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Unstoppable Hollywood Salsa Fest focuses on the importance of Salsa

In the midst of the release of the single in which she collaborated with Edwin “El Calvito” Reyes ‘Dos pa’ lante’, on April 13, 2024; Melina Almodovar performed at the most important salsa festival in South Florida in the U.S. Melina also serves as an entrepreneur, along with her partner Cristina Moinelo, for the past nine years.

“La muñeca de la salsa”, Melina Almodóvar

Each year, the Hollywood Salsa Fest focuses on the importance of salsa music, recognizing that Afro-Latin music fuses us into a culture that draws from diverse roots. This year’s festival – sponsored by the city in a public-private partnership with various businesses – was held at the Artspark at Young Circle.

As masters of ceremony, the festival featured the winning team of “Meca” from Salseo Radio and “El Cacique” from Zeta 93 FM, Puerto Rico’s leading salsa radio station. On the decks was DJ “Boricua loco” with a tremendous selection of salsa, in addition to coordinating from his musical corner the dance exhibitions by the salsa dancers of YC Dance Studios.

The first orchestra in charge of starting the concert, Latin All Stars, counted with the vocal and scenic mastery of Marlon Mendioroz, Yorman Clay, Adrián Marchant, Yomil Rivas and Frank Cróquer, backed by a musical team that did not fall short of the expectations of those who waited patiently for the stage to light up with good salsa. Latin All Stars was followed by “Juano, tu cantante” from Cali, Colombia. The team of musicians of the orchestra with the second shift shined accompanying who for 16 years was part of Orquesta Guayacán.

The trumpet player also performed in the mid-afternoon block, preceding the arrival of the Hollywood Salsa Fest Orchestra in a segment in which they accompanied Hilda Naranjo from Cuba, Fabián Rosales from Chile and Joey Hernández from Puerto Rico.

At around 6:00 p.m., it was the turn of the Cuban sound known as timba, with the Julio Montalvo Orchestra and Miami’s Huracán. Once the hurricane winds that accompanied Julio Montalvo ceased, tribute was paid to the late Venezuelan percussionist Robert Vilera thanks to the staging of Vilera Son. The tribute to Vilera’s legacy featured the talents of Los Gaitanes from Panama, Avelino Romero from Venezuela, El Mola and Braidsman from Cuba, as well as Robert Vilera’s first singer, Felix Argenis.

“La muñeca de la salsa”, Melina Almodovar, was backed by Luigi Flores from Costa Rica on piano and musical direction, Johnny Fortunato from Dominican Republic on bass, Pablo Molina from Venezuela on timbales, Juan Pablo Camacho from Venezuela on tumbadoras, Carlos Molina from Venezuela on bongo, Carlos Perez from Cuba on first trombone, Ramon Benitez from Colombia on second trombone, Carlos Frank from Cuba on first trumpet and Julian Cifuentes from Colombia on second trumpet.

On backing vocals, Melina was backed by: Joe Arroyo from Puerto Rico and Freddy Lugo from Cuba. Melina gave us a first class show. As part of Melina’s performance, “El Calvito Reyes” joined her for the first time to perform the recently released single ‘Dos pa`lante’ as a live duet.

During the afternoon, the festival took place under a beautiful blue sky that kept the crowd’s enthusiasm positive. During the night, the clear Floridian skies kept the attendees dancing at full steam. Of course, to that end, the aforementioned talents kept the stage in salsa.

The festival closed with the always remembered for the classic ‘De barrio obrero a la 15’, Chamaco Rivera, who with a stellar salsa career to his credit, not only kept the audience engrossed in his impeccable staging, but also introduced us to his guest artist, his son: Christian Ray.

Melina contó con el respaldo vocal de Joe Arroyo de Puerto Rico y Freddy Lugo de Cuba

Christian delighted us with his repertoire shortly before inviting us to listen to his recently released CD entitled El legado continúa. To bid farewell to the musical day, which lasted nearly ten hours, the grand finale invited the group of singers who had paraded on stage during the day and part of the night to come in and jam with the “papa de los pollitos” (father of the chicks).

We are waiting to enjoy the next ‘Hollywood Salsa Fest’, for which the businesswomen in charge promise to throw the house out of the window. Melina and Cristina have delivered nine festivals in a row. So see you in April 2025 to dance in the tenth edition of the same.

Also Read: A party of dancers at the concert to celebrate Willie Rosario’s 100th birthday

Willie Rosario, El Rey del ritmo by journalist and music researcher Robert Téllez M.

Puerto Rico Date Be more by Bella Martínez writes announces the release in Puerto Rico of the second edition of the authorized biography of Míster Afinque, Willie Rosario, El Rey del ritmo by music journalist and researcher Robert Téllez M.

This second edition, which has been revised, expanded and updated, has 62 more pages, every time master Willie Rosario has remained active since the publication of the first edition in 2019 to date. It also contains photographs that were not included in the first edition, images from Willie Rosario’s own archive and from the archive of the most important salsa collector, Robert Padilla.

The book, which has a preface signed by musician “Bobby” Valentín and a foreword by researcher José Arteaga, also compiles significant accounts from composers, musicians, instrumentalists, arrangers and vocalists who have been part of Rosario’s orchestra throughout different periods.

The new cover photo is by photojournalist Conrado Pastrano, the cover design is by graphic artist Felix Disla and the illustrations are by artist Frank Rosado.

The content of the back cover of the first edition, which includes the praises of Edwin Clemente, Edwin Morales, Elmer González, Hiram Guadalupe Pérez and Néstor Galán, was moved to the inside of the text, adding the recently captured praise in the voice of Ricardo Padilla, programming director of Salsoul radio station.

The back cover text is by the prodigious arranger, composer and music producer, who was exalted to the Hall of Fame of the U.S. East Coast and who, like Willie Rosario, is a timbalero and orchestra leader: Tito Rodríguez, Jr. Tito tells us about “El Inolvidable’s” friendship with Willie Rosario, as well as the way in which Mister Afinque received from Tito Rodríguez the first songs that Rosario would record with his orchestra, including the classic ‘Changó ta vení’ (composition by “Justi” Barreto), arranged by René Hernández. He also shares with us the closeness between Willie Rosario and Tito Rodríguez since they were neighbors in the Bronx, NY until they became colleagues and developed a friendship based on companionship and mutual admiration. In a nostalgic way, he highlights the golden years of El Palladium. As if all this were not enough, Tito candidly offers his opinion on Willie’s contribution to the salsa sound, which he reinvented by adding the baritone saxophone to his orchestral format, which at the time was thought to be an experiment, and on the permanence of that contribution within Latin music.

The publication of this second edition of Willie Rosario, El Rey del Ritmo comes just in time to add to the centennial celebration of the musical leader, who has managed to keep his orchestra active and alive for more than six decades. The book is now available in physical format and can be purchased through Amazon.

Book cover Willie Rosario Second Edition

About the author:

The author, Robert Téllez M, is a music journalist, broadcaster and audiovisual media producer. He is a member of the Círculo de Periodistas de Bogotá (CPB) and since 1998 he has worked as a programmer for different music radio stations. For nine years he directed and hosted the program Conversando La Salsa on Radio Nacional de Colombia. He was also founder and general director of Revista Sonfonía. Robert Téllez M stands out as a researcher dedicated to Afro-Antillean music. His in-depth research has led him to serve as a consultant and lecturer, specializing in the appreciation of salsa music.

Published books:

* Ray Barretto, Fuerza Gigante (2016).

* Willie Rosario, el Rey del ritmo [Authorized Biography] (2019, 2024).

* Ray Barretto, Giant Force (2021), the translation by Ronald Vazquez of Ray Barretto, Fuerza Gigante, is the silver medal winning literary work for best Spanish to English translation at the International Latino Book Awards, 2021 edition.

Also Read: Metamorphosis: from music to photojournalism, a reinvention without limits

A party of dancers at the concert to celebrate Willie Rosario’s 100th birthday

The now Doctor of Music Willie Rosario managed to fill a Puerto Rico Coliseum, with a capacity of 18,000 people, for the celebration of his 100th birthday. The production of the concert ensured that the musical proposal kept the audience dancing and singing along. It was no surprise that the “Choliseo” turned into a gigantic dance floor.

Fiesta de bailadores el concierto para celebrar los 100 años de Willie Rosario

Vocalist “Chamaco” Rivera was in charge of the performance of Willie Rosario’s orchestra’s first hit. Chamaco”‘s announcements alluded to the parallel of the Barrio Obrero, between our “santurcino” neighborhood of Borinquen and its namesake, located in Cali, Colombia.

Then came the current front of “the band that delights” to perform a selection of the group’s countless hits. The first turn went to José Luis De Jesús “Papa Chú” with the impeccable interpretation of ‘Ojalá que te vaya bonito’. At one point, when the song called for a duet performance, José “Machete” Díaz was the accompanist.

Smiling and with his voice cracking with emotion, Rosario greeted the audience, shortly before saying: “Thank you very much for coming this far” and giving entrance to “Manolito” Rodriguez, handing him the timbal. “Manolito” took the helm of Willie Rosario’s orchestra during several songs to which the young timbalero and musical director imparted his own tempo.

‘Anuncio Clasificado’ and ‘Cha-cha-ri-chá’ were heard in the voice of “Machete”, ‘Échame la culpa a mí’ and ‘El callejero’ in Erick Robles’ interpretation, and ‘Preparen candela’ with “Papa Chú” leading on vocals. Juventud del presente’ was heard in the voice of Rodriguez himself, who showed off his skills as a timbalero, director and singer, while dancing in choreography with the members of the vocal front.

During the segment in which “Manolito” led, the child Gerardo Gabriel Rivas entered into an explosive duel of timbales, corresponding with who, at the time, was acting as director. Humberto Ramírez interpreted the song ‘Míster Afinque’, which he composed and arranged in 2023 in honor of Rosario and which is part of the production Better Days.

At about ten o’clock at night, the birthday boy took over the orchestra to “continue in afinque”. With the “afinque”, came the main course of the concert, for which “El Rey del ritmo” arrived on stage this time accompanied by the duo composed by Gilberto Santa Rosa and Tony Vega.

Gilberto looked impeccable both in his vocal role and in his staging as he performed ‘Babarabatiri’, ‘Obra sellada’, ‘La mitad’, ‘Me tendrán que aceptar’, ‘Botaron la pelota’ and ‘Changó ta’ bení’. During the delivery of this last song, Santa Rosa was accompanied by a corps of veteran dancers, among them the always remembered “Mike” Ramos, known within the Palladium Mambo Legends and within the Mambo Aces as “Mambo Mike”.

Tony Vega was in charge of the interpretation of ‘Mi amigo el payaso’, ‘Busca el ritmo’, ‘A toda Cuba le gusta’, ‘Arrepentíos pecadores’, ‘El flamboyán’ and ‘El timbal de Carlitos’. Gilberto and Tony were able to transport the audience back to the days when they shared the hits of maestro Rosario’s orchestra, singing ‘Gracias mundo’ and ‘Lluvia’ as a duet. The team that shaped the centennial celebration of the successful bandleader paid attention to every detail of the presentation to make it a historic, unforgettable and unrepeatable one.

Willie Rosario, Tony Vega y Gilberto Santarosa

The detail that “El Caballero de la salsa” imparts to each of his concerts, highlighting each of the artists in the audience also took place in this event. The list of colleagues invited to the concert included Choco Orta, Luisito Carrión, Domingo Quiñones, Moncho Rivera, Ismael Miranda, Bobby Valentín, Jerry Rivas and Chucho Avellanet.

Although it is known that it is impossible to include all the hits of such a great career in three hours of concert, the selection of the repertoire was accurate and forceful. At almost 100 years old, bandleader Willie Rosario proved once again that, with his usual affinque, he continues to lead the salsa dancer’s favorite orchestra.

Also Read: Déjalo, the latest track by Pedro Conga y su Orquesta Internacional

Virginia Ramirez is the artist of the XXI century, the Princess of Piano and Voice, the hope that will save the new generations of anti-music

Virginia Ramirez, the talented concert pianist, pianist and singer-songwriter, has been making an impact for her contributions to the music of her country and the world. She was born in the city of San Cristobal, Venezuela and grew up in a family where art, poetry and music were the language of every day.

Virginia Ramírez es la artista del siglo XXI

His mother was a poet (Etha, the Lady of Love), Dr. Enriqueta Martinez, his father Asdrubal Ramirez, a self-taught harpist, guitarist and singer of Venezuelan popular music.

Since she was 7 years old she plays the piano and from a very young age she began to develop her musical skills, she started her training at the Miguel Angel Espinel School with the well-known teachers Edgar Vasquez (Piano) and Heliodoro Contreras (Theory and Solfeo).

She graduated as a pianist, concert pianist and piano teacher at the National School of Music in Havana (Cuba) where she graduated with the highest qualifications and studied at the José Lorenzo Llamozas School and the Simon Bolivar Conservatory of Music.

He has taken courses in harmony and improvisation with professors Gerry Weil, Andres Alen Rodriguez and Mike Orta at the “FIU of Miami” in the jazz department.

Ramirez studied classical piano with Professor Igor Lavrov, recorded her jazz projects with drummer Willy Díaz and bassist José Velázquez in the “Jazz” program of the Venezuelan TV channel “Venezolana de Televisión” in Venezuela on several occasions, and her first album “Espiral de Fuego”.

She participated as a special guest of other groups such as Alberto Borregales and Fredy Roldán and El grupo la Calle.

She participated with a new proposal as a composer and pianist in important Jazz festivals in Venezuela as the “Latin Festival” of the Teatro de la Opera de Maracay (June 2003) and the “Prehot” of the 5th.

Festival de Jazz del Hatillo (October 2003), where he alternated and shared the stage with the American bands of Aaron Thurston (drummer) and Jaime Baum (flutist), receiving excellent reviews from the radio and television press.

She alternates her activity as a jazz concert performer with teaching, as a piano and singing teacher.

In her music school Vicky’s harpsichord.

Her formidable work in music and composition is very beautiful and colorful, because in her proposal she has fused jazz and Afro-Venezuelan elements highlighting the values of Venezuelan and Latin American music and using a variety of drums such as the Culo’e Puya, Quitiplas, Clarines, Cumaco and Chimbangles combining them with the songs of the peoples of the coast of Venezuela making excellent personal harmonic contributions.

He has achieved a high musical concept that has been recognized in the continent and the world, for that incredible capacity to unite the idea of the concert with the characteristics of the Show and for that reason he contributes much more of the pure musical element in each one of his performances.

With a rich repertoire and an unparalleled originality in the world of Venezuelan Female Jazz, this excellent artist is a source of joy and an excellent contribution to the new generations of Jazz.

She has won countless national and international awards and recognitions, among which stand out: World Prize “César Vallejo” for Artistic Excellence, World Prize “El Águila de Oro” for Artistic Excellence 2022, 2023, almo Chispeante prize 2024, awarded by the UHE, world Hispanic writers union, thousand minds for Mexico, and world academy of literature, history, art and culture First Mention in the Juan Sebastián Bach Competition in Havana Cuba.

1993 as a teacher, pianist, concert pianist has participated in various festivals and concerts such as the Fitztrovia Festival in London, in Mexico, Madrid, the south of France, in Colombia with his salsa group tabaco latino, where he performed in different cities, Cali, Bogota and Medellin.

Within the salsa accompanied artists such as: Cheo Feliciano, Hernán Olivera, Meñique Lena Burke the singer Alfredy Bogado of the Venezuelan group “La Calle” and precisely with this group La Calle in the Juan Sebastian Bar when she worked there in 2000 was where they began their activities with salsa in several cycles of pianists, composers and arrangers.

In the Keyboard Museum of Caracas, in a jazz trio with Nene Quintero and William Velázquez on bass, in the Festival a toda Música Caracas, in the opera theater of Maracay and the Simón Bolívar University, among others.

Excellent comments in the national and international critics, have generated the presentation of his CD “Espiral de Fuego” presented by Otmaro Ruiz Jaquest Braunstein and Gerry Weil in his album “Manos y Alma” recorded, outstanding musicians such as: Nene Quintero, Aquiles Baez, Roberto Koch, Gonzalo Teppa.

Special guests: Vasallos del Sol, Aquiles Baez and C4 trio. This album “Manos y Alma” was presented by Aquiles Baez, Luis Perdomo and Pablo Aguirre from the BBC in London, received excellent reviews from the press in the south of France.

Her performance in the church La Canourgue in the south of France accompanied by the musicians Didier Hennot and Tonny Margalejo and her tour of successive concerts, carried out in France in different cities Mende, Saint Privat Des Vieux, Lozere, Ispagnac presenting her albums mentioned above.

She participated in the assembly and production of the play Cabaret with important theater artists such as Francis Rueda, Cayito Aponte, Natalia Martinez, Adrian Delgado, Karl Hoffman, Luis Fernandez performing in the Rios Reyna hall of the Teresa Carreño in different cities of Venezuela.

Virginia had the luxury of playing keyboards in the Kit Kat Club Band directed by Armando Lovera.

Great impact had her album “jazzguinaldos” produced as a trio with musicians Gonzalo Teppa and Nene Quintero, including as special guests Enio Escuariza, composer of all the lyrics of the album.

Her project “Acro Jazz” opens the horizon towards the world of circus arts, performing in different cultural centers of Venezuela musicalizing with the piano circus works and participating herself as a circus artist with the artist Jesús Piña in a pulsating work in the museum of the keyboard, Trujillo, Valencia among other cities with a new band integrated by Rubén Rebolledo Guitar, Willy Díaz Drums, David Rubio Bass and as special guests Jesús Piña and Kerlly Garcia.

He performed in the city of Morelia and Mexico, founded in 2015 a trio with musicians Fernando Mendoza Drums and Flavio Meneses bass, presenting the music of his albums in different nightclubs like Amati, Café de las Rosas, Casa de la cultura de Uruapan, and other cities of Morelia.

Virginia Ramírez, la talentosa concertista, pianista y cantautora

She accompanied drummer Antonio Sanchez in the house of music in Morelia.

Virginia Ramirez has collaborated with different artists of the Venezuelan music scene such as the group Facundo Project a Venezuelan Rock group, the singer Cheo Linares in his album “llegó la Navidad”, the singer Amarilis Bolaño in her album singing Henry Martinez, the singer Alejandra Gonzales in her album “Joyas de mi País” in the album “Tierra Liberada” and in the project “Venezuela demo”.

Ramirez has made music a matter of life and in her habitat of pianist and concert pianist, prepares for this year a vast plan to musicalize the poetry of the greatest poets of the world and a program entitled “La Totalidad de Virginia Ramirez”, by Cabina 11, Canal Global de Queretaro, Mexico, a country that has already known of her beauty and great talent.

I see in Virginia Ramirez, the complete artist with infinite talents as a pianist, singer, composer, songwriter and circus artist, who intentionally projects herself, illuminating the artistic firmament of the world with daring and magical projects that will always surprise the audience and make them feel the desire to ask for more.

Undoubtedly Virginia Ramirez is the artist of the XXI century, the princess of the piano and voice, the hope that will save the new generations of anti-music.

Dr. Carlos Hugo Garrido Chalem president of mil mentes por México and of the UHE Hispanic World Writers Union. President of the world academy of literature, history, art and culture.

Alterna su actividad de concertista de Jazz con la docencia, como profesora de piano y canto en su escuela de música la clave de Vicky.

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

Latin America / May 2024

DIRECTORY OF NIGHTCLUBS
ARGENTINA	ARUBA	BELIZE
BOLIVIA	BRAZIL	CHILE
COLOMBIA	COSTA RICA	CUBA
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC	ECUADOR	GUATEMALA
MEXICO	PANAMA	PERU
PUERTO RICO	VENEZUELA