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Search Results for: Latin Music

Ray Santos ¨ The last of the Mambo Kings ¨

He was the last surviving member of the glory days of mambo preceding what we know today as salsa.

Ray Santos was a Latin musician, was born to Puerto Rican parents on December 28, 1928, in New York City, attended the Juilliard School of Music where he studied saxophone.

He was a Professor at the City University of New York (City College), where he teaches a Band or ¨performance¨ course.

Ray Santos ¨The last of the Mambo Kings¨

He was a musician in the orchestras of Machito, Tito Puente and Tito Rodriguez. He was also was an arranger and musical director for recordings of Tommy Olivencia, Junior Toledo, Willie Rosario, Lalo Rodriguez, and Rudy Victorino and an Oscar winner in 1992, for the music of the film “The Mambo Kings” starring Armand.

Maestro Santos is a Puerto Rican man who has made significant contributions to Latin music as an arranger, bandleader, and musician.

Ray Santos was a Latin musician, born on December 28, 1928 in New York City to Puerto Rican parents.
Ray Santos ¨ The last of the Mambo Kings ¨

However, beyond the circles of mambo lovers and Latin music big bands of yesteryear, not much is known about his distinguished professional career in Puerto Rico.

Part of it, happens because of the nature of Ray Santos himself. This is a literate person but with an amiable and accessible character, totally devoid of vanity, presumption, or ostentation exhibited by other music personalities with attainments less than him.

For instance, unless he is asked directly, Ray Santos is not going to say that he participated with three arrangements on the compact disc “Palo Pa’ Rumba” CD of Eddie Palmieri, which received a Grammy Award from the Recording Academy in 1985.

Nor will he say that he also arranged for Eddie Palmieri and Tito Puente on the CD “Obra Maestra” which received a Grammy Award in 2001.

For Linda Rondstat he wrote all the arrangements and was the conductor for her CD “Frenesí”, which received a Grammy Award in 1993.

He was a musician in the orchestras of Machito, Tito Puente and Tito Rodriguez, also was as arranger and musical director for record productions of: Tommy Olivencia, Junior Toledo, Willie Rosario, Lalo Rodriguez and Rudy Victorino and winner of an Oscar Award in 1992, for the music of the movie "The Mambo Kings", protragonized by Armad.
Cynthia DeCure y Ray Santos

In the movie “Mambo Kings” he was a mambo director and arranger, including the arrangement of “Beautiful Maria of my Soul”, a song that was nominated for an “Oscar®” as “Best Song from a Motion Picture” at the 65th Academy Awards® of the Academy of Picture Arts and Sciences.

In other words, this is a person who has reached a seat of honor in the world of Latin music, is Puerto Rican, and is practically unknown by his countrymen.

On the one hand, the album “Mi Luz Mayor” celebrates the legacy of Machito, Puente, and Rodriguez. And on the other, The great contribution of Ray Santos to Afro-Caribbean dance music.

We would like to present the outstanding professional career of Maestro Ray Santos after he suffered a recent health problem.

Ray Santos y Eddie Palmieri
Ray Santos y Eddie Palmieri

Ray Santos passed away at his home died on October 17, 2019, at the age of 90.

Facebook: Ray Santos

Sources:

By Ewin Martinez Torre

[email protected]

Latin Heritage Contributor

San Juan – Puerto Rico

Jaime Torres Torres

National Foundation for Popular Culture

El eterno ‘swing’ de Ray Santos

Articles of Interest: Ralph Irrizary, a well-known percussionist, is considered one of the most “Swing” timbaleros in the world

“Big Band Máquina” Latest Production from Angel Meléndez released by Gia Fu

International Salsa Magazine from Silicon Valley presents the album “Big Band Máquina” a production of Angel Melendez and Gia Fu, a real musical gem with 12 melodies of rhythm and flavor dedicated to the dancer, music lover, and collector of the world of Salsa.

Undoubtedly, this record production made between Hong Kong and Puerto Rico will be immortalized as one of the most important albums of the XXI century.

International Salsa Magazine from Silicon Valley presents the album "Big Band Máquina", an authentic musical jewel with 12 melodies of rhythm and flavor dedicated to the dancer, music lover and collector of the Salsa world. Undoubtedly, this record production made between Hong Kong and Puerto Rico will be immortalized as one of the most important albums of the 21st century.
“Big Band Máquina” Latest Production from Angel Meléndez released by Gia Fu

Grammy-nominated Angel Meléndez reappears on the scene with his latest album, Big Band Máquina, which will be available starting Saturday, September 18, 2021.

This production has the particularity of having the talented artist and producer, Gia Fu.

Gia releases this production through the independent label Kong Records Limited.

Angel Meléndez, Latin artist based in the United States, delivers a new and refreshing chapter in his musical career, after the success of his album, Angel Meléndez & the 911 Mambo Orchestra.
Ángel Meléndez y Gia Fu

Angel Melendez, a Latin artist, based in the United States, gives us a new and refreshing chapter in his musical career after his album, Angel Melendez & the 911 Mambo Orchestra. Big Band Máquina album consists of eleven songs and a Bonus Track.

The Big Band Máquina project was directed by Ralph Riley. Ralph, Angel, Gia, and other magnificent professionals such as Juan Picorelli and Rolando Alejandro, completed the complicated feat of organizing the 30 artists’ work collaborated on the project.

The recording of the songs took place in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, at the well-known Rolo’s Studio.

Gia Fu, Ángel Meléndez y Ralph Riley en Rolo’s Studio, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
Gia Fu, Ángel Meléndez y Ralph Riley en Rolo’s Studio, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico

The Team of collaborating artists on this album comprises a quite heterogeneous combination of generations of musicians. Some of the excellent members of the Team were: Tito Allen, Primi Cruz, Hermán Olivera, Rico Walker, Carlos García, Willie Otero, Jorge Yadiel Santos, and Gerardo Rivas.

In addition, Big Band Máquina gives us the presence of a group of musical stars such as Richie Bastar, Gilbérto “PULPO” Colón Jr, Jan Duclerc, Sammy García, Luis Marin, Pedro Pérez, and, especially, Angel Meléndez.

Who is Angel Melendez?

Angel Melendez is a Puerto Rican artist based in the city of Chicago, United States. Angel has had an impressive musical career in the world of Latin music, primarily Salsa.

Melendez had the opportunity to study at VanderCook College of Music, which provided the foundation for his experience as a producer, trombonist, arranger, and music director.

His valuable performance has led him to become an artist nominated for the “Best Tropical Music” category at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards. This nomination was due to his previous album, Angel Melendez & the 911 Mambo Orchestra. Later he was honored with the award in “Best Latin Album” 4th Annual Independent Music Awards 2005.

Angel has had the opportunity to collaborate directly with internationally renowned artists such as Tito Puente, Tito Rodriguez, Andy Montañez, Ismael Miranda, Adalberto Santiago, Cheo Feliciano, The Singers of the Apollo Sounds, Frankie Ruiz, Eddie Santiago, Hector Tricoche, Tito Allen, Johnny Rivera and the Fania All Starr Records.

References & Reviews:

“As one of the most recognized musicians in Chicago, he leads the most popular Latin bands locally. The 20 piece 911 Mambo Orchestra and Tributo Lavoe are widely recognized and move people to the dance floor.  Angel’s bands play an array of Latin music from the modern tropical sounds of today to the most traditional hard hitting Mambo of the 50’s”.

https://martyrslive.com/

“Whenever a big band can produce great blasts of sound without sacrificing technical detail, audiences are in for a thrilling ride.”

Facebook: Gia Fu(昭盈)

Tito Allen, Gia Fu, Rico Walker, Nino Segarra, Herman Olivera y Primi Cruz
Tito Allen, Gia Fu, Rico Walker, Nino Segarra, Herman Olivera y Primi Cruz

Article of Interest: Ayumi “Azucar” Suzuki, she plays Latin percussion, Classic percussion, Marimba & Vibraphone

Tribute to Jerry Gerónimo García and other things to come

Ray Carrion & The Latin AllStars at the tribute to event promoter Jerry Geronimo Garcia 

Poster for the tribute to Gerónimo García
Poster for the tribute to Jerry Gerónimo García

On September 12 this year, the steak house Steve’s Steak House & Seafood House meat restaurant put on its finest to receive the tribute to the great event promoter Jerry Geronimo Garcia, who is highly respected in the entertainment industry. Garcia has been in charge of hosting all kinds of concerts and musical events at the aforementioned venue, so the place presented a tribute to both this important figure for the restaurant and his family. 

The celebration of the life and legacy of this promoter was highlighted by the presence of the noted musician and event organizer Ray Carrion & The Latin AllStars. Both Carrion and his band once again showed how talented they are on stage, letting us see their gratitude to the promoter for each and every one of the artists and groups he made famous by keeping them in mind for any of the performances planned for the restaurant.   

Garcia gave many the opportunity they needed to shine on stage when no one else would. As the promotional poster indicates, it was time for him to be compensated for what he has done for so many people. 

This is Ersi Arvisu
Ersi Arvisu performing

Conversation with Ray Carrión about this and other upcoming projects 

During a telephone conversation with Carrion, he said he was honored to be part of the event and highlighted the great role that Jerry has had in the emergence of new generations of Latin music artists in recent years. He also spoke of other projects to be undertaken for the coming months. One of them is a concert entitled Ladies Rule, which will feature a group of famous female performers whose talent will vibrate the audience at the VFW Hall Post 1944. 

Among the stars who will be present that night, one in particular stands out and that is Ersi Arvisu, the leader of the group El Chicano. This rock group has also mixed their work with jazz, R&B and Latin rhythms of East Los Angeles, which is why they have always been well-loved and well received by the Latino community in the aforementioned city. That is why there is no doubt that the public will open its arms to her in this and all the presentations that are to come. 

The concert will also have the participation of other great talents such as Brittany Nicole, Elvia Cadena, Nira, and DJ Arlene Soulera. It was reported that Nira will be sharing the stage with Ray Carrion & The Latin AllStars at the same time to perform a common song. 

It was also announced that the general admission will be $40 and the VIP ticket will be $50. It is important to note that returns will not be accepted because the sale of tickets is final, so attendees are asked to plan accordingly in order to avoid any inconvenience at the gates of the show.   

This is Ray Carrion
Ray Carrion with his guitar

For more information about this and other events related to Carrion and his band, please visit his website www.carrionevents.com or call 323-895-2836. 

By: Bryan “scorpio” Astrachan correspondent of International Salsa magazine Los Ángeles, California

Dallas becomes the capital of bachata in October 2021

What the Dallas Bachata Festival is

Dallas Bachata Festival Logotype
Dallas Bachata Festival 2021 logotype

The Dallas Bachata Festival is a celebration in which Latin music and dance have a leading role, but there are so many other things to see besides that. Among the many things that this great event offers its assistants, we can include amazing dance workshops that specialise in salsa, bachata, kizomba, zouk, and many other dancing musical genres. That is why its organisation team has made a genuine effort to get the best instructors to teach the best classes their students have ever had. 

There was a lot of doubt about the realization the festival for the year 2021, as the Dallas Bachata Festival had previously been suspended last year. However, it was recently announced that its organizers have decided to hold it this year without any further delay. All efforts have been made to carry out this great set of activities, including the obedience of all the protocols required by the health authorities in order to avoid the spread of COVID-19 among those attending. 

People dancing at the Dallas Bachata Festival
Some dancers at the Dallas Bachata Festival

what about costs and dates?

Given that the event already has specific scheduled dates, costs, guests and activities have been announced via the festival’s official Facebook page. According to the information published on the aforementioned social network, the general admission ticket is $125 and gives you access to all programmed activities during the three days of the event. Taking into account that all this will take place in a luxurious hotel in the city, those interested can also book a room, which will cost $109 per night. In case they want to pay for a double room, the price must be over $129 per night.   

As of now, those who want to live the unwinding experience will be able to reserve their places at the event during the days of its realization, even if it has to be postponed once again. As it happened once before, the festival had to be postponed due to the spread of the pandemic, but the organizers were fast enough at the moment of responding to the return of the money invested by the attendees or using the payments made for the new dates. Now the same thing will happen here. If the event is canceled for any reason, buyers can be assured that their money will be refunded or pledged to the new dates. 

On August 8, the organisation team made some major announcements about the event. One of them refers to the overwhelming speed with which the remaining passes are selling, so those interested have to hurry up to get one. October 4 will be the day when the sale of tickets will close, as there will be no sale at the doors to the event.   

Another of the announcements made was the implementation of a health protocol for the protection of attendees from COVID-19, which includes a negative PCR result or a rapid antigen test to detect the presence of the virus.   

Students ina dance class
Some students in a dance workshop

Further information can be found on the official Dallas Bachata Festival website at www.dallasbachatafestival.com or call 956-497-3450. 

La Zebra Hotel, Tulum – The Hotel of the ancient Mayan city.

We will be doing a tour around the world to find out where you could enjoy a pleasant musical and recreational environment worldwide, such as: places where you can have a good time dancing either alone or accompanied or listening to music from musical groups and / or DJs. . In the Latin American section we have a great variety of countries and we wanted to start with a tour of Mexico and we heard that there is a city where there is a great landscape and climate, where you can enjoy live tropical music.

Zebra Hotel
Satellite photo of the Zebra Hotel

In the city of Tulum, Mexico, its inhabitants tell us that it was the ancient Mayan city, whose name was Zamá, which has the meaning in Mayan “sunrise” and at present its name has been changed to “Tulum” which its meaning in Mayan “Wall”, which seems to have been used to refer to the city when it was already in ruins; It is located in the State of Quintana Roo, it is currently known for its great tourist attraction of the Riviera Maya and Tulum National Park and next to it is the modern town of the same name, Tulum.

During our tour of this historic city with many mysteries to discover, we saw different places to stay and we met a very interesting hotel where tourists can stay with great comforts and that is the “Zebra Hotel”, which is located on the Tulum Highway. a Boca Paila Km 8 77760 Tulum, Mexico overlooking the sea, a captivating place that will make you forget about the daily routine, especially if you are from the city.

Photo of the Zebra Hotel outside
The beach outing at the Zebra Hotel

In Zebra Hotel, it is a charming place, little developed and romantic, where you can appreciate the thatched roofs, undulating palm trees and the most beautiful white sand beach in the Caribbean from what they tell us, it is a classic hotel in the jungle in Tulum located on the famous Tulum beach, located inside a historic coconut plantation not to mention that the hotel made the Riviera Maya famous.

Imagine arriving at the hotel, knowing the schedule of activities they have and fully enjoying it by the sea; Currently they are giving live Latin music (especially Salsa Live) every Thursday from Taco Thursday, this event takes place from 6 to 10 pm, during this time you can dance with seasoning and enjoy the menu they offer there.

Zebra Hotel - Live Music
On the beach of the Zebra Hotel with live music

Remember, it is located directly on the beach in Tulum, Mexico, it has 16 suites, cabins and jungle chic rooms, it has an exclusive private pool for its jungle cabins, it has a Mexican cantina and beachfront tequila bar. , there is a great diversity of activities (dance, water sports, nature, history and exploration).

If you want to escape, relax or explore in an intimate barefoot beach setting, without having to weigh in on your routine then stay at La Zebra Hotel is the perfect place to be in Tulum Mexico.

Zebra Hotel - tourists
Zebra Hotel – tourists tasting the seedlings of the place

If you want more details about the rooms, events, reservations, among others, you can contact them through the following means:

  • Teléfono: +52 1 984 115 4728
  • WebSite: https://lazebratulum.com/
  • Facebook: @ LaZebraTulum
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International Salsa Magazine (ISM) is a monthly publication about Salsa activities around the world, that has been publishing since 2007. It is a world network of volunteers coordinated by ISM Magazine. We are working to strengthen all the events by working together.