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Search Results for: Flamenco

Tips for the Latin dances “Salsa”, “Bachata”, “Merengue” and “Lambada”

To be able to socialize and have fun, many people learn different activities that can attract others either in their daily routine or during a rest time they have; among those activities is music and dance, where the person can interact with their neighbor and / or partner (a) either by practicing it or simply talking about the subject.

 

Dancing is simply the act of performing a dance, where a person uses his or her body to perform movements to the beat or to the rhythm of a music or melody, in order to express a message, by tradition or with the aim of entertaining oneself; of course, in order to practice it, body communication is very important because the couple or group needs to know certain signals that indicate the “when” or “how”, in order to perform the steps and as a result the success of this performance will test the quality, maturity and growth of the dancers; and to perfect the technique the best thing they could do is to look for an academy where they can orient them and thus achieve their equilibrium either as a couple or as an individual.

However the dance is not something monotonous, it has different musical genres and on this occasion we will talk about La Salsa, La Bachata, El Merengue and a little known but at the same time very interesting rhythm called Lambada.

 The tenses in these 4 musical genres are different, for example:

 

  • The Lambada is a dance that comes from Brazil although you still have doubts about its exact origin.  Another influence of its development came from Caribbean music adding metal drums, electric guitars making this a unique musical experience.  It has a degree of popularity in Europe because it is exotic and uncommon due to certain characteristics la Lambada that there are traces of flamenco and other ancient Spanish dances.  The Lambada uses a three (3) beats, where the first 2 are fast and the third (3rd) is slow, with simple steps dancing either in the same place or on the side, showing momentum and interest where the dancer is looser, flexible and docile, whereas the woman is full bodily movement and should be guided by her partner, as if the woman were clay in the hands of the potter.
Lambada dance
Photo of a Lambada dance contest
  • La Salsa is an Afro-Caribbean rhythm and dance fused with jazz and other styles.  Its birth has been much debated, but it is known that it comes from a fusion carried out by the inhabitants of the Caribbean when they listened to European music and then mixed it with their drums, it is a rhythm with flavor, joy and the force of life, a very common characteristic when it comes to party, which one can associate through the salsa songs. The Salsa handles a four (4) beat beat beat, either side to side or back and forth, it can also be crossed (as if you draw a “V” with the 2 and 3 in the middle) and the turns in both dancers can be from simple to complex as you progress level in (a dance academy), citing the textual words of Glenis is a rhythm where the woman It’s man-guided, so if you want to blame her for a misstep, you know who to blame.
Salsa Pose
Photo of a couple dancing Salsa
  • The Merengue is a dance from the Dominican Republic, becoming a Caribbean and Latin rhythm, it is one of the easiest rhythms to learn to dance even without experience, since it is not as fast or strict as the “Salsa” is, its movement can be back and forth, or side to side, always adding very noticeable hip movement with the rest of the body although not as exaggerated as bachata or kizomba; giving it a touch of flavor and flavor.  It is required to do this a close dance with your partner that when salsa is danced, facilitating the fluency of the couple at the time of moving and so be more synchronized, of course it is that not all the time is like this, the trick is the synchronization of the couple’s steps; usually it resembles the turns of the salsa with the merengue.
Meringue Competition
Photo of dancers dancing Merengue

There are many types of dances in each country and in its academies and-or dance venues, which have their own rules, tips, names and steps to follow, what matters is that you achieve the ultimate goal which is to “dance” by holding classes regularly, following the advice of your teachers, practicing your technique outside your classes, dedicating time to improve your dance skills specific, improve your postures, exercise without abusing it getting your rest time and above all observe outstanding dancers of different styles, this way you will be able to achieve your goals without staying on the path of learning.

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 2001, he started working as a professor of literature and language in Pickering, Ontario. That same year, he started composing and singing
Andrew Mark Mclaughlin is an author, composer, writer and professor of language

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.

By: Diana Marie Miami Correspondent for International Salsa Magazine

 

SOME OF HIS SONGS

FRANKY SWING & DAVID CUEVAS: MI MEJOR MEDICINA

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xGt8FxwpUM

YANI BORRELL: TE DEDICO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbczlNplncw

IZIS LA ENFERMERA DE LA SALSA: CORRE CONMIGO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLV7pXVx_Zw

FRANKY SWING: TE AMO LOCAMENTE (MEXICO AND VENEZUELA)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RIcgOgXDdg

LUIGGY LAMBIS: MI GRAN AMOR (COLOMBIA AND CHILE)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kpQCxZ71EY

LUIGGY LAMBIS: CHICA SALSERA (COLOMBIA AND CHILE)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86VwbAW4F9Q

NKLABE & SALZON: MANOS DE AMOR (PUERTO RICO & EL SALVADOR)

*NOMINATED FOR TROPICAL SONG OF THE YEAR

*Produced by: Diego Gale

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80jMABYs2Zc

GIRO LOPEZ: TERREMOTO  (PUERTO RICO)

*It reached No. 1 on the SALSOUL RADIO charts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkMG7JRq71g

GIRO LOPEZ: AQUÍ ESTARE (PUERTO RICO)

*It reached No. 4 on the Miami DJ pool chart

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty-IjNUt5Tg

EMI SANTIAGO: ESCLAVO DE AMOR (COLOMBIA)

*It reached No. 1 on the LA TROJA RADIO charts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqMd_wJBTEA

SALSALVADOR ALLSTARS: CURAME CON SALSA (EL SALVADOR)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HH_isr8oJvU

It reached third place in the World Salsa Championship 2020

SALSALVADOR ALLSTARS: SONRISONA (EL SALVADOR)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLoA_OKTH5M

SALZON: SALSA SECRETA (EL SALVADOR)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HO2GgpGWxAQ

SALZON: AMOR ILOGICO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2o5VywA3Cco

CODIGO FHER: ESA SONRISA  (BOLIVIA)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aki-nX84lvI

Home

DIEGO “EL CIGALA”

The “Cantaor” Of The XXI Century

Flamenco has been his principal victory. Tango his maximum exploration. Salsa his greatest ambition, and Bolero his deepest romanticism. The world has witnessed his talent, Diego Ramón Jiménez Salazar or better known as Diego “El Cigala” has immersed us in these torrential musical genres with his masterful voice for 24 years. Each album shows us intoxicating rhythms that introduce you to joy on many occasions, and many others evoke stories of deep melancholy in their unequivocal lyrics.

Diego, a good, upright, and friendly man has lived very hard moments like the loss of the two most important women in his life. Her wife, Amparo Fernandez, a victim of cancer that took her life in 2015 in her home (Punta Cana, Dominican Republic), and a year after lost her mother, Aurora Salazar Motos.

Diego "El Cigala" with his Wife Amparo
Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) “… It is a place where you can live, not just work. There is more space for life. “Amparo Fernandez

For 26 years, Amparo was his manager, friend, confidant, wife, and mother of his two oldest children (Diego and Rafael). She was always his stick of support even during the worst stage of his career.

Diego El Cigala has always been very familiar, sentimental, and a believer in God. “… My children make me and they will always keep me going, music heals me from the inside, and God accompanies me making everything possible”, explains the nationalized Dominican artist.

A year and a half after these fateful circumstances, the XXI century cantaor resurfaces and rebuilds his life with his current couple Dolores “Quina” and his third son Manuel, who was the product of this relationship.

Quina loves me, I love her, and she understands me like nobody. I have grief and joy every day of my life. I see my children, my wife, my granddaughters and shot forward.”

The Meeting

At the beginning of 2000, there was a meeting. Diego “El Cigala” and Bebo Valdés got together for the first time, and very much in the style of a bridal link, Diego and Bebo created a strong bond of friendship, mutual respect, and professional admiration.

Diego "El Cigala" with Bebo Valdés
His popularity arrived with Bebo Valdes and his album Lágrimas Negras

It was an afternoon at the house of musical director Fernando Trueba where they met and did not stop exchanging opinions about flamenco and Cuban music. From there their first collaboration together, three songs from the CD “Corren tiempos de alegría” released in 2001.

Bebo ever transmitted serenity and tranquility to Diego, which allowed them to record two years later Lágrimas Negras, an album with which they won a Latin Grammy Award for Traditional Tropical Album in 2004.

Both artists lived moments of unique and spiritual teachings. Each day Diego regrets Bebo’s physical departure and misses him so much that every day he looks up and sees Bebo saying to him: What’s wrong?

Bebo helped him get to know the Caribbean where he ended up living, helped him transcend flamenco, and learn about other genres. For that, the only way to pay tribute to him was with the sixth track belonging to the Indestructible record production, Fiesta para Bebo, with the special guest, Los Muñequitos de Matanza.

Since Lágrimas Negras, the cantaor of the XXI century has been able to venture into new genres and collaborations, such as the material Cigala & Tango (2010), Indestructible (2016), and his most recent record production “Cigala canta a México” presented in 2020.

El Cigala Indestructible

Since 2016 Indestructible presented the greatest musical fusion of the American and European continent. It was a Salsa and flamenco production that brought together the founders of the Fania All-Stars after 25 years and recalled emblematic songs such as El ratón, Periódico de ayer, Moreno soy, and Juanito alimaña popularized by Willie Colón and Hector Lavoe, among many others.

Diego "El Cigala" cantando
Indestructible released in 2016 is the tenth studio album of Diego “El Cigala”

Diego El Cigala from the gypsy ethnic group grew up in love with this Latin music since his childhood thanks to his father and the great stars of hard Salsa such as Héctor Lavoe, Celia Cruz, Cheo Feliciano, La Fania All-Stars, and El Gran Combo.

Diego "El Cigala" black and white
Diego “El Cigala” has always been very familiar, sentimental, and a believer in God

This tenth studio album in tribute to his wife Amparo Fernandez, and his great teacher and friend, Bebo Valdés, was recorded in different territories of the American continent, bringing the color and sound of Salsa from each area to this CD. The cities that he visited and captured part of the recording were: Cali (Colombia), San Juan (Puerto Rico), Havana (Cuba), Punta Cana (Dominican Republic), New York (United States), Miami (United States), and Jerez de la Frontera (Spain) where the production ended with the addition of guitar, choirs, cajón, and flamenco clapping.

As part of this fusion of genres, El Cigala had the opportunity to count on the talent of Oscar D’Leon, Bobby Valentin, Larry Harlow, Roberto Roena, Eddie Montalvo, Nicky Marrero, Jorge Santana, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Luis Perico Ortiz, Horacio el Negro, José Aguirre, Diego del Morao, and the percussion group Los Muñequitos de Matanza with whom he created a very special connection because they have a lot of similarity with the culture of his gypsy people, “I love them, no I’ve seen better people with so much heart “, that’s how El Cigala described them.

Indestructible, nominated for the Latin Grammy for Best Tropical Album in 2018, represents the immortality of Salsa, the essence of the Afro-Caribbean rhythm that endures in the Latin roots of the new generations although it no longer has the same boom that is enjoyed between the period from 1970 to 2000.

Salsa was in the 70s a way to confront racism and xenophobia that Latin Americans were experiencing in the United States. That unites Salsa with gypsy music and the gypsy people, who have also experienced these prejudices”. Diego “El Cigala”

Discover The 8 Orchestras Of Tempo Latino 2021 (Cancelled)

The major Salsa Festival in France announced the lineup of orchestras to perform at Les Arènes: Pacific Mambo Orchestra, Los Van Van, Interactivo, London Afrobeat Collective, Alain Pérez, and Issac Delgado will display their talent on stage

Les Arènes (the only paid access area of the festival) will be the Latin and Afro-Caribbean music concerts. Here, you will enjoy the cultural and generational exchange, also the talent of the great trajectory & emerging artists, who will present their repertoire for the maximum Salseros. In this 27th edition of Tempo Latino (a festival held outdoors), all the biosecurity measures implemented in the country will be respected.

Concerts in Tempo Latino 2021

Pacific Mambo Orchestra

Pacific Mambo Orchestra
Friday, July 30, 2021 – 9:00 P.M.

The renaissance of the Latin sound of the Big Bands of the 1940s will be in the performance by one of the most important orchestras in the United States, Pacific Mambo Orchestra. Their music combines Mambo, Pop, Cha Cha, Timba, and Bolero. Additionally, Pacific Mambo Orchestra was the winner of the “Best Tropical Album” at the 2014 Grammy Awards.

This North American orchestra was founded 11 years ago by the Mexican pianist Christian Tumalan and the German trumpeter Steffen Kuehn. They have collaborated with famous artists such as Carlos Santana, Poncho Sánchez, Pete Escovedo, and Arturo Sandoval. Currently, this Latin Big Band performs on the west coast of the United States, and its repertoire is in English and Spanish. His third album: The III Side fuses the Mambo traditions of the 50s with the music of the moment.

Los Van Van

Los van Van vestidos de negro
Friday, July 30, 2021 – 11:00 P.M.

The emblematic Cuban music orchestra will celebrate its 50 years of experience on the Les Arènes of Tempo Latino stage.

Los Van Van was founded in 1969 by the bassist, composer, and legend of Cuban music, Juan Formell.

Juan, accompanied by José Luis Quintana, known as “Changuito” and César “Pupy” Pedroso, invented the “Songo”, a Cuban rhythm predecessor of the “Timba” or Cuban Salsa. This rhythmic fusion generated the Salsa-Son, a sound with a Cuban style.

In 2018 they recorded their first record production “Legado” since Juan Formell’s passed away in 2014. This tribute album has 14 songs with 3 new versions of international singles: “Te extraño”, “Por qué lo haces”, and “Amiga mía”. 

Interactive

Interactivo 2021
Saturday, July 31, 2021 – 9:00 P.M.

The avant-garde Cuban collective, Interactivo, is the most innovative and interesting project in Cuban music today.

This emerging orchestra on international stages brings together the brightest and most eclectic talents in Havana. Each member brings his specialty: Timba, Funk, Jazz, Hip Hop, Rock, Rumba, Cuban traditional music, and Soul for an optimal result of great richness, where individual originality, musical creativity, and avant-garde ideas enrich the group.

London Afrobeat Collective

LondonAfrobeatCollective 2021
Saturday, July 31, 2021 – 11:00 P.M.

London’s addicting Afrobeat for ten years has offered festive music based on Jazz, Funk, Rock, Dumb, and African Vibes. Its international ADN, composed of nine members from England, Italy, France, Congo, Argentina, and New Zealand, has made its rhythm together with the powerful voice of the Congolese singer Juanita Euka, addictive music with powerful and committed messages. Enjoy this emerging band from international stages, London Afrobeat Collective, at Tempo Latino.

Alain Pérez and The Orchestra

Alain Pérez de blanco
Sunday, August 1, 2021 – 9:00 P.M.

Alain Pérez, bassist, singer, and arranger, composes his orchestra of 13 young musicians on stage to offer a mixed show of contemporary Cuban Salsa, Timba, and Latin Jazz. His talent has given him marvelous experiences with internationally renowned orchestras and musicians such as Los Van Van, Irakere, Issac Delgado, Paquito D’Rivera, and Celia Cruz. He always is accompanied by his elephant-head cane, in homage to Cuban musician Benny Moré.

Alain also has been influenced by flamenco for his work with Spanish artist Paco de Lucía.

This multifaceted artist born in Havana was nominated twice for the Latin Grammy Awards, the first in 2015, in the category Best Traditional Tropical Music Album with “El alma del Son, tributo a Matamoros” and the second, “ADN” nominated in 2017 in the category Best Salsa Album.

El Cuento de la Buena Pipa 2020 is his most recent record production, and you can enjoy it on the main stage of the festival.

Issac Delgado

Isaac Delgado con bufanda
Sunday, August 1, 2021 – 11:00 P.M.

The great voice of Cuban Salsa, Issac Delgado, released his first album “Dando La Hora” in 1991 under the direction of Cuban pianist and composer Gonzalo Rubalcaba.

On November 13, 2020, he presented his new album “Dando La Hora 30th Anniversary Gold Edition” with eight temas remastered themes: La Novia Que Nunca Tuve, Aunque Soy Como Soy, Amor De Tierra Y Cuerpo, Entrégate a Mí, Cuando estás Lejos Estas Inalcanzable, Centímetro a Centímetro, Si La Vuelvo a Encontrar y Ella Es Un Reloj. “¡Vaya que chévere!”

Purchase your tickets at:

At the Tempo Latino Office: 3, rue du Général Delort, 32190 Vic-Fezensac

Authorized payments: Check (payable to Tempo Latino), Vacation Voucher, Cash, and Credit Card

During the Festival: The Tempo box office moves to Les Arènes. 18-20, Avenue Edmond Berges, 32190 Vic-Fezensac. Telephone: 05 62 06 40 40 / 05.62.06.66.56

Authorized Payments: Check (payable to Tempo Latino), Vacation Vouchers, Cash, and Credit Card

Role of the Triangle Trade in the birth of Cuban rumba

What Cuban rumba is

As we all know, Latin music is a very diverse mix of a series of rhythms and musical styles from all over the world. What we know today as Latin music was the result of a whole concoction of historical facts that must come first in any story that seeks to explain the origins of any Latin rhythm that wants to be studied.

A good example of this that we have just said is the Cuban rumba, which is part of a set of cultural concepts that can be found in many parts of the world. There are certain musical rhythms that have allowed us to see that some seemingly alien places have made us discover each and every one of the common points they have, both historically and culturally.

How Cuban rumba starts

Cuban rumba and the Triangle Trade
Some people dancing rumba and and playing drums

One of the most important historical events that marked the birth of the Cuban rumba was the triangular trade carried out between Africa, America and Europe. This fact was the emergence of a large number of musical genres that were resulting from the mixture of rhythms and styles from all the aforementioned continents.

After the Discovery of America, Europe saw in the New World a useful territory for many of the economic activities that were not possible in their respective countries. In the case of labor, many African chiefdoms offered for sale to part of their inhabitants, something that was seen with very good eyes by the powerful Europeans of the time. This is how what historically would be known as triangular trade began.

This activity consisted of sending low-quality materials to be exchanged by African slaves to work with African and American resources in terrible living conditions. Once in America, some African ethnic groups were in charge of introducing the rumba in the Antilles, although the origins of the groups that brought these rhythms continue to be controversial among many scholars of the subject.

Although the slaves worked very hard during the day, they continued to practice their traditional rituals and rites at night. These practices were entirely based on their traditional music and religious customs to stay united with their Mother Earth despite the remoteness and the circumstances. Over time, these rites and percussion instruments were banned, so the new inhabitants of America had to adapt to the instruments allowed by the Spanish Crown. This made these sounds unknown to the Africans together with their forbidden dances in this land were merging until resulting in what we know today as rumba.

Rumba today

Cuban rumba and the role of the slaves
People dressed in white to enjoy Cuban Rumba on the streets

The characteristics of the rumba vary enormously from one place to another, since there are many variations and changes from one continent to another. In Africa, many see this genre as similar to zouk or benga, while Europeans refer to it as flamenco or Catalan rumba. There have been many artists who have taken on the task of making this genre their own and making it evolve to unsuspected levels to make it what it is today.

Today, we can appreciate a good number of subgenres that have their origin in the same parrones rhythms from which rumba derives in its different versions.

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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.