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Alexandra Albán Manitas de Piedra baptized by Bobby Cruz

The percussionist christened by Bobby CruzStone Hand.

Alexandra Albán is the daughter of José Vicente Albán and María del Carmen Illera. She remembers the musical variety of her city of birth, Pasto. She admires the playing of Giovanni Hidalgo and Ray Barreto. He has recorded with José Aguirre’s group Kema, with flutist Néstor Torres, with Charlie Cardona, with Tony Sucar, with Bobby Cruz, with Alberto Barros in his Tribute to Colombian Salsa and recently recorded for Aymé Nuviola.

Born in the city of Pasto, Colombia, even as a little girl her musical talent started to show as she started her career as a trumpet player for different musical groups in her home city. Soon she was also singing and participation in national level competitions in which she obtained numerous awards.

The percussionist baptized by Bobby Cruz as Hands of Stone — Alexandra Albán Stone Hand

On the other hand, when she decided to travel to the city of Cali, she began her career as a percussionist, where she began to be part of different groups, thus strengthening her musical talent especially as a percussionist, Alexandra has had the opportunity to participate with artists such as Puerto Rican flutist Nestor Torres in his Latin jazz album which was nominated for a Grammy and Latin Grammy for best album in its genre, also participated in the song “Agua para beber” by Bobby Cruz.

In 2016 she was invited to be part of the jury at the salsa world cup in Cali, Colombia.

In 2018, Maestro Milton Salcedo invites her to record one of the songs (Sombrero de Yarey) of his album Swing 80, where she recorded all the percussion and was also nominated for a Latin Grammy.

In 2019 the master Mario Ortiz invites her to record in his production “50 Aniversario” in the theme (Budo) which was also nominated for the Latin Grammy, and the singer Albita Rodriguez also invites her to record in one of the themes of her album “Acústico” nominated for the Latin Grammy.

In 2020 she was called by the renowned producer Motiff, to record a project of the Artist Arthur Hanlon, production called “Piano y Mujer” where she had the opportunity to record Percussion, Artist like Kany Gracia, Natalia Jimenez among other Artists, participated in Piano y Mujer.

Some artists Alexandra has worked with. Maelo Ruiz, Tito Nieves, Jerry Rivera, Luisito Carrión, Ray Sepúlveda, Ray de la Paz, Henry Fiol, Orquesta Mulenze, Tito Gómez (R.I.P), Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz (special guest percussionist), Roberto Blades, Cano Estremera (R.I.P) among others.

She has also had the opportunity to work and record with Alberto Barros’ tribute to Colombian salsa, a group that won 2 gold records for sales in Mexico.

Anecdote with Bobby Cruz and the nickname he gave you as Manitos de Piedra (Little Hands of Stone)

Since she was a child her beginnings in music were not long in coming, she began her career as a trumpet player in different groups in her hometown, she also ventured into singing where she was winner of national competitions, including the singing contest of the house of culture of Nariño, where she won first place. — Alexandra Albán Born in the city of Pasto, Colombia

The Manitos de piedra thing was when the master Bobby Cruz invited me to record a CD with a song called Agua para beber. Bobby Cruz wanted some quinto solos and wanted me to do them, he calls me, I record them, and my surprise when I listen to the final product and in the middle of the solo he tells me Alexandra Albán, Manitos de piedra, hahaha. That song hit in Puerto Rico and Miami. Once I went to a concert dedicated to Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz in Puerto Rico, and people asked me if I was the aforementioned Manitas de piedra. For them, that’s my identification.

He admires the playing of Giovanni Hidalgo and Ray Barreto. — I am from Colombia

Research Sources

Diana Marie: Correspondent for International Salsa Magazine in Miami, Florida

International Salsa Magazine

https://www.soultonecymbals.com/artist/alexandra-alban

By: Diana Marie Correspondent International Salsa Magazine in Miami, Florida

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Raymundo “Ray” Barretto Pagan was born in Brooklyn, New York on April 29, 1929.

Ray Barretto, Giant Force

Son of Ramón Barretto and Dolores Pagán, born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico; he belongs to the generation of Puerto Ricans who grew up in New York and are known as “neoyoricans”: children of Puerto Ricans who did not know the Island.

His father leaves home and returns to Puerto Rico when Ray is barely six years old, leaving his mother, Doña Lola, alone to raise her children Ray, Ricardo and Cecilia. His childhood and part of his youth were spent between the streets of Spanish Harlem and the Bronx, listening to Latin music in the morning and jazz at night.

“My mother fought hard to keep us away from drugs and crime. She rented a room in the apartment to feed us. And as I recall, popular music was an escape for her from the reality of poverty and strengthened her spirit to keep fighting,” Ray recalled.

In 1946, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the army and was sent to Europe, where he curiously began his career as a jazz percussionist, performing officially at the Orlando Club GI, in Munich, Germany, in one of those jam sessions, a point of discovery for many great figures of music.

Regarding his performance in Germany, Ray comments: “That was an inspiration of the moment! There was an old banjo with old strings, I had listened to Chano Pozo through his records with Dizzy Gillespie, and I had that desire to play, to imitate Chano.

I took the banjo, went up on the stage and started to play by hitting the snare drum. Miracle the musicians didn’t throw me off the stage! But then they told me: ‘you have talent, you must go on and try to improve yourself’.

So when I returned to the United States, I bought my first drum and started looking for any place with live music to improve my technique by listening and watching how the musicians played, not on record, but live”.

Bella Martinez “La Escritora Irreverente de la Salsa” (Virginia, USA) is pleased and privileged to provide International Salsa Magazine with a worldwide release of her most recent publication and English translation of the book Ray Barretto, Giant Force.

Raymundo "Ray" Barretto Pagan was born in Brooklyn, New York on April 29, 1929. — Ray Barretto, Giant Force

The availability in English of this work, assists in the diffusion of Latin culture within the English speaking public. This was made possible thanks to the rigorous research and literary skill of Colombian author Robert Tellez, as well as the linguistic precision of Puerto Rican translator Ronald Vazquez.

This year, 2021, marks fifteen years since Ray Barretto left the earthly congas and five years since Colombian journalist Téllez Moreno released Ray Barretto, Giant Force.

On April 29th of this year, on the occasion of Barretto’s 93rd birthday, the Colombian author presented the translation of the aforementioned work, published in collaboration with Be More by Bella Martínez.

Like the work originally written by Téllez Moreno in Spanish and published by some publishers in 2016, this English version by the Puerto Rican translator gathers in a chronological and rigorous way the musical work of the also known as “Manos Duras”.

The book highlights Barretto’s beginnings in jazz and his influential career in salsa, collecting 11 Grammy nominations.

Ronald masterfully translates into simple, readable English the same journalistic narrative that Téllez constructed using testimonies gathered from those closest to Barretto.

After Barretto’s death in February 2006, Annette “Brandy” Rivera and the friend of the musician who is the subject of the book, George Rivera, shared with the author their memories of various moments in Barretto’s career.

Ray Barretto, Giant Force, was a virtual activity that was transmitted from Casa Norberto in Plaza Las Americas.

The presentation was moderated by journalist and writer Jaime Torres Torres, the independent editor in charge of the translation project, Bella Martínez, translator Ronald Vázquez, music professor and researcher Elmer González, author of the prologue to Ray Barretto, Giant Force, and the author of the book, Robert Téllez.

Research Sources by:

Bella Martinez

Andrés Campo Uribe “Contributor to Herencia Latina”.

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Let’s meet the Pharaoh of Salsa, who is he? Oscar D ‘Leon .

Biography of Oscar D ‘Leon

Óscar Emilio León Simosa, was born in the populous Antimano parish in Caracas -Venezuela, on July 11, 1943, known in the artistic world Óscar d ‘León, son of Carmen Dionisia Simoza and Florentino Padrón. However, he did not recognize him at the time of birth, so the marriage of Carmen Simoza and Justo León decided to take care of the child.

From an early age, little Oscar enjoyed the popular parties that were held in Antímano and listened to the music of great orchestras such as La Sonora Matancera, the Billo’s Caracas Boys Orchestra, the Matamoros Trio, and two of his greatest musical inspirations, Celia Cruz. and Benny Moré.

He began his musical career relatively late, at 28 years of age, after having carried out two jobs totally unrelated to music, such as taxi driver and mechanic; He was educated academically as a surveyor, but never practiced that profession.

Oscar learned to play bass empirically, his innate talent for music was so extraordinary that it allowed him to earn a position in one of the orchestras that played in a renowned nightclub in the city of Caracas. There Oscar also did the choirs, but he did not interpret any song as a soloist.

His life changed when the lead singer of the orchestra was absent from one of the presentations and Oscar proposed to fill that vacancy and he did it in a great way, so much so that he received the approval of all those present.

In 1972, the owner of “La Distinción” told him that he would dispense with his services, since he would require an orchestra of higher quality and experience. Oscar offered his group to the owner of the premises, although he did not have it. It was here that D ’León went, together with the trombonist César Monges, from door to door looking for some musicians with whom he considered he could put together a group with which the venue could get out of trouble. It is there where they meet the percussionists Elio Pacheco and José Rodríguez, the trombonist José Antonio Rojas (Rojita) and the pianist Enrique “Culebra” Iriarte (who would later be replaced by Jesús Narváez). At this moment the project to create the Latin Dimension is accelerating.

They premiered on March 15, 1972, in a rehearsal at the home of “Culebra” Iriarte in La Guaira and debuted in “La Distinción”. In that same 1972 the orchestra recorded their first full-length album and obtained their first hit, the song “Pensando en ti”. This first success led them to be hired to participate in the Maracaibo carnival festivities. We must emphasize that Víctor Mendoza was the one who suggested using his stage name as “Oscar D´León”. There were many songs that Oscar hit with the Latin Dimension, “Llorarás”, “Taboga”, “El Frutero”, “Mi Tierra”, among many more.

In 1976, at the highest point of popularity, Oscar D’León confronted differences with the rest of the members of the group, for which he separated from the Latin Dimension and formed his own orchestra; “La Salsa Mayor” recording his first LP titled “Con Bajo y Todo”.

After some legal problems that momentarily led him to remain briefly detained and deprived of liberty and to be questioned in the media, he decided to change his image and presence, dispensing with the qualifier “El Diablo de la salsa” that had been given to him in Panama.

In 1986 he relapsed into acting, this time in the Venezuelan film “Hell is sure.” Later, he began his international leap, taking his music to countries such as Japan and to stages such as Madison Square Garden in New York, the Poliedro de Caracas and the Teresa Carreño Theater. At this stage, he alternates and records with those who had been his youth idols: Celia Cruz, Eddie Palmieri and Tito Puente.

He also presented himself as the companion for singers of the new salsa generation who was part, like him, of the label belonging to Ralph Mercado “RMM”: La India with whom he would record the song “Hazme el amor” or José Alberto “El Canario” with who would record “The flavor arrived.”

Oscar D' Leon Photo — Oscar D ‘Leon smiling for the photo

Oscar D´León has received numerous awards and honors. In 1996, with the album “Sonero del Mundo” in collaboration with the Cuban musician Willy Chirino makes him obtain the nomination for the Grammy.

On March 15, 1998, the city of New York honored him by naming that date as Oscar D’León Day.

On December 20, 2009, he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of a Caracas clinic after suffering a heart attack in Martinique, from which he recovered after undergoing catheterization.

On November 21, 2013 he received the Latin Grammy Award for Excellence for his musical career, thus recognizing the impact of his performance in the world, also that same year he would receive the Grammy Award.

Today, Oscar continues to delight us with his wonderful musical talent …

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

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

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

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