Search Results for: La Sonora Ponceña

On March 19, 1928, in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, Rafael Viera Figueroa was born.

Excellent Music Promoter. Remembered for promoting the LP Siembra by W Colón and R Blades. He founded Viera Discos, “Cathedral of Latin Music”.

He was considered one of the main disseminators of salsa in Puerto Rico, Rafael Viera, also creator of Viera Discos, one of the most important points of the movement until 2016, year in which it was closed.

Viera Figueroa was, from the late sixties to the eighties, Fania’s representative on the island. Why? He was the one who brought the music of the label founded by Pacheco and Masucci to the land of Ismael Rivera, when it was mainly distributed in the United States.

He was the promoter of the first Fania All Stars concert in Puerto Rico in 1973 and was in charge of bringing to Puerto Rico the films ‘Our Latin Thing’ and ‘Salsa’, which packed the local theaters in the seventies. According to Primera Hora, he was the one who inaugurated the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan.

In 2014 Viera suffered a stroke that kept him in intensive care. On that occasion his son, Richie Viera, gave these words to the aforementioned media: “I am a man of faith, and in God I trust that Dad will recover and will be able to continue with us for many more years, offering us his wisdom, his anecdotes and promoting and collaborating so that new talents will have a place in Latin music”.

Viera was known for the famous Casa del Coleccionista store, which he ran for more than 60 years in Santurce, for Viera Discos and for the Catedral de la Música.

He was also one of the driving forces behind the salsa boom at the time of Fania Records, where he worked as producer and promotion manager of the conglomerate of record labels; Fania Records, Vaya Records, Tico Records, Alegre Records, Cotique Records, Éxito Records, International Records and Música Latina, among others.

He was also involved in the success of the careers of artists such as Willie Colón, Larry Harlow, Cheo Feliciano, Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz, Celia Cruz, Ismael Miranda, Sandro, Sabú, Willie Rosario, Miki Vimari, Sonora Ponceña, Tommy Olivencia, La Lupe, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Ismael Quintana, Justo Betancourt, Héctor Lavoe, Tito Rojas, Frankie Ruiz, Corporación Latina, Junior Toledo, Viti Ruiz, Guillo Rivera, Ray Barreto, Willie Rosario, Orquesta La Terrífica, Roberto Roena y su Apollo Sound, Johnny Pacheco, Pete “El Conde” Rodríguez, Impacto Crea, Ismael Rivera, Raphael, Wilkins, Trio Los Condes, Joan Manuel Serrat and the most important conglomerate of musicians in the history of Latin music known as Fania All Stars, among others. In 1973, he was the promoter of the first Fania All Stars concert in Puerto Rico, which inaugurated the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan.

In the field of cinema, Viera brought to Puerto Rico the film “Our Latin Thing” and Salsa, films that crowded the local movie theaters.

He passed away on January 13, 2019 in Puerto Rico, may he rest in peace and eternal glory to Rafael Viera!

North America – May 2022

Maestro Jorge Anselmo Barrientos Silva, conductor, arranger and composer

He is one of Mexico’s most important musicians and cultural heritage, recuerdos del Son with Jorge Anselmo Barrientos Silva.

Jorge Barrientos was born on November 14, 1953 in Mexico City. He studied music at the Escuela del Sindicato Único de Trabajadores de la Música del Distrito Federal. Groups and orchestras in which he has worked: Mocambo, Horóscopo Tropical, Jorge y su Boogaloo, Sonora Brasilia, Sonora Mayoral, Yímbola Combo, La Justicia, Sonora.

In 1980 he founded Recuerdos del Son (director, arranger, and composer), whose group is already part of our cultural heritage of Afro-Caribbean music in Mexico. This group has participated in festivals, conferences, concerts, and courses, in the most important auditoriums and theaters of the CDMX and the interior of the country. It is worth mentioning that it has been the only Mexican group invited to Nicaragua.

Within his musical career he has been a commentator on radio stations such as Radio D, Radio Educación, La Tropi Q and XEB. He has published several works on Afro-Antillean music and especially on Cuban Son -among others- El Son Raíz y evolución, La Clave en el Son cubano, Método de Tres and a didactic disc on the variants of Son.

Jorge Anselmo Barrientos Silva y Erika Muñoz

Regarding pre-Hispanic music, he published the research: ANALOGÍA ENTRE LOS INSTRUMENTOS DE PERCUSIÓN PREHISPÁNICOS Y LOS DEL SON CUBANO (ANALOGY BETWEEN PRE-HISPANIC PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS AND CUBAN SON). He has given conferences, concerts and workshops in several cultural spaces such as Faculties of the Universidad Autónoma de México, Cultural Centers in Mexico City, as well as in the interior of the Republic.

He has participated in the Cervantino Festival twice, the Caribbean Festival in Managua, Nicaragua in 1984, Festival de las Artes in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Tabasco, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, etc, etc. Jorge A. Barrientos Silva was an advisor in the Chamber of Deputies, and commissioner of the Musicians Union.

He has been Secretary of Political Action and in charge of the Legal Department. In the Musicians Union, he was a founder of the Afro-Antillean music workshop, besides having given countless lectures on the Cuban Son and its variants.

Jorge, how many productions have you recorded?

FIRST PRODUCTION OF MR. GENARO ÁLVAREZ (R.I.P.D.)

Jorge Anselmo Barrientos Silva — First production of Mr. Genaro Álvarez (Q.E.P.D.)

He is one of Mexico's most important musicians and cultural heritage

INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION, OWN BRAND, EL SON RECORDS

Record pressed in Pentagrama brand, production Jorge Barrientos

Independent production for the company’s own brand, discs Son

Record pressed at the pentagram brand, production Jorge Barrientos

Among those productions, which is the one that has left a mark in your musical history?

All of them have been important and, for example, the album HOIMENAJE PEREGRINO, is a product that record collectors look for and has a special value.

The album, recorded live at the Teatro de la Ciudad, is a document that contains compositions and arrangements by the members, including music and piano solos by Mexican jazzman Héctor Infanzón.

We know that you participated in a festival in Nicaragua, can you share with us about that great experience?

It was something special, since several groups from all over the world participated, among them, Italians, Venezuelans, Cubans, etc. and when playing “al tocar al tú por tú”, the Mexican musicians did not shrink.

You participated in several recordings of your musical partners, to mention a few Tony Camargo, Linda Vera, Wuelfo Gutiérrez, (former member of the legendary Sonora Matancera), what did these great musicians leave you as a musician?

Participating with great music legends is an unforgettable experience since they ask you to interpret the scores, according to the recordings that have left their mark.

Were you in the golden age of Afro-Antillean music, how did Afro-Antillean music develop in those years?

Without underestimating the work of today’s musicians, the era I lived in was very special, because each group tried to put its “stamp” on each performance, nowadays, regularly and with honorable exceptions, most of them “sound the same”.

In the present time, do you consider that Afro-Antillean music has transcended?

Yes, it has transcended, but, with the globalization of culture, sometimes there are few novelties.

Jorge, which show do you remember that alternated with the salseros from abroad?

In the fever of the ’80s, fortunately, the businessmen looked at us to alternate with the great figures, among these I can mention: Irakere, Orquesta Aragón, Gran Combo, Sonora Matancera, Sonora Ponceña, Son 14, Adalberto y su Son, etc.

In the fever of the 80's, fortunately, businessmen looked at us to alternate with the great figures — In the fever of the 80’s, fortunately, businessmen looked at us to alternate with the great figures

¿Recuerdos del Son is already a cultural heritage of the CDMX did you imagine that someday it would happen?

The work in the cultural area has been the goal of our efforts. How nice to receive the affection and recognition of the people, who are ultimately the ones who make our career.

As director and musician of your own orchestra, has it been difficult to get to where you are?

Music and being in the show business is a daily battle, and if it has been difficult, of course, no one has the formula for success, we will continue in the daily struggle, preparing ourselves and presenting our new productions,

How did your love for the guitar, the bass and the Cuban tres come about?

First, I am a descendant of a bohemian family, where the guitar was never missing, then with time my love for the bass and then the Cuban tres began.

Are you still performing?

I’ve been performing on Saturdays at the Salón Caribe and other dance halls for 4 years. The cultural activities have been suspended for some time now (by covid) but, hopefully, the presentations in festivals and theaters will be reactivated.

Do you still feel the same adrenaline rush when you step on a stage?

Fortunately, it’s the same emotion, you never know if the public is receptive or ignores your efforts.

In your musical career, have you been honored or received recognition?

Yes, I have received countless recognitions, both for the trajectory of RECUERDOS DEL SON and for the research work I have done.

Jorge before saying goodbye we want to thank you for being and existing as the cultural heritage of the CDMX.

Would you like to close this talk with a few words?

Some say that Son is dead, Don Ignacio Piñeiro used to say: “Son is the most sublime thing for the soul to have fun, it should die, who for good does not judge it.

MAY THE SON NOT DIE, WITH CLAVE AND BONGO, MEMORIES OF THE SON.

Facebook: Jorge Anselmo Barrientos Silva

Article of Interest: Fabián Rosales Araos Chilean singer-songwriter, native of the city of Valparaíso

Noticias Con Sabor with Luis Medina

Noticias Con Sabor in the month of January

We leave this year with the loss of giants in the Latin Music who have joined the ancestors that include the recent loss of the legendary Mexican star Vicente Fernandez, Panamanian powerhouse sonero Meñique and Paquito Guzman who was known for both his boleros and Salsa tunes. This year we have also lost legends and great musicians such as Johnny Pacheco, Roberto Roena, Chick Corea, Larry Harlow, Adalberto Alvarez, Johnny Ventura, Ralph Irrizary, Tommy Villariny and at the end of 2020, Tito Rojas. We are lucky that these artists have left us with their legacies of music that will continue to entertain people for years to come. Rest in Power!

Spanish Harlem Orchestra conquered Monterey with two explosive sets at a special show this past Saturday, Dec. 11th at the Monterey Conference Center. SHO played a few new tunes from their upcoming 2022 release, their repertoire of hits and Christmas salsa music much to the crowd’s delight. I had the pleasure of emceeing the show as well as playing music as the event’s DJ. SHO who were on fire all night and the dance floor was packed all night long. The crowd roared their approval with a standing ovation at the end of the night. SHO responded with an infectious danceable Christmas song with a crowd sing-a-long which ended the festive evening. Thanks to producer Luis Mendoza and Montuno Productions for inviting me to be a part of this event. Thanks to the great crowd in Monterey who are salseros all the way!

Oscar Hernández playing the piano — Oscar Hernández from Spanish Harlem Orchestra performing at The Monterrey Conference Center

During the COVID19 pandemic, it seemed that all live music stopped being played in public. However, there were a few places, mostly outdoor cafes, farmer’s markets and restaurants with outdoor dining that offered live Latin Jazz during these dark times. One of the unsung heroes who continued to play when the pandemic was at its height is veteran pianist-bandleader Gary Flores who formed Salsa Caliente in SF in 1976. The group has had a lot of prominent musicians including vocalists Paquito Acosta and Angelo Pagan who continued to see their careers thrive in Puerto Rico and Los Angeles. He disbanded Salsa Caliente in the late 90’s to concentrate on a smaller Latin Jazz group. Flores along with ex Franco Brothers bassist/vocalist Carlitos Franco and a revolving lineup of all-star percussionists including Santana timbalero Karl Perazo and former Avance bongocero Oscar Soltero kept the live music going during the pandemic at different venues. Flores was able to continue to play Latin Jazz and Salsa in stripped down format as a trio due to rearranging Salsa tunes as all the members sang coros and vocalized horn lines behind Franco, Now that live music has made a comeback of sorts and some venues are now booking bigger bands, Flores is revitalizing a bigger version of Salsa Caliente featuring Franco and Perazo. Flores has been writing new music and plans to record new music with the group. His last recording “Descarga Caliente: A New Beginning” came out in 2005. Gary Flores is a veteran and a survivor of the San Francisco Salsa Scene who deserves a big shout out for keeping Latin music alive in the age of COVID! Pa’lante Gary!!

Reopening will be later

Some scenes are not reopening for 2022 until February or later. One of those venues affected is Space 550 at 550 Barneveld St. in San Francisco who will reopen in February due to concerns regarding the current surge in COVID cases and the situation with the new variant of the disease. I also spoke with Adrian Goddard of Jaffe Events who told me that he will continue to book events but later in the first quarter of 2022, For some event producers, January isn’t a good month to book Latin Music.

People at Space 550 — Some people dancing at Space 550

However that’s not stopping Grammy Award winners Pacific Mambo Orchestra who will play their annual January dates at Yoshi’s, Jack London Square on Friday, January 7 and Saturday, January 8th. Get ready to enjoy and dance to swinging Mambo, Salsa and Latin Jazz from this awesome all-star 20 piece band led by pianist Christian Tumalan and trumpeter Steffen Kuehn. This SF based band is scheduled to play at Europe’s prestigious Tempo Latino Festival in late July. Tickets are now available for these upcoming January dates at Yoshi’s. For more information, visit www.yoshis.com.

The Cigar Bar, 850 Montgomery St. in SF is starting 2022 with a calendar of great acts coming to this fine venue where you can dine, dance and smoke a fine cigar if you choose to do so. The schedule includes Orquesta La Original w/Alexis Jan 7, Josh Jones Latin Jazz Ensemble Jan 8, The Latin Rhythm Boys Jan 14, Edgardo y Candela Jan 15, N’Rumba Jan 21, La Clave Del Blanco Jan 22, Julio Bravo Y Salsabor Jan 28 and Manteca Jan 29

The Seahorse in Sausalito continues to feature explosive music from the following acts in January on Saturday and Sunday including La Clave Del Blanco Jan 2, Gary Flores and Salsa Caliente featuring Karl Perazo of Santana Jan 8, Edgardo Cambon y Candela Jan 9, Carlos Xavier Salsa Band Jan. 15, Louie Romero and Mazacote Jan 16, Braulio Barrera and Somos El Son, Jan 22, Orquesta Bembe featuring Christian Pepin on Jan. 23 and Rumbache on Jan. 29. DJ Jose Ruiz from KPOO/KPFA Radio will also be behind the decks for your dancing pleasure. Check out their fine Italian cuisine and selection of beer and wine.

Beautiful decoration of Seahorse at night

The Ramp, 855 Terry Francois in SF continues to offer Salsa under their all-weather tent during the month of January. Their line up includes N’Rumba Jan 8, Louie Romero & Mazacote Jan. 15, Manny Martinez y La Rebeldia, Jan 22 and Orquesta Borinquen on January 29th. DJ Mendy is providing the music in-between sets and from 9 to 11 pm. The music starts at 5 pm on Saturdays.

Cascal, 400 Castro in Mountain View will be featuring the explosive sounds of Edgardo Cambon and LaTiDo on Fridays, January 7th and 21st starting at 7:30 pm. There is no cover. Cascal continues to offer their tasty menu of Spanish cuisine, Tapas and fine drinks.

The following recordings kept me going during the second year of COVID19: Ruben Blades “Salswing”, El Gran Combo “En Cuarentena” and their Xmas cd “De Trulla Con El Combo”, Gilberto Santa Rosa’s all-star studded “Colegas”, Sonora Ponceña “Hegemonia Musical”, Mel Martinez “Asi Escribe Un Sonero”, Los Generales De La Salsa featuring Van Lester, a 1996 all-star session finally seeing the light of day, Tromboranga “Salsa Terapia”, Los Van Van “Mi Songo”, Various Artists “El Son De Caballero-Homenaje A Adalberto Alvarez and “Son Para Un Sonero”, Sounds Of Cuba “Los Titanes De La Timba”, Alexander Abreu/Havana d’Primera, Various Artists “En Barranquilla Me Quedo-Homenaje a Joe Arroyo, Dorance Lorza’s Sexteto Cafe “20 Aniversario”, Luis Perico Ortiz “Sigo Entre Amigos”, Charlie Donato’s Son Ideal “De Vuelta Al Barrio, Eduardo Zayas Y Su EZ La Banda “Huerto De Soneros” and his latest “Sabor Y Sandunga”, Alain Perez, Issac Delgado & Orquesta Aragon “Cha Cha Cha: Homenaje A Lo Tradicional” and Orquesta Failde “Joyas Ineditas”. There are a flood of singles that did the job as well from Julito Alvarado’s maxi single “Lo Que No Se Escucha (Descarga De Soneros), Don Pergiñon Y La Puertorriqueña, Marc Anthony, Wilito Otero, Josean Rivera, Monsi Y Su Salsa , Mariana Y Su Makynaria, Julito Albino y Secreto De Voces and VibraSON. These recordings are some of my picks for the Best of 2021.

And…if that wasn’t enough, my program Con Sabor, Saturday nights 9 to 11 PM PST on KPFA 94.1 FM will be celebrating its 25th Anniversary year on January 1, 2022! Time flies when you’re having fun!! I’m also on “Sabiduria Con Tumbao” every Wednesday night 5 to 7 PM PST on WorldSalsaRadio.com.

That’s it for this time. Ciao 4 now!!

The tent at The Ramp! — Inside the tent at The Ramp

This is the report last month: Noticias con Sabor by Luis Medina

BY LUIS MEDINA, PRODUCER AND HOST OF CON SABOR ON KPFA 94.1 FM AND SABIDURIA CON TUMBAO ON WORLD SALSA RADIO.COM

Johnny Vega Musical legend Composer and Vocalist

Born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, veteran songwriter, and singer Johnny Vega grew up surrounded by music and relatives with the same natural talent he discovered in himself at an early age.

It wasn’t long before his obvious gift of writing accompanied by strong vocals was in demand.

Many salsa greats highlighted Johnny Vega, as a songwriter and vocalist at an early age New York was the vanguard of his success.

Relocating as a teenager, with his family, he mastered his craft in both Spanish and English being one of the first Puerto Rican musicians to compose and sing a bilingual hit, singing with Cortijo for the legendary band “Cortijo y su Combo” in the early 70s.

His musical career as described here gave him the notoriety that follows today, currently involved in multiple projects, Johnny continues to write and often performs at sold-out venues in his hometown.

It wasn't long before his obvious gift of writing accompanied by strong vocals was in demand. Many great salseros highlighted Johnny Vega, as a songwriter and vocalist at an early age New York was the vanguard of his success. — Johnny Vega veteran Puerto Rican singer and songwriter Born in Santurce, Puerto Rico

Johnny Vega has participated with a myriad of orchestras to name a few:

Trio Las 3 Voces

Jóvenes Del Ritmo

Gil Suarez Y Su Orquesta Latin Highs

Sonora Casino

Cortijo Y Su Combo

Kako And His Trabuco

Conjunto Los Imposibles

Orquesta Sabor

Conjunto Antonetti

Orquesta La Muralla

Conjunto La Villa Arecibo

Paquito Guzman Y Su Orquesta

Conjunto Santurce

Los 7 Gatos

Renovación 90

Hermanos Gonzalez (Help Yourselves 2015)

Noel Quintana & Latin Crew Popeye Y La Flaca 2016

Soloist Tribute To Celia

From this era of inspiration, Johnny gives the master Tommy Olivencia the song "Pancuco", especially for Frankie Ruiz. — Johnny Vega has participated with countless orchestras.

Some of his compositions:

Popeye – Ay Caray – Adalberto Santiago

Pancuco – Frankie Ruiz

Tú y tu novela – Pasado, presenté y futuro – Mike Cora

Avísale – Clown – incredulous – La Muralla

I’m dying inside – Rafi Marrero

Volver- Tito Rodriguez Jr. Singing Gilberto Santa Rosa

My Salsa is my Cura- Josean Rivera

Hermano Cortijo- Josean Rivera

Sueño de un Borincano- Willie Morales “El Piloto de la Salsa”.

Que le Pasa al Cielo- Chevy El Pitirre de la Salsa

Aquí Mando Yo- Chevy El Pitirre de la Salsa

From that moment on Johnny began to write and share his compositions with local bands so that they could establish their own musical identity.

From that era of inspiration, Johnny gave the maestro Tommy Olivencia the song “Pancuco”, especially for Frankie Ruiz.

Also “Ay Caray” & “Popeye el Marino” for Adalberto Santiago. Many of the musicians who grew up under the supervision of maestro Johnny Vega initially, went on to form part of the orchestras of Celia Cruz, Sonora Ponceña, Héctor Lavoe and many other high caliber bands.

In Rochester, Johnny sang with Orquesta Sabor, Antonetti, and Mike Rosario’s Muralla with whom he formed a solid partnership which included great productions, one of them being “Avísale” a collector’s item for which royalties are still being paid three decades later.