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Vienna Bachata Congress
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Palais WertheimCanovagasse 1-5. 1010 Vienna DescriptionThe 4th edition of Vienna Bachata Congress offers workshops, shows and social dancing with national and international instructors, performers and dj’s. Cost: Full Pass from € 99 + € 1.99 Fee |
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Eden Urban Kiz Festival
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Hotel PinijaPetrčane V. ulica 1 a, 23231, Petrčane , Zadar, Croatia DescriptionCatch the last summer sun in a breath taking scenery of the Adriatic. We set the scene in an exquisite 4 star hotel that will cater to all your needs. We handpicked a selection of artists that will take you on an exotic journey to paradise. Cost: Full pass COUPLE € 195 |
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Prague Zouk Marathon Autumn Edition
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Na MarjanceBelohorska 35/262, Prague, Czech Republic, 169 00 DescriptionThe 9th edition of the first 100% Zouk social dance event in the world. Parties all day & night long. No shows and No workshops. Drinks & Dining: Food and Water all inclusive Cost: Full pass from € 118 |
Prague Salsa Marathon Autumn Edition
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• Na MarjánceBelohorska 262/35., Prague, Czech Republic, 169 00 •Vineyard GazeboHavlickovy sady 1369, Prague, Czech Republic, 120 00 DescriptionPrague Salsa Marathon Autumn Edition presents 3 days & 2 nights of Salsa workshops, shows and after parties. DJ Playing: Sergio, Cycy, Julian, Gaby & Karlos Cost: Full Pass from € 149 |
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Alpes Bachata Congress
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Impérial Palace HotelAllee de l’Impérial, Annecy, France, 74000 DescriptionOffers workshops, shows, parties & socials with national & international instructors, performers & dj’s: Cost: Full pass from € 120 |
The Wave Dance Festival
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Les Villages sous les Pins2747 Avenue de l’Océan, Leon, France, 40550DescriptionThe second edition of Wave Dance Festival offers 50 hours of workshops, national & international shows, socials, parties with local & international instructors, performers & dj’s playing: Ralph, Ibra, Neko, Timbahe, Lafuriosa, Jeff & SmachCost: Full Pass from € 80 |
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Kiz N You Non-Stop
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Espace Jean Jaurès Dance Studio3 Avenue De La Paix, Tomblaine, France, 54510 DescriptionThe 5th edition of Kiz N You Non-Stop offers workshops, parties, parties, after- parties & socials with national & international Kizomba instructors, performers & Dj’s. Cost: Full Pass from € 50 |
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Paris Salsa marathon2
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Le Boreas1 Port de Bercy, Paris, France, 75012 DescriptionOffering workshops, parties, and socials. Cost: Full Pass €145 |
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Festival Corazon Latino
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Rocher de Palmer Ballroom1, rue Aristide Briand, Cenon, France, 33150 DescriptionThe 10th edition of Festival Corazon Latino provides 2 days of Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba workshops, parties, shows and concerts with national/international performers and Djs. Cost: from € 109 |
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KAMBA Kizomba Festival 2023
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Théâtre Foirail105 Avenue du Général de Gaulle, Angers, France DescriptionPassion SBK is delighted to welcome you to Chemillé in Anjou for its first edition of Kamba Latino. A Salsa & Bachata Festival Cost: € 83 |
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Lambazouk Paris
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Studio Des Rigoles School Kim Kan46 Rue des Rigoles, Paris, France, 75020 DescriptionThe first edition of LambaZouk Paris offers 10hrs of programs on weekends + parties in Lambada and Brazilian Zouk Cost: From € 90 |
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Yo Vengo De Cuba
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KongresshalleGögginger Strase 10, Augsburg, Germany, 86159 DescriptionA Cuban Style Festival with the most popular teachers in Europe, two parties with shows, animation and 3 days of workshops (Afro Cuban, Casino Rueda, Reggaeton, Salsa) and the DJ El Gato Cost: Full Pass from € 100 |
Kizomba Days Cologne Weekender
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Tanzschule TanzraumSalierring 33, Cologne, Germany, 50677 DescriptionThe third edition of Kizomba Days Cologne Weekender offers more than 20 hours of workshops, 3 parties, 2 socials with national & international instructors, performers & dj’s. Kizomba, Semba, Tarraxinha Cost: COUPLE Passes € 205 |
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Kizomba Festival Stuttgart
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Singing HallLindenschulstrasse 29, Stuttgart, Germany, 70327 DescriptionThe 10th edition of Kizomba Festival offers 4 days of Kizomba workshops, socials, parties & shows with national and international teachers, performers and dj’s playing: Lenhy, Iron Mams, Hazel Beats & Harry Cost: Full pass from € 99 |
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Festival Timba Paradies
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Congresshalle Convention CentreHafenstr.12, Saarbrucken, Germany, 66111 DescriptionThe 6th edition of Festival Timba Paradies offers 40 workshops, shows, 3 parties with national & international instructors, performers & Dj’s: Francois Timbalero, Yannick, Pastaguero Samir, Assane Kane & Herve Timbaleaks Cost: From € 99 |
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Zouk Festival Hannover
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Move & Style Dance AcademyVahrenwalderstr. 195 A, Hannover, Germany, 30165 DescriptionZouk Festival Hannover offers 3 days of workshops (Brazilian Zouk), 3 days of parties, with extra 4h of special masterclass training with BZCC official Jack & Jill. Cost: From € 120 |
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Dance Casa Festival
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Hungarian University of Sports ScienceBudapest, Alkotás u. 42-48, 1123 DescriptionWelcome to Dance Casa Festival A Ukrainian Festival that will take place in Budapest. See you all from 29th of September to 01st of October 2023 We are a well-established Ukrainian based festival and we are happy to announce our first Budapest edition. We are expecting all of you from September 29th to October 1st 2023 for an amazing experience where dancers from all over the world will join us to learn, teach, have some fun and share together our passion for dancing Afro Latin, Bachata, Kizomba, Salsa, Tarraxinha in one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Cost: Fom € 150 |
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On 2 Salsa Congress
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Tower Genova Airport Hotel & Conference CenterVia Pionieri e Aviatori d’Italia, 44, Genova, Italy, 16154 DescriptionThe 11th edition of On 2 salsa Congress offers workshops and social dance parties in Salsa with world performers and instructors. Cost: From € 140 |
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Vilnius Bachata Festival
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Vilniaus Lenkų Kultūros NamaiNaugarduko gatvė 76, Vilnius, Lithuania, 03202 DescriptionThe 7th edition of Vilnius Bachata Festival offers 3 days and nights of workshops, shows and social dancing with national and international performers, instructors and dj’s playing: York, Husky & GAT Cost: From € 90 |
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Bindaas Bachata Amsterdam – Bachata Sensual & Fusion Event
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CanDance StudiosIsolatorweg 28, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1014 AS DescriptionThe third edition of Bindaas Bachata Amsterdam offers 14 hours of workshops, parties on Saturday & Sunday + day socials on Sunday & 14 hours of Social dancing. Cost: Full Pass from € 75 |
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Zouk Porto Festival
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The View HotelAv. de Ramos Pinto 240, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal, 4400-261 DescriptionZouk Porto Festival offers workshops, shows, socials & parties with local & international instructors, performers & Dj’s playing: Carballo, Jano & Zouk OF on Bachata, Kizomba, Salsa, Semba, Brazilian Zouk Cost: From € 70 |
LIKE Lisbon’s International Kizomba Energy Festival
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Inatel Costa Caparica HotelAv. Afonso de Albuquerque, S. João de Caparica, Costa da Caparica, Portugal, 2825-450 DescriptionThe 12th edition of Lisbon International Kizomba Energy (LIKE) offers workshops and parties with lineup performers, teachers and dj’s. Cost: From € 95 |
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Bachata Takes Over Bucharest Dance Festival Autumn Special Edition
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Caro Hotel Bucharest164A Barbu Vacarescu Blvd, Bucharest, Romania, 020285 DescriptionBachata Takes Over Bucharest Dance Festival / B to B Dance Festival ALL STAR EDITION offers workshops, shows and parties with national and international instructors, performers and dj’s. Cost: From € 100 |
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Latino Afro Festival Varijanta Bachata Salsa Kizomba
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Dom OmladineMakedonska 22, Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro DescriptionThis festival is a one in a lifetime experience with a perfect combination of partytime and workshop, where the best international stars in Cuban salsa, salsa crossbody, Tarraxinha, kizomba, Bachata meet in the beautiful city of Belgrade, Serbia. Cost: Full Pass from € 95 |
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DyD Be Unlike
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Vértice Sevilla Aljarafe HotelAv. República Argentina, 1, Bormujos, Seville, Spain, 41930 DescriptionDyD Be Unlike offers Bachata workshops, shows, parties, socials with national & international instructors, performers & dj’s. Cost: Full Pass from € 80 |
Pirineos Salsa Festival
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Albergue – Hostel PirenariumAv. Del Ejército, 27, 22609, Sabiñanigo (Huesca), Spain DescriptionDear friends Pirenaicosalseros, we return with our Pirineos Salsa Festival 6 Edition, bustle, party, learning in a unique setting of the Pyrenees Oscense, a singular Event, outdoors, this year we return with everything, tents, floors, Shows, Orchestra, artists of national and international renown, an Event with about 50 training workshops, Djs specialized in each rhythm, animations, etc. Cost: Full pass € 80 |
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Karga Kizomba Festival
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Hotel Evenia Olympic ParkCarrer Sra. de Rossell, s/n, Girona, Spain, 17310 DescriptionThe 8th edition of Karga Kizomba Festival offers workshops of Kizomba, Semba, Kuduro, Afrohouse, shows and parties with international and national performers, instructors and dj’s. Cost: Full Pass from € 60 |
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Madrid Zouk Bachata Congress
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Eurostars Madrid Foro HotelRonda de Europa, 1, Madrid, Spain, 28760 DescriptionThe 5th edition of Madrid Zouk Bachata Congress provides workshops, shows and parties with national and international performers, instructors and dj’s. Cost: Full Pass € 145 |
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On1 Salsa Festival
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Hotel Isla de la GarenaC. Galileo Galilei, 18, Madrid, Spain, 28806 DescriptionOn1 Salsa Festival offers workshops, shows, socials, parties with national & international instructors, performers: Adrián & Anita, Terry & Cecile, Fernando & Ayelén, Talía & Pocho & dj’s playing: Cumbanchero, Pulpo, Rebo & Ya Cost: From € 40 |
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Kyiv Sense to Dance Festival
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Mercure Kyiv Congress HotelVadyma Hetmana St, 6, Kiev, Ukraine, 02000 DescriptionKyiv Sensual Festival offers 50 workshops, 80 hours of parties & beyond compare partners, 2 grand show programs & live concerts, 4 parties with national and international instructors, performers and dj’s of Bachata, Kizomba, Salsa, Brazilian Zouk Cost: Full Pass: from € 60 |
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Bachata King Festival
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Kipriotis Village ResortOdyssea Elyt, Kos , Greece, 853 00 DescriptionThe 4th edition of Bachata King Festival offers 50 hours of workshops, more than 20 shows, Bachata competition with 40 national and international artists. Cost from € 69 |
Search Results for: Cuban
Tempo Latino: Creating Connections Through Music
An Interview with Eric, Founder of Europe’s Premier Latin Music Festival
On the last week-end of July, a festival celebrates Latin and Afro-Cuban music and brings thousands of music lovers to a small town in France. Eric, the festival’s creator, shares its origins, inspirations, and evolution.
Since its inception in 1994, the Tempo Latino festival has welcomed incredible artists to this small town in the Southwest of France.
Creating a Musical Oasis in Vic-Fezensac
Having lived across France, Eric settled in Vic-Fezensac, where he felt the need to create something beyond work. His passion for Latin and Afro-Cuban music led him to start Tempo Latino, aiming to provide what he missed – concerts of these genres.
A Journey of Music and Discovery
Eric’s radio inspiration and his love for vibrant rhythms ignited the idea for a music festival. He yearned to introduce others to the music he cherished, giving birth to Tempo Latino in 1994. The inaugural edition featured Fatal Mambo and Mambomania, attracting 2,800 attendees. Now the festival attracts over 10,000 people.
Eric’s selection process for artists is fueled by genuine connections, resulting in a diverse lineup that weaves different styles into a harmonious experience. His curation creates unique narratives each night. Pairing artists with contrasting energies, like Lila Downs and Cimafunk, creates a captivating tapestry that reflects the festival’s essence. Eric’s journey involves tireless pursuit and strong artist relationships. From Bernard Lavilliers to Excelencia, his commitment to music’s magic and meaningful collaborations remains steadfast.
A Melodic Journey Unfolds
The festival’s theme guides its trajectory, from Africa’s heart to New York’s energy. Lavilliers’ Paris and the Caribbean’s vibrancy unite through music, creating a diverse yet cohesive experience.
In a digital era, Tempo Latino reminds us of music’s power to unite. Eric’s dedication and knack for blending genres into harmonious narratives continue to resonate.
Tempo Latino: 28 Years of Latin Rhythms, Community, and Artistry
The charm of Vic-Fezensac, a small town in France, transforms every year as over fifty thousand people gather for the renowned Tempo Latino Festival. In an exclusive interview, Eric, the festival’s creator, discusses the intricacies of managing such an event in a local community and the relationship it shares with the town.
Local Community and Involvement
Eric sheds light on the local engagement, emphasizing that while not everyone participates, the festival is supported by some local partners. What brings him contentment is the transformation he witnesses each year as the town welcomes an eclectic crowd of festival-goers. The festival’s vibrant audience, composed of diverse backgrounds, gives life to the town’s streets and squares in ways that were once unimaginable.
Eric reminisces about the support he received from the former mayor, Jean Arnaud, whose open-mindedness and appreciation for the festival’s diverse attendees left a mark. Jean Arnaud’s encouragement and acknowledgment of the festival’s contribution to cultural diversity added an emotional connection between the festival and the town.
Fostering Relationships with Artists
Eric’s dedication to music and fostering connections with artists has been at the heart of the festival’s growth. He shares anecdotes about musicians like Oscar D’Léon and Celia Cruz, who have left an indelible mark on the festival’s history. These relationships, he emphasizes, are more than business; they’re rooted in mutual respect and genuine affection.
Overcoming Challenges
Throughout its 28 editions, the festival has faced numerous challenges, both financial and logistical. Eric reflects on early deficits, weather-related disruptions, and organizational intricacies. Each year’s success has hinged on meeting these challenges head-on, often pushing the festival to its limits.
The Ever-Evolving Vision
Eric’s vision for the festival’s future remains unwavering – bringing together people from diverse backgrounds through music. He acknowledges the changing landscape of music and dance styles, highlighting the importance of maintaining a balance between cultural integrity and evolving tastes.
Looking Ahead
With the 30th edition approaching, Eric envisions continued growth while staying true to the festival’s roots. He expresses his desire to bring acclaimed artists like La India and Carlos Santana to the stage, continuing the legacy of diverse and passionate musical experiences.
In the grand tapestry of the Tempo Latino Festival, Eric’s passion, dedication, and genuine relationships have woven together a cultural masterpiece. The festival remains a beacon of unity, showcasing the power of music to transcend boundaries and create shared experiences. As the festival moves towards its next milestone, it stands as a testament to Eric’s unwavering commitment and the enduring magic of Latin and Afro-Cuban rhythms.
Mark your calendar and plan your trip for the 2024 Tempo Latino on the last weekend of July 25 to 28, 2024.
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[Read more…] about Tempo Latino: Creating Connections Through Music
“Trayectoria de Clásicos” – Johnny Cruz and Adalberto Santiago
North America / United State / New York
Johnny Cruz releases his new Salsa album “Trayectoria de Clásicos” with Adalberto Santiago to the musical arena
The famous Timbalero and musical producer presents a CD tribute to all the Puerto Rico and the world’s Soneros, along with one of the most privileged voices of Latin music and Fania All-Stars’ vocal ex-leader: Adalberto Santiago.
Johnny Cruz “El Señor del Timbal” launches his second historical compilation “Trayectoria de Clásicos” directed to all the Salseros lovers of the whole world, which can relive in a single album ten great classics of this tropical genre in the interpretation of the vocal versatility most famous of six decades, Adalberto Santiago.
This four-years recording album involved more than 20 Latin music personalities, including: Jason Villamar, Louis Perieda and the special guest: Richi Ray (Piano), Rubén Rodríguez and Freddy Rivera (Bass), Johnny Rodríguez, Pedro Segundo and Luisito Rodríguez (Bongos), Eddie Montalvo and Erick Vélez (Congas), Jerry Rivas and Luisito Rodríguez (Three), Nelson Jaime Gazu (Trumpet), Johnny Cruz (Timbales), Moisés Noguera (Trombones), Freddy Miranda (Baritone), Jerry Rivas, Adalberto Santiago and Frankie Vásquez in the choirs and Adalberto Santiago as Leader Vocal.
Each track of this Salsa flagship CD was chosen with special attention for being emblems of the salsa movement of the 60s, 70s, and 80s popularized by great artists and orchestras, such as: Fania All-Stars, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Cheo Feliciano, Tommy Olivencia, Adalberto Santiago, and Justo Betancourt.
“Trayectoria de Clásicos” comes with the differentiating touch of musical arrangements of extreme sonority concerning their original compositions. “Anacaona” (1971) by Cheo Feliciano with the Fania All-Stars, “El Swing” (1965) and “Un Verano en New York” (1975) by El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico and “Hipocresía”, the work of the Cuban master: Adalberto Álvarez are interpreted by the legendary vocalist Adalberto, who at 82 years of age keeps his voice intact and dominates a wide range of tones. This former member of the Chuíto Vélez orchestra, Ray Barretto, Típica 73 and Los Kimbos has one of the most prominent careers in the music industry, which has allowed him to share stage and recording with almost all the world-famous Salseros.
In this Salsa compilation, the New Yorker Cruz, also included the six singles: “Planté Bandera” (1975) whose original composition is Tommy Olivencia, “No hago más Na” (1973) belonging to El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, “Pa’ Bravo Yo” (1972) by Justo Betancourt, and “Imposible ha de Ser” (1977), “Más Sabroso” (1985) and “Mañoño” (1973) with Típica 73 by Adalberto Santiago.
Undeniably, it’s an album that was worth every year of waiting. “Trayectoria de Clásicos” is of incomparable quality and a super Salsera production highly recommended.
Waiting for the big concert in the city of New York for all lovers of the genre this year!
Release: 2019
Label: Cruz Music Inc.
“Salsa music means everything to me. It’s a passion that goes hand in hand with my culture and roots… I have been playing it for 40 years as a musician and love it dearly”. Johnny Cruz
Johnny Cruz “El señor del Timbal”
The New Yorker musician, CEO, businessman, audio engineer, producer and broadcaster of radio and television, Johnny Cruz since 20 years ago has had one of the most important programs of the five counties of the city of New York dedicated to Salsa, “The Johnny Cruz Show”. This program seeks to enhance the genre, raise awareness and make a difference to what has already been established with interviews with Salsa Mainstays and emerging artists. “The Johnny Cruz Show” is already part of the New York Latino culture and you can enjoy it on public access television every Saturday from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM and also through www.mnn.org and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNT-nQee0t_uiDvUGlyh5dA
Likewise, Cruz is also the host of the digital radio program “Galería de la Salsa” dedicated entirely to this tropical rhythm, concentrating on the biggest hits of all times and salsa styles, as well as presenting outstanding live interviews. “Galería de la Salsa” is broadcasted all over the world online at www.miradio.fm.us
This humble, sincere, and successful multifaceted artist told us that among his plans are to make great concerts in his hometown and the rest of the world.
“My legacy rests on what I have created like the SPAHA Salsa Gallery, my radio show, my TV show and all of my musical productions. I hope future generations look at my work here and are inspired to continue the Salsa tradition”. Johnny Cruz
Johnny Cruz Timbal: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100028301633677
Adalberto Santiago:
https://www.facebook.com/adalberto.santiago.1401
Balazo Destacado:
Johnny Cruz releases his new Salsa album “Trayectoria de Clásicos” with Adalberto Santiago
Founder and owner of Guapacha Productions Gil Tower
Talk with Gil Tower
From this platform, we have had to interview many famous Latinos who have left their countries and Latin culture in general on high, but today is the turn of a very special one. We are talking about the talented Venezuelan musical director and multi-instrumentalist Gilberto Torres, better known as Gil Tower in the artistic environment.
Thanks to a mutual friend, we have managed to make contact with Gil Tower, who from the beginning has been very accessible and willing to share everything related to his work in the music industry and his contribution to the Latin cultural scene, so we are very grateful to him for giving us the opportunity to hear his great story.
Below, we share the topics covered in a conversation that was as enjoyable as it was enlightening.
Musical beginnings in his home country
Gil Tower always knew that he wanted to devote himself to the world of music. When he was about five years old, he began watching television programs related to classical music and zarzuela. Several of his aunts were zarzuela teachers and took him to see zarzuela orchestras, which was great for him. In fact, several of those musicians he got to see play on these occasions ended up teaching him when he began preparing to become an artist.
One of the most important institutions in the training of Gil is the National System of Youth and Children’s Orchestras and Choirs of Venezuela (El Sistema), where he was trained directly by maestro José Antonio Abreu, a fundamental part in the path which this young musician would take later in his career.
He joined the children’s orchestra, advanced all the way to the youth orchestra and finally reached a more professional level in the national orchestra. At about this time, Gil recalls that ”maestro Abreu always said that we were rich because we had an instrument in hand and could change the world through music. As a child, I didn’t understand what he was getting at. Now I do understand and I think he was absolutely right.
”Abreu was a unique influence on me because he transformed me as a person and musician. He also made me become a leader, as he had always wanted me to be,” he continued.
Learning from the groups he was in
As to the learning acquired in the many groups he worked with, Gil singled out Carlos Rojas, who was a musician and jazz lover. Carlos took the initiative to give a workshop in La Pastora (a very important area of the city of Caracas, Venezuela).
As a teenager, Gil used to go to La Pastora to learn to improvise with Carlos in salsa, as he liked this genre so much ever since. This is how he started learning about harmonies and taking his first steps as a composer.
When given the chance to play with the group Los Morrillos, he learned a lot about gaitas and other Venezuelan rhythms from the western region of the country. In the case of the group Madera, he learned (and keeps learning) a lot about Afro-Venezuelan music in general.
After that, he met Jesús ”Chucho” García, who is an intellectual, activist and author of several books on Afro-Venezuelanity. Together they formed a group called Cimarrón, with which they represented Venezuela at the International Jazz Plaza Festival in 1989. To date, they are still very good friends and continue to learn about this great musical branch from one another.
Why move to Germany?
His initial plan was to move to the United States to continue his studies in Berkeley, but he was unable to obtain the required visa at the time. However, that would not be the end of his dream.
It turns out that some friends of his from the group Madera went on a Germany tour and stayed to live there. Then, one of them, Felipe ”Mandingo” Rengifo offered him to join them to work in that country and try to be admitted in one of their conservatories. At the time, Gil only had a saving of $1,000, with which he took a gamble.
Although he had to play in the streets and wash bathrooms at the beginning, he achieved his goal of entering a conservatory, an institution that gave him the opportunity to fix his papers to have a legal status in Germany. Having solved this inconvenience, he was able to focus his attention on his musical project Guapacha (name in honor of a great Cuban drummer who lived in the parish of San Agustin del Sur, Caracas).
All this experience was preparing him for when he could finally achieve his goal of going to the United States.
Arrival in the United States
While still in Germany, Gil was invited to participate in a jazz festival in the United States, specifically in Montana. He did so well that he amazed many musicians with whom he shared the stage that day and exchanged contact information for future events.
Later, he managed to play in San Diego and Boston, where he had the opportunity to share the stage with the Boston Power Orchestra and meet Danilo Pérez, Dizzy Gillespie’s pianist. The latter, in turn, recommended him to maestro Tito Puente, whom he met shortly thereafter.
This was how the artist managed to build a very respectable reputation in the industry through his talent. This is how he ended up playing with ”half the world” and building a great prestige as a musician and composer.
In addition to singing and playing multiple instruments, Gil has also taught low-income youth in order to spread the knowledge he has gained throughout his career. He even created an orchestra composed of children whose parents have no resources or documents in order to help them learn music and provide them with better work-study opportunities in the future. Some have even got into college and obtained scholarships thanks to this knowledge.
Parallel to these activities, he began composing and making arrangements for other artists who began to require his services.
Guapacha Productions
On the subject of Guapacha Productions, Gil says that the idea came when he began researching on the music industry, licensing, distribution and other things.
The musician saw an opportunity to achieve his dreams during the pandemic, which is when he noticed that many artists had no idea how to register a composition and how other necessary licenses to collect their royalties from their music works.
Noticing the ignorance of many young talents about the industry, he created the company Guapacha Productions, which is responsible for the musical production and arrangements for artists signed to this label.
When asked how the economic issue was handled for artists who do not have the resources to launch their career as it should be, he explained that there are three types of music distributors: major labels, labels created by the artists themselves and independent companies like Guapacha Productions. We are a group of independent artists who created our own label and we are trying to have our own distribution, so we would not be obliged to negotiate with any big distribution company” explained Gil.
Along with that, it is Guapacha Productions that will make agreements with Spotify, iTunes and other digital platforms to distribute the music of its artists without intermediaries.
The company has been so successful in these efforts that its name will soon be part of the Latin Grammys, which means that the talents signed to the label will have the chance to stand out and be finalists in the various categories.
Cheo Valenzuela’s ”Salsa Buena” Tour
With respect to the important issue of Cheo Valenzuela’s ”Salsa Buena” tour (artist signed to Guapacha Productions) in Europe, there are negotiations with some event producers in France, Spain and England so that Cheo Valenzuela can perform at various venues in those countries. There are also talks of taking the artist to Central America and the United States, specifically to San Francisco, where Gil lives.
In addition to that, Valenzuela is working on an EP with five songs by other artists and another one with five compositions created by himself. Being already a singer with a long-standing career, this last work would also become him a consacrated composer before the world. Once all this material has been released, his name is going to be considered for a Grammy nomination, which Gil has a lot of faith that he will win due to his great talent.
At the time of doing this interview, Valenzuela is taking a few days off due to the death of his mother, so we send our condolences and solidarity to him and his family at such a difficult time.
The void left by Felix ”Pupi” Legarreta
Pupi’s life
Cuba has given the world a large number of artists who have left the name of the country very high, so it is always a good moment to talk about them. Such is the case of arranger, composer, singer and musician Felix ”Pupi” Legarreta, who sadly left this world last month.
Given that this great exponent of Cuban music and the charanga genre is no longer with us, we think it is a great opportunity to remember a little of his career and all the way to becoming the great artist he was.
Pupi’s childhood
Felix Legarreta was born in 1940 in the city of Cienfuegos, Cuba, and from the very early age, his father nicknamed him ”pupi”, as he would be called for the rest of his artistic life. ‘’Puppy in Spanish means ”cachorro” (a very young dog), so this pronunciation was very interesting to Americans.
Around this same time, Pupi was not really interested in music as a profession, as his thing was carpentry at the time. However, he began being affected by severe asthma attacks due to the dust used in his daily work, so it was recommended to his father to take him away and make him dedicate himself to something else that would not damage his health.
This is how the young boy decided to become a barber and met a friend with whom he started taking music lessons, which could be considered as the first contact he would have with music.
The first instrument Pupi played was the violin. He admits it was not easy to learn how to play it, but with effort and dedication, he managed to become really good at music. However, he was faced with another challenge that would complicate the realization of his new dream: lack of money.
Like the majority of families in Cuba at that time, Pupi’s was also going through a complex economic situation, so buying everything he needed for his musical training was very difficult. However, it did not stop his father from getting down to work and raising the money necessary to buy his son his first violin.
In a 2010 interview, Pupi revealed that it took his father more than two years to raise 60 pesos to buy a used violin at a pawn shop, as it was the only way he could afford the instrument for the young boy.
Formal beginnings in music
When he decided to travel to Havana, he was given the opportunity to play Orquesta Sensación, with which he earned about eight pesos a month to cover some of his basic expenses. It was very difficult for him to live with that little, but music helped him to support himself.
However, little by little he worked his way up and earned the respect of his fellow musicians, who consider him for their own projects.
In 1959, music also allowed him to travel to the United States, specifically to the state of California, but it would not be too long before he decided to try his luck in New York. Once there, he collaborated with artists such as Mongo Santamaría, Charlie Palmieri, Johnny Pacheco, Machito, Tito Puente and many more.
Fania All Stars
In 1964, he started collaborating with the Fania All Stars, which had more than 24 instruments, including trumpets, pianos, basses, singers and more. Pupi was so shocked that he could not refuse to work with the world-famous orchestra, as this number of musicians was something he had never seen before.
In total, he recorded between five to seven albums with La Fania on which Pupi was taken into account when issuing opinions about his work. If the artist considered something was not quite right and wanted to change it, the orchestra did whatever was necessary to satisfy him with the results of the recordings.
The only criticism that the Cuban issued towards the orchestra is regarding the excessive focus on the Puerto Rican market, in fact, the vast majority of musicians were Puerto Rican. This caused them to neglect other markets that may be useful for Fania. However, this does not exclude all the positive things that came for those involved during the time this union lasted.
When his time in the orchestra ended, he was working for an electricity company in New Jersey, but his family was in Philadelphia, so he decided to move permanently to this city, where he remained till the day he died.
Death
In the afternoon of July 3, 2023, Félix ”Pupi” Legarreta’s relatives issued a statement giving the deplorable news of the artist’s death the day before at the age of 83.
His daughter Frances Legarreta posted the following on her social networks on the already mentioned day: “I announce with great sadness the death of my father, Pupi Legarreta, on July 2, 2023, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is survived by his wife Frances, his son Michael, his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and his daughter Otie in Puerto Rico”.
In addition to the above, he revealed that his father expressed his desire to be cremated and not to be veiled in a memorial service. She also asked that her entire family’s privacy to be respected in view of the pain that its members were going through.
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