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Long live music! Repeat after me: “Long live the musicians so they can keep making it”. And I add: “Long live SALSA”.

With a full tank, Transition by Tito Rodriguez, Jr.

Bella Martinez, International Salsa Magazine by the hand of www.SalsaGoogle.com presents and highly recommends this formidable and exquisite production of Tito Rodriguez Jr. The firstborn of the unforgettable Pablo “Tito” Rodriguez.

Long live music! Repeat after me: “Long live the musicians so they can keep making it”. And I add: “Long live SALSA”.

As soon as I got my hands on it I listened to it, many times. Not that I needed an explanation, but I could not stop listening to it and go off to take care of my duties.

So much so that I had to send the radio station of the Puerto Rican salsa singer on vacation for a few days until I finished writing the note that had chosen to write itself. The CD cover – showing the photo of Tito Rodriguez, Jr. settled on my desk for several weeks as if it belonged to the surface in front of which I sit every day. Until one fine day I said to myself: Today I hope to be able to understand the instrumental pairing of everything that happens in this piece.

Here I go…

In the first cut (Bailando con la más fea) there were several bars after the first minute, that transported me to my days of partying in New York during the bravo launch of that orchestra that I haven’t heard for a long time.

Of course, while that orchestra sounded bigger than it was, this one I’m examining today – Tito Rodriguez, Jr.’s – sounds bigger than it is and on steroids; among other reasons because the baritone enhances the personality of this serious sounding arrangement, albeit hand in hand with a jocular lyric.

During the second theme (El vive bien) we experience a very Cuban theme of those that sandungueando the waists of those who follow the leather beats to’ fuete.

Shortly before entering the third minute, the interplay of saxophones and twists in which the baritone and bongo play suggest to me that this song shares the flavorfulness of the pregón that says “Salsa ahí na’ma’ como me gusta a mí…” from one of the tracks on Gilberto Santa Rosa’s production Colegas (2020). In fact, Gilberto collaborates in this production, specifically in the song Volver.

In the third cut (Ándate nena), the trumpet solo stands out within an arrangement for large orchestra and allows the performance to be sprinkled with conga, marking the nostalgia of the memory of those geniuses that the traditional big bands left us as a legacy. The saxophones sound like those of the Palladium orchestras.

The 4th track (Volver) is an arrangement where the influence of Bobby Valentín’s inventions is evident. The track starts like the romantic arrangements of the 1990’s, although with a heavy and dominant piano, prior to the alto saxophone playing that opens the way for the rest of the saxophones in perfect synchrony with the conga, timbal and bongo. This cut features Gilberto Santa Rosa, although the song didn’t need Santa Rosa to shine.

Tito Rodriguez, Jr. gave way to the most prolific salsa singer in commercial salsa to perform a song that was already the polished diamond of this collection.

Tito Rodriguez, Jr. Timbalero, Arranger, Composer, Producer and Bandleader, Tito Rodriguez, Jr is one of the leading

I found it to be a classic big band arrangement with an avant-garde touch where the saxophones give way to a touch of a musical arrangement that wants to be a sonorous orchestra. However, the perfection of the thing doesn’t let the sonorous touch tuck in the modern big band concept. Well, I understand myself. “Afinca y echa pa’ lante…” said Santa Rosa.

In the fifth track (Con el tanque lleno) the orchestra starts off powerful in sound and playfulness. The song is about a “convertible, colorado y con el tanque lleno”. The pregón reads: “Soy soltero y con el tranque lleno” (I’m single and with a full tank). I don’t think you will be surprised when I confess that this is my favorite song in this collection. The lyrics are funny, but the arrangement is a smashing one.

The conga’s correspondence with the melodic trombone solo by Alex Zapata’s blows sets the stage for a masterful closing by the saxophone ensemble under the leadership of Ismael Vergara’s baritone.

The sixth track (No vale la pena) is evidence of the chameleonic capacity of Sammy Gonzalez, Jr.’s voice, which can be used to proclaim, to sound, to become the most romantic rogativo in the middle of a heavy song, all within a romantic lyric full of feeling. Well, rarely does a man play the “victim” of a sentimental breakup.

This is one of those few times, a situation that makes the pregones both jocular and nostalgic at the same time. The contradiction of suffering and laughing is also visited at the end of the mambo, which makes the theme one of general interest in addition to the musical interest it awakens.

The seventh track (Pa ti morena) is a very brave Cuban son. I don’t know if this son is played in that unlikely combination of the style of Tito Puente, Machito and Tito Rodriguez knowingly or if it was pure chance. I felt like I was reaching for heaven while listening to Sammy Gonzalez, Jr.’s vocal performance when the alto saxophone solo brought me back to reality.

The beginning of cut #8 (Para los bailadores) marks the change of tempo to an aggressive one where the bongo is the one telling where the baritone is going. When the vocalist suggests to Tito Rodriguez, Jr. to enter the mambo with an anticipatory “y nos fuimos”, no one doubts the greatness of the orchestra’s sound.

The timbal solo by Tito Rodríguez, Jr. declines when the performer requests “mambo otra vez”. It is in this track that the distinctive sound of this orchestra is most noticeable, one inspired by the traditional big bands, although influenced by the advanced currents. In short, this is real salsa and it is salsa to enjoy. As promised in the lyrics, this song brings to the arena a very cool rhythm that is not to be confused with charanga.

After I finished writing this note, having already listened to the complete production, I was tempted to ask Tito for an audience and ask him “a couple of questions” according to me. That brief call went on and on and I asked him everything I could, taking advantage of the nobility of the timbalero heir to the musicality and name of one of our greatest musical glories….

During the “cañona” that I wanted to call an organic interview, Tito confirmed that Transición is his fourth album and the first to be titled in Spanish. Let’s go well, Tito.

This album was preceded by Curious? (1978), which featured José Alberto “El Canario” and Rubén Blades; Eclipse (1995) and The Big Three Palladium Orchestra live at the Blue Note (2004).

Why the title Transición? I’ll tell you about it next time. Obviously, Tito deserves another chapter in my salsa journey. Talk to you soon and I’ll tell you about his 2009 adventure when he was in Puerto Rico fulfilling one of his musical dreams.

Tito Rodríguez, Jr. Transición

By: Bella Martinez “La Escritora Irreverente de La Salsa”

Puerto Rico

As soon as I got my hands on this album, I listened to it many times. Not that I owed an explanation, but I couldn't stop listening to it and go off to take care of my duties. So much so that I had to send the radio station of the Puerto Rican salsa singer on vacation for a few days until I finished writing the note that I had chosen to write itself. — Bella Martinez “The Irreverent Salsa Writer”.

WebSite: Bella Martinez

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Legendary and Unavoidable Cheo Navarro Bravo Rumbero and his Orchestra de Moda

The first name of the great “Cheo” is José Natalio Navarro Barreto

José “Cheo” Navarro was born in San Agustín parish, Caracas, Venezuela on April 19, 1952. While still a child, his family moved to La Cañada de Jesús and later the 23 de Enero parish, the family Navarro Barreto settled in block 6 of the Monte Piedad sector where he spent his adolescence. The first name of the great “Cheo” is José Natalio Navarro Barreto.

The name and the musical activity of “Cheo Navarro” is substantial and unavoidable for salsa made in Caracas. This percussionist and bandleader has always been at the heart of Caribbean music in such a manner that we will always find a reference to him in various salsa phenomena of the country.

The name and musical activity of "Cheo Navarro" substantial and inevitable for salsa made in Caracas. — Cheo Navarro Legendary and Inevitable Bravo Rumbero and his Fashionable Orchestra

It was from the year 1971 when he got involved with the orchestra of Tito Rodriguez in such a way that he never wanted to do anything else but play like those folks (since he did it by beating every book, container and pot lid he could find at home with pencils and sticks), eventually joining other fans of music to found the group Mango (he was 21 years old at the time). He won the respect of those in the know by performing with that group, where he contended with the best in Caribbean music at that time.

In addition to founding orchestras that are already part of our musical and sentimental history (Mango, Sensación, Bailatino and now Cheo Navarro and his Orquesta Tributo), he played and composed for other leading orchestras such as the Sexteto Juventud, Federico y su Combo Latino, El Trabuco Venezolano, La Crítica de Oscar de León, the Orquesta Renovación, Coco y su Sabor Matancero, and Naty y su Orquesta; He has also collaborated with the orchestras of Orlando Castillo “Orlando Watussi””, Alfredo Naranjo Carvajal and his Guafeo, and “Pavo” Frank. As for the international soneo, he has played with Jhonny Pacheco, Ismael Miranda Carrero, Andy Montañez, Cheo Feliciano, Héctor Lavoe, Daniel Santos, Pete “Conde” Rodríguez and a plethora that is no longer necessary and, maybe, impossible to list in full.

“Bravo Rumbero“

Is probably his most important composition and the song the salseros of lineage and also those who were not necessarily salseros remember the most, but they had their sense of hearing working just fine, during the 70s and 80s.

The music industry has not been as generous as it should have been with this gentleman. Precisely with him, who has made an effort to pay homage to the gods of his musical devotion. — Cheo Navarro in Block 6 of January 23 appreciates it with reverent generosity.

He is much loved in Block 6 of the 23 de Enero parish they appreciate him with the same reverent generosity

with which the poor towns pay tribute to their genuine icons: He is the illustrious neighbor who has made and makes them dance and, in time, he is the simple man of the people whose stature is found in the work and not in vanity.

The music industry has not been as generous as it should have been with this gentleman. With him, who has been making great efforts to pay homage to the gods of his musical devotion. The sonorities of his orchestral works are a lasting tribute to the giants of flavor.

He is the illustrious neighbor who has put them and puts them to dance and in passing, is the simple man of the people whose stature is in the work and not in vanity — Cheo Navarro Bravo Rumbero and his Orquesta de Moda

The fame that, using payola and other resources, has managed to raise up other names in this business and in history. But being face to face, musician to musician, with anyone, Cheo Navarro qualifies to be one of those fundamental icons who are worthy of being pleasantly remembered, rooted in his people and in urban culture.

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NORA SUZUKI

32 Years After Her Debut In Salsa

She broke paradigms in Latin and Asian music in the late ‘80s. She founded the most famous Salsa orchestra in Japan (La Orquesta De La Luz). She paved the way for new generations of artists. She is an institution of Afro-Caribbean music in oriental culture. A leading woman, dreamer, charismatic, and enthusiastic… This is how Nora Suzuki presents her story.

This famous artist originally from Nakano-ku (Tokyo) did not always want to be a singer, at first Nora was inclined towards professional dance taking ballet classes at three years old, however, by then this young singing promise already had an unmatched vocal talent that couldn’t go unnoticed years later.

Her aptitude for the arts comes from her family because her grandfather was a master of drums and singing, her parents, although they are not professionals, continue to be excellent singers, her cousin is a music teacher, her brother is a fan of the English band, The Beatles, and finally, her son León (named so in honor of Venezuelan Salsa singer, Oscar D’ León) loves Japanese popular music right now, nevertheless, Nora hopes that one day he will succeed her as Salsero. As you can see, music runs through the veins of this successful international singer.

In the last year of Takashima High School in Tokyo (Japan) Nora’s track record of success began to be carved out. She started in an amateur rock band as the lead vocalist and developed her interest in R&B music. She sang in the ATOM band during her undergraduate career at Nihon University art of college. By then, the band had a percussionist (ex-leader of the Orquesta De La Luz) who loved Salsa and suggested to Suzuki that she study that Latin musical genre.

Nora Suzuki signing autographs — “Gracias Salseros” was released on the music market on August 20, 2019

“When I was 21, I visited New York for sightseeing and watched Oscar D’ Leon’s live at the Salsa Club. I was very impressed at that time and fell in love with Salsa. After that, a Salsa band called Orquesta del Sol was playing live in Tokyo, so I went to see that band. I was impressed that even Japanese people can play Salsa, so I decided to form La Orquesta De La Luz”. Nora explained in detail the idea that came up to create this famous Japanese Salsa Orchestra in 1984 and already graduated from university for that year.

For Suzuki, currently based in Tokyo, the last year (2020) was a year of changes: most of her concerts were postponed or canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but they were still able to perform live, and after the summer, they made several performances in their home city and other adjacent regions.

In the near future, the concert tour of Nora and La Orquesta de la Luz in America and Europe is a fact, as well as the fusion of modern elements such as Reggaeton inside Salsa in their new record productions.

HER PATH THROUGH SPANISH

Nora outdoors — “I have never felt discriminated while touring Latin America. I think it’s great!” Nora

For Nora, not everything was easy when she began her career in Latin music. At first, it was difficult for her to speak Spanish due to the pronunciation of the consonants “R” and “L”. Since there isn’t distinction in the phonetics of both letters in the Japanese language, however, this successful singer never occurred to sing Salsa in another language. “I tried very hard to pronounce it right… Now I have original Salsa song with Japanese lyrics”. The artist commented.

This charismatic singer-songwriter on her path through Spanish first caught the sounds in the katakana alphabet. Then, she studied Spanish grammar in courses broadcast on television and radio.

The lyrics of her songs are composed by her using words she knows, reading dictionaries, and example sentences carefully. Once the lyrics are made, they are reviewed by one of her friends of Latin descent.

Now I can understand Spanish a lot. If you speak slowly, I can understand the rough meaning”.

NORA SUZUKI & LA ORQUESTA DE LA LUZ

This prestigious artist, who has captivated millions of people with her talent on three continents, was always persevering and disciplined. She formed La Orquesta De La Luz in the early ‘80s and later made a demo for their international performance. Three years later, with her savings, Nora toured three countries on the American continent: Panama, Puerto Rico, and New York.

Panama was the first country that set foot in search of being heard by Latinos. “I was very excited because I was able to appear on the radio and TV show, and the audience was very excited about my singing”. Nora commented.

Then she visited Puerto Rico and New York. Nora adds: “At first, I went to see Ralph Mercado, but unfortunately he didn’t listen to the demo tape. I was very depressed but didn’t want to give up, so I next met Richie Bonilla, and he was able to listen to the tape and could believe my story”.

Orquesta de la Luz in concert — “Some members understand Spanish a little, but most of them don’t speak it”. Nora Suzuki

After overcoming some obstacles, in 1989, they debuted as a world-famous Salsa band with their first concert tour in New York, thanks to the promotion of Bonilla, who currently continues to be her manager and the orchestra.

Eight years of resounding success on three continents and especially in Japan made each member of the band so popular that by 1997 it was impossible to match the schedule of each member, which caused the inevitable and regrettable breakup.

Five years later, specifically on January 16, 2002, Nora organized the World Peace Music Festival benefit concert due to the 911 incident in New York and return for the immense affection and support of Latinos in the United States. This concert was the catalyst for the reunion of La Orquesta de la Luz and by the beginning of 2021, the band has 23 countries already visited.

Recently, this famous star awarded the United Nations Peace Medal in 1993, together with the Orchestra, released the album “Gracias Salseros” in commemoration of their more than 30th anniversary. (This CD can be downloaded and listened to through the different digital platforms).

In the last 10 years, La Orquesta de la Luz has toured Japan twice and has participated in consecutive years in the Billboard Live in Tokyo and Osaka. You can also see them perform at local festivals, children’s schools, and through their official Facebook page with their live-streamed rehearsal videos that have a total of 9 000 000 views.

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Improve The Physical And Mental Health With SalsaBrisa In Maastricht

The dance academy located in one of the cities of the lively cultural scene of Netherlands offers a personalized system that implements the triple technique of the current educational system for quality learning

Dance couple posing — You can have personalized attention and guidance with experienced dance instructors in private lessons in the environment of your choice

The SalsaBrisa academy is oriented to direct Afro-Caribbean dance classes using the triple technique of the educational system: visual, auditory, and kinetic to help the easy learning of this Latin rhythm and achieve a happier life with physical and mental well-being.Naomi Dongelmans and her partner Khalid Lazar of Moroccan origin founded the dance school in early 2000 to help society find a new lifestyle. Since 2006, the creators of the world-renowned Limburg Salsa Bachata Kizomba Festival have enjoyed great success and rising popularity in the Netherlands.

Dongelmans, a medical professional, realized with her experience that dance helps people cope with many afflictions such as depression, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes. Working in parallel with her life partner and chef Khalid, she managed to show that through continuous dance movements that produce endorphins, people who fight against mental disorders become happier, as well as the elderly, including women and men of 90 years old enjoy a better quality of life with superior mobility, significantly younger attitudes, and interact much better with the rest of their dance friends.

For this great contribution of fun combined with quality lessons, SalsaBrisa has been recognized with the Bedrijven Awards for Excellence In Business (2012 & 2013) and Freelancer of the Year in 2014 and 2015.

Currently, in Maastricht, a university city in the far south of the Netherlands, many people enjoy the La Mulata dance school of the SalsaBrisa academy which offers a diverse schedule of lessons in different styles and levels, as well as events for everyone with an atmosphere relaxed and calm with the team of teachers composed of Khalid, Naomi, James, Marcos, Simone, and Floor, who will make sure that you shine in dance, and will teach you with the personalized learning style that brings together the combination of cognitive, affective, and psychological factors, a mayor development with which you will interact with new people, you will get in shape, and you will become healthier and happier.

ON THE DANCE FLOOR

Dance classes — In the lessons: they first warm-up with their footwork, and then they work as a team with a lot of fun

Khalid, Naomi, and their team continue to offer face-to-face Latin dance courses in Maastricht and around, but in the time of Corona, some additional security measures endorsed by the national government have been established to be implemented on the dance floor to continue the fun, learning, and fitness:

Maintaining 1.5 meters of distance between pairs is still the norm.
Must be done pre-registration for lessons (required). It is due to it can be traced if someone has Corona.
For social events and free dance nights, the registration must also be completed (name and email address or phone number). It is done on the spot unless otherwise stated.
It is advised to dance in the same group composition as much as possible. No partners are exchanged, so keep dancing as much as you can on the same day and with the same partner.
Anyone who has danced for at least 15 minutes within 1.5 meters of someone with an established COVID-19 infection must quarantine for ten days if this contact was less than 14 days ago.
Mouth masks are not recommended.
The catering section is currently closed.

NEXT EVENT

EURO SALSA GALA 2022 is a night of dance and workshops of Salsa, Bachata, and Kizomba with two stages in La Mulata. The first room will have 50% Salsa & 50% Bachata, and the second area will be 100% Kizomba. Both scenes will have four national DJs, astonishing and personable artists, and impressive performances with two big free parking spaces in front and behind the building. The details of the programming will be available on its website very soon and you can reserve the tickets for this edition that unites the two most popular Latin styles of the moment now.

Date: Saturday, February 19, 2022

Place: La Mulata. Tongerseweg 346, 6215 AC Maastricht, Netherlands

Time: 09:00 UNK

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Andrew Mark Mclaughlin is an author, composer, writer and professor of language

Andrew Mark Mclaughlin is a Canadian-born author, composer, writer, professor of language, and lover of Latin culture and music of Canadian origin. Born in Oshawa, Ontario in 1977, he reveals a special sensitivity from an early age.

He developed his teenage life between studies, sports and his first approach to music where he participated in a rock band called Trailerpark Cinderellas.

Being a teenager and on a vacation visit to the Dominican Republic in the bateyes to the rhythm of the cane cutting, he discovers the magic and rhythm of Latin music that will become one of his two great passions, the other, the spirit of public service accompanied by his delivery as a teacher.

First, he continued his studies at the University of Toronto, then at the University of Salamanca, Spain. And finally, at the Faculty of Education at York University.

In 2001, he started working as a professor of literature and language in Pickering, Ontario. That same year, he started composing and singing.

In 2006, with that permanent concern that characterizes him, he and Carmen Muñoz Franco founded Learning for Hope (Aprendiendo por la Esperanza), which is a non-profit organization, with the sole intention of working with educational communities in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Cusco, Peru. The project operates to the present day.

The heart of the project is an educational center for boys and girls in orphanages, including victims of human trafficking.

In 2010, as an enlargement of the project, he arrived in El Salvador to work with the Agape Foundation, which does charity work throughout the country.

Thanks to this work, he met Rubén Flamenco, the director of Salsalvador Allstars, which is the most important salsa band in the country.

In honor of Geovanny Torres, a common friend who was suffering from a sad disease, Andrew composed his first song in Spanish, “Cúrame con Salsa”, a song that continues to be played on the radio stations of the country.

Due to the success of this song, the opportunity arises to play the song Terremoto with Giro Lopez, celebrated Puerto Rican salsa singer. Since then, with that energy, creativity and strength that characterize him, he has created more than a thousand songs ranging from salsa to cumbia including bachata and romantic ballad.

His mind and adventurous spirit have taken him out to many places where he has had the opportunity to meet many musicians, who are ambassadors of his creativity today, including Puerto Rico, Mexico, Bolivia, Peru, El Salvador, Chile and Colombia.