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Wuelfo Gutiérrez López was a brilliant Sonero, “El Ultimo de los Matanceros”
Wuelfo Huergo Gutiérrez López, son of Wuelfo the sailor, was born in Santiago de Las Vegas, Cuba on September 23, 1942.
The eldest of three brothers, he was from a very young age an enthusiast of dancing, music and singing.
On May 31, 2005, Wuelfo Gutiérrez López “El Ultimo de los Matanceros” passed away.
He was a brilliant Sonero of outstanding participation with “La Sonora Matancera”, Orquesta de Javier Vásquez, “Orquesta Harlow”, and his own group, which he founded in Mexico after settling in this country.
He gave as much luster to his small homeland as to the big one: in the 70’s he was the singer of the famous “Sonora Matancera”, the pioneer of the Cuban ensembles.
At the end of the 50’s he organized together with three other coterráneos, Juan Luis Cobo, Manolito Santos, and Rolando (Rolo, E.P.D.) González, a quartet called “The Fraterns” (Los Fraternos), in the style of the American school of famous quartets like “The Platters”, “The Drifters”, “Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers”, and others that marked a guideline in the history of “Rock and Roll” and the so-called “Doo Wop”, which is a choral sound characteristic of these groups of the decades of the 50s and 60s.
Around 1958, the group appeared in the well-known José Antonio Alonso’s program of the then powerful Cuban television, which was a continuity of “La Corte Suprema del Arte” of the Cuban radio, initiated in 1938, from where great figures of the Cuban music came out. Substantial changes took place in our country and soon after “Rock and Roll”, at least in Cuba, fell into silence.
Wuelfo left Cuba in mid-1961. I did not see him again (although I always knew about him through his brothers Juan and Gabriel) until 1979, when he returned to visit his native land.
Always with the same sympathy and friendly and popular simplicity that characterized him.
At that time he had already been with “La Sonora Matancera”; the great singer Roberto Torres, “El Güinero Mayor”, who was leaving his place in the Sonora to form his own group, introduced him to the director Rogelio Martinez, who accepted him immediately.
He remained with La Sonora from 1973 to 1976, with which he visited the U.S.A., Mexico and most of Latin America. He recorded, among sones and guarachas, 20 numbers of diverse musical authors, among them: “Anacaona”, by Tite Curet Alonso; “A Burujón Puñao”, by José Carbó Menéndez; “Así Se Compone Un Son”, by Ismael Miranda; “Muñeco Viajero”, by Carlos and Mario Rigual; and “El Chivo”, by our late compoblano Vinicio Gonzaléz, one of our santiagueras glories, among other authors.
When he left La Sonora due to disagreements with Don Rogelio, he settled definitively in Mexico, which became his second homeland.
In Mexico City he formed his own group, which he named “Sonora Las Vegas”, alluding to the person who made him known as a singer and gave him celebrity, and to his hometown, therefore Las Vegas.
He began to be called “Mister Salsa” working in radio, television and cabarets. He loved Mexico very much; in an interview he said: “because the people are tasty and because I feel at home here”.
In Mexico he married Miss Araceli Zoreda Pérez, from whose marriage there were no children; the union was interrupted by Araceli’s death several years later.
The year 1989 marked the 65th anniversary of the founding of “La Tuna Liberal”, among other names, which achieved notoriety in Cuba and internationally under the name of Sonora Matancera. So that this date would not be overlooked, the notable Puerto Rican journalist, broadcaster and producer Gilda Mirós had the happy initiative to gather all the singers alive at that time who had left their art with La Sonora Matancera.
The event was to be held in New York City. Wuelfo was there singing “Anacaona”, together with a true constellation of stars: Vicentico Valdés, Yayo El Indio, Celio Gonzaléz, Nelson Pinedo, Carlos Argentino, Bobby Capó, Alberto Beltrán, Leo Marini, Albertico Pérez, Roberto Torres, Jorge Maldonado, Daniel Santos, and the greatest female voice Cuba has ever produced: Celia Cruz.
In July 1995 I met my friend again, when Wuelfo arrived from Mexico invited to the celebration of our patron saint, Santiago Apostle, in the halls of the former Radisson Hotel in Miami. Among those present sang Amado Herrera (Maninito), José Antonio García (Chamaco), and Wuelfo. All the santiagueros present recognized our values; among them were Wuelfo Sr. and other close relatives.
I did not see him again until 1999, when a group of santiagueros friends welcomed him to Miami, where he intended to settle down. It was not possible.
Wuelfo’s last recording?
He had spoken to me about sending me his recordings with the idea of getting them to some radio stations so that they would know him, and in turn, to some places where records were sold to see if I would have the opportunity to play his recordings, among them the 14 LPs he had recorded and possibly his last recording, a CD called “Wuelfo Cumbia Del Gato Volador”, which he kindly sent me from Mexico.
He spent long periods of time in Veracruz, where he felt at home and his performances were strongly applauded. To such an extent that the government of the state of Veracruz, in November 2003, offered him a just tribute in the framework of the Festival del Son (first photo, above right). On that occasion he performed with his “Sonora Las Vegas” at the La Reforma Theater and the Atarazanas Cultural Center.
Wuelfo, Lázaro Reutilio Domínguez (son of Celina González and Reutilio Domínguez), and the author meet by chance at the “Palacio de los Jugos” on 8th Street and 143rd Avenue in Southwest Miami.
Like many other singers, he dreamed of spending the rest of his life singing; he wanted to die on the stage. Apparently an oversight in his health was complicated by prostate cancer. We would talk on the phone from time to time and he would show me that he was very optimistic, but he was not. In 2004 he underwent intensive treatment at the Oncology Hospital of the Centro Medico Nacional Siglo XXI in Mexico City, but the initial illness led to pulmonary complications which in turn caused a stroke that took his life on May 31, 2005.
According to a friend who assisted him until the last hour, it was very sad to see how his life was passing away.
The Sindicato Único de Trabajadores de la Música had been carrying out activities to collect funds to help him financially.
He was buried in the American Pantheon at 11:00 a.m. on June 1, 2005.
It seems to me very fair to remember this value of ours six years after his departure, remaining in our local history along with other celebrities that also in due time it will be necessary to give them the merit they deserve, not only for future generations to know them, but at present there are coterráneos that for lack of the required information, and against our will, do not know anything about them.
This small biography is not even remotely all that can be known and said of Wuelfo, because there are stages unknown by the writer, who urges those who know and wish, to make their contribution to know much more of our singer friend, who had the honor of going down in posterity, perhaps without him thinking about it, for having sung with that great musical group that was and is La Sonora Matancera.
This work would not have been possible if he had not had the help of Dr. Héctor Ramírez Bedoya. Héctor Ramírez Bedoya, Colombian anesthesiologist who helps many to mitigate their ills through surgery in his native Medellín, but who as a musicographer, and from the presidency of the Corporación Club Sonora Matancera de Antioquia, has had the merit of having written the “Historia de la Sonora Matancera y sus Estrellas”, a book of the same title published in 1996, which is considered the greatest work ever written about the dean of the Cuban ensembles.
Berlin Salsa Congress Celebrates With The Salsera Family
Summer of Love’22 will be the main theme of the event that will paralyze the popular German capital
Berlin Salsa Congress invites you to celebrate the passion for Salsa during the summer.
Berlin Salsa Congress is back! Germany’s longest-running high-level social dance-focused event celebrates two decades with the Salsera family from Thursday, August 25th to Sunday, August 28th, and ticket prices range from €94.35 to €229. 65.
Berlin Salsa Congress in continuous operation since 2001 continues to unite dance lovers worldwide, and although in this edition they will not offer parties on the beach, sea, or pool, attendees will be able to enjoy amazing choreography Bootcamps for the Super Advanced level. To these pieces of training were added a series of workshops (during the day and outdoors) for those who want to improve their skills.
Likewise, they will also present the best Stargate shows at night-inside on three dance floors. The high-level social dance will take place from noon to midnight (and Saturday will be intensive), while on Sunday, they will present the results of the bootcamps and the winner of the Stargate Shows.
Also, during the weekend of this Salsero Congress, you will meet an incredible lineup of DJs from the world community in Berlin, who will rock the dance floor and keep you dancing until dawn.
And as usual, there will be Heroes of the Dance Floor. A group of the best social dancers gathered to make you learn some of the best dances of the moment.
The atmosphere will be incredible and just memorable!
Stargate Shows
Stargate shows offer the opportunity for student teams and any artist to showcase their talents to an international audience. The winners are chosen by the public and will be a winner every day. The winners of each day will be presented at the only showcase on Sunday at 9 PM.
Like last year, the Stargate Shows will be broadcast LIVE on the Internet. In 2021, they had about 1,200 daily viewers, and this year they will upload all Stargate shows to their official YouTube channel. Through this platform, an online survey will be conducted where they will select an additional Online Stargate Winner who will grant an extra chance to win. The winners of this online poll will get free access to the 2023 event.
Are you looking for your ultimate challenge?
On Sunday night will be a mixed final choreography of Salsa and Bachata
In Berlin Salsa Congress https://berlinsalsacongress.co/ will be single choreography training with Brenda Liew (Singapore) dedicated to Bachata for Ladies. This Bootcamp will give you energy, style, technique, and passion for eight intensive hours. The required level is Advanced.
The Price of this Bootcamp is €129, and it will take place from Friday, August 26th to Sunday, August 28th. The final rehearsal is on Sunday, August 28th from 7 PM to 8 PM, and the presentation will be at 9 PM.
Berlin Salsa Congress will take place in the Tempodrom (main venue) located in the heart of the city with a total of approximately 1,800 m2 of the dance floor and almost 3,000 seats for shows. Registration, social events from Friday to Sunday afternoon, some workshops, seminars, and discussion panels will take place here. Its address is Möckernstrasse 10, 10963 Berlin.
And the second venue will be Mövenpick. The rest of the workshops will be held in this hotel. Mövenpick – Siemenssaal (a 3-minute walk from Tempodrom) is located on the second floor and has a wooden floor and natural light perfect for the needs required. Its Address is Schöneberger Strasse 3, 10963 Berlin.
Jazz, soul and rap singer Danay Suárez has an incredible talent
Cuban talent for the world
Danay Suárez (https://www.facebook.com/danaysuarezoficial) is a Cuban jazz, soul and rap singer who has achieved a lot of international notoriety in recent years thanks to her talent and dedication in each of her musical works. We are honored to talk to her and this is what we asked her:
Danay Suárez has given concerts in many cities of the United States and Europe
Questions for Danay Suarez
I have been able to see that you are a self-taught artist. Would you say that your musical progress was to do with ear or do you already have any formal education related to music?
I was trained as a lyric singer by one of the most important musical theater companies in Cuba (Opera de la Calle). My training involved rhythm, harmony, music theory and acting classes. Most of my musical progress is to do with living my career, improving my thoughts, stage, recording studios, reaching culture, entering various musical genres and meeting and collaborating with musicians from around the world.
You’ve gone into jazz, soul, reggae, traditional Cuban music and hip hop. However, it can be said that you started with socially conscious rap and were even called “The queen of Latin rap”. Did you experiment with all these rhythms and genres at the same time or in stages during your career?
I sing several genres because I am not static or orthodox, creativity inspires me, I need to move my ideas and explaining them with rhythm is a great and good challenge. Which is why I combine the freedom delivered by jazz gives to move the words and the possibility afforded by rap to create a speech with creating pleasant and danceable moments, perhaps alluding to reggae because this genre allows you to intellectualize while dancing. I listen to a lot of music and think I might go to new places and be inspired by new sounds.
Danay Suárez has been known as The Queen of Latin Rap
We saw a spectacular video of you singing your song “Yo Aprendí” with The Kennedy Center Orchestra. How can two seemingly different genres join in something so special? Tell us how was that experience, how they became interested in you for that project and how these musical elements came together.
I don’t think two different genres came together, my arrangement for the symphony was very similar in its harmonic and melodic base. Making art and taking all the things we do to a level of excellence is what makes the worlds integrate and complement each other without being forced. For me the symphony is the complete picture, I place a high value on my words and I think many of them are divinely inspired, visual, parables, timeless most of the time. Sometimes I feel that only a symphony can support them at the highest level. Living my lyrics as I have imagined them is a dream come true, a dream fulfilled I want to repeat many times.
You have made music for Netflix and already some video games. How did they come to you? Why do you think they became interested in your music?
Together with my publishing company Kobalt Music, I was given proposals on synchronizing such as these video games, series, and some offers I’ve refused because I belive that they do not build anything of value that can be linked to the message of my songs. You never know what makes people connect with my music, but they can be the rhythm, the word, or the artist.
This Cuban singer has made music for Netflix and video games
Last year, you released your album “Vive”, which is very different from what you have been doing and come any closer to Christian music.
“Vive” is a thoroughly evangelical album because it was born in a period of deeped intimacy with the Lord, all my work is partly biographical and a portrait of the moment I’m living or I got over it, so I can already it. Those who know my work can see the sincerity through the music of each stage I’ve lived. At the end, the most honest approach I can offer to my music is my own testimony.
You have been in the United States and several European countries. How has been the responses of your music been in all these places? How are you perceived there?
The reception has always been extraordinary, people cry at my concerts and I know it’s because they listen to any advice that can transform their lives, they have a vivid and real moment, which is sealed with values that make good. That motivates me to always bring life to my people with the songs, I know that there is a thirsty world from which I’ve been part and that’s why I do not take lightly to make music, I do not even treat it strictly as a business. What I do is I finance my music through other businesses to allow me do things correctly. In the case of the non-Spanish speaking public, my answer is that music is a universal language that is felt and enjoyed in the same way when it’s genuine.
Danay Suárez next to Colombian singer Juanes
Salsa En La Web also promotes Latin music around the world
Salsa En La Web
As our dear readers know, International Salsa Magazine is dedicated to promoting Latin music artists, especially those who sing salsa, but we also believe that it is of extremely importance to promote platforms that, like us, seek to spread this wonderful and colorful music everywhere.
Salsa En La Web is a salsa community on the internet, so there are members from all over the world. This site is devoted to promoting and spreading everything related to salsa and Latin music so that the new generations get to know the musical idols of their parents and grandparents. They also want this musical genre to keep growing and never go out.
DJ Danny Salsa, director and programmer of Salsa En La Web
Interview
Today, we talked to the administrators of the website Salsa En La Web, which is devoted to promoting salsa worldwide, and our questions were as follows:
Who are we talking to? Please provide your name, occupation and direct or indirect relashionship with salsa.
You’re talking to DANNY SALSA, director and programmer of SALSAENLAWEB. I am also a chemist and DJ by profession. – Collector of romantic salsa.
According to what I read on your Facebook page, you have spread salsa culture at the global level for 11 years. How did everything start?
In 2011 we started sharing music on a blog where we spread LP, CD, ARTISTS, GROUPS, ORCHESTRAS. After that, we also shared gatherings of collectors and salsa events in Bogota.
To date, we have not failed to spread salsa culture that through this beautiful music, we want to make a better culture.
DJ Danny Salsa loves salsa and wants to promote it
What has motivated you to create a website of this style? Why are salsa and Latin music so important to you?
First of all, the taste for salsa music started from I was 13 years. From a very young age, I had contact with computers after school. In my spare time, I created my first blog and, after knowing the world of the internet, I created this website of salsa.
Salsa has brought me great friends, moments, live artists since I programme salsa at bars. I saw the happiness dancing and sharing after entering the world of collecting your albums for your own taste brings.
What part of the world is the largest part of your audience from?
Colombia is our biggest audience with listeners who always listen to our programming at any time of the day and from any time of the day and from any part of the planet where there is an Internet connection.
According to the map on your website, many members of your audience are in Europe and the southern United States. Where are you located? Are you in different countries?
The website is free on the platform www.salsaenlaweb.com.co and from the APP without any cost, listeners in these countries can listen to us from these countries send us their good comments and this motivates us to programme the best salsa music through our . We are in Bogota, Colombia but we have listeners all over the world.
In addition to salsa, what other musical genres do you promote?
We don’t do dissemination of other genres because we are select in salsa.
What goals have you set in the long run?
We want to be the salsa website of reference for its good content in the whole world and have great sponsors that allow us to keep working in favor of salsa.
Logo of Salsa En La Web