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Great conversation with New York singer Ralphy Ray

All about Ralphy Ray

Ralphy Ray is a New York songwriter and vocalist who spent a lot of his childhood in Barranquilla until he went to Miami to seek new horizons for his personal and professional life. As well as the vast majority of Latin artists who have found their way little by little, he has a very interesting story to tell to all his audience.

Ralphy Ray was born in New York, but grew up in Barranquilla

In International Salsa Magazine, we have been very interested in his story, so we decided to contact him and both he and his manager and friend John Caicedo have been very open to all the communication we did. Here are the issues we touched on during the conversation.

How his childhood influenced his music

Ralphy Ray was born in the United States, but his parents decided to return to Barranquilla when he was six years old, so he studied his primary and secondary in Colombia.

It is there where his interest in music began due to the great diversity of rhythms heard in that country such as vallenato, salsa, merengue, champeta and much more. What most got his attention to this branch of art was a certain group of tropical artists who aparked his love for this great profession to which he would dedicate his life.

When he turned nine years old, he began to study accordion for a short time, as he began to focus his mind on other areas such as singing and ballads. Whenever events were held at school, he was always included or he himself signed up to participate in them, so this curiosity for music continued to grow as the years went by.

His move to Miami

His move to Miami was due to personal reasons at first, since his uncle lived in that city and offered him to go live with him and count on his support once he decided to move to the United States definitely.

Today he says that it was one of the best decisions he could make in the professional field, as he had the opportunity to communicate and interact with local and very important groups in the industry, that’s when he met John Caicedo, who is now his manager and one of his greatest friends since then.

Now Ralphy lives in Miami, which has been very important in his carrer — Now Ralphy Ray lives in Miami, which has been very important in his carrer

He also began to interact and sing with great artists such as Celia Cruz, Eddie Santiago, Rey Ruiz, Luis Enrique, José Alberto ”El Canario” and many more. That is what has given him the experience he has today and made him take the risk of pursuing a solo career with his own style.

Solo career

Ralphy Ray was part of Los Babies De La Salsa, Los Hijos de La Arenosa, Grupos K-Oba, Sonora Carruseles, among others. When asked how he felt about the moment to launch as a soloist, he told us that the experience acquired with the aforementioned artists gave him the confidence he needed to take such an important step.

This decision was made in 2001, which is when he began to record solo. This path began with the single ”Mírala” of his own authorship.

Learning from other artists

Something Ralphy Ray says he has learned from all the artists he has worked with is discipline and the importance of being focused on what he does. Similarly, he also pointed out that you should never stop learning or mastering the technique needed to find the best version of yourself. ‘

‘The artists with whom I shared the stage taught me to give the best of myself at all times and to always be prepared to offer our talent with love and respect to the public”.

As far as things tat he advises not to do, he says that he has seen many artists being overwhelned by stress, fights and inconveniences. He points out that you have to know how to handle all these details and situations in front of the public no matter how difficult it could seem.

”There are also other cases in which some artists end up having friendships and relationships that are not good for them, which can lead them to lose their career and even their life. Many turn to drugs and other vices, but you always have to try to stay away from all that and focus on your own career” said the artist.

He also had memorable experiences and his conversations with Celia Cruz were very meaningful to him. ”La Guarachera de Cuba” always had good advice for new talents such as professionalism, punctuality, good physical image, vocal technique, among other details. ”I had great respect for Celia and I always keep in mind all the advice she gave me” he concluded on this topic.

Es El Amor

When we wanted to know the ins and outs of his latest single ”Es El Amor”, he told us that it is part of a group of songs presented to him by a great friend and colleague.

He said to have fallen in love with the lyrics because they are very romantic and do not degrade women, in fact, they speak of a feeling that is being lost in the world: love. ”I want to let my fans and people who follow me know that we must always go with love and live in that beautiful story” said the artist.

As for the music video, he said he chose the beaches of Miami as the location to record his material because of the beauty of the place and that was what he wanted to show to the public. Besides, this city has been very important in his career and he thinks it is one of the most beautiful in the United States.

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.

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.

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

www.quintetodamore.com

www.facebook.com/QuintetoDAmore

Youtube Quinteto D’Amore

Origins of Kizomba

Kizomba is a very catchy musical genre that has its origin in Angola, Africa. It can be said that its birth was in the 1980s; but if we want to understand its history, we must look further back to the 50s and 60s.

It was then that certain traditional dances of the African country and one of them was semba, began mixing with other rhythms both from its country of origin and other cultures after Africa was colonized by Europe in the 14th century. It is from there that a fusion of rhythms begins in which partner dancing takes center stage.

However, the old continent did not do all the work. Argentina and Cuba also played an essential role in the form in which semba must be danced.

In Portugal, the word Kizomba has its origin in all musical rhythms that derive from zouk, with which it is often constantly confused. It is a type of dancing laden with great sensuality and highly contagious that has become very popular with the passage of time, particularly in countries such as the United States, Canada, France, Spain, Poland, Belgium, Denmark, among others. Many Latin Americans consider that this is a breath of fresh air because it does not seem like anything they previously knew in terms of dance.

One of the reasons that it became so famous around the world is that this dance is very easy to learn due to its softness and simple dance steps. If you want to learn to dance, kizomba is a very good option to begin with.

Kizomba lets the couple play the music they dance. The more intimate the members of the couple, the more likely that the dance will be much more sensual and there will be much more complicity between men and women who enjoy this pleasure.

How kizomba originated

As we have said previously, kizomba has its origin in Angola, which was a colony of Portugal in the mid-1970s. With the arrival of Cuban military personnel, certain rhythms came from the Caribbean island that started to be used by various Angolan artists for their musical projects. The result was a fabulous mix of fast local rhythms with much slower, romantic and partially synthetic sounds.

The resulting genre was danced with semba and merenque, which made it known as kizombadas and, subsequently, kizomba.

By the 90’s, the word kizomba started to be used in Portugal to refer to all African rhythms danced in the nightspots of the most important cities in the European country. With the passage of time, the term would be used to refer to the musical genre and many other sub-genres with which it shares history.

Once this type of dance began to take hold in the rest of Europe, it was in France where all these rhythms that resemble one another started to be called kizomba, leading to the controversy over whether it and soft zouk are the same. Given that on certain islands belonging to France they were the cradle of zouk, it can be assumed that this has kindled heated debate even further still.

At the beginning, kizomba was only able to spread throughout the African continent, but migration allowed it to reach Europe and America respectively where a lot of passionate dance groups of this genre began to appear. The number of followers accumulated by this genre in countries such as Portugal, France or Spain was very huge.

Currently, there are a number of exponents of this kind of music that became famous worldwide such as Nelson Freitas, Djodje, Anselmo Ralph, Matias Damasio, among many others.

Kizomba in Europe

It is incredible the number of places where you can enjoy this spectacular dance. One of them is the world famous Eiffel Tower, where there are many options to learn or improve the dance steps. In France, the genre has been very popular, so much so that many places for dancing celebrate exclusive kizomba nights known as kizomba soirées by the locals. Considering the major African influence on this dance, those wishing to find out more will be able to enjoy a wonderful mix of dance styles and cultures that will leave no one indifferent.

In these places, you can share with a very impressive amount of tourists and foreigners from around the world. This contributes enormously to linkages and friendships between people of other cultures and other ways of seeing the world, which may be very rewarding from all points of view.

In the case of Lisbon, Portugal, it can be said that this is another place that every lover of kizomba in Europe should visit. Besides being a city that receives all its visitors with genuine hospitality, the dancing and music are ever-present. Among the many places you can go to enjoy the dance, it is important to mention the Estudio Sabor & Dança dance studio, the Academy World Dance and the Kizomba Power Dance School.

Regarding Barcelona, Spain, what can be said is that this is one of the best European cities for dancing as there is a gigantic variety of musical styles that can be found there. There are always parties and events worth attending. One of those dances that can be found in the city’s nightlife is kizomba that has gained popularity in recent years.

Latin music events and festivals were based on salsa and bachata, but kizomba has completely changed that reality. Today, it is very common to find festivals and congresses dedicated exclusively to this dance and its most loyal lovers. If you want to learn to dance this genre, there are a number of schools and workshops that could be very useful such as Así se Baila, Seven Dance and Baila Barcelona.

Kizomba in Latin America

Many people who do not know the origin of the kizomba think that it originated in Latin America due to its type of dancing, but the fact is that this dance was not even known in most countries of the continent. In fact, its main boom started relatively recently in some places such as Colombia, where it began to be known not long ago. In that country, there are currently academies and teachers who are dedicated exclusively to this musical style, which has started to happen in other Latin nations.

In Venezuela, it is said that it has been danced for more than 10 years, but it began to be known a short while ago thanks to some videos on the major social networks after it became famous in Europe. The pioneers of this practice were a certain number of instructors born in the Caribbean country after being trained in Brazil. Following this, kizomba was the subject of a great deal of interest in many young Venezuelans who want to learn to dance it. There are not many records on places to dance where this genre may be found, but there is no doubt that soon it will be like this.

Kizomba in Asia

There are many events and congresses linked to kizomba in Asia, which have a great influx of visitors, even when it is commonly believed that Asians are not fans of this type of rhythm. Experience with congresses of the last years has given the impression that this is not true. In fact, there are many fans of this rhythm from the continent who want to know all events and competitions details that are carried out in their countries for the coming months.

Japan is one of the nations where this type of event can be found the most. Such is the case of the Japan Kizomba Festival that has been going on in the country for many years due to the high level of attendance of visitors.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WOVBNULkYc

Good initiatives must be shared!

North America - United States - New York

We were taking the Salsa exhibition to Puerto Rico for the I Encuentro de Coleccionistas de Salsa, we made an exhibition of the clothing, records and instruments used by the Fania All Star orchestra, Tito Puente, Héctor Lavoe, Adalberto Santiago, the Gran Combo and others. For the first time, the last “tuxedo” that Tito Puente used in his participation with the Orquesta Sinfónica de Puerto Rico was exhibited.

Spanish Harlem Salsa Music Gallery, offered an exhibition and Master Class on the history of Salsa at the Escuela Especializada en Música Jesús T. Piñero in Cidra, Puerto Rico. We transported ourselves to Puerto Rico in search of an opportunity to publicize the Salsa Museum-Gallery in New York.

This is part of the efforts being made for the participation and dedication that is made to the people of Cidra in the Desfile Nacional Puertorriqueño 2020 and that is locally coordinated by the Patronato Cidreño along with other civic and professional organizations.

We were able to benefit hundreds of students at this school who are precisely focused on music. The knowledge offered in the three conferences and being able to closely observe the exhibition helped to foster the enthusiasm of the students who make up the campus, unique in the mountains of Puerto Rico, dedicated to the creation of good musicians and knowledgeable in musical art.

We are dedicated to enhancing Latin music and offering spaces focused on arts education, accessible and friendly to the community as a strategic partner.

I thank valuable people such as Laura Torres, Silkia Vázquez, Wilson Nazario and Wilfrido Torres “Puruco” for all the attention and teamwork that we were able to develop during our visit. I cannot stop also thanking my assistant in Puerto Rico, Carmen Cruz; and to Joseph Cruz for his magnificent and beautiful work with me during this pleasant experience.

I also take advantage of this space in International Salsa Magazine because I want to tell you about an artist and a great friend who is doing his best for music and Salsa. Without a doubt, Yova Rodríguez is a long-standing professional who has developed countless projects and initiatives to support those who need it most. With his music, his work and his human quality, he has reached many hearts from New York.

Geovanni “Yova” Rodríguez Ruiz, born in Puerto Rico, had a musical inspiration since he was a child, his uncle Antonio “Toño” Ruiz – his mother’s uncle who played the cuatro – was his first music teacher (melody) and his uncle José Antonio “Pipo” Ruiz Crespo -mama’s younger brother- taught him how to sing aguinaldos (lyrics); and with this they formed the solid foundations that encouraged little Yova to prepare himself accordingly for his foray into the musical world.

The celebration of the Promesa de Reyes, a celebration in which he participated with his mother at his short seven years, leads him to worry about creating and recreating aguinaldos to be interpreted each year, which in some way becomes the seed of composer that we know today.

At the age of 14, he attended the Escuela Libre de Música Ernesto Ramos Antonini in Mayagüez, hand in hand with piano teacher César Toro, rising as vocal leader of the Orchestra after a year.

Years later he gave himself the task of forming his own musical concept, and thus Sakao Aká was born. This orchestra was in charge of accompanying singers such as Camilo Azuquita, Ray de la Paz, Pupy Cantor and Herman Olivera in their presentations in Puerto Rico; and the cover letter for some of these singers to integrate Yova as a chorus girl in their presentations in various countries in Central and South America.

At the end of the 90s, on a trip to Cuba, he was impacted by the music of Fernando Borrego Linares, better known as Polo Montañez, to the point that, some years later upon learning of his death, he had the idea of paying tribute to him, his musical reference, thus giving birth to the idea for her debut feature Homenaje a Polo Montañez (2005), a production of 10 songs by Montañez, and covered by Yova Rodríguez with the participation of renowned musicians from the patio such as Herman Olivera, Héctor “Pichie ”Pérez, Papo Lucca, Edwin“ Caneca ”Rosas, Edwin Colón Zayas, among others.

In 2008, like many of her compatriots, Yova prepares her luggage and heads to the southern United States, where she stays for two years and then moves to New York, a city that has become her center of operations and from where He has extended his working ties as a composer and where he records his next two productions.

The album Letras, canciones y sueños, musical work of 8 songs all written by Yova, comes to light after some years of having published his first production and of having worked silently composing and waiting for his opportunity. This possibility is materialized in 2013.

Already in 2015, the album Mi musa en las voces de mis amigos is released.

Recently, Yova Rodríguez has created more than 420 songs, and many of them have been duly registered with the American Society of Composers, Authors and Editors (ASCAP) under the registry “El Negrito De Delia Music” . “Exceso de amor” is the first composition he has interpreted and recorded; like the song “No me odies”, it is the first recording of a song by him made by a third party.

Now they are going to hear more from Yova, as some productions that will include her compositions are in the process of recording / publishing. Attentive to the upcoming releases of the young Puerto Rican percussionist José Jomar Marcano, the master trumpeter Luis González, the young trombonist, arranger musician and also singer Leo Morales; the renowned DJ Andy Rodríguez, better known as DJ ANDY and the Venezuelan sonero Marcial Isturiz .

As always, remember that Spanish Harlem Salsa Gallery is in 1708 Lexington ave New York N.Y. 10029. Open free to the public all Thursdays & Fridays from 4 to 7 pm and Saturdays from 1 to 8 pm. Check the updates in our website: spahasalsagallery.com.

Also, The Johnny Cruz Show, the # 1 Salsa Show on television on all 5 Boroughs of New York on CH67. Saturdays from 3:30 to 4:30 pm.

Contact: Johnny Cruz. 917-747-8505. [email protected]

By Johnny Cruz, ISM Correspondent, New York, New York

“Tito Puente: When the drums are dreaming” A biography of the King of Latin Percussion by Josephine Powell

North America – USA –CaliTifornia

This month we are sure that you will have time to enjoy an excellent reading at home. So we recommend this book by Josephine Powell. An interesting biography about the legendary Tito Puente, that takes us on a journey through the more than 60 years in which he performed.

Further the life of Tito Puente, you can know his insight into the Latin music industry. With many anecdotes of his encounters, racial discrimination while touring and how that impacted his relationship with other band members. There are also numerous insights into his personality, his temperament, and the many obstacles he had to overcome to achieve legendary status.

Josephine Powell’s book on Tito Puente and his contributions to Latin music and dance is a treasure trove of people, places, facts and history. Because of the author’s place in the history of Latin dance, she takes the reader with her through that fascinating maze of how artists like Puente changed the exposure and tastes of the American public and the world.

The Latin Ballroom world today reflects how we adore – and then neglect and forgets – the people who made us who we are. She mentioned many fascinating dance-related characters in this story that takes place in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, the Catskills and Havana.

It is also a much-needed history of great nightclubs and ballrooms, which are only dim memories for the young – but in their time, were the breeding grounds of Latin music and dance. Tito Puente’s percussion and passion are finally brought to life in a fascinating book.

To remember Tito Puente’s career as accurately as Josephine Powell has done makes this biography a worthwhile read. Tito Puente the man and Tito Puente the musician are blended into the tempo of the times during which the musical man lived. For young musicians seeking success Josephine Powell’s well-written commentary provides a glimpse of what can lie ahead in one’s career; so do read Powell’s take on Tito Puente’s life and perhaps capture a taste of how you too can climb the charts with a dash of spice in your style.

With over 100 albums, several Grammy nominations, 7 Grammys and posthumously awarded The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003, his footprint in the world of music will forever be the standard of excellence that others will look to emulate.

Josephine Powell took on the monumental task of writing about his life, the forward was written by Tito Puente 2 months before he died.

Because of their lifelong friendship of many decades, Josephine was the one person who could create this book. Her talent and passion will pulled this off to perfection. He was a man who brought his music to the world, and put the Mambo on the map.

This book never could have been written without her dedication and perseverance and the personal moments she shares. From the very first chapter, the quality of her writing can be seen as she starts with the moments leading up to his death and continues for 16 more, giving you the history of Latin music from its inception to the music of today. Throughout her many archives of pictures from her private collection, your eyes will wide with wonder.

Josie Powell traces the evolution of Afro-Cuban, Puerto Rican and jazz forms from their generally recognized origins through the end of the twentieth century, focusing on Puente’s interactions with professional allies and constant rivals.

Powell documents musical events as an aficionado of the Latin genres, almost religiously avoiding disclosure of Puente’s family life. Those not yet born during the Big Band decades or Mambo mania can imagine the atmosphere from descriptive passages of Manhattan ballrooms, Havana dance halls, LA nightclubs.

About Tito Puente

Ernesto “Tito” Puente was born in 1923 in Spanish Harlem and grew up with the advent of radio and American swing bands. At 10 years old he aspired to be a dancer, like Fred Astaire. An ankle injury gave him the opportunity to explore his talent as a musician. At fourteen he won the coveted Benny Goodman, Gene Krupa drum contest. Tito became a master percussionist. His instrument was the timbales, a pair of cylindrical drums beat upon with sticks. When he joined the dynamic Machito Orchestra at seventeen he saw a promising future, but the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941 took him off to war.

He led a makeshift orchestra delivering lovable American wartime tunes when he was not fighting. He returned home wounded, weary and jobless. Puente’s tale should have been the story of every returning American GI, who went off to war, came home to his sweetheart, attended college, raised a family and settled down in an adorable house. Things were not that way.

After the war his obsession for Cuban music drove him to Havana. He attended secret meetings of Santería, an Afro-Cuban religious cult with its roots steeped in mysticism often referred to as black magic. With the lure of the sacred batá drum he discovered a world of rhythms never heard by a white man’s ear. He found himself inside the beat, and thoroughly possessed. Soon Tito became a devotee of Santería and used those drum patterns and calls, which were the mainstay and backbone of his music. Today this hot hypnotic music is known worldwide as Salsa.

About Josephine Powell

Author Josephine Powell – a music historian, lecturer, and consultant on ballroom music and dancing and Latin American music – was a consultant (music, history, and dance) on the motion pictures Salsa, Havana, and The Mambo Kings, and their soundtracks; The Mambo Kings track received a Grammy Nomination. She also consulted on two Golden Eagle television shows; two television documentaries, one Presidential Inaugural Ball, and two Grammy-winning record albums by her mentor Tito Puente.

In 1990, she obtained a star for her mentor on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, orchestrated his associated live concert on the Boulevard, and organized a gala event at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, with music industry executives, film producers, and celebrities.

Powell’s dance career took her to the South Pacific, the Philippines, Guam, Hong Kong, Thailand – where she performed for the Royal Family – and Vietnam, where she introduced mambo to the troops in a revue she wrote herself. A Gold Medal ballroom dancer, Powell was Tito Puente’s West coast mambo dance partner, and a cast member of the Broadway show Sketchbook in Las Vegas.

Through touring the country for over a decade with stage and lounge shows, along with work in the recording, television, and movie industries, Powell learned wardrobe design, writing, comedy, and choreography. Appeared at the Tropicana, El Rancho Vegas, Flamingo, and Nevada Club in Las Vegas; The Golden Hotel and Mapes Hotel in Reno; The Wagon Wheel in Lake Tahoe, and The President Hotel in Atlantic City, among others.

After an injury forced her to retire from dance, Powell became a real estate agent in Beverly Hills, where she became actively involved in political work with celebrities and later joined Connie Stevens’s organization Les Girls. Powell’s work and charitable activities afforded many opportunities to work with Hollywood producers, directors, writers, and luminaries.

Powell studied the history of ballroom music and dance, ethnomusicology, journalism, and Spanish at UCLA. A regularly featured musicologist on radio stations KXLU and KPFK, Powell receives many requests for lectures and consultations. She has been a presenter and judge at numerous dance competitions, including the Feather Awards and the U.S. Open National Swing Dance Competition. The Mormon Temple Genealogical Library in Los Angeles has made her its expert lecturer on French Colonial Maritime records. Since 1986, she has conducted ten research and study trips to Havana, where she is a curatorial consultant for El Museo Nacional de la Música Cubana.

With information from: https://josephinepowell.com
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