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Gerardo Rosales meets Orlando Poleo, who invites him to study Afro-Caribbean percussion in Caracas

Gerardo Rosales was born on July 6, 1964, in Caracas, Venezuela. He has been living in the Netherlands since 1993.

At the age of 8 he started studying piano and at the same time he became interested in playing congas and bongo.

In 1977, at the age of 13, he met Orlando Poleo, who invited him to study Afro-Caribbean percussion at the “Taller de Arte” in the Sarría neighborhood in his hometown Caracas.

From 1977 to 1980, he studied congas and bongo with Orlando Poleo, and timbales with Alberto Borregales.

In 1985, he studies Afro-Venezuelan percussion with Alexander Livinali at the “Fundación Bigott”.

In 1987 Gerardo starts his career with very important figures such as: Soledad Bravo, Cecilia Todd, Canelita Medina, Alberto Naranjo y el Trabuco Venezolano, Maria Rivas, Joe Ruiz, Ilan Chester, Orquesta Café, Trina Medina y Yarake, Victor Cuica among others.

At the same time, Gerardo began his own orchestra called “Salsa 70” and with it he toured the neighborhoods, theaters and night spots of the capital.

In 1992, he receives an invitation to participate in the Expo Sevilla in Spain, with the group ‘Caracas Son 7’.

From that moment on he decided to settle in Europe. In 1993, he releases his first CD “Gerardo Rosales y su Salsa Pa’lante”, in Spain, which was recorded in Venezuela.

At the same time, Gerardo started his own orchestra called "Salsa 70" and with it he toured the neighborhoods, theaters and nightclubs of the capital. — In 1992, he received an invitation to participate in the Expo Sevilla in Spain, with the group “Caracas Son 7”.

From this moment on he is invited to work in France with Alfredo Rodriguez and Orlando Poleo; in Germany with Conexión Latina and Nicky Marrero and in Holland with Saskia Laroo, Jose Avila y su Quimbombo and Cedric Dandaree. In 1995, Paquito D’Rivera invited him to participate in the recording of the CD “Bebo rides again” together with the legendary Cuban pianist Bebo Valdés.

From 1996 until now, Gerardo Rosales has been touring Europe with his own salsa and Latin jazz projects. Gerardo has earned the respect and admiration of the public through his concerts and recordings, managing to spread and project rhythms from Venezuela, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Peru, Curaçao, Suriname and the Caribbean.

In 2002, he produced the music for the film “Madamme Jeanette” directed by Paula van der Oest which was nominated for an Oscar as a Dutch film.

These are the titles of his CDs: “Salsa pa lante” (1992), “Venezuela Sonora” (1996), “Señor Tambó” (1998), “El Venezolano” (1999), “Rítmico & Pianístico” (2001), “La Salsa es mi Vida” (2001), Tribute to Fania all stars (2003), Charanga La Crisis “Salsa Antigua” (2005), Mongomania “Tribute to Mongo Santamaria.

Gerardo Rosales has accompanied on tours, recordings and performances in Europe artists such as:

Dee Dee Bridgewater, Benny Bailey, Paquito D Rivera, Bebo Valdés, Toots Thielemans, Jimmy Bosch, Juan Pablo Torres, Herman Olivera, Oscar D’León, José Alberto “El Canario”, Andy Montañéz, Meñique, Edy Martínez, Carlos “Patato” Valdés, Conexión Latina, Orlando Valle “Maraca”, Alfredo Rodríguez, Armando Peraza, Luisito Quintero, Robert Quintero, Ramón Valle, Larry Harlow, Adalberto Santiago, Frankie Vázquez, Oscar Hernandez, Africando, Chamaco Rivera, Luisito Carrion, Jorge Herrera, Edgar Dolor, Dorance Lorza, Ajo Porro, Luisito Rosario, David Cada and Tito Allen.

Discography by Gerardo Rosales:

Gerardo Rosales has accompanied artists on tours, recordings and performances in Europe — Discography by Gerardo Rosales:

2019 Gerardo Rosales “Cachandera and Singapore Vibes” (Single)

2016 Gerardo Rosales “Salsa Vintage” (Download – CD )

2014 Gerardo Rosales “Son Del Sofa” (Single) ITunes

2013 Gerardo Rosales “Síguelo” (CD)

2011 Gerardo Rosales “Chano Pozo’s Music” (CD)

2011 Gerardo Rosales “30 Aniversario” (CD)

2010 Cachao Sounds “La Descarga Continúa” (CD)

2010 Gerardo Rosales “Buscando Chamba” (CD)

2009 Venezuelan Masters Orchestra “Toros y Salsa” (CD)

2008 Gerardo Rosales “Salsa Mundial” (CD)

2007 Our Latin Groove “Bringin’ it All On Back” (CD)

2005 Gerardo Rosales “Mongomanía” (CD)

2005 Charanga La Crisis “Salsa Antigua” (CD)

2004 Gerardo Rosales “Tribute to Fania” (CD)

2001 Gerardo Rosales “La Salsa es mi Vida” (CD)

2001 Gerardo Rosales & Edy Martínez “Rítmico y Pianístico” (CD)

1999 Gerardo Rosales “El Venezolano” (CD)

1998 Gerardo Rosales “Señor Tambó” (CD)

1996 Gerardo Rosales “Venezuela Sonora” (CD)

1992 Gerardo Rosales “Salsa Pa’lante de Venezuela” (CD)

1991 Gerardo Rosales “Salsa Pa’Lante de Venezuela” (33 RPM Vinyl)

Discography of Gerardo Rosales with other artists:

Orquesta Cafe “Criollisima” 1987 (Fama) Venezuela ( Salsa )
Joe Ruiz – Javier Plaza – Jose Torres – Gerardo Rosales

Bebo Valdes “Rides Again” 1994 ( Messidor) Germany ( Latin Jazz )
Bebo Valdes – Paquito D Rivera – Patato Valdes – Amadito Valdes – Gerardo Rosales

Conexion Latina – “La Conexion” 1996 (Enja) Germany ( Salsa )
Rudi Fuesers – Leslie Lopez- Anthony Martinez – Nicky Marrero – Gerardo Rosales

David Rohschild “Looking Up” 1997 (Via) The Netherlands ( Salsa )
David Rothschild – Adalberto Santiago – Banjamin Herman – Gerardo Rosales

Leslie Lopez “Bomba Moderna” 1999 (Buitenkunst) The Netherlands (Latin Jazz)
Leslie Lopez – Ramon Valle – Joe Rivera – Nils Fischer – Gerardo Rosales

The Rosemberg Trio “Suenos Gitanos” 2001 (Polydor) The Netherlands ( Latin )
Rosemberg Trio – Toots Thielemans – Leonardo Amuedo – Gerardo Rosales

Ronal Snijders “Bijlmerjazz 2004 (Independent) The Netherlands (Jazz)
Ronal Snijders – Randal Corsen – Jesse van Ruller – Gerardo Rosales

Cubop City Big Band “Arsenio 2004 (Tam Tam) 2004 The Netherlands (Cuban)
Lucas van Merwijjk – Edy Martinez – Nelson Gonzalez – Gerardo Rosales

Drums United “World of Rhythm” 2006 (Tam Tam) 2004 The Netherlands (World Music)
Lucas van Merwijk – Nils Fischer – Aly N ‘ Diaye Rose – Gerardo Rosales

Samba Salad – Metropol Orkest “Live Vredenburg” 2006 The Netherlands (World Music)
Herman Link – Dick Bakker – Maurice Luttikhuis – Rita Iny – Gerardo Rosales

Aquilez Baez “ La Patilla” 2007 (Cacao) Venezuela (Latin Jazz)
Aquilez Baez – Anat Cochen – Huascar Barradas – Diego Alvarez – Gerardo Rosales

Maria Catharina “Obsecion” 2010 (Independent) The Netherlands (Jazz)
Maria Catharina – Adinda Meertins – Thomas Bottcher – Marc Bischoff – Gerardo Rosales

Masalsa “Resurreccion” 2012 (Independent) The Netherlands (Salsa)
Soeshiel Sharma – Ray de La Paz – Marcos Bermudez – Cachito Vaz – Gerardo Rosales

Izaline Calister “Kandela” 2012 (Coast to Coast) The Netherlands (Latin)
Izaline Calister – Yumarya – Vernon Chatlein – Larc Alban Lotz – Gerardo Rosales

Africando “Viva Africando” 2013 (Sterms Music) France (Salsa)
Boncana Maiga – Oscar Hernandez – Doug Beavers – Luisito Quintero – Gerardo Rosales

Mezcolanza “Headbanger” 2015 (O.A.P Records) The Netherlands (Jazz)
Peter Wenk – Chistof May – David Barker – Mick Paauwe – Gerardo Rosales

Tango Extremo “ Havana” 2015 (JWA) The Netherlands (Latin)
Ben van den Dungen – Rob van Kreeveld – Tanya Schaap – Gerardo Rosales

Orquesta La Potente “ Potente “ 2018 (Independent) Colombia (Salsa)

Coco Ramirez – Guarnizo – Gerardo Rosales

Barry Hay & JB Meijers (Universal Music Group) 2019 The Netherlands ( Pop)

Barry Hay – JB Meijers – Gerardo Rosales.

Gerardo Rosales

( Salsa – Latin – Jazz – Cuban )

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Latin America – FEB 2021

Did you know that the popular, traditional or folk musical manifestations in Dominican Republic came up thanks to Spanish and African music with regards to the rhythmic, tonal and harmonic aspects many years ago? [Read more]

It was founded on February 19th, 1932 by Concepción Castro Zaldarriaga and her sisters, being the first son female Sextet and expanded to the jazz band and typical charanga format… [Read more]

Many Latin American rhythms have been present in different countries worldwide, especially in Latin America because of its culture and customs through time, and in Colombia music has its own history… [Read more]

Did you know that … Carnival is a party that is celebrated all over the world: Carnival has many characteristics and with slight variations in the type of celebrations that depends a lot… [Read more]

Hello there, regular Salsa Escrita readers, here is your ever friend, Professor Carlos Colmenárez MSc, greets you from Barquisimeto, the musical city of Venezuela… [Read more]

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Bella Martínez presents “Las memorias de Jimmie Morales: un conguero para la historia”

North America /  Puerto Rico

Bella Martínez “Salsa has always been important to the writer”

Bella Martínez is an author born in Puerto Rico, who defines herself as a funny but complicated person, like life itself. But she has always carried in her veins her passion for salsa, and music that makes her dance and express herself, which is not surprising as she is from this caribbean island. What was not expected of her was that she would present us with a book about the memories of a great percussionist like Jimmie Morales, who is one of her great friends.

Apparently the idea of making this book belonged to Bella herself, who once told Jimmie to tell her what he considered important in his life, for her to write his memoirs. Despite Bella’s great love for salsa, it is rare to see instrumentalists being the star in productions or projects, but here the Puerto Rican author dared to tell the life and professional career of whom is considered one of the best percussionists of the genre, that has belonged to great bands and has accompanied great names.

Bella Martínez wrote a book about Jimmie Morales — Un conguero para la historia, by Bella Martínez

Just as it’s stated in the book’s sinopsis:

“When all the congueros imitated the king of heavy hands, Ray Barreto, Jimmie managed -without intending to- be the one chosen by maestro Willie Rosario to accompany the afinque that Rosario had already established with the conga … Jimmie paid the luck that accompanied him at that crucial moment with an immense dose of vocation. And that stroke of luck in the leather failed to erase the humility of his being.”

That is why this book has become of vital importance for all those followers of salsa or merengue, genres that despite their importance for Latin music no longer have so many representatives in the new generations, and are being eclipsed by the new trends in the urban genre. It is the big names who continue to leave their mark and write the history of tropical music.

Celebrating the book — Bella Martínez and Jimmie Morales

Bella Martínez: Who is Jimmie Morales?

Jimmie Morales is considered one of the most influential percussionists and conga players of the genre in the last 30 years. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut from Puerto Rican parents, Jimmie grew up with the influence of American music but in 1967 his parents returned to the island which led Morales to encounter the popular music of the Caribbean: salsa.

It was his father who gave him the first conga drum, which fascinated him from the first moment he had it and this fascination was his impulse to pursue his studies of it. This also allowed him to learn more about Cuban, Puerto Rican and New York salsa, along with the great congueros, including what would be his favorite: Ray Barreto. At the time he began to participate in bands on the island and accompanied Tito Allen.

Jimmie Morales performing — Decades of successes that you need to know

But it was not until 1978 when his great moment arrived, when he was part of the band of the renowned Willie Rosario, in which he was for 8 years and that formed him in the professional part of music, not only with conga but in the production and recording of the different projects. This band led him to build a solid career as a studio musician, participating in the productions of artists such as: Oscar D’León, Lalo Rodríguez, Eddie Santiago and Frankie Ruiz.

In 1986 he decided to follow the young Gilberto Santa Rosa, whom he met in Willie’s band, and who would become one of the most prolific salsa soloists of the last 25 years. This stage was the launch of a successful career that would lead him to perform on different continents and share the stage with artists such as: Willie Colón, Ismael Miranda, Tito Nieves, Juan Luis Guerra, Grupo Niche and Jerry Rivera. If you want to know more about Jimmie, just open the book “Las memorias de Jimmie Morales: un conguero para la historia” and look at his anecdotes.

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Paquito Guzmán and Daniel Peña working together

North America / United Stated

Paquito Guzmán and Daniel Peña and The new version of “Quizás, quizás, quizás”

This 2021 promises to be a good year, after a very complicated 2020, the good news in the first month of this new year is being present, and the announcement of a new version of ” Quizás, quizás, quizás” is proof of it.

The new version of the memorable song is presented by Daniel Peña, on this occasion, the talented Dominican producer and musician has collaborated with none other than Paquito Guzmán, who has lent his voice to interpret the song.

A new version of a well-known song

Quizás, quizás, quizás has been performed by many artists over the years since the Cuban composer Osvaldo Farrés created the song in 1947, therefore, there are many versions or remastering of the song, however, the theme’s transcendence is so huge that even today the fact that new and recognized artists create a new version of it continues to attract attention, this article is proof of that.

The fact that there are so many and so varied versions of the song also makes it difficult to create something that feels fresh, that is where Daniel Peña ‘s talent and Paquito Guzmán ‘s great voice come together to make it possible.

Paquito Guzmán

Frank Guzmán Géigel, better known as Paquito Guzmán does not need an introduction, he is one of the greatest exponents of romantic salsa worldwide, all the genre’s lovers recognize his unmistakable voice, after all, if there is something sure about his extensive career, that’s the fact that it is full of success. The Puerto Rican is a veteran, he has collaborated with different renowned producers and artists, and after more than twenty albums recorded, the number of followers he has added over the years is immense, so it is not surprising that Daniel Peña thought about him to sing this new song.

“I thank Daniel for thinking of me for this song, which has been the most recent recording that I could do before going through this whole process that I have been fighting with,” said Paquito Guzmán, who has been battling cancer for some time.

Daniel Peña

Daniel Peña is not only a great Dominican percussionist but also a phenomenal producer, proof of his talent is that he has won a Grammy, something many people can only dream of. Some refer to him as a “musical genius”, and there is no wonder, after all, he has collaborated with great artists such as Ismael Miranda or Bobby Cruz, plus, the reviews of his productions are usually positive, so the quality of the works in which he participates is secured.

“For me, it is more than a privilege and honor to be able to count on this recording with the voice, love, and friendship of this talented artist and great human being now in this version that we are launching this new year,” said Daniel Peña, referring to Paquito Guzmán, of course.

This new version of Quizás, quizás, quizás is already available and has been well received by salsa fans, just do a quick search on YouTube to enjoy the results of Daniel Peña and Paquito Guzmán ‘s work.

ISM January 2021

Cover january 2021

ISM brings you the January edition full of information that surely will interest you. Marlow Rosado talks about his two new studio recordings and marks expressed in music and ISM wants you to know a bit about the Orquesta Oeste 11.