cuba

Yaroldy Abreu Robles was born on February 22, 1977 in Sagua de Tánamo, Holguín, Cuba.

Excellent percussionist and arranger. Among the many talents of the new generation of Cuban experts in Cuban rhythms of French-Haitian origin and knowledge of Afro-Cuban folklore, Yaroldy is an imaginative and expressive percussionist, with great technique and virtuosity, with an original style.

Yaroldy Abreu Robles es uno de los talentos de la nueva generación presentes en Cuba
Yaroldy Abreu Robles es uno de los talentos de la nueva generación presentes en Cuba

A member of a new batch of Cuban percussionists, he stands out for his genius and mastery, to hear him play is an enjoyment for the senses.
He radiates vitality and joy, his hands seem to fly and at the same time caress the drums causing a magical and contagious effect on those who listen to him. He is currently one of the members of the Maestro Chucho Valdés Quintet.

He grew up in an environment rich in traditions and with his grandmother he learned about the activities of Tumba Francesa de Bejuco.

Yaroldy Abreu Robles
Yaroldy Abreu Robles

This is an association of solidarity that preserves and enhances the folklore of French-African-Caribbean origin through cultural recreational meetings, and especially the celebrations organized by the slaves of Haiti.
He is not a great connoisseur of the Yoruba culture, he is not a believer, but he feels attracted by the symbolism and the music of the magic Afro-Cuban religious cults.

He began studying guitar as his first instrument at the Casa de la Cultura. Then at the age of nine he began classical percussion at the Escuela Vocacional de Arte de Holguín and in 1996 he entered the ISA (Instituto Superior de Arte) in Havana, where he graduated in 2001. Sound in the whole range of percussion of academic character and those of the Afro-Cuban tradition.

Yaroldy Abreu Robles Pintura por la Artista Inés Garridos
Yaroldy Abreu Robles Pintura por la Artista Inés Garridos

The first band where he played was called Son de Sagua, in which he played guitar with a mixed repertoire. His debut was with percussion, bongo in several groups and then with a wider range of instruments.

He began working with the group Piapá, doing experimental percussion, and a classical percussion quintet.

Also with dance music groups such as Pupy and Los Que Son Son and others. In 1997 he became a professional with Maraca and Otra Visión internacional, in 2000 he joined Irakere and in 2001 he joined the quartet of Chucho Valdés, the great protagonist of Cuban music in the last forty years as composer, director and discoverer of talents.
Among the young Cuban percussionists who continue to renew the grammar and pronunciation of the Afrolatino tumbadora in jazz, one of the most influential names is the thirty-one Yaroldy Abreu, whose point of reference is the work of the great immortal masters such as Chano Pozo, Tata Güines, Mongo Santamaría, Jorge “El Niño” Alfonso and Miguel “Angá” Díaz.

Discography in which he has participated
Yaroldy Abreu Robles

Gilles Peterson Presents Havana Cultura – New Cuba Sound Año 2009
Gilles Peterson Presents Havana Cultura – New Cuba Sound Año 2009
Gilles Peterson Presents Havana Cultura 2010
Gilles Peterson Presents Havana Cultura 2010
Gilles Peterson Presents Havana Cultura Remixed 2010
Gilles Peterson Presents Havana Cultura Remixed 2010
Chucho Valdés & The Afro-Cuban Messengers 2013
Chucho Valdés & The Afro-Cuban Messengers 2013

Mexican announcer Jesse ‘‘Chuy’’ Varela and the radio today

‘‘Chuy’’

Jesse ”Chuy” Varela is a famous radio host from the San Francisco Bay Area who currently works at KCSM Jazz 91 and constantly interviews all kinds of important figures of the present day such as artists, singers and musicians of all genres, but especially jazz. We had the opportunity to talk with the well-respected communicator to learn about his transition from musician to announcer and his history in general.

Jesse ''Chuy'' Torrealba airing on KCSM Jazz 91
Jesse ”Chuy” Torrealba airing on KCSM Jazz 91

His career as a musician

He began his career as a musician in the entertainment world when he was just in high school in his native Mexico. He started playing the guitar at a very young age and his uncles taught him to play ”La Bamba” and other very famous songs in those years, which led him to continuing on this path. That’s why it did not take long for him to start playing grupera music in Mexican groups in Oakland.
However, a great passion for jazz came over him, which made him learn to play this genre with the guitar. One of his greatest inspirations during those years was Carlos Santana and the great work he was doing in the Bay Area. Varela did imitations of Santana and played his songs, which generated a great deal of interest in the circle in which he developed and helped him to get much work in groups that saw potential in his talent. About these years, he commented that, on one occasion, the singer’s father, Don José Santana, went see him play, which was a source of great pride for Jesse and his budding career.
Although the Mexican artist was one of his major influences, there were other big names from other genres that helped him expand his horizons, such as Eddie Palmieri and other salsa singers who already had a recognized career.
As he pursued his professional career, he began to be part of jazz groups at Diablo Valley College and other schools, until he realized that this set of activities was financially unprofitable, so he began working as a volunteer at KPFA in Berkeley and later at KJAZZ. ”I managed to show my qualities as a volunteer and intern, so they decided to give me a part-time job and I became a reporter at KPFA. At KJAZZ, I started doing shows and I was given The Latin Jazz Show, which continues to air.
His first big break came during the promotion of some shows by Tito Puente, whose tickets were not selling well, so the artist needed all possible support to arouse public interested in his shows. That made the owners of the club where the shows were being held decide to use this station to broadcast commercials to publicize them. It was then when the programming manager wanted Varela to interview Puente, who gladly accepted.
After interviewing the artist and putting the material on the air, many listeners contacted the station because they were fascinated by the work done by the announcer, to the point that the timbalero himself asked the programming manager to give a chance to this young communicator, since he saw great potential in him. That is when he was given the space dedicated to Latin Jazz, something for which Varela will always be grateful to Tito Puente.

Cuban composer, arreglist, and pianist Chucho Valdés and Jesse ''Varela'' Varela
Cuban composer, arreglist, and pianist Chucho Valdés and Jesse ”Varela” Varela

Announcer of the first bilingual program in the U.S.

Jesse told us that he began working as a volunteer in a bilingual program called ”La Onda Bajita”, which was entirely focused on a young audience. What it is looking to do with that program was to make young people see that violence and gangs were very negative for their lives and that difficulties overcame with education and effort. He also liked to play ”oldies”, Chicano music, salsa, Latin rock, among other genres.

Throughout his career, most programs hosted by him were in English, although he also served as public affairs director and reporter at KPFA in Berkeley, where he did a lot of bilingual work. At the same time, he worked for Radio Bilingüe in Fresno, which led him to use both languages in his reports and expand his audience. At that time, he covered controversial topics such as discrimination towards Latinos, farm worker leader Cesar Chavez, the situation with crime and guerrillas in Central America, among others.

These reports took him to visit these countries and many other places where he discovered typical music and rhythms. This interest he has always had in music led him to become the music director of KPFA for a while until he moved to KCSM, where he has been working for 22 years.

Multifaceted

Although today he works as an announcer, he says he always wanted to be a sound engineer to have his own salsa groups, but ended up learning a lot about mixing, editing and much more. What he liked most in this world of radio was the possibility to interview artists and he considers this to be one of the best talents he has to offer. Getting the story or report from interviewees is a pleasure for him and helps him understand this business better.

Many veteran announcers adviced him and helped him a lot to perfect his skills and improve his work as much as he could. Some of them even gave him their record collections so he could learn more about music and soak up more the topics he had to cover in his programs.

Jesse is also dedicated along with other colleagues to give classes to young people who wish to train for this career and be part of the new generations of announcers with all the knowledge of the old school.

Jesse ''Chuy'' Varela and bandleader, percussionist and singer Poncho Sánchez
Jesse ”Chuy” Varela and bandleader, percussionist and singer Poncho Sánchez

What does a radio station need to work properly?

To tell you the truth, a radio station needs money to function properly. In the case of public and college radio stations, we are forced to ask our listeners to support us with their donations and subscribe as supporters. We have been fortunate to have a very generous audience in that regard,” said the announcer. He also added that the pandemic was to some extent beneficial for shows like his, as they got a great amount f audience due to the quarantine.

Varela mentions that one of the biggest problems facing most public broadcasters is communication. ”There is a division between the administrations and workers. The boards do not have the best ideas regarding the use of available resources. Many times, they start spending in an uncontrolled way without notifying the public about how they invest that money” said the communicator.

In the opinion of Varela, the most important thing for a station to maintain is public trust and to let people know that their money will be used in the best interests of the station. When administrators use those economic resources for trips, dinners and luxury hotels, listeners will consider it an abuse. I have seen this unfortunate situation on every station where I have worked,” the announcer continues.

Read also: Steffen Kuehn and Christian Tumalan talk about their musical roots and orchestra

Two radio programs of the salsa movement in California

Introduction

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

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

Five of the six Alma Del Barrio DJs Steve Lopez, founder Enrique Kiki Soto, Gustavo Aragon, Eddie Lopez, and Hector La Voz Resendez
Five of the six Alma Del Barrio DJs Steve Lopez, founder Enrique Kiki Soto, Gustavo Aragon, Eddie Lopez, and Hector La Voz Resendez

Alma Del Barrio

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

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

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

Host Eddie López and Venezuelan Latin music bandleader Rudy Regalado
Host Eddie López and Venezuelan Latin music bandleader Rudy Regalado

Canto Tropical

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

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

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

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

Alma Del Barrio's logo
Alma Del Barrio’s logo

Read also: Son Del Monte’s musical director and timbalero Manuel Rivera

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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.