Search Results for: Colombia

Colombia a Cradle of Salsa Talents

Latino America / Colombia / Medellin

1 Cradle of Salsa Talents “Medellín dressed up with the Guaguancó Salsa Fest”

On July 10, 11 and 12 in Medellín, 3 days of great experiences were lived, we were part of the 1st edition of a great festival, the Guaguancó Salsa Fest, developed in the beautiful town of Envigado.

We were able to see a gala of great talents of dancers from all over the country, from Cali, Bogotá, Ibagué, Barranquilla, Popayán and local schools.

From the first day we were able to demonstrate the professionalism of soloists, couples and groups, from the largest to the stars of the festival, the smallest, who left the audience in shock with their talent.

Semifinals and finals were full of high-level choreographic samples, steps, turns, cleans, tricks and the best acrobatics filled the afternoons of that weekend with a great show, equally full of parties for the local celebrations in Envigado. The most attractive categories were those guided by acrobatics, the well-known Cabaret, children and adults showed their best tricks, movements of great technique and high level of complexity.

In future editions we will be showing the great results of the competitors, academies that have been working to give the best of their talent in the national and international competitions to which they have a place.

La Topa Tolondra & its Salsa with Criterion – Colombia

Latin America / Colombia / Cali

Something magical happens in a unique space in Cali – Colombia: Topa Tolondra

La Topa Tolondra & its Salsa with Criterion ¨ A magical place in a unique space in Santiago de Cali¨

Because what matters is the music and its only and great protagonist “la salsa” a whole universe of happy individuals united by the melody, and all this happens because the salsa is tattooed in the hearts of many caleños and visitors to the area who It becomes evident on the dance floor, where you can find that visiting salsa public from all over the world that dances professionally, there are also those who dance well and those who don’t dance, but who doesn’t give a damn? “nothing”.

Those who are stung or guilla of dancers, those who go in sandals, those who go with tennis, those who go with heels, those who go elegant, those who go relaxed, the dreadlocks with long hair, those with afros, the gentleman and the lady, the chickens, the urban cyclists and even the rockers… and the list is endless because what matters is the music and its only and great protagonist “salsa”

“Lovers of Salsa and Bolero romantics attend weekly without age limits” To the rhythm of the Charanga, the Pachanga, the Boogaloo, the Guajira and the Son Cubano, it is enjoyed every night at the Topa Tolondra. Something unique happens in that magical place and that is that everyone forgets what they will say and they enjoy it from start to finish. In addition, local and international artists such as:

Esteban Copete y su Kintelo Paci co, Habana con Cola, Los Hermanos Lebrón, Clandestina Orquesta, Africali, Ebano y Marl, Bailatino, La Negramenta, Bobby Valentín and among others. For special dates ¬these and events such as Halloween that is approaching are organized. In “La Topa” as it is already known in Cali, sounds resound that arrived in the city between the 50s and 70s, where Salsa shapes the body and bolero its spirit, and going a little deeper we also perceive inclusive energies.

“Having fun is the only requirement to attend” “The Environment” For an unforgettable night you need two halves. The first is a table, chairs, water and drinks. And the second, and perhaps the most important: music and hit.

In Topa Tolondra there is plenty of space for gozadera, to sit down, to toast. Time does not run and there is no decache… “La Música” Here they marry the old guard of Los Hermanos Lebrón, Ángel Canales, La Sonora Ponceña, Frankie Dante and La Flamboyán.

The curatorship of its owner Carlos Ospina, its disc jockey and owner, is to learn it. It is not at all about impressing, it is about knowing how to find the subject at the right time.

¨Variety¨ Mondays are for foreigners. On Tuesdays there is a cinema-forum space and separate classes that are included with the 3 for 1 promotion (for every 3 Salsa songs, one bolero). Wednesdays are the best dancers in the city, Thursdays are dedicated to live salsa.

Finally, Fridays and Saturdays are reserved for these traditional Topa. “To Many Degrees” If your hair is long, bring something to tie it up with. If you are wearing a long-sleeved shirt, roll up the sleeves. If you are one of those people who is not used to consuming water, be prepared to drink what has not been drunk in a year. In La Topa you feel the harsh heat, so it is necessary to establish breaks to go outside to cool off “the heat outside will seem cool to you.”

For a round night, the ideal combination is beer, brandy and water, in dosed sips. Does the temperature exhaust? Yes, but it doesn’t matter if the song that is playing touches your ¬bras and reaches your heart. If you don’t know La Topa Tolondra, be sure to go and if you want to get a clearer idea before visiting, visit their fan page on Facebook www.facebook.com/Latopabar but don’t stay intrigued! Location of La Topa Tolondra. Cl. 5 #13-7, Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia Telephone: +57 323 5972646

Mauro Mosquera Singer and Composer from Medellín Colombia

Mauricio Esneider Mosquera (Mauro Mosquera) was born in the city of Medellín and has composed songs for various artists such as El Combo de las Estrellas, Pipe Bueno, John Alex Castaño, Diego Galé, among others.

He has been part of great orchestras as a singer and some are: El Grupo Niche, Fruko y sus Tesos, The Latin Brothers, La Sonora Dinamita, Orquesta Metal Puro de Ecuador.

He has also recorded choruses with Los Gigantes del Vallenato, Hevert Vargas, El Grupo Niche, Olga Tañon, for different artists of Codiscos y Discos Fuentes, Los Grandes de la Salsa Volumen II, Maité Hontelé, etc.

As a soloist he has recorded three albums and has been contracted by: Manizales, Pereira, Bogotá, Pasto, Cali, Quibdó, Chile, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Mexico, Los Angeles California, New York, Dallas, Utah, Montreal, Toronto, Quebec.

He is currently producing music for national and international Salsa artists and national popular music.

He has been invited as a singer to important events with the Symphony of Pereira in several opportunities, with the Symphonic Band of the University of Antioquia and with his Swing Orchestra he has performed in Medejazz, in the Fair of the Flowers and in the municipal parties of Antioquia.

Ángel Canales the Legacy Perico Macoña

Angel Canales is an icon of Salsa, one of the performers who despite his early retirement, his music is still frequently played in countries like Colombia, Venezuela, Peru and Panama among others, his legacy has impacted many generations of musicians and producers, who admire his ideas, his rebelliousness, his daring when choosing arrangers and musicians, breaking patterns and schemes.

Perico Macoña - MAuro Masquera Ft. Budu — Perico Macoña – MAuro Masquera Ft. Budu

“Perico Macoña”, the voice of Mauro Mosquera from Colombia and the urban touch with Budu from Venezuela.

This musical project was born with the idea of showing this legacy to new generations, keeping the essence in the arrangements and without trying to imitate him, each performer gives a new personality to the songs, a production full of special guests, directed by the young talent Irving Manuel, the first promotional cut was presented in November 2019 in the voice of Rafu Warner with the classic “Hace Tiempo”.

Beginning in 2020 the recordings continued until the whole project and the recording of the guests was delayed due to the pandemic, although not with the same speed several musical sessions could be finished and thanks to today’s technology that allows us to record from a distance, the second single of the production entitled “Perico Macoña” was completed, the voice of Mauro Mosquera from Colombia and the urban touch with Budu from Venezuela, achieving a mix between the classic sound and the current.

These two songs are available worldwide on all digital platforms and of course on YouTube. Throughout the year, the new cuts of the production will continue to be presented, seeking to bring together a strong group of guests who, with all due respect, will take this musical legacy to new generations to last for many years to come.

Mauro Mosquera Singer and Composer from Barranquilla Colombia.

By: Diana Maria Ruti – Miami Correspondent for International Salsa Magazine

Interview with Colombian singer-songwriter Potty Lozano

Conversation with Potty

It is a great honor for us to announce that we have spoken with the talented and prodigious Colombian singer and songwriter Potty Lozano, better known as Lozano, who had the kindness of spending a few minutes of his time to talk about his story, his former groups, his release as a solo artist, his current projects and much more.

Here are the most important details of the nice chat we had about the most interesting aspects of his career.

Arrival in the United States

Potty has been living in the United States for over 30 years to further advance his career, which began in his native Colombia. That same year in which she came to the United States, the Kambaro Orchestra, a group where she participated, won the ”Congo de Oro” prize in the category of ”New Orchestra Of The Year”. The aforementioned award is one of the most important in Colombia and is given as part of of the world famous Carnivals of Barranquilla.

The reason why he left his native country is that he wanted to look for new airs and go international as a romantic salsa artist, something that would be extremely complicated if he continued to live in the same place. Thanks to the hard work of the artist, he managed to sign with the record label FONOVISA/MUSIVISA and turn his situation around.

It was the beginning of very successful years, touring Mexico and across the entire European Union and constant professional growth as time progressed.

When did you decide to go solo?

Lozano has said that it was precisely the award he won with the Kambaro Orchestra which motivated him to make progress in other areas of the music field. Another of his main motivations was the success of his song with the Cachaco Orchestra ”Si Tú Supieras”, which led him to continue making romantic salsa for a few more years under the label FONOVISA until the cessation of his contract with this record company. ”That’s when I decided to make some changes in my independent musical life with my own style, have the power to decide, choose songs to please myself and be free to make fusions between Latin Jazz, Bosa, Bolero Jazz and some Caribbean fusions” said the artist.

Potty Lozano next to songwriter and musician Francisco Zumaque

When asked about the best time for an artist to pursue a solo career, he replied that artists gradually mature both musically and personally, leadings them to the point where they feel ready to take that important step and decide that there is a high probability of success. ”There is a click or reset in your senses and you do what you think you have to do, but the important thing is to get it right”, he added.

Differences between commercial salsa and non-commercial salsa

Regarding this important issue, the singer-songwriter replied as follows: ”I love traditional salsa and it is the basis of everything that follows. I am from that generation, but I also grew up in an atmosphere of jazz, bosa, bolero, Colombian street genres and a lot of American pop music, so my brain mixes all that set of rhythms and fuses them in several ideas presented in workshops with my music producers. That’s why I don’t make COMMERCIAL radio music, which every day is more disposable and meaningless, my target has always been cultural, music with soul, harmony, intelligence and possitive messages and effects, but above all, pleasant the ear as music should be”.

He also pointed out that he mixes these genres according to his own musical tastes and the music he listened to when he was a child. All of this with the support from the members of his work team, who are on the same page, although they contribute their own ideas.

”Aquel Loco Miami”

In terms of his latest single ”Aquel Loco Miami”, he told us that ”it is the preamble to a CD in which we are working on, whch is also full of melting pots and rhythms such as salsa jazz, a little conventional salsa with fused touches and more modern salsa using fusions”.

Aquel Loco Miami is a song penned by BRAULIO, a famous Spanish singer and songwriter who is allowing me to record several of his songs. It is a chachachá song where there is no apology to the crime or what happened in Miami in the 70s/80s/90s. It’s just to remind the new generations that negativity can also bring positive things and Miami was in his time the Mecca of Rumba and enjoyment and, despite the violence there was space room for fun”-

From Cali, Colombia, “La Crítica Orquesta” by Harold Estrada

With a unique, impacting, dynamic sound and with an explosion of musical energy, “La Crítica Orquesta” of Harold Estrada comes to us in this delivery, directly from the city of Cali, Colombia; who presents to the world, a different proposal with a clear and forceful message of much social sense in his interpretations. In a brief conversation we had with its director Harold Estrada, a young musician of great experience with Colombian Orchestras, he shared with us aspects of this successful group from Caleña.

Welcome Harold to International Salsa Magazine “The Only Salsa Magazine in the World”. First of all, tell us: since what date does “La Crítica Orquesta” come out? Thank you Professor Carlos Colmenárez, for the wonderful invitation that you make us from your city Barquisimeto, in our sister Venezuela, with a fraternal greeting and thus let us know a little more through you and this prestigious media; because let me tell you friend, that the Orchestra begins to sound since 2012, with an enterprising, constructive, quality and very professional work, in search of an authentic sound that identifies it and allows it to take its rightful place in the salsa environment here in Colombia and internationally.

De Cali, Colombia, “La Crítica Orquesta” de Harold Estrada

And in these 10 years of trajectory, have you had important participations in events and festivals? Indeed Professor Carlos, we had the honor of being present at the World Salsa Festival 2012 and also in the fairs of Cali, likewise several departments of the country have witnessed this magnificent evolution, seeking to remember the essence and expression of salsa Caleña with that characteristic sound and Orchestras that left their mark on the Afro-Caribbean and Colombian music.

Harold friend I understand that you develop a social and musical work in the city of Cali, tell us… Yes, our orchestra is developing and forming a “Collective of salsa to the street”, which is a program that is ready to rescue the Caleña culture, with the purpose of safeguarding the salsa in the city.

Which international artists have been accompanied so far by “La Crítica Orquesta”. Carlos, we have had the privilege of accompanying here in Colombia salsa artists of the stature of: Rafu Warner, Luigi Texidor, Chamaco Rivera, Ruben Sierra, Julio Lopez, Manny Fuentes, and more, demonstrating the musical support of the group.

What is the mission of “La Crítica Orquesta”? We are convinced that our mission is to make quality music for the enjoyment of the people, for the delight of the dancer and the ear of the music lover, but especially, music to free the spirit and cheer the soul.

Who are the members of the Orchestra? “La Crítica Orquesta”, is conformed by: Harold Estrada (conductor and conguero), Oscar Eduardo González (Trumpeter), Cruz Ramón Mayora (Bongos player), Andrés Holguín (Trumpeter), Ramiro Lennis (Singer), Leo Bonilla (Trombonist), Andrés Felipe Silva (Bassist), Marco Felipe Ramírez (Timbalero), Carlos Alberto Cruz and Harrison Muñoz (Singers), Mauricio Bastidas (Saxophonist), Jerry Alejandro Figueroa (Pianist), Gregorio Gómez (Singer), by the way our bongos player, is Venezuelan, born in the city of Naiguatá, but since he was a child he lives in the city of Barquisimeto, to which soon will be back, the experienced and excellent musician Cruz Ramón Mayora Medina.

La Critica Orquesta de Harold Silva — La Critica Orquesta de Harold Estrada

As for productions, have you already recorded some? Yes Professor Carlos, we already have several songs and even videos on Youtube for the knowledge of all. And these are the titles, composers, arrangers and performers: “Cannabis”, this is the most recent single recorded just a month ago, with lyrics by: Einar Flores and in the arrangements Andrés Silva, both Colombians. “Canallón”, lyrics by Einar Flores (Colombia) and arrangements by Pedro Cruz, (Dominican Republic). “Dale Duro”, composer and arranger Luis Cabezas (Venezuelan), the interpreters are: Carlos Cruz, Harold Aguirre and Adrián Barragán, respectively.

Excellent friend Harold and the social networks of the Orchestra. On Youtube you can reach us as: Orquesta la Crítica de Harold Estrada, Instagram: lacriticadeharoldestrada and Facebook: lacriticaorquestacali; for bookings you can contact us at: +573147800543.

Upcoming concerts or events? We will be present God willing at the “Concierto Circulación”, on November 26 and also at the Cali Fair.

Thank you for accepting the invitation, brother and friend Harold Estrada and the whole Orchestra, for us it was an honor to have you in International Salsa Magazine salsagoogle.com, and from here we wish the greatest success to “La Crítica” of Colombia, a group that undoubtedly, is putting well in high the Salsa made in Cali.

The privilege is ours, Professor Carlos Colmenárez, and from Colombia, we will transmit you the best wishes of the Orchestra and the whole country, so that you continue to make known the salsa talent of your beloved Venezuela as well as of all the Salseros in the world. Thank you a thousand times for the support you give to “La Crítica Orquesta”, and on behalf of all its members, we send you blessings and wish you many successes and long life. You, the social communicators are a key factor to promote and publicize the musical work for Salsa made with quality and international flavor for the dancers and connoisseurs of the genre.

Until next time and we continue salseando…!

Carlos Colmenarez

You can read: Henry Valladares, a brilliant, versatile, and disciplined percussionist