Search Results for: Cuban music

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.

North America

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

“Vuelve conmigo” the new song by Enyel CO

This is the start of PC Records in 2021

Paquito Guzmán and Daniel Peña working together

“Golpe Duro” is the new from Little Johnny Rivero

“¿Qué hemos logrado?” winner at the Global Music Awards

Professor MSc. Carlos Colmenárez

Ángel “Cucco” Peña and a great legacy

José Madera, Timbal of Machito and his Afro-Cubans & Tito Puente

Génesis of Salsa, its essence, characteristics, rhythm, history and expansión

Tito Rojas passes away at 65 years of age

“El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico” in a virtual concert

Manny Cruz and Daniel Santacruz in Forbes magazine

Marlow Rosado talks about his two new recordings and contribution to music

Sandy from the duo Sandy and Papo passed away this December 23

Armando Manzanero “The King of Romanticism” left us this morning

Renowned pianist and producer Sony Ovalles died

Carlos Santana was part of “Peace Through Music: A World Event for Social Justice”

Europe

La Maxima 79 Salsa Orchestra was born in Milano, Italy

Latin America

ISM wants you to know a little about the Orchestra Oeste 11

@Latinasson, the online radio of Latin music and rhythms

COVID-19 affects the world of salsa (Music)

Yolanda Rivera The Lady of Salsa

Anthony Cruz Was one of the most emblematic interpreters of romantic Salsa

Génesis of Salsa, its essence, characteristics, rhythm, history and expansión

Professor MSc. Carlos Colmenárez and his “WRITTEN SALSA”

Artist jan 2021

Where the idea of the name of the Fania Record label came from

October 2020

Jerry Masucci and Johnny Pacheco

Genaro Masucci, known as Jerry Masucci and Juan Azarías Pacheco Kiniping, known as Johnny Pacheco — Jerry Masucci and Johnny Pacheco

Where the idea of Genaro Masucci, known as Jerry Masucci ((Brooklyn, New York, Oct. 7, 1934 -Argentina Dec. 21, 1997)) and Juan Azarías Pacheco Kiniping, known as Johnny Pacheco ((Santiago, Dominican Republic, Mar. 25, 1935)) to give the title to the record label “Fania” arose.

The name was taken from the old Cuban son: “Fania”, which was successfully performed by the Conjunto Estrellas de Chocolate and composed by Reinaldo Bolaños.

The lyrics present a syncretism between the Spanish and African languages.

Members of the Conjunto Estrellas De Chocolate.

Theme: Fania

Author: Reinaldo Bolaños

Voice: Filiberto Hernández Fuentes

Voice: Chinese Lion Lahera Wilson

Voice: Agustín Cabrera .

Three: Andrés “Nino Rivera” Echevarría

Bass guitar: Sergio De Cuba

Bongos: “Pichi”

Piano: David Palomares

Trumpet: Armando “El Gorilla” Albertini

Felix “Chocolate” Alfonso was not afraid to put together and lead an ensemble in the style of Arsenio and Chappottín in 1959. The ensemble format was part of the medium in which he swam like a fish in water.

He knew the best montuneros musicians and called them together. The good ensembles still retained the favor of part of the public.

Jesús Gorís, the architect of the Puchito label, didn’t think twice about it and recorded them right away.

Victrolas in bars and bodegas all over the island began to spread the son montuno macho of Las Estrellas de Chocolate.

But the 1960s in Cuba were too strong, diverse and creative, and the good work of Chocolate with its stars had to deal with a scene that was too competitive for a novel ensemble.

As often happens, it took several years for the Chocolate Stars to finally shine as stars and be on everyone’s lips.

was recorded in the voice of Pedro Juan Rodríguez Ferrer "Pete" El Conde Rodríguez — “My New Tumbao Cañonazo”

Fania, although composed by Reinaldo Bolaños for Conjunto Estrellas de Chocolate, was recorded on the voice of Pedro Juan Rodríguez Ferrer “Pete” El Conde Rodríguez (Ponce, Puerto Rico, Jan. 31, 1933 – Dec. 2, 2000); who along with Pacheco’s group recorded the company’s first album entitled “Mi Nuevo Tumbao. Cañonazo”, with a majority of Cuban songs, like most of the albums recorded by Pacheco and many of those recorded by that label.

In 1964 Jhonny Pacheco and Jerry Massucci founded Fania Records and created the international and renowned Fania All Stars.

Pete was the first singer that Fania had, and on his shoulders was the responsibility of taking that project forward.

In the first Fania album Cañonazo (1964) Pete interpreted the theme Fania, composition of Reinaldo Bolanos and with which the band was inaugurated.

It is 1964 and the history of Latin music is about to change.

The Dominican flutist Johnny Pacheco, one of the most popular Latin artists in New York, has parked his flute, changed his orchestra and recorded an album, “Mi Nuevo Tumbao…Cañonazo”.

It’s a curious recording, although it doesn’t seem special.

It sounds like a somewhat modernized Sonora Matancera. But it has been released under a new label, Fania Records, which he has just founded in partnership with New York lawyer Jerry Masucci.

And what was only meant to be a start to relaunch and boost Pacheco’s career is out of the hands of both of them and becomes a phenomenon.

Fania All Stars

Additional information:

The name of one of the most important record labels in Latin America and the world All comes from a song by Cuban Reinaldo Bolaños called Fanía, which refers to a story about a woman whose name was Epifanía and her mentally challenged son.

The story goes that in the middle of a fight between the two, she threw flour (funche as it is called in the Caribbean) in her son’s face and he responded “Fania Funché”.

Bolaños liked the story very much, as did the founders of the record company Jerry Masuci and Jhonny Pacheco, who decided to name their music company after her and include the song in the first album produced.

With the passage of time, they stopped pronouncing the tilde on the “i” and started calling it Fania, without an accent.

Research sources:

Thomas Muriel (Puerto Rico)

www.gladyspalmera.com

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