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Search Results for: Dance TV

ISM: Carine and Rafael, 8th World Salsa Champions

Meet the dance representatives of Brazil:

Carine and Rafael, 8th World Salsa Champions

Brazil, the country known for its tropics and its excellence in dancing Samba worldwide, especially dancing in popular festivals and its carnival every year, but that’s not all, at the level of salsa rhythm we have 2 important representatives that we were able to interview in This month, which are: Carine Morais and Rafael Barros, are great salsa dancers who represented their country in a great variety of dance competitions, where they became the Salsa champions 8 times in a row, these competitions are the that they conquered:

  1. World Salsa Open Brasil (2009/2010)
  2. Rey Castro Salsa Competition (2010/2011)
  3. World Salsa Open / Puerto Rico (2010, 2012, 2013)
  4. Six Degrees / Toronto (2012)
  5. World Latin Dance Cup / USA (2013, 2014, 2016)
  6. World Salsa Championship / USA (2016)

Each of them has its story, where we will start with:

Rafael Barros:

Photo by Rafael Barros
Photo – Rafael Barros

Who was born in Fortaleza, Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil; He tells us that he liked dancing from a very young age and practiced thanks to family festivals and from the age of 14 he decided to enter a dance school to improve himself and have more contact with this art, resulting in Forró already teaching at 18 , Samba, Bolero and other rhythms. His first contact with salsa took place in 2004 through a study group: the Salseira Rebellion.

Starting in 2005, she made her first trip to the São Paulo capital with the group she was part of to study and perform in one of the most important dance congresses in the country at that time: the Latin Culture Week. Two years later, he moved to São Paulo to join Cia. Phoenix and, at age 21, was third at the Salsa Open Brasil.

Carine Morais:

Photo by Carine Morais
Carine Morais – Photo

She was also born in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, dance was part of her life since she was a child since she enjoyed it as if it were a game, at the age of 13 she began her ballroom dance studies and a year later already She was teaching as a teacher, and in 2003 she traveled with a dance group to Spain where she participated in two seasons of a Brazilian music show.However, her first direct contact with Salsa took place in a study group in Ceará and had a Paulo Burracha as his first partner; As time passed, he acquired quality, ingenuity and dedication which began to attract attention and from 2006 Carine traveled to Rio de Janeiro by invitation to improve her samba de gafieira and funkeado, but she always continued studying and training in salsa and in 2007 she won with his partner Paulo Burracha the Brazilian stage of the Salsa Open.

In September 2008, she began her victorious partnership with Rafael Barros and together they won 8 world titles, in addition to becoming one of the greatest references in world dance, Carine Morais, along with her new partner Rafael Barros, who have already traveled to more than 35 countries with the aim of teaching and acting. Not to mention the various invitations to be a judge at the main world dance championships and the various participations in television programs.

Carine Morais hanging out with Rafael Barros
On stage Carine Morais going around with Rafael Barros

For almost 12 years of collaboration between Rafael and Carine, they emphasize that it is not only about perfecting the technique and musicality in dance but also its harmony. And they did not remain in being professional dancers, but they are also professors and choreographers in demand in various congresses nationally and internationally, reaching more than 300 participations in congresses distributed in more than 35 countries, among them are: Argentina, Italy, Guatemala, Uruguay , Chile, Australia, Portugal, Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Suriname, Puerto Rico, Canada, Turkey, India, Panama, Bolivia, Costa Rica, China, Canary Islands, Thailand, Spain, Lebanon, Ecuador, Bulgaria, Austria, Singapore, the United States, Germany, France, Greece and Switzerland; And these not only stay there, it is worth mentioning that they have had numerous participations in television programs, both entertainment and journalistic, in Brazilian and international stations, among them: TV Globo Fantástico, Encontro com Fátima Bernardes, Globo Esporte, Programa do Jô , Rede Record, among other outstanding appearances.

Carine and Rafael 8th championships
Flyer of Carine and Rafael 8th championships

For almost five years they maintained the Carine & Rafael Dance School unit in São Paulo, Brazil, which ended its activities in 2020 due to the Covid 19 pandemic, but since April 2021 they began to give online and face-to-face classes in compliance with the measures of security. They comment that for seven years they have been organizers of the largest Brazilian championship and ballroom dance project: the Brasil Latin Open, which you can have more information through on their Facebook and Instagram page through @brasillatinopen.

Thanks to this great feat that this dance couple did, they have placed Brazil at the center of the World Salsa, making Brazil a very important country regarding ballroom dancing.

If you want to contact these great artists, you can do so through:

  • WebSite: https://www.carineyrafael.com
  • Facebook e Instagram: @carineyrafael
  • Twitter: @Carineerafael
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDUg6yjWAfxzar7v5zWnlcA?view_as=subscriber

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Roniel Alfonso Mella Music Producer, Orchestrator, Composer and Instrumentalist

Roniel Alfonso y Son del XXI Orchestra

Born on December 8, 1974 in the city of Matanzas-Cuba.

He enters in 1996 in the National School of Art (Ena) in, where he graduated in 2000 in the specialty of Guitar, Tres, and Ensemble Direction, in his student stage he was part of groups like Septeto Cohiba, Cuba Nueva, Conjunto Chapotin y sus Estrellas, Clave Cubana, Charanga Latina, etc.

In 2000 he was the founder of the Gardi Orchestra, of which he was its musical director, making several tours abroad with this orchestra and taking care of the musical direction of his first album ”Gardi” and the authorship of most of his songs.

In 2005 he participated in the prestigious contest of the Cuban TV Adolfo Guzman where he was 2nd prize in the category of dance music with a song that he orchestrated and produced, being interpreted by Joaquin More.

Roniel Alfonso Mella, Omara Portuondo y Aymee Nuviola
Roniel Alfonso Mella, Omara Portuondo y Aymee Nuviola

Later he joined the ranks of Haila María Mompie, being in charge of the musical direction of the band.

In 2006 he joined the Cuarteto Fusión with which he toured abroad for a long period of 4 years in countries such as Oman, Egypt, and Jordan.

In 2010 he returned to Cuba and made the musical production entitled Mala, Haila’s 5th album, which was awarded the Cuba Disco Award 2012, in the category of Latin music. At the same time, he returns to the orchestra and is once again in charge of the musical direction.

In 2011 he was in charge of the musical production of several artists, such as the Cuban singer Leoni Torres, 3rd album production of this, entitled “salseando” which was nominated for the Cuba Disco 2013 in the category of popular dance music and nominated for the Latin Grammy 2013 in tropical music, another production was the American percussionist Luis Carreras, entitled Luis Carreras and The Cuban Stars Project album that orchestrated and composed all his songs.

Roniel Alfonso and Son del XXI Orchestra Born on December 8, 1974 in the city of Matanzas-Cuba.
Roniel Alfonso Mella
Music Producer, Orchestrator, Composer and Instrumentalist

In 2012 he was part of the work team of composer and producer Descemer Bueno in his album “Bueno” which was awarded the “Cuba Disco Award 2013”, working frequently with him in numerous productions.

As a composer he has written songs for prestigious performers of our country such as Issac Delgado, Haila, Omara Portuondo, Leoni Torres, Aymee Nuviola, Yumuri, Alexander Abreu, Coco Freeman, Mario Rivera, Gardi, Calunga, Ricardo Amaray, Sixto Llorente, “El Indio”, Maykel Ante, Pedro Lugo “El Nene”, Wil Campa, Tania Pantoja, El Noro, Luna Manzanares, Hector Daniel, Alain Daniel, Rosaliz, Ruben y Gabi, Yai Valcarcel, Indira Hernández.

Internationals such as Jose Alberto “El Canario” (Dominican Republic), Dlg (USA), Ng2 (Puerto Rico), Willy Garcia (Colombia), Josimar (Peru), Septeto Acarey (Peru), Kewenaonda, David Kada (Dominican Republic), Nikki Alva (USA), Miguel Angel Caballero (Chile), Agustin Aspa (Spain), Orlando Max (Angola).

As a producer, he has collaborated with national and international artists.

Enrique Iglesias (Spain), Gilberto Santa Rosa (Puerto Rico), Jose Alberto ”El Canario” (Dominican Republic), Luis Enrique (Nicaragua), Olga Tañon (Puerto Rico), Dlg (USA), Ng2 (Puerto Rico), Willy Garcia (Colombia), Bebe (Spain), Nikki Alva (USA), Miguel Angel Caballero (Chile), Kewenaonda (Dominican Republic), Arturo Ortiz, Calle 7 (Puerto Rico), Septeto Acarey (Peru), David Kada (Dominican Republic), Luis Carreras (USA), Agustin Aspa (Spain), Orlando Max (Angola), Lalo Santos (Mexico) and Orly Solomon (Israel).

Roniel Alfonso Mella con Gilberto Santa Rosa
Roniel Alfonso Mella con Gilberto Santa Rosa

Nationals Omara Portuondo, Chucho Valdés, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Aymee Nuviola, Grupo-Orichas, Leoni Torres, Descemer Bueno, Gente de Zona, Issac Delgado, Haila, Charanga Habanera, Alexander Abreu, Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, Mayito Rivera, Sixto Llorente, Yumuri, El Noro, Emilio Frías, Paulo Fg, El Nene, Septeto Santiaguero, Tania Pantoja, Coco Freeman, Alain Daniel, Wil Campa, Gardi, Ricardo Amaray, Calunga, Mandy Cantero, Roberton (Van Van), Maykel Ante, Luna Manzanares, Arlenys Rodríguez, Yenisel Valdés, Omi, Nelson Valdés, Yoyo Ibarra, Mayco de Alma, Héctor Daniel, Dayani Gutiérrez, Laritza Bacallao, Juan Guillermo, Rubén and Gabi, Alexis Zamora, Alain Pérez, Rosaliz, Eylen Remón, Yai Valcarcel, Beby Verdecia, Zunilda, Leo Garrido, Heydi Chapman, Trio d’ Ley, Mulatason, Insurrecto, Joaquín More, Karamba, Alisbet Reyes, Compañia de Danza “Rakatan Azúcar Negra, Patricio Amaro, Aíran Muñoz, Yani, Ángel Yos, Jose Luis Cortes, Osain del Monte, Son del Guaso, Orquesta Failde, Conga “Los Hoyos”, Lenny de la Rosa, Indira Hernandez, Liz Castillo, etc….

Achieving Hits such as “Idilio”, “Vivir Sin Ti”, Soledad (Leoni Torres)” Mala”, “Baila”, (Haila), “Si no Fuera por Ti”, Gardi, Lloro por ti, La Vida es Buena, Súbeme la Radio, Nos fuimos lejos, (Descemer Bueno).

In 2013 he started his own record production, entitled -Roniel Alfonso presents “Son del XXI”, this CD comes out under the label Egrem in 2016, nominated for the Cuba Disco 2017 in this is responsible for the musical production, orchestrations, and composition of each of the themes, the album that shows his vision of what would be the son of this XXI century, our purest and most traditional son, mixed with the new influences of this era. The album features performers such as Issac Delgado, Yumuri, Haila, Calunga, Mario Rivera, El Indio, El Nene, Wil Campa, El Noro, Alexander Abreu and Orlando Max (Angola) going deeper into his work as an orchestrator, using different orchestral formats, such as the Típica Orquesta Salsera, Jazz-Band, Grupo de Rumba and Septeto Tradicional.

In August 2014 he has invited Lucas to the gala offered in tribute to Formell to be in charge of the musical production of several themes of this great Cuban musician, with performers such as Laritza Bacallao, el Indio, el Noro, Dayani Gutiérrez, and el Niño.

In 2016 he collaborated in the 2nd edition of the television program sonando en Cuba where 3 songs of his authorship and 5 songs produced by him previously for other singers were interpreted, being interpreted this time by the contestants of this event.

In 2017 his song “Baila” sung this time by Haila and Alain Perez was the theme of the television program “Bailando en Cuba”.

In June 2017 he obtains the silver trophy (2nd place) at the International Music Festival “Viva la Música”‘ in the category original song, with his song “Que Locura” sung by Roberto Pulido, a Cuban singer based in Switzerland.

In 2018 under the record label Top Stopmusic is in charge of the musical production and all orchestrations of the CD AJourney Through Cuban Music of the great Cuban singer Aymee Nuviola, Grammy Awards Winner 2020 and nominated for the Grammy 2019 in the category of Best Traditional Tropical Album in which music stars such as Chucho Valdez were present, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Omara Portuondo, Muñequitos de Matanzas, Septeto Santiaguero, Pancho Amat, Coto, Samuel Formell, Mario Rivera and his first single “Donde estabas anoche” was positioned at number 6 on the Billboard chart.

In March 2019 he has the honor of being accepted as a voting member of the Latin Academy of Laras Recordings (Grammy).
Grammy 2019 in the category of Best Tropical Traditional Album

In March 2019 he has the honor of being accepted as a voting member of the Latin Academy of Laras Recordings (Grammy).

On June 14, 2019, he founds his Orchestra “Son del XXI”, an orchestra that will have two objectives, to function by itself with its repertoire and its singers and also to continue accompanying the record productions to the many performers who request my work.

He is currently putting the final touches on his new production Roniel Alfonso y Son del XXI Orquesta, which will have national and international guests such as Jose Alberto “El Canario”, DLG, Septeto Acarey, Willy Garcia, Ng2, Nikki Alva, Aymee Nuviola, Leoni Torres, Issac Delgado, Haila, and will be released under the record label Puntilla Music based in Miami.

Alain Pérez invitado al Cd. Pa mi tres
Alain Pérez y Roniel Alfonso

He has worked in productions such as:

Sun and Soul (Canada)-2000

Carmen Flores (Babalu)

Latin Man Bobamba (Japan) 2000 Oasis Records

Helito George (Italy) (Simply My Way) 2002 Musical Production

Gardi “Gardi” 2003(Bis/Music) Musical Direction

Beby Verdecia “Montaña Mia” 2005 Colibrí

Issac Delgado “Prohibido” 2005 Luz Africa

Gardi “Lo que tu Querias” 2008 Egrem

Leo “Rodo de mi” 2009 / Egrem (Nominated Cuba Disco 2013)

Havana Heavy Hitters “Vestido de blanco” 2010

Haila 2011 “Mala” Bis Music (Cuba Disco Award 2012) music production

Luis Carreras (USA) 2012 8 y 5 Studios Music Production

Leoni Torres 2012 “Salseando” Egrem (Nominated Cuba Disco 2013) music production

Descemer Bueno “Bueno” Bis Music Emi 2012 (Cuba Disco Award 2013)

Zunilda “A mi tierra” 2012 Colibrí (Nominated Cuba Disco 2014)

Agustín Aspa (Spain) 2013 “De la Habana a Barcelona” Cuba Music Musical Production

Willie de Cuba” Prohibido” Italy) 2013

Luna Manzanares Egrem 2013

Eilen “Aquí estoy” 2014 Cuba Music

Gala Lucas “Tribute to Formell” 2014

Héctor Daniel “Alegría pa’ mi gente Cuba Music 2016-Music Production

Nelson Valdés and Leoni Torres “Tribute to Omara Portuondo” 2014 Bis Music

Omi (USA) 2014

Juan Guillermo Egrem 2015

Rosaliz “Dame Salsa” Egrem 2017 (Nominated-Cuba Disco 2018) Musical Production

Mulata Son “Mujer y Artista” Cuba Music 2017-Music Production

Issac Delgado” Made in Habana” Egrem 2016 (Nominated-Cuba Disco 2017)

Yoyo Ibarra “Tropical” Egrem 2017 Musical Production

Yai Valcarcel “Mi Esperanza” Yagruma S.A 2015

Miguel Herrera “Hoy quiero Fiesta (Sweden) 2017 Cuba Music and Egrem 2019 Music Production

Yenisel Seva “Romántica” (2016) Cuba Music Musical Production

Dance Company “Rakatan” 2016

Roberto Pulido “Mi locura” (Switzerland) 2016-2018 Music Production

Charles Manuel (Spain) 2017 Musical Production

Roniel Alfonso Presents “Son del XXI” Egrem 2017 (Nominated Cuba Disco 2017) Music Production

Gala “55 Aniversario del Icrt” 2017.

Miguel Ángel Caballero “Vista Fija” Blam Producciones 2017 Music Production

Kewenaonda “Arriésgate” (Dominican Republic) 2017-2020 Music Production

Enrique Iglesias Feat Gilberto Santa Rosa” Súbeme la radio” (Salsa) 2017 Music Production

Lalo Santos “Caribe 2018” (Mexico) (Mexico)

Azúcar Negra Egrem 2019

Patricio Amaro 2017 Musical Production

Haila” Canta a Armando Manzanero” Egrem 2018 (Cuba Disco Award of Honor 2019)

Grupo Orichas Feat. Luis Enrique” Sastre de tu Amor” (Salsa) 2018

Miguel Herrera (Sweden) 2018 Egrem Produccion Musical

Issac Delgado 2018

Descemer, Enrique Iglesias y Charanga Habanera “Nos fuimos lejos” (Salsa) 2018 Musical Production

Descemer, Enrique Iglesias y bebe-”nos fuimos lejos”(Acoustic) 2018 Musical Production

Leoni Torres “Amor bonito” Egrem 2019

Orquesta Failde y Omara “Homenaje a Benny” Egrem 2019 (Cuba Disco Award 2019)

Aymee Nuviola” Journey Through Cuban Music” Topstop Music 2019 Production Musical (Grammy Awards Winner 2020), (Latin Grammy Nominee 2019)

Nelson Valdés “Cubriendo Ausencias” Bis Music 2019 (Nominated-Cuba Disco 2019)

Leoni y Gente de Zona “Mejor sin ti” (Salsa) 2019 Music Production

Indira Hernández 2020 Music Production

Lenny de la Rosa 2020 Music Production

Yarima y Sabor Latino “Pa mi Tres” Egrem-Soundwear 2020 Musical Production

Leoni Torres “Deja la Tristeza” 2020 Music Production

Septeto Acarey ‘”Vamos a Pasarla Bien” 2021 Musical Production

Wil Campa “Zapato Nuevo” Egrem 2020 Music Production

Angel Yos Egrem 2020

Liz Castillo 2021 Bis Music Music Production

Gabriela 2021 (Denmark-Cuba) Music Production

Nesty-2021 (USA) Music Production

Kel-2021 Music Production

Cd Herederos (Tribute to Irakere) Egrem 2021

Roniel Alfonso and Son del XXI Orchestra 2021-Puntilla Music.

Orlando Valle, verdadero nombre del instrumentista "Maraca"
Orlando “Maraca” Valle y Roniel Alfonso

Facebook: Roniel Alfonso Mella

By: Diana Marie International Salsa Magazine Miami Correspondent

Salsa Superior
Salsa Superior Award
Diana Marie
Lady of Salsa 2021

International Salsa Magazine

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Salsa, Salsa & More Salsa

Musical Events Come To Europe

Europe welcomes music events after a long hiatus from the pandemic. Nightclubs with a limited number of people as well as small outdoor Salsa festivals and congresses begin to reactivate their activities by receiving attendees with the presentation of a vaccination certificate or a negative Covid-19 test.

Here is a list of Salsa events in Europe with tradition that gives you a tropical welcome and says goodbye to what happened in 2020.

MONACO SALSA CONGRESS

Adult couple dancing
2020 passes are automatically valid for this new date

Since 2006 (first edition), the Monaco International Salsa Festival has been an unavoidable Salsa event for dance lovers.

This festival, a product of the passion of Hamidine Thiam and the experience of Gregory Salerno, has joined the best artists in the world on the same stage. Several of the festival’s shows have been broadcast on EuroSport for consecutive years, demonstrating the quality offered by this 15-year-old festival.

Salsa, Bachata, and Kizomba for the following modalities: beginner, advanced, or just curious are presented in three rooms simultaneously. In addition, you can taste food in front of the stage only with VIP passes, quality shows, and DJ nights until almost dawn.

With optimism and eagerness, this edition of the Monaco Salsa Congress 2021 will take place from October 8th to 10th with the participation of Maykel Fonts, Tropical Gem Dance Company, Andrea & Silvi, SuperMario, 4DJs, and many more artists to share memorable moments with you.

Venue: Espace Léo Ferré. Les terrasses de Fontvieille, 25 avenue Albert II. 98000 Monaco

CROATIAN SUMMER SALSA FESTIVAL

Woman in leopard swimsuit and man in white shirt
Enjoy this unique experience in Croatia in late summer

You can already feel the energy of the festival that makes all the people of the western part of the city of Rovinj (Croatia) dance Salsa. Beaches, hotels with swimming pools at reasonably priced, streets, an old tobacco factory, squares, islands, the whole town is a dance floor for thousands of visitors from all over the world who live and breathe Salsa.

The Croatian Summer Salsa Festival aims to educate, inspire, communicate, and entertain fans of Salsa, dance, the sea, and the sun. The focus in this edition will be on three styles: Salsa, Salsa Cubana, and Mambo. There will be carefully designed professional workshops for all levels, high-level pre-festival workshops (Wednesdays and Thursdays), as well as intensive Bootcamps for advanced dancers.

Imagine and live the experience of being part of it!

Outdoor Social Dance: Party on the beach dancing to the most applauded Caribbean rhythm under the stars in one of the most beautiful cities on the Adriatic coast. Ah! And don’t forget that this event also offers a boat excursion.

Music & DJs: The perfect combination missed in 2020. Finally, it is time to connect with the sound of the Tumbadoras mixed with the ocean waves and the warm summer breeze.

Dance Instructors: They are present at this event to inspire you and raise your level from amateur to professional. With them, you can dance as a couple, watch their performances with incredible outfits, sing, and also they are host like real artists do.

Workshops & Bootcamps: For 15 years they have been dedicated to promoting the best possible social dance education with community artists to create a high-quality structured and progressive learning experience. To gain more skills in dancing Croatian Summer Salsa Festival brings you pre-festival classes, weekend workshops, and choreography bootcamps for those who want to push their limits.

From September 1st to 5th, the summer salsa festival in Croatia will be held in the landscape of the Seasunsalsa house in the city of Rovinj located on the Adriatic coast.

Official biosecurity measures will be respected.

BERLIN SALSA CONGRESS

Woman dressed in blue dress dancing with man in red jacket
Berlin Salsa Congress – Do you accept the challenge?

In Berlin, the people will dance Salsa again in a congress this 2021. This event will be held outdoors under the sun during the day and at night you will live your passion indoors with three dance floors.

In this edition of the Berlin Salsa Congress, the focus will be on high-level social dancing from noon to midnight. Also, you can improve your skills in a series of exclusive workshops taught by a lineup of instructors from the world community in Berlin.

This Salsa congress, the longest in Europe in continuous operation since 2001, is renewed and brings Choreography Bootcamps.

  • Bootcamp # 1 is about teamwork in the genres of Salsa and contemporary fusion.
  • Bootcamp # 2. This is an Afro-fusion of Mambo. Here you will develop skills in footwork. It is designed for dancers with an intermediate level.
  • Bootcamp # 3. It is based on footwork for ladies only. Rhythm: Salsa

A Choreography Bootcamp challenges you in many different ways. It’s not just about choreography or technique. It is much more. It is expanding your limits with friends with the same interest, achieving an incredible sensation of overcoming obstacles by performing in front of a large and enthusiastic audience.

Date: Thursday, August 26th – Sunday, August 29th

Venue: Tempodrom. Möckernstr. 10. 10963 Berlin, Germany

SalsaGoogle.com is International Salsa Magazine

 

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Mozart & Mambo

The Instrumental Music Album With The Major Projection Of 2021

Sarah Willis playing the French Horn with Yuniet Lombida playing the saxophone
Mozart & Mambo was recorded in Havana (Cuba) in January 2020

After six years of Horn Discovery, Sarah Willis brings us in her third album the discovery of two worlds through a completely harmonic and natural fusion. Her album Mozart & Mambo combines solo pieces for Horn of classical music originating in Western Europe with the traditional rhythms of Cuba Island.

Sarah had this magnificent and unusual idea due to her multiple trips to Havana city to teach how to play this brass instrument.

“As a Horn player, I always wanted to record Mozart’s horn concerts … And when I met the Havana Lyceum Orchestra and its conductor José Antonio Méndez Padrón I had the idea of ​​recording with them. I love the way they play Mozart. I love the way Pepe works with them… So, what better way than to mix some pieces of Mozart and Mambo? Then, we have pure Mozart. We also have some purely Cuban songs, but we also have a wonderful fusion of Mozart and Mambo. And, It is the title.

… The main concert on the album is the third concert for Mozart Horn, which is one of my favorites… It’s a catchy tune… I have an arranger in Australia called Joshua Davis, and I said, listen! I have this crazy idea.

– I want to turn this piece into a Mambo.                                                                         

– He said, sure, no problem.

But he didn’t know much about Cuban percussion. So, I said:

– I have the ideal person to help us.

And I turned to a wonderful musician from Cuba, Yuniet Lombida, who plays the saxophone on the album and is one of the best saxophonists in Cuba”. Willis commented on a digital medium.

The splendid trio between the first woman in the brass section of the Berliner Philharmoniker, the Havana Lyceum Orchestra under the baton of José Antonio Méndez Padrón (Pepe), and the consecrated saxophonist from Havana, Yuniet Lombida managed to create an exceptional experience among the Concerts for Mozart Horn and Caribbean intercalated rhythms: Mambo, Son, Salsa, and Bolero.

Harold Madrigal, Yuniet Lombida, Sarah Willis, Pepe Méndez, and Jorge Aragón
Harold Madrigal, Yuniet Lombida, Sarah Willis, Pepe Méndez, and Jorge Aragón

The album consists of 10 Tracks, which stand out: Rondo Alla Mambo and the two great Cuban classics Dos Gardenias and El Manisero with arrangements by Joshua Davis and Yuniet Lombida. Likewise, Rondo K. 371 and the first movement of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (titled Sarahnade Mambo) demonstrate the subtlety of classical music with the interventions of the Cuban tradition, extolled by the Havana Lyceum Orchestra. In the other hand, the trumpeter Harold Madrigal Frías displays his virtuosity in the album with the pieces: El Manisero, Dos Gardenias, and Qué Rico El Mambo.

For this month, you will be able to witness this extraordinary musical fusion live at the Rheingau, Kultursommer Nordhessen, Young Euro Classic festivals in Berlin City, and Elbphilharmonie in the town of Hamburg in Germany.

Much of the proceeds from the purchase of the Mozart & Mambo album are for the benefit of the Havana Lyceum Orchestra to provide them with modern and new musical instruments.

Who is Sarah Willis?

Based on the biography written by Sarah

Sarah Willis in black dress with French horn on her legs
Sarah Willis was included on Queen Elizabeth’s Birthday Honor Roll, which indicates that she has been granted the title of Member of the British Empire

“People often ask me for more details about my life and my career. No dates or names, but about the how and why. So, I share a little more of the most influential and inspiring events of my life playing the Horn.

… It is true that I decided to play the Horn in my first Trumpet lesson. Actually, my first teacher was the Trombone and I adored it and the Trumpet, so I practiced as much as I could… I was used to practicing. My parents were quite strict about it, something for which I am very grateful.

… School became quite a lonely place as my classmates didn’t understand my passion truly.

… I must say that being a member of various youth orchestras was one of the most important and enjoyable parts of my musical training. Here, I met other young people who did not find it strange to spend a lot of time just practicing and listening to classical music.

After 3 years at the London music school, I “discovered” Berlin. The city was incredibly vibrant and exciting, and the first time I heard the local Philharmonic live, I decided that I had to be as close to this orchestra as possible, so I moved there. My first job was with the State Opera under the direction of Daniel Barenboim in 1991, just after the fall of the Wall that ran through the capital, so it was a very exciting time to be in the city at that time.

In 2001, I won the position at the Berliner Philharmoniker, something I had dreamed of since I first heard them play.

I started playing an Alexander horn when I was 16 years old. It was very unusual in England! I fell in love with the sound of this speaker and would not play anything else.

… My day job takes up most of my time and mental space, but since I started doing interviews with soloists and conductors for the Digital Concert Hall of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (BPh) and I became involved as a mentor and presenter of the BPh on YouTube since 2011, I have become very passionate about online music communication.

I started Horn Hangouts (musician talk show) in 2013 and have been presenting the Sarah’s Music TV show (conversations format with conductors, students, musicians, and dancers) for Deutsche Welle TV since 2014.

I love doing both with passion and I enjoy connecting with musicians from all over the world, reaching out to people who may not have easy access to live concerts or teachers”.

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Bobby Valentin, the King of Bass at the Fania All-Stars Machinery

Bobby Valentin The mind of a master

Roberto Valentin “Bobby Valentin” was one of the main collaborators and arrangers of the Fania All-Stars in the 1970s, over which time he also recorded numerous solo albums. Born in 1941 in the locality of Orocovis, Puerto Rico, he began playing guitar as a child and won a contest with a band that he conducted himself at the age of 11.

He began his trumpet studies at the age of 15 shortly before he moved with his family to New York, where he continued his studies under the direction of Carmina Caruso. In 1958 he started his professional career with the Joe Quijano’s Orchestra.

Bobby Valentin, the King of the Bass of Fania All-Stars Machinery
Bobby Valentin The mind of a master

Valentin spent the next several years working as a trumpeter, guitarist, bassist and arranger for artists such as Willie Rosario, Charlie Palmieri, Ray Barreto, Tito Rodríguez and Willie Bobo, until the year 1965, when he debuted with an orchestra to his name by releasing two albums, one of them was under Johnny Pacheco‘s Fania label.

Bobby Valentin, the King of the Bass

During the following years, Valentin continued to release albums to his name under the Pacheco’s label, but he also began recording and making arrangements for the label’s band, the legendary Fania All Stars, which had the presence of important figures as Rubén Blades, Celia Cruz, Willie Colon, Eddie Palmieri, Papo Lucca, Mongo Santamaría, among many others.

In 1975, he began recording for his own label, but his work with the Fania All Stars goes on until the day. Since then, the musician continues to perform with his orchestra for the most important salsa and jazz festivals from all over the world, while at the beginning of the decade Valentin contributed arrangements for some Pacheco‘s songs, it was only natural that he released his albums under his new label.

Fania All-Stars, to which he helped define the sound through his bass playing, in classic albums of the 1970s such as the Tribute to Tito Rodríguez or the live album at Yankee Stadium.
Bobby Valentín moved with his orchestra to Puerto Rico in 1968.

And while Bobby Valentin moved with his orchestra to Puerto Rico in 1968, he continued to travel often to New York to record for Fania, in addition to working and arranging songs for the label’s band, the Fania All-Stars to which he helped define the sound through his bass, on classic albums of the 1970s like the Tribute to Tito Rodriguez or the live album at Yankee Stadium.

In 1978 he began recording for his own label, Bronco Records, through which he recorded “La boda de ella“, a song that became one of the most important of his career.In addition to continuing to release albums for his own label, the latter of which saw the light in 2016 under the name “Mi Ritmo es bueno” and Mind Of A Master in 2018.

The pop classic The Twist composed by Hank Ballard and popularized by Chubby Checker in 1960, now sounds in salsa clave in a new version created by musician, arranger and composer Bobby Valentin y su Orquesta.

For award-winning Puerto Rican composer, arranger, producer and musical director, to remember is to live, as a result of which he presented the song in Spanish and dance in order to interest the new generations.

“When I was based in New York, this was a boom, Chubby Checker recorded it! At that time, what was done in rock & roll and today’s music is called salsa and it was all about dancing. There was the chachachá, the pachanga, the boogaloo… Everything was visual, with dancing! Chubby Checkerwas in all the TV shows… I recorded the song a year and a half ago, but the premiere was pushed back for the pandemic. I figured I could do it in salsa without losing the essence of that time,” he said.

Fania All-Stars
Fania All-Stars Roberto Roena, Bobby Valentín, Johnny Pacheco

 

The Twist https://youtu.be/zf-SjdhbH9M

Sources

Amarie Magazine

Fania

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International Salsa Magazine (ISM) is a monthly publication covering salsa activities around the world and has been publishing since 2007. It is a worldwide network of volunteers coordinated by ISM Magazine. Together, we work to strengthen salsa events around the world.