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Mura Peringa Orchestra

Europe / France / Strasbourg

Mura Peringa Orchestra, A tribute to Salsa culture, given by 9 crazy musicians of Latin music

Since 2006, the group (Mura Peringa) brings together 9 musicians (20 – 34 years old) united by their passion for Latin music.

Their influences are important musicians and orchestras such as: Sierra Maestra, Mercado Negro, Eddie Palmieri, Oscar D Leon, Maraca Valle, Chaparro y su Orquesta, Orlando Poleo, Fania All stars, Willie Colon and Hector Lavöe.

From the creation of the project, the heart of repertoire focuses on a color Salsa Dura 70’s, embellished with Bolero, Merengue, Chachacha, Son, Cuban Rumba, Timba. The compositions and rearrangements of Mura Peringa, faithful or transfigured, were able to invite the crowds to dance on the stages of the French grand-est, and during the summer tours in Switzerland and in the south of France.

Mura Peringa’s music, tasty, throbbing, intoxicating, is supported by rich arrangements, and by the solid instrumental and stylistic mastery of her musicians. The strength of Mura Peringa is her ability to metamorphose. The lead vocals on the front of the stage go from one musician to another, causing so many reversals of point of view.

The staging of the game and the transitions are served by a light creation that finishes training the audience at the rhythm of the clave and syncopations. Get ready to swing; it will be hard to resist the call of the dance Mura Peringa, a tribute to Salsa culture, given by 9 crazy musicians of Latin music.

United in the most vibrant Salsa orchestra of the Great East, songs, brass and percussion invite you to dance to Afro-Caribbean rhythms and music. Listening to the surprising compositions and rearrangements of Mura Peringa, you will not sit for long.

MusiciansCongas: Paul StengerTimbales: Nicolas SchmidtBass : Theron FuhrmannClavier : Sebastien ValleTrombone : Fabrice ToussaintSaxophone: Adrien LabordeFlute / Percus : Camille EvrardTrompet : Alexandre BrandTrompet: Adrien Arnaud

To enjoy, and to dance

Know the connections of tropical dances

Latin America / Venezuela /Caracas

Tropical Dances:

Did you know that people have several ways of communicating?

Oral communication is what we normally use to communicate in such a way to establish and maintain personal relationships, and to show not only words and express emotions and/or feelings, body communication is used, which can be said in a few words that it is a form creatively expressing through gestures, eye contact, poses, and arm and leg movements; turning this form of communication into something more intimate and accurate without the need for the use of words.

In social activities, one of the most popular is dancing, where body communication is very important since the couple or group needs to know certain signs that indicate “when” or “how”, in order to perform the steps and how. As a result, the success of said interpretation will test the quality, maturity and growth of the dancers in the rhythms they dance.

Of course, it should be noted that each musical genre has its own rules, especially in the counting of steps in music, which gives grace, stability and rhythm to the dancers in the song played either in a musical event and is of vital importance not only for a casual event but for a competition. For this reason, it is important to know the steps and turns to perform and have excellent body communication (especially if it is as a couple) to know what they are going to do.

dancers dancing salsa, bachata and other tropical dances

In Latin rhythms, this type of communication is really important, otherwise the grace of the dance is lost. Among the most important Latin rhythms that are essential and/or significant are:

Salsa: a Latin tropical rhythm that, although it was born in Cuba due to the mixture of “Guaracha”, “Son”, “Mambo”, “Cha Cha Chá” with a unique style, through time several types emerged ( Salsa Cubana, Salsa en Linea, Salsa Casino, Salsa New York or Mambo style, Salsa Cali style, Salsa Puerto Rican and Venezuelan sauce). In this dance it is very important to pay attention to the look, the hands and arms (the latter in the case of the man since with him he dominates and/or controls the woman in the dance and she must interpret what the next movement is) to thus being able to perform either a simple step or a few laps, of which there is a great variety of them.
Bachata: is a danceable musical genre originating in the Dominican Republic, within what is called urban folklore. It is considered a derivative of the rhythmic bolero, with influences from other styles such as the Cuban son and merengue. This dance has great sensuality like the rest of the Caribbean rhythms, where it requires an unbeatable appearance on the part of the dancers when performing it, where that connection with the couple is important so that it can impress the public.
Merengue: is a dance music genre originated in the Dominican Republic at the end of the 19th century. It is very popular throughout the American continent, where it is considered, along with salsa, as one of the great dance musical genres that distinguish the Latin American genre.
Kizomba: a very sensual rhythm that emerged in Angola, which resulted from the mixture of 3 cultures (Angolan colony, Portuguese colony and part of Cape Verde “Brazil” as well as the French Caribbean of Martinique and Guadeloupe.). In this rhythm, the connection of the couple, especially the woman, is of vital importance, since the movement of the hips is slow and sensual, as are their steps. Did you know that many people have the prejudice that it is a very sensual dance, however, it is as sensual as you want to project it, in the same way it happens with Bachata and Merengue, they can be as sensual as you want to project them or as normal how you want to do it.”

So, if you want to give life, grace, elegance and popularity to your dance, keep in mind, keep in mind these characteristics and how you manage to synchronize with your partner and show your spectators either in a personal party, competition, event and/or or congress, whether national or international, which is a true dance.

Jerry Rivas, career, and support for the Spaha Salsa Gallery Museum

The Spaha Salsa Gallery Museum has been the recipient of a good number of objects donated by artists and their families after they had died. This time, it is the turn of Jerry Louis Díaz Rivas, better known as Jerry Rivas in the music scene, who is one of the main singers of El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico.

We want to use his pleasant visit to our museum and his forty-sixth anniversary with El Gran Combo to talk a little about his great career and everything achieved in his long musical career over the past decades.

Jerry with Johnny — El Gran Combo De Puerto Rico singer Jerry Rivas and Johnny Cruz

Life and career of Jerry Rivas

Jerry Diaz was born in the city of Tampa, United States, on August 25, 1955 and his parents were of Puerto Rican origin, so it is undeniable that Puerto Rican heritage greatly influenced the path he would take later on.

About five years later, Jerry and his family moved to the city of Bayamón, Puerto Rico, where he began to take his first steps in the world of music with the guitar, the Puerto Rican cuatro and the Cuban tres, counting on the support of professor Carlos Seguí to learn to play the latter. However, shortly after, he would decide that singing was his thing.

While still a young teenager, he was part of various groups such as Grupo Complicación, Conjunto Cojoba and Grupo Chaney, being in all cases a very important part of the body of musicians who were in these bands.

His big great came in 1976 when Don Rafael Ithier, who was interested in the artist to be part of El Gran Combo De Puerto Rico, after he was recommended by Don Quique Lucca, who thought of this boy as replacement of the legendary Andy Montañez, singer of the group for more than 14 years.

Jerry signing a tres — Jerry Rivas signing the Cuban tres he donated

Although it was not believed that Jerry could fill the shoes of his predecessor, his talent, effort and support from the music director of the orchestra, made him consolidate in the institution along with the rest of his colleagues and become one of the longest-serving members of El Gran Combo.

International fame came with the album ”El Gran Combo En Las Vegas” thanks to the song ”La Clave”, in which he proved his vocal abilities to new levels. After that, he achieved his consecration as an international star with the album ”Happy Days” thanks to the song ”El Menú”.

After that, everything that followed for Jerry was success with the orchestra, which resulted in approximately 30 recordings in a span of 45 years with El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, his musicians and the extraordinary team behind the group.

Other details of his life and support to the Salsa Museum

In addition to being a vocalist for El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Jerry also participated in backing vocals with other great musicians for their respective musical works such as Willie Rosario, Bobby Valentín, Yuri Buenaventura, Gilberto Santa Rosa, La Sonora Ponceña, Adalberto Santiago and many others.

Jerry with Johnny and the tres — Jerry and Johnny with the tres and the jacket Jerry donated to the museum

In each of these projects, the Puerto Rican artist has always given his personal touch and his unmistakable vocal chords, so it is normal that he is considered a legendary voice within the salsa movement not only in his country, but also worldwide.

Due to all of the above, it is a true honor for the Spaha Salsa Gallery Museum to receive this great musical luminary in its facilities, where he was welcomed by its president and founder, Mr. Johnny Cruz.

Some photos on the Cruz’s official Facebook page, it is evident that both shared a very pleasant time remembering things from the past and talking about music. In addition, Jerry donated one of his shirts and a Cuban tres to the museum so that they can be exhibited to the public along with the rest of the objects in its collection.

We thank Jerry for his kindness, generosity and great talent, which we hope will continue to accompany us in the years to come.

When it comes to compositions, Luis “Tata” Guerra is widely known internationally

On June 9, 1934, in Guanabacoa, Cuba, Luis “Tata” Guerra was born. Excellent Percussion Master with a Guinness World Record for having accompanied more orchestras live and in recordings.

A virtuoso musician, Luis Tata Guerra, member of a humble and hard-working family, is the last of 4 brothers, born of a musical tradition, his father played guitar, and his older brother Emerio Guerra is a guitarist in Havana.

He studied music and saxophone at the Salesian School of Guanabacoa. He learned to play the tumbadora, and the rhythms of Rumba and Guaguancó in his neighborhood in the 50s.

He joined the Almendra Orchestra in 1954, performing in the best nightclubs of the island. He rehearsed with Conjunto Casino and Conjunto Arsenio Rodríguez.

In 1956 he arrived in Colombia with the Cuban Swing Orchestra, he stayed for 4 years working with the groups Sonera del Caribe and the Pepe Reyes Orchestra (Cuban singer). From there he went to Venezuela where he has lived since 1960.

Maestro Guerra has an extensive career as a musician for his activity in different groups such as: Los Melódicos, Víctor Piñero y sus Casiques, Aldemaro Romero, Chucho Sanoja, El Pavo Frank, and accompanying on percussion in Caracas Tito Rodríguez, Miguelito Valdez, Rolando Laserie, Daniel Santos, Olga Guillot, Rubén Blades, Paco de Lucia, including the Timbal King Tito Puente and many Others.

Recognition for Luis "Tata" Guerra — Recognition for Luis “Tata” Guerra

His compositions have been played in the media in Santo Domingo, Spain, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Venezuela.

The composition “Son Matamoros” dedicated to this famous Cuban trio, was included in the movie “Salsa” with the participation of Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, Grupo Niche and other values. He was a member of the VTV Orchestra (channel 8) for 23 years (1965-1991).

Member and Director of the trio Hermanos Rodriguez, in 1994 they traveled to the Canary Islands invited by President Hermoso, and are well known there for the hit “Son Canario” (composition by Guerra himself).

Again in 1999, they returned to the Canary Islands for more than 2 months, in addition to performing at the fabulous The Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

He presented his program “RAICES CARIBEÑAS” on ANTV.

When it comes to compositions, Luis "Tata" Guerra is widely known internationally. — When it comes to compositions, Luis “Tata” Guerra is widely known internationally.

His fondness for acetate collection was recognized throughout Venezuela. A work with his conjunto became very popular and the voice of “Kiko” Mendive reminded us of the grilles and discómanos of Cali in the 80’s. “Barara Bururu”.

We also remember the time he shared with his compatriot Rafael “Felo” Bacallao Hernandez, who had retired from the Aragon orchestra.

With great regret we recorded on February 24, 2015, the unfortunate news of the death of Tata Guerra, four months shy of his 81st birthday, he had been suffering from an accelerated affection in his respiratory system, remaining hospitalized at the Florida Clinic in the city of Caracas, where in the early morning of that day he left us.

“When I listen to reggetón/ my heart stops/ because my thing is rumba and son”.

Maria Luisa Guerra

Source:

Por: Carlos Molano Gómez

Bogotá – Colombia
Derechos Reservados de Autor -primera publicación – 2016
Actualizado 2021.

Tommy Olivencia Jr’s career and support for the salsa museum

Inherited talent

The salsa museum has received several of the greatest artists and their families, who have donated valuable objects related to their careers. Today, it was the turn of Ángel Tomás Olivencia Rodríguez, who is artistically known as Tommy Olivencia Jr.

Tommy Olivencia Jr. is a percussionist and timbalero born on March 19, 1969 and is the son of the famous Puerto Rican musical icon and director of the Primerísima Orchestra Tommy Olivencia, from whom he inherited his great talent and has left his family’s name very high.

Tommy Olivencia Jr., son of maestro Tommy Olivencia

Planté bandera de nuevo

Eager to find his own way and make his own name in the industry, the artist made his debut with the recording ”Planté bandera de nuevo”, which was carried out in his native country and presents a total of nine tracks, some of them created by composer and percussionist Jerry Ferrao.

A very important fact during this period is that the timbalero made his official debut for AJ Records, Inc. in the framework of the 40th anniversary of Tommy Olivencia Y Su Orquesta at the beginning of this millennium, making this event even more special.

It is also important to highlight that this colorful musical work included the participation of figures such as Luis ”Perico” Ortiz. Máximo Torres, Tito Rivera, Pedro Bermúdez and many others. All these big talents made it possible for Tommy Olivencia Jr.’s first step as an artist to be on the right foot.

After Tommy Olivencia’s death

Once the incomparable Tommy Olivencia passed away, his son took the lead on the Primerísima Orchestra, which represented a great professional challenge for his career considering that many of his father’s hits are already salsa classics worldwide.

Tommy Olivencia Jr. next to Lalo Rodríguez

At the beginning, ”Tomito”, as he is also affectionately known, wanted to keep alive his father’s legacy with his most famous songs such as ”El Son Cubano”, ”Trucutú” or ”Doroteo”. However, there came a point where Olivencia and the rest of the members of La Primerísima had to get to work with new songs to join the previous hits.

When asked about these changes he had to make, he said that he has always worked on his father’s original repertoire, since the audience always asks for those songs in his performances. However, he says he is very happy to be able to contribute his grain of sand with the song ”Mi Querido Viejo”, which was dedicated to Tommy Olivencia senior and of which he is proud for the strng impact that it has had.

Something that made him very happy is that he was finally able to record his first video clip with the orchestra and other great artists such as Gilberto Santa Rosa, Lalo Rodriguez, Sammy Gonzalez, among others.

Although he feels quite pleased to be able to continue with the steps taken his father, he is very proud to offer completely new songs to join the already prolific repertoire of La Primerísima. Among the new songs are ”Un Legendario de Pueblo” and ”Evelio”.

Tommy Olivencia Jr. at the Spanish Harlem Salsa Museum

As well as a good number of other stars and their families, we were fortunate to enjoy the pleasant presence of Tommy Olivencia Jr. at the Spanish Harlem Salsa Museum, where he and the president of the institution, Johnny Cruz, had a nice chat and walk around the facilities of the place.

At these visits, it is very common for visitors to make donations to contribute to the extensive collection that the museum has to present and this was no exception. ”Tomito” donated a suit and the güiro of maestro Tommy Olivencia that whosoever visits the museum has the opportunity to appreciate some of the elements that his father used during his career.

From this space, we really thank his visit and his contributions and we wish him the greatest success in all the projects he undertakes both professionally and personally, especially what has to do with music.

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