Search Results for: Chucho Valdés

NOTICIAS CON SABOR on June 2022

The latest of salsa in the Bay Area of San Francisco

Someone to look out for is percussionist/bandleader/catalyst Javier Navarette who has been creating a serious buzz with his new group Javier Navarette and His Socially Distant Friends which features a “who’s who” of stellar Bay Area talent including esteemed violinist Anthony Blea, vocalist/percussionist Hector Lugo, rising star on the guitar, Kai Lyons, bassist Ayla Davila, percussionist Jesse Weber and charter members such as tresero/guitarist Camilo Landau, NY based trombonist and Javier’s brother Raul Navarette and PMO vocalist Chriselle Durandy. Navarette and friends play an intoxicating brew of danceable Salsa, Cuban descarga, Rumba, Afro-Cuban folklore, Bomba, Timba and Latin Jazz played superbly by this all-star ensemble that have impressed large audiences at Carnaval San Francisco, the UC Theatre, Rocky’s Market and other festivals and hot spots.

Navarette is also currently a member of the hot Bobi Cespedes Band and was formerly a member of renowned bands such as Charanson, La Mixta Criolla, Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir among others. He has established himself as one of the SF Bay’s rising stars….a rumbero with excellent chops, taste and well versed both in the Cuban and Puerto Rican culture and heritage. Navarette also has taught in the classroom spreading the knowledge to younger grade school children in the Bay Area. Navarette is also booking the popular Modupue Sundays series at Rocky’s Market in Oakland. Go Javier!!

Javier Navarrette from Javier Navarrette and His Socially Distant Friends

The Western Region Puerto Rican Council will once again present their “El Dia De San Juan” Salsa Festival on Saturday, June 18, 11 am to 7 pm at Swiss Park, 5811 Mowry Avenue in Newark. Headlining the show will be Frankie Vasquez “El Sonero Del Barrio”. Vasquez is considered one of the finest soneros in the business today. With a star studded career that includes working with Manny Oquendo and Libre, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Los Soneros Del Barrio, Pedro Bermudez, Doug Beavers and many others, Vasquez displays his art of the soneo, his distinctive vocal tone always backed up by a swinging band on record and live. Also appearing for the first time will be Izis La Enfermera De La Salsa from Puerto Rico, Gambizi & Dos Four hot from Carnaval SF, Hip Hop Jibarito, Orquesta Saboricua and Rinkinkaya playing Bomba, Plena and Jibaro music and DJ Santos Lopez. For more information, go to wrprc.org!

SF JAZZ and the San Francisco Jazz Festival are featuring an impressive array of Salsa, Cuban and Latin Jazz starting Wednesday June 8 with Pacific Mambo Orchestra. Followed by Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Grammy nominee Aymee Nuviola 6/9; Chucho Valdes with Dianne Reeves and Joe Lovano 6/12; Changui Majadero 6/13, Danilo Perez Global Messengers 6/14; Issac Delgado’s Con Tumbao Project w/Miguel Zenon, Oscar Hernandez, Pedrito Martinez, Alain Perez, Tony Succar and more 6/18. SF JAZZ and Stanford University also co-presents two legends: Piano master Eddie Palmieri and trumpet phenom Arturo Sandoval at Stanford’s Frost Amphiteater on July 23. Info: www.sfjazz.org.

The new hot spot for live music on Thursday’s is Charley’s LG, 15 N Santa Cruz Avenue in Los Gatos featuring the following for June: Orquesta La Moderna Tradición on 6/2; Carlos Xavier and his band 6/9; Edgardo Cambon and Candela 6/16; Son Y Clave from Los Angeles on 6/23 and Julio Bravo and Salsabor on 6/30. Presented by your friends at International Salsa Magazine and World Salsa Radio. Yours truly, Luis Medina from KPFA/WorldSalsaRadio.com will be your MC and DJ for the evening. WSR’s El De La Clave SF-Felipe Martinez will give dance lessons starting at 8 PM. Get a discount on your advance tickets by visiting charleyslosgatos.com.

Tregar Otton from Orquesta La Moderna Tradición

More clubs and events (título 3)

La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley has been gaining a lot of notoriety with their monthly Baila events. The June edition will also celebrate the cultural center’s 47th Anniversary on Friday, June 17th starting at 7 pm. Corey Raynor, the venue’s production manager who organizes the event will also be celebrating his birthday. The show will feature the explosive sounds of veteran timbalero Eric Rangel and his Orquesta America as well as KPOO/KPFA DJ Jose Ruiz in the main theater and DJ Ron Palma in the Bachata lounge. Salsa and Bachata dance lessons start at 7:30 pm. For tickets and information, please visit lapena.org.

It’s Summertime and outdoor venues have opened back up for Salsa, Timba and Latin Jazz! Modupue Sundays at Rocky’s Market at Oakland’s Brooklyn Basin is featuring the exciting band La Mixta Criolla on Sunday, June 5 under the direction of percussionist/vocalist Hector Lugo and a special Bomba dance performance by Shefali Shah. The festivities start at 5:30 pm. Another great band Orquesta La Moderna Tradición will be at Rocky’s on Friday night, June 10th from 6 to 9 pm. Rocky’s Market events are all outdoors and located at 288 Ninth Avenue in Oakland. For more information, visit rockysmarket.com.

The Office on 1796 Willow Pass Road in downtown Concord is now offering Rumba Sundays every Sunday from 5 to 10 pm in a large, covered outdoor patio with a huge dance floor featuring Salsa bands such as Orquesta Taino on Sunday, June 5th. The Office features live salsa monthly with SF Salsa Congress staple DJ Super Chino spinning Salsa, Bachata and more in-between the breaks! Check out their Facebook page for more info!

Orquesta Taino posing for the camera

The Cigar Bar continues with their mission to bring you exciting danceable bands in their unique venue that combines great food, fine drinks, a parlor for cigar enthusiasts and a hot dance spot for weekend patrons. The June Latin music offerings are the following: Pacho y Orchesta Evolution 6/3; Orquesta La Original w/Alexis 6/4; Orquesta Borinquen 6/10; Josh Jones Latin Jazz Ensemble 6/11; N’Rumba 6/17 ; Manteca 6/18; Orquesta Taino 6/24 and La Clave Del Blanco on 6/25.

The Ramp is heating things up for the Summer at their fine outdoor venue with their huge dance floor at 855 Terry Francois Blvd in San Francisco. Their calendar includes great acts on Saturday afternoons starting at 4 pm with DJ Mendy with live music starting at 5 pm featuring N’Rumba on 6/4; Julio Bravo y Salsabor on 6/11; Somos El Son with Braulio Barrera 6/18 and Orquesta Borinquen on 6/25.

The Seahorse in Sausalito features fine Italian cuisine, beer and wine and a fine space for dancing on Saturday and Sundays starting at 6 pm with KPOO/KPFA DJ Jose Ruiz. Featured acts for the month of June include La Clave Del Blanco on 6/4; Julio Bravo y Salsabor 6/5; Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca from Los Angeles on 6/11 and 6/12; Edgardo Cambon y Candela 6/18; Louie Romero and Mazacote 6/19; The Latin Rhythm Boys 6/20 and Eric Rangel and Orquesta America on 6/26.

Be sure to check out my radio programs Con Sabor on Saturday evenings from 9 to 11 PM PST on KPFA 94.1 FM and www.kpfa.org and Sabiduria Con Tumbao every Wednesday evening from 5 to 7 PM PST on worldsalsaradio.com. Enjoy your Summer! Ciao 4 now!!

Louie Romero from Louie Romero Y Su Orquesta Mazacote

By Luis Medina, ISM Correspondents, San Francisco, California

Current news in the San Francisco Bay Area

What is happening now?

Tito Garcia-The Doctor of Salsa, the renowned colorful bandleader and timbalero of Tito Garcia y Orquesta Internacional passed away on Saturday, April 23rd after a long battle with cancer. Tito has performed Salsa and Charanga in the 1970’s with the seminal SF based bands Ritmo 74 and later Charanga Rene Del Mar. He later spearheaded the band “Orquesta Salsa Dulce” in the late 1980’s which morphed into the first edition of his band La International featuring a young Julio Bravo on coro in the early 1990’s. La Internacional were remembered for their explosive performances by dancers and aficionados.

Tito was a staple at the late, famed salsa palace Cafe Cocomo with his monthly “Mambo Saturdays” during the early 2000’s. I often was the DJ during those hot nights. His band featured fine musicians and vocalists such as former Batachanga vocalist Ricky Rangel, congueros Eddie Borrero and Sandy Perez of Los Muñequitos De Matanzas and keyboardist Coto Pincheira who relocated to New York.

Tito García had been fitghing against, cancer, which took his life at the end

Tito resurfaced after his bout with Cancer in 2020 to relaunch La Internacional but the comeback was short lived due to his health issues. He later hosted some outdoor rumba sessions near his new home of Vallejo but those dates were limited due to COVID restrictions. He relapsed during his recent trip to Costa Rica and died due to complications with his recovery. He will be sorely missed.

Don’t forget coming up on Friday, May 6th at 8 pm with be the tremendous Cuban music double bill of “El Tren De Cuba”…Los Van Van and Alexander Abreu y Havana d’Primera at the UC Theatre, 2036 University Avenue in Berkeley. Two of the powerhouses of Cuban Popular music are appearing together for the first time in the US and on only certain dates of the tour…SF Bay Area residents are blessed to have this double bill play here! DJ Antonio will spin in-between sets. I will be your MC for the evening. Run to get your tickets because they’re going fast! For more information, go to jaffeevents.com

Salsa superstar Oscar D’Leon and his orchestra will visit the SF Bay on Saturday, May 21 at Roccapulco, 3140 Mission St. in San Francisco. Oscar is still one of the dynamos to watch perform live…a tremendous show! Guayacan Orquesta from Colombia will also play on Friday, May 13 at the Mission Street hot spot. Also coming to Roccapulco Sat. June 11th…the Homenaje A La Musica Cubana featuring Mayito Rivera, Alain Perez, Yeny Valdes, Lily Hernandez “La Amaona” and Julio Cesar “JC Five” plus DJ Walt Digz (SF) and DJ Jimmy Rumba (LA) and on Thursday, July 7th…the explosive sounds of Pupy Y Los Que Son Son direct from Cuba.

Oscar D’ León will be in the San Frrancisco Bay Area on 21 May

SF JAZZ and the San Francisco Jazz Festival are featuring an impressive array of Salsa, Cuban and Latin Jazz starting Wednesday June 8 with Pacific Mambo Orchestra. Followed by Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Grammy nominee Aymee Nuviola 6/9; Chucho Valdes with Dianne Reeves and Joe Lovano 6/12; Changui Majadero 6/13, Danilo Perez Global Messengers 6/14; Issac Delgado’s Con Tumbao Project w/Miguel Zenon, Oscar Hernandez, Pedrito Martinez, Alain Perez, Tony Succar and more 6/18. SF JAZZ and Stanford University co-presents Eddie Palmieri and Arturo Sandoval at Stanford’s Frost Amphiteater on July 23. Info: www.sfjazz.org.

The Yerba Buena Gardens Festival will begin Saturday, May 7th from 1 to 2:30 pm with a free concert featuring local treasure Jesus Diaz y Su Habana Afro-Cuban Ensemble featuring a lineup of heavyweights from Cuba and the SF Bay including Ariacne Trujillo Duran, Leider Chappotin, Raul Pineda, Roberto Junior Vizcaino, Karl Perazzo, Jeff Cressman, Melecio Magdaluyo and Julio De La Cruz. The Yerba Buena Gardens is located on Mission Street between 3rd and 4th Streets in San Francisco. Visit ybgfestival.org for more information. There will also be an after party featuring Jesus Diaz and the Habana Afro-Cuban Ensemble and DJ Carlitos Way at the Elbo Room, 311 Broadway in Oakland.

The San Francisco Carnaval and much more

The annual Carnaval San Francisco is back on the streets of San Francisco on Sat, May 28 and Sun. May 29th with the theme Colores De Amor. The two day festival will take place on Harrison between 17th and 22nd Streets from 11 am to 6 pm. The grand parade will take place on Sunday, May 29th starting at 9:30 am on 24th and Byrant Streets. Scheduled to perform will be Jesus Diaz y Su QBA, Momotombo, Sambada, Javier Navarette & His Socially Distant Friends, Dos Four, Puro Bandido, Namorados da Lua, Annette Aguilar & West Coast Stringbeans, Susanna y Orquesta Adelante, Magna Fresq, Los Allegres Callejeros, Aqua Pura, Mariachi Juvenil, Azul Latino and more. Headliners TBA. Food, Beer, Crafts, DJ areas and Cannabis gardens on the grounds. Free! For more information: carnavalsanfrancisco.org.

There is a new Salsa scene happening on Thursdays starting May 12th at Charley’s LG, 15 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos presented by your friends at International Salsa Magazine. Opening night at this state of the art club will feature the swinging sounds of the multi-talented vocalist/conguero Edgardo Cambon and Candela. I, Luis Medina from KPFA/WSR and International Salsa Magazine will be your DJ. World Salsa Radio DJ El De La Clave will also be in the house. Dance lessons by Migi & Angel starts at 8:00 pm. Music starts at 9 pm. The upcoming schedule is the following: Julio Bravo and Salsabor 5/19, Manny Martinez and La Rebeldia 5/26 and the Charanga sounds of Orquesta La Moderna Tradición 6/2. Thursday nights just got hotter in the South Bay…be there!!

Edgardo Cambón at The Seahorse Restaurant, Sausalito

The Ramp at 855 Terry Francois Blvd in San Francisco continues to present Salsa orchestras on Saturday afternoons starting at 5 pm. The night is closed on June 7th for a private event, The Ramp’s first Salsa festival featuring 2 bands: Gary Flores y su orquesta Salsa Caliente and Eric Rangel and Orquesta America 5/14, The Latin Rhythm Boys 5/21 and Louie Romero and Mazacote on May 28th. DJ Mendy spins in-between sets and after the live music from 9 to 11 pm. The Ramp has a great patio overlooking the SF Bay and serves food and drinks.

The Seahorse located at 305 Harbor Drive in Sausalito features live music plus KPOO-KPFA DJ Jose Ruiz on Saturday and Sundays. Sat, April 30th features La Clave Del Blanco, Rene Escovedo Salsa Band with Ric Feliciano Sun 5/1; Edgardo Cambon & Candela Sun, 5/8; Orquesta Timbalero Sat, 5/14; Louie Romero & Mazacote Sun, 5/15; Susanna y Adelante Sat, 5/21; Orquesta La Original w/Alexis Guillen 5/22; Pepe Y Su Orquesta Sat. 5/28; and Orquesta Taino Sun. 5/29. Enjoy the fine Italian cuisine, beer, wine and ambiance both indoors and the outdoor patio at this scenic spot just crossing the bridge to Marin County.

The Cigar Bar, 850 Montgomery St. in San Francisco is a favorite spot to dine, have drinks, enjoy a cigar in the courtyard and dance to hot Salsa music. The calendar for May includes Manteca 5/6, Orquesta Timbalero 5/7, Somos El Son 5/13, Josh Jones Latin Jazz Ensemble 5/14, N’Rumba 5/20, Edgardo y Candela 5/21, Orquesta Taino 5/27 and La Clave Del Blanco 5/28.

René Escovedo will perform at the Seahorse Restaurant, Sausalito, on May 1

DJ Walt Digz has a hot Wednesday night Cuban scene “El Timbon” happening at the Slate Bar, 2925-16th Street in San Francisco. Digz also hosts his own livestream called “El Timbon” featuring the latest Timba, Cuban Salsa and Cubaton videos every Tuesday night from 7 to 9 pm on Twitch. He also keeps busy by hosting the monthly Fresquecito Saturday nights at La Furia Chalaca in Oakland and the outdoor El Timbon En El Callejon Sundays from 3 to 8 pm at Vida Cantina, 56 Belden Place in San Francisco. Digz also continues his original Friday La Tropi-Cal monthly at Il’ Pirata in SF with Añejo Productions now going on their 21st year!

Berkeley’s Ecology Center will present the Berkeley Farmer’s Market Salsa Festival on Saturday, May 21 from 10 am-5 pm. This free event will feature Christian Pepin and Orquesta Bembe, Afro-Cuban and Afro-Peruvian keyboardist Erick Peralta and Band, Berkeley High School Youth Ensemble and the Latin Jazz Youth Ensemble. Dance performance and Dance lessons by Rebecca Galindo. Food, crafts and more. For more information, visit www.ecologycenter.org.

Don’t forget to check out my radio programs: Con Sabor now in it’s 25th Anniversary Year on KPFA 94.1 FM every Saturday night from 9 to 11 PM PST and Sabiduria Con Tumbao every Wednesday night 5 to 7 pm PST on WorldSalsaRadio.com.

That’s it for this month! Ciao 4 now!

NOTICIAS CON SABOR MARCH 2022 by Luis Medina

Live music and other news in the SF Bay Area

I recently interviewed percussion phenom and timbalero for Santana, Karl Perazzo on my KPFA Radio program Con Sabor. He is quite a busy man…I caught up to him while he is in Las Vegas for rehearsals for Santana’s upcoming slew of shows at the House Of Blues. In addition to his busy schedule with Santana, Karl has other projects during his spare time that include the SF based all-star Salsa band Karabali as well as guest appearances with Salsa Caliente that kept him busy during the COVID. He also appears on occasion with fellow bongocero Jake Jacobs band VibraSON. On top of all of that, Perazzo also creates and manages his own line of jewelry.

Perazzo, a self taught musician who was drawn to the drum and Afro-Cuban music as a young child and started his musical studies at the age of 8. Karl is a phenomenal percussionist who plays masterful Timbales, Bongo, Congas, cowbell and an impressive array of percussion instruments. He has been a mainstay in the Santana band for the past 31 years inheriting the Timbales spot from the legendary Orestes Vilato. Perazzo is still going strong keeping the percussive fire burning on Santana’s latest recording Blessings and Miracles. The band will be launching a major tour with Pop legends Earth Wind and Fire later this year. He has his own signature line of Latin Percussion congas and bongos that he designed himself with a distinctive Dia De Los Muertos sugar skull theme to honor the ancestors.

Karl Perazzo and his instruments — Percussionist and timbalero for Santana Karl Perazzo

Perazzo has previously performed with the greats such as Tito Puente who mentored him when he was a young kid along with another fellow kid phenom Gibby Ross. I saw Karl and Gibby playing with Tito on stage-what a sight to see! Karl also played with Sheila E. (as a member of her band in her emergence as a huge star in the 1980’s), Prince, Pete Escovedo, Dizzy Gillespie, Malo, Pacific Mambo Orchestra, Ray Obiedo, Andy Narell, Jorge Santana, Raul Rekow and many others. Perazzo also formed the popular SF based salsa band Avance which had a long run starting in the early 1990’s. The group disbanded in 2020. Karl has kept himself connected to his roots which is Salsa and Afro-Cuban music but has always kept his hear open to all types of music since his childhood. He credits his father who always encouraged Perazzo to push himself to be a complete percussionist, to learn how to sing and be a versatile performer.

Perazzo is now launching his own YouTube show “The Backstage Show” on the TBS Music Channel in the next couple of months which will focus on fellow creatives such as musicians, artists, chefs, writers and other notable individuals involved in arts and culture. Perazzo who is the host of “The Backstage Show‘ told me that the program’s mission is “to turn music into inspiration“. I asked Karl Perazzo what keeps him going. He told me “you have to have passion in whatever you do in life…whether it’s sweeping the floor or playing the drum”. You can feel that burning passion, inspiration and enthusiasm along with those great playing chops whenever you see him play live! You can catch up with Karl Perazzo by following him on Instagram under karlpperc.

Music Notes

Music Notes: Salsa superstar Luis Enrique and Peruvian salsero Josimar Y Su Yambu are the new headliners replacing Victor Manuelle on Saturday, April 9th at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Burlingame. Promoters JC Coral and Bosco Vega are presenting the show which originally was scheduled for early February but was postponed due to COVID restrictions. The new lineup was announced earlier in February. For tickets, visit eventbrite.com, tickeri.com, ticketsparati.com or call 415-424-8809 or 650-218-0861.

Luis Henrique performing — Luis Henrique on stage

Former El Gran Combo vocalist Charlie Aponte will be singing his original solo material as well as a slew of his great Gran Combo hits on Friday, April 6 at Roccapulco in San Francisco. Pepe Y Su Orquesta will be opening up the show brought to you by Jaffe Events. Roccapulco will also be presenting the red hot Combinacion De La Habana with a high energy six man vocal front line for their SF debut on Saturday, March 5th. CDLH is under the direction of Gerson Valdes, the nephew of iconic pianist Chucho Valdes and performs Timba mixed in with Reggaeton and Salsa Dura. This popular group is embraced by Cuba’s youthful fans and making fans everywhere.

Jaffe Events in association with MGD Productions will be presenting a dream Cuban music double bill featuring Los Van Van and Havana d’Primera with Alexander Abreu on Friday, May 6th at Berkeley’s UC Theatre, 2036 University Avenue. DJ Antonio will also play in-between sets. I have the honor of serving as the Master of Ceremonies of this special event. For Info and tickets visit www.jaffeevents.com.

Former Los Van Van vocalist Yeny Valdes and her band will be visiting the popular Fresquecito monthly party at La Furia Chalaca, 310 Broadway in Oakland on Saturday, March 12 at 10 pm. Yeny will be joined by resident DJ’s Walt Digz and Pepe Timba. For tickets, visit www.eventbrite.com

La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley is featuring a special “Baila” community dance party on Friday, March 18th from 7 pm to 1 am with a multi-room environment featuring the explosive salsa of BrauLio Barrera’s Somos El Son with KPOO/KPFA DJ Jose Ruiz in the main auditorium. DJ Ron will be spinning Bachata in the lounge. Salsa and Bachata dance lessons by In Lak’ech Dance before the show begins at 7:30 pm. Tickets are already going fast. For tickets and information, visit lapena.org.

World Salsa Radio is presenting their second in a series of dance socials on Friday, March 25th at The Beat, 2560 Ninth Street in Berkeley. There will be dance performances by renowned Salsa dance troupes as well as Salsa lessons starting at 9 pm. The DJ music will be provided by WSR CEO Felipe “El De La Clave SF” Martinez and WSR co-founder Orlando DJ Boricua” Felix. Special guest DJ will be yours truly, Luis Medina of “Sabiduria Con Tumbao” starting my set at 10 pm.

Be sure to tune in on your laptop, phone or devices by visiting www.worldsalsaradio.com. It’s on 24 hours a day!

Some of the DJ's — Walt Digz, Felipe “El De La Clave”, Antonio and Luis Medina

The Seahorse in Sausalito continues to showcase a variety of fine bands on Saturday and Sunday evenings starting at 5 pm. This month, the Seahorse features Julio Bravo’s 50+ Birthday Party with Julio and Salsabor 3/6, Rumbache 3/12, Edgardo Cambon and Candela 3/13, Anthony Blea & Friends and DJ Jose Ruiz’ Birthday Party 3/19, Louie Romero & Mazacote 3/20, La Clave Del Blanco 3/26 and Orquesta Taino on 3/27. The featured DJ is KPOO/KPFA’s Jose Ruiz. Great food, Beer and Wine are offered at this popular venue located across the Golden Gate Bridge at 305 Harbor Drive.

The Ramp, 855 Terry Francois Blvd near the water in San Francisco continues their popular Salsa Saturdays with N’Rumba 3/5, Orquesta Borinquen 3/12, Karabali 3/19 and Manny Martinez y Orquesta La Rebeldia 3/26. The shows start at 5 pm and feature DJ Mendy in-between the sets.

San Francisco’s The Cigar Bar on 850 Montgomery Street is continuing their hot Friday and Saturday night live Latin music schedule in March. This month, they are presenting Manteca, 3/4, Pepe Y Su Orquesta 3/5, The Latin Rhythm Boys 3/11, Josh Jones Latin Jazz Ensemble 3/12, Julio Bravo y Salsabor 3/18, La Clave Del Blanco 3/19, Somos El Son 3/25 and Edgardo Cambon y Candela 3/26. Enjoy the classic surroundings, the patio, the fine food, cigars, drinks and the swinging music at the Cigar Bar.

Promoter/DJ Bosco Vega is also opening a new local night spot Gustoso at the Atlas Lounge, 637 San Mateo Avenue, San Bruno on Sat. March 12th featuring Salsa, Bachata and Timba by DJ’s Franklin, Antonio and Bosco himself!!

Remember you can catch my radio programs Con Sabor (in its 25 anniversary year) on KPFA 94.1 FM and kpfa.org Saturday nights 9 to 11 PM PST & Sabiduria Con Tumbao on Wednesday nights 5 to 7 PM PST on WorldSalsaRadio.com.

That’s it for this time! Ciao 4 now!!

This is Julio Bravo — Julio Bravo performing with his orchestra

BY LUIS MEDINA, PRODUCER AND HOST OF CON SABOR ON KPFA 94.1 FM AND SABIDURIA CON TUMBAO ON WORLD SALSA RADIO.COM

Casa de la Música, Playa / Miramar in Havana Cuba

The month of January 2022 in this prestigious and exclusive place in Havana the best talents, orchestras, singers of the island are being presented, every weekend a different artist with the musical quality that characterizes the Cubans.

Aila Mompie, Asi Son, Tanin Pantoja, Quinteto Maden, Lazarito Valdez y Bamboleo, Papucho y Manana Club, El Hijo de Teresa y la Llegada, Leonel Limonta y Azúcar Negra, Yvan y la Leyenda, La Octava Nota, Zule Guerra, Maykel Hores y RB Salsa, Charanga Latina, Waldo Mendoza, Yordano y el Hermano, Giraldo Piloto y Klimax, Vania, Ronny, Casabe, Max Max, Pascualito Cabrejas y Tumbao, among others.

Since it opened in the mid-nineties, this concert hall has consolidated its position as the temple of salsa and Cuban son in the capital. — a de la Música, Playa / Miramar in Havana Cuba

Since it opened in the mid-nineties, this concert hall has consolidated itself as the temple of salsa and Cuban son in the capital. The best bands have played on its stage and the programming continues to be irreproachable.

It is a beautiful place in Havana, where orchestras from different artistic catalogs of the country perform, a spectacular place to enjoy good popular dance music in its halls.

The house was built in the 40’s in one of the most aristocratic neighborhoods of the capital and was the headquarters of a lodge of the Masonic Foundation. It had two floors of masonry and tiles and included in its ample distribution a party room, stage, and auditorium, a premonition of what it would be half a century later. The Irrumpe Theater Group and the Fondo Cubano de Bienes Culturales (Cuban Fund of Cultural Goods) also passed through it, then sadness came over every corner of the House until EGREM knocked on its doors to break the silence and turn it into the House of Musicians and Cuban Music.

It began with the EGREM Award Gala in April 1995 and in October of the same year, with the concert of the great Cuban musician Chucho Valdés and the group Irakere, it passed the test of fire because this concert was recorded live in the memory of the House thanks to the latest technology equipment it has.

The House was created to exhibit and commercialize the Cuban discography in different media and to promote the recognition of the work of our artistic talents through live presentations, and as a complement to this, the gastronomic offer, always preserving the most genuine values of the national culture.

“International Salsa Magazine is SalsaGoogle.com“.

We are an organization that from the hand of its Founder, Director, and Editor Eduardo Guillarte, in force since 2007 has been working nonprofit helping to promote:

Orchestras, Singers, DJs, Clubs, Plastic Artists in North America, Europe, and Latin America and Asia and with the contribution of volunteers in various parts of the world, which at the same time invite and recommend all lovers, dancers of our Latin music to visit the Casa de la Musica, Playa / Miramar in Havana Cuba.

How to get there: Dale Click Aqui

Calle 20# 3308 cya Havana, Cuba 10400orner of 35 Miramar Pla

+53 7 2026147

Facebook: Casa de la Música de Miramar Playa

Fuente: www.ecured.cu

Aila Mompie, Asi Son, Tanin Pantoja, Quinteto Maden, Lazarito Valdez y Bamboleo, Papucho y Manana Club, El Hijo de Teresa y la Llegada, Leonel Limonta yAzúcar Negra, Yvan y la Leyenda, La Octava Nota, Zule Guerra, Maykel Hores y RB Salsa, Charanga Latina, Waldo Mendoza, Yordano y el Hermano, Giraldo Piloto y Klimax, Vania, Ronny, Casabe, Max Max, Pascualito Cabrejas y Tumbao, entre otros. — Casa de la Música, Playa / Miramar Beautiful place in Havana

Long live music and its unique and great protagonist, La Salsa y el Son Monte Adentro.

Article Interest: Quinteto D’Amore of Havana – Cuba

Immigration attorney Bill Martínez talks about his great work

Who is Bill Martínez?

This is Bill Martínez — Attorney William Martínez in a photo taken by photographer Miriam Berkley

For many reasons, the music business is closely linked to the world of law, because there are many details that artists and their respective teams must take into consideration when carrying out their activities, especially when they travel outside their countries of origin or residence. That is when they should contact attorney William Martinez, who would be happy to help them to complete all required paperwork for this purpose.

William Martinez, better known in the music scene as Bill Martinez, is an immigration attorney who is also known for organizing musical events in the San Francisco Bay Area since the 1970s, which reveals that the relationship between the legal professional and the arts has been very close for several decades now. He is a degree from the University of San Francisco, the same city where he was born, has exercised his profession, and has made his living since then.

This man has played a very important role in obtaining visas for a fairly large number of artists and their orchestras for a few years, including Juanes, Christian Castro, Mercedes Sosa, Pablo Milanes, Isaac Delgado, Chucho Valdes, and many more. The list of groups that have managed to perform in the United States thanks to Martínez includes Los Van Van, Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, The Buena Vista Social Club, Cubanismo, and so on.

All this without mentioning that the attorney has done a commendable job in helping artists interested in traveling from the United States to Cuba, which is really difficult because of the political, legal, and migratory friction that this implies. Bill demonstrated that it is possible thanks to his efficient efforts with the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the Department of the Treasury. There are many groups that have managed to travel to the island thanks to licenses obtained by the lawyer, as was the case of AudiosLave, a famous Californian alternative rock band whose emergence goes back to the year 2001. In 2005, the group gave a historic concert in which it performed in front of a crowd of more than 70,000 spectators, becoming the first rock band to play live in the Caribbean country. All thanks to the excellent work done by this great professional man of law.

Another facet of this great American is his role as a producer and manager. As his official website states, he is one of the co-founders of Latino Entertainment Partners together with cultural activist Arturo Riera, with whom he sought to create an organization capable of producing around 50 concerts whose main talents will be Cuban music legends such as N.G. La Banda, Los Van Van, Orquesta Aragón, Los Muñequitos de Aragón, among others.

This group created by Martinez has also been responsible for producing other musical events that have had the presence of The Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Eddie Palmieri, Giovanni Hidalgo, and many others.

William and Septeto Nacional — William Martínez and Septeto Nacional

Enlightening talk

Nowadays, he has an extremely busy schedule due to the ravages caused by COVID-19 in terms of immigration with the closing of embassies, flight ban, among other things. Today, he will tell us more in detail about his work and how much it has been complicated by the pandemic.

Do you only work in the issue of immigration specializing in artists?

Yes, I only work with artists. Although from time to time I talk to clients about other issues, but I mostly work only with artist visas.

What is the first thing you check in one of your cases?

Well, I work with visas as you can imagine. All this depends on two things: luck and credibility. By luck I mean officials, events, and factors for the application. Credibility is also key to all this. We are talking about two visa categories: an O1 visa for a distinguished artist in the field of music or the arts and the P1 visa or P3 visa which can be issued for a maximum of one year, while the O1 visa can last up to three years. The P3 visa is for groups that have performances that serve as a reflection of their own country. Many artists may qualify for this. For example, if we are talking about an artist who has a bachata, vallenato or hip hop repertoire. As long as they are reflections of their own country, they can apply for the P3 visa. The P1 visa and O1 visa require evidence and documentation that proves that the singer is of a high standard and recognized worldwide such as foundations, press articles, among other things. That is what we have to see. You have to prove that the itinerary is credible and this can be done with contracts or invitation letters. If an applicant, cultural center, promoter or agent wants to invite an artist without any shows or contracts, it will not matter if he is well known, because he will not have credibility. On the list of things I need, the first thing I look for is the invitation letter with an itinerary, the story of the artist, documentation, his repertoire, among other things.

The process also depends a lot on the officer who analyzes the case, am I right?

The case can be approved at first, and then, when it goes to the consulate, you have to get lucky with the official who does the interview. You have to be lucky with the USIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) and with the second step which is the interview at the consulate. You also have to get lucky with people who do the interview, as it can be someone flexible who understands the situation very well or, in the opposite case, someone who had a bad day and will always say no.

Is it sufficient for one of those steps to fail for the visa not to be approved?

That is right, I have the same experience as any applicant and we use all our tools for this situation. It is like a puzzle where we have to see what works. Sometimes, we have even to ask for help from congressmen for this. This has happened to me both as a lawyer and as a producer.

Bill Martínez again — Immigration attorney Bill Martínez

What was the most complex case in your career?

It was my first case in 1993 with the Cuban group Mezcla. We did a festival in San Francisco called El Encuentro del Canto Popular in which we had a representation from each country in Latin America and the Caribbean. Then, we took the risk of inviting a group from Cuba, which was the group Mezcla, a rock band that used elements of Santeria. Like I said, there are two steps to obtain a visa: the application with USIS and the interview with the consulate after approval. In the case of Grupo Mezcla, the application was approved in the Immigration Service and then the members did their interviews in Havana. Subsequently, the case began to collapse until the head of the State Department for Cuban Affairs called me and told me that he had the file in his hands and that the group could not enter the country. When I asked him why, he said they were Cubans and that is all I needed to know. We made a claim in federal court, but we lost the case. Two years later, the state department’s attorney basically said they could do whatever they wanted without justifying anything. However, some time later, the Bill Clinton administration accepted that there is value in having exchanges with Cuba and, little by little, they opened the doors to allow entry to other Cubans like Changuito El Timbalero, Irakere with Chucho Valdes and Los Van Van. COVID-19 complicated everything and has had a great impact in each case, but things calmed down a bit and now artists are allowed to enter if they provide proof of their vaccination or PCR test.

Which are the nationalities The United States denies visas most often?

It is definitely Cuba because every Cuban has to ask for his or her interview in a third country and sometimes we are in contact with the consulates in advance to request permission to doing the interview there. Mexico is usually plan B, but sometimes we ask the consulate to allow a Cuban citizen to do an interview in their facilities. It may happen that they say that they do not accept applications from a third country. It also happens that two weeks later another consulate accept the interview without any problem. Each consulate has its own answer as to the availability and access to their system. Now we are asking for visas for Cubans in Mexico DF. I can say that Middle Eastern countries, Korea and Cuba are the most complicated places to apply for visas.

You have also taken U.S. artists to Cuba and other complicated countries, could you tell me a little bit about that?

Well, I participated in several exchanges with Cuba. The best known was Puentes Musicales in 1999 in which we presented 45 well-known rock artists. In 2005, we presented the rock group AudiosLave. I also worked as a lawyer in the production of the group Broadway and that was historic. It was a very important album in the history of rock and it was all done in Havana. I had a documentary on HBO about this event in Havana. We have plans to do other recordings with Broadway in Havana in the future. It is almost impossible to do exchanges of this magnitude these days owing to restrictions related to COVID-19.

How much has COVID-19 complicated things?

It is easier now. COVID-19 had a big impact at all levels. An application at USIS (the first step in the process) was impossible because their officials were not in offices as in the past. They were at home, so we could not do anything like as the past when we could go to an office. It was much easier to resolve situations, issues with identity and documentation. When officers are not in offices, they cannot go to the other buildings. They have to call from home to ask about applications and communication is not as effective. It is easier to resolve situations like that by being in the same building and coming face to face. COVID also has an impact on the number of people who are working in the consulates. The less people who work, the less it is possible to change dates when needed. However, the situation improved in contrast to the last year, so there is hope that some things will get back to normal.

Link to its official website: https://www.billmartinez.com/