Search Results for: Latin Music

Wilson “Chembo” Corniel Jr.

Wilson “Chembo” Corniel Jr.“A sprinkling of be-bop, a touch of swing with a dollop of bomba, rumba, tango and danzón topped with ‘un chin’ de charanga.”

Grammy award nominated percussionist Wilson “Chembo” Corniel was born in Manhattan on November 22, 1953 of proud Puerto Rican parents; Chembo was raised in the humble streets of Red Hook, Brooklyn.

1- Wilson “Chembo” Corniel Jr

Wilson “Chembo” Corniel Jr

It was during these years, as a quick-witted youngster, that he had the privilege and honor to study with such percussion luminaries as, Tommy Lopez Sr., “Little Ray” Romero, Louie Bauzo, and Cachete Maldonado.

Chembo honed his skills at The Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts in New York, and also at the prestigious La Escuela Nacional de Arte in Havana, Cuba under the direction of the great Chucho Valdés.

His intense studies with such legends noted above channeled his energy onto a path where Wilson “Chembo” Corniel has now created a reputation for himself among musicians and the public. Today, he is considered as one of the best hard-hitting, versatile percussionists around.

Chembo teaches percussion to students at the SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music and leads numerous clinics throughout the United States where he brings awareness to others of the rich Afro-Caribbean traditions.

Among his credits, Chembo was chosen to create his own instructional DVD called, “An Introduction to Hand Percussion: Volume I—Congas”. It was released in December of 2000 and with distribution by Warner Brothers it has been a success.

He’s been a vital endorser of Latin Percussion instruments since 1982 as he is currently for Remo drum heads, Vic Firth sticks and Sabian cymbals.

His touring credits are as long as his performing credits. Chembo has toured with many major artists throughout Europe, Asia, North & South America, and the Caribbean. Television credits include an appearance on the “Bill Cosby Show” and a recurring recording gig on Nickelodeon’s children show, “Dora the Explorer”.

Chembo continues to perform and/or record with many artists of different genres. He is currently concentrating on leading his own Latin Jazz quintet, “Chembo Corniel Quintet”. Chembo received a GRAMMY NOMINATION by NARAS IN 2009 for “BEST LATIN

JAZZ ALBUM” for his 2009 cd “Things I Wanted To Do”. This is a well-balanced Latin Jazz group that incorporates many rich traditions, such as writer Aurora Flores states:

“A sprinkling of be-bop, a touch of swing with a dollop of bomba, rumba, tango and danzón topped with ‘un chin’ de charanga.”

Wilson “Chembo” Corniel Jr. ARTISTS: RECORDINGS:

Wilson “Chembo” Corniel – “Land Of The Descendants” – 2016
Wilson “Chembo” Corniel – “Blue Monk” (ASM) – 2012
Wilson “Chembo” Corniel – “Things I Wanted To Do” – 2009
Akiko Tusuruga – Orient Express – 2009
Wilson “Chembo” Corniel – “For The Rest Of Your Life” – 2007
Mark Sherman – Family – 2007
Carlos Jimenez – El Flautista – 2007
Akiko Tusuruga – Sweet And Funky – 2006
Chris Washburne & SYOTOS – Land Of Nod – 2006
Chembo Corniel & Andrea Brachfeld – Beyond Standards 2006
Willie Martinez – La Familia – 2005
Hilton Ruiz – Steppin’ With T.P. – 2005
Wilson “Chembo” Corniel – Portrait In Rhythms – 2004
Ray Vega – Squeeze Squeeze2004
Chris Washburne & SYOTOS – Paradise In Trouble – 2003
Steve Wilson – Soulful Songs – 2003 Larry Harlow’s
Latin Jazz – Live At Birdland -12/02
Chico Freeman – By The Way -4/2002
Ray Vega – Pa’lante -3/2002
Blood, Sweat & Tears – Christmas Album -12/02
Chris Washburne & SYOTOS – The Other Side – 4/2001
David Gonzalez & LLB – Sofrito3/2000
Bobby Sanabria BIG BAND-Live At Birdland -2/2000
(Grammy Nominated) Chris Washburne & SYOTOS – Nuyorican Nights -10/99
Ray Vega – Boperation- 8/99
Larry Harlow – Latin Legends Band – 5/98
The Bronx Horns – Silver in the Bronx – 4/98
Greg Abate – Sweet Samba – 3/98
Buddy Montgomery Trio – Here Again -1/98
Ray Vega – Ray Vega -12/97
Willie Colón – Honra y Cultura Louie Ramirez – El Genio de la Salsa Jose Bello – Jose Bello y su Orchestra Bobby Rodriguez y la Compañia – Hay Que Cambiar La Rutina

ARTISTS: TOURS/PERFORMANCES:

Chucho Valdés
Hilton Ruiz
Buddy Montgomery
Angela Boll
Tito Puente
Grady Tate
Machito
Willie Colón
Toshiko Akiyoshi
Jane Bunnett & Spirits of Havana
Bobby Sanabria Big Band
Charlie Sepulveda
Andrea Brachfeld
Ray Vega
Bob Baldwin
Jose Alberto “El Canario”
Pete “El Conde” Rodriguez
Larry Harlow
Tito Nieves
Louie Ramirez
Chico Freeman
Chris Washburne & the Syotos Band
Chico O’Farrill Big Band
Bobby Rodriguez y Compañia
Lainie Kazan
Celia Cruz

Directory North America

Santa Mónica,	California Los Ángeles	Santa Clarita, California Los Ángeles

Rancho Cucamonga, California San Bernardino	Pomona, California Pomona	Oceanside, California San Diego

San Diego, California San Diego


Rancho Mirage, California Rancho Mirage	Santa Barbara, California Santa Barbara	Salinas, California Salinas

Santa Ana, California Santa Ana

Seaside, California Seaside

San Francisco, California San Francisco

Alameda, California Oakland

California – Contra Costa

California – Los Ángeles

California – Marin	California – Salinas	California – Seaside

California – Orange

Franky Swing

Latin America / Venezuela / Caracas

Franky Swing: From Venezuela Triumphed in Latin America

Franky Swing was born in Caracas-Venezuela, on December 3, from a humble family, as the main musical reference we will find his older brother, from a very young age his interest in singing was noted, he sang whenever he could, his father encouraged him to do it in family gatherings performing very naturally. During his childhood he belonged to the choir and the marching band at his school, his singing teacher saw great potential in him and advised him to dedicate himself to music.

Franky grew up, and could not devote himself to singing academically, because, to support his family, he worked at a nightclub where he only had one day off a week.

One day he had the opportunity to sing in another nightclub, where his brother worked, and it was there that he discovered that what really moved his life was music.

The night witnessed his first musical experiences, and thus, between clubs, events and private parties he was making himself known musically among friends, neighbors and clients; without losing sight of his desires: to soon realize an important musical project.

In 2007, he began as a soloist, a great professional experience that did not transcend beyond personal enrichment, then he became the vocalist of the LYRI-K group with which he was able to make himself known with more projection at a national and international level, and thus embarking on that artistic path that he longed for so much.

Songs such as “GUARAPO Y MELAO”, “LATINOS” and “REGRESA A MI” sounded throughout the national territory, the latter achieving position No. 8 in the record report on the country’s radio stations. LYRI-K was a good professional experience that Franky Swing had, because with it he not only gained great national exposure, but also managed to cross borders showing his talent in countries like Ecuador.

Additionally, with LYRI-K he participated in national events of great impact such as the Solid Fest (2011) and social concerts, being the image of the SENOSALUD FOUNDATION.

At an academic level, Franky attended speech workshops to acquire more knowledge about this exciting world, managing to participate in radio commercials for different brands and companies.

After his departure from LYRI K, FRANKY SWING undertakes a new solo project and comes with a romantic song entitled “NADA SIN TI”, lyrics and music by Ramón Montes, arrangements by Leo Gonzalez and Lino Paz, an excellent single to conquer the heart of the international public with his warm voice, covered in ballads and merengue.

Franky Swing continues to reap successes now with new songs that have crossed borders, currently in Mexico presenting songs like “Mi vecina me tiene loco”, “Olvidarme de ti” this particular single was recorded in Mexico and Venezuela, by the hand of Lois and Blackie and the Cuban Yumar Bonachea, can be enjoyed in two versions: Batucada and Electronic Merengue; also the single “Quiero”, authored by Francisco Figuera produced in Electronic Merengue.

Franky Swing - Photo — Franky Swing – Photo

The single “Llorando Fue” recorded in Venezuela, in the same Electronic Merengue vein as the album “Mira como es“, reaching important positions in the top 45 of Argentina called Elegidos 45.

In 2015, a new single titled “Una y Otra Vez” recorded in Venezuela, by Jhosir Córdoba, brings freshness in tropical Merengue with an urban touch, the lyrics and music are by Venezuelan Ottoniel Poveda.

Promoted in all social networks with a lot of focus on Latin America, particularly in Mexico City and in the important media in the country to infect everyone with his dance music.

Franky also took on the task of participating in humanitarian social works such as HELP IS, THE NIGHT OF DREAMS INFINITE LOVE AND I LEND YOU MY VOICE.

On the other hand, the recognitions received by FANTASIA TV THE PROGRAM, FINALLY THE END, HAYEK INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN MERIT AWARDS, RECOGNITION AS A SINGER BY THE OAXAQUE BOARD OF POPULAR CULTURE A.C., THANKS IN THE EL LAVADIARIO PROGRAM, RECOGNITION BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MEXICAN ANNOUNCER C , AWARDED WITH THE RAY TICO PRIZE OF THE COSTA RICAN COMMUNITY B. AWARDED AT THE INMORTAL AWARDS AS A TROPICAL MUSIC SINGER Already living in Mexico in 2017, he joins the group “INTERSALSA ORQUESTA“, where he had the opportunity to record several singles in which is the promotional “DILE A ELLA“, this theme was written by the Venezuelan Wilmer Hernández and musical arrangement by the Venezuelan Taylor Aranguren.

Among the musical themes we can highlight “TU NO SABES QUERER”, “ADIOS AMOR” a version of Mr. Cristian Nodal adapted to the salsa genre, collaborations in feautiring in the “GIGANTES DE LA CUMBIA” project with the song “UN SUEÑO” original theme of the group “LOS ANGELES DE CHARLY” duet with the singer “JUAN SOLO” the singles where Franky has been involved with his voice have been happy songs that have made the whole world enjoy, Franky Swing with his charisma, flavor and excellent voice gives him that authentic touch to each song he has recorded.

Franky Swing in 2018, presented us with his new single entitled “DAME UNA OPORTUNIDAD”, lyrics and music by Francisco Figuera and arrangements by Mauricio Jiménez, with the participation of Dante Vargas on trumpet, this song came to stay in the salsa genre and thus continue giving rumba joy and flavor to the international public.

All of us at some point in our lives have made mistakes, which perhaps have hurt someone’s feelings, it can be your partner, a friend, or in any life situation where the beings we appreciate are involved, and at Recognizing that we have failed, we seek forgiveness and try to correct the mistake, doing everything possible to put ourselves in the other person’s place and feel their pain.

Brief synopsis of the single “DAME UNA OPORTUNIDAD” Currently, Franky Swing follows the path of this tropical genre and this time comes with the theme “SABOR A NADA” a very interesting proposal, this arrangement was made in Venezuela by the hand of Wuilmer Herrera , where a fresh concept was shaped to continue giving good music to the international public, it should be noted that the lyrics and music of this single go hand in hand with the Venezuelan composer Jhon Semeco.

Sabor a Nada is the name of Franky Swing’s new single, this single is about those loves that are not consummated, where there are promises that are not kept, loves that are adrift and that fail to have a story, love without color without flavor, that’s what this great single by the great Venezuelan singer Franky Swing is about, who little by little continues to bring joy to Latin America.

If you want to know more about Franky Swing, I invite you to follow him on all his social networks Contacts: Frank Figuera:+52 155-6444-2153 / 55-7410-5180

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/frankyswing

Videoclip https://youtu.be/M7B2wJ4fKIo

Video lyrics https://youtu.be/ltee6FSIQYg

Plataformas digitales: Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4tvKmZc3DNOLW6bcOwFgFc

Sabor a nada iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/sabor-a-nada-single/1449554732

Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/en/artist/14789867

G o o g l e p l a y: h t t p s : / / p l a y . g oo g l e . c o m / s t o r e / m u s i c / a l b u m /

Franky_Swing_Mira_Como_Es?id=Bw2svrdawij6iyvk3grloe3eqc4

Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/mx/album/mira-como-es/1386202738

Twitter: @franky_swing

Instagram: @FRANKY_SWING

Fan page Facebook: Franky Swing

Youtube: Franky_swing

Rebernation: Franky Swing

WebSite: www.frankyswing.com

Webwix: http://frankyswing362.wix.com/frankyswing1

Email: [email protected]

The beautiful story of dancer, actor and singer Pancho Martinez Pey

Dance has been always important for Pancho

Pancho Martinez Pey is an Argentine dance teacher, choreographer, actor, singer and dancer who has had a large participation in various shows and theatre plays in which he has demonstrated his skills in those disciplines where he has become an expert in recent years, among which we can mention ”Casa Blanca”, ”Café Tortoni”, ”Michelangelo”, ”Esquina Carlos Gardel”, ”Sabor a Tango” and many more.

His father was a musician and second guitar player for Oscar Alemán in the 1970s, so he was always involved in the world of dance since he was eight years old and started learning to dance in a more professional way at the age of 12. However, the first time he had contact with tango was at 16, when he began to take his first steps in this particular genre. Three years later, he moved to Spain for a while to work as a drummer and singer in a musical group, with which he would tour the entire European country to offer his talent to the local public.

When they were not playing, they danced tango and Argentine folklore, which inspired him enough to devote himself entirely to tango in his country of origin, something that happened when a very young Pancho was just 22 years old. Once he was in his homeland, he worked as a ticket-taker at a train station for a few years while taking dancing lessons in the evenings, which trained and prepared him for his big break.

His big moment came when he was offered to participate in the piece ”Miguelangelo” together with Gloria and Eduardo Arquimbau, who formed one of the most emblematic couples of Argentine tango. He did not think twice about it and quit his job at the train station to go to dance professionally just as he does to the date.

In view of the fact that he was always used to listening to all kinds of music from a very young age, he had no trouble adapting to all the rhythms that he found in the way, such as folklore, tango, forró, swing, Argentine rock, among others.

He also enjoys singing very much and ensures he can sing all kinds of genres ”from K-Pop to tango”.

Pancho Martínez Pey dancing tango with María Nieves. Photo courtesy of Yumba Rojas

Combining dancing and singing with acting

When asked how he mixes dancing and singing with acting and all that histrionic part that makes his performances so particular, he says that his taste for this branch of the arts was also born in his childhood, since he always watched Argentine films in which dancing was very present and it goes without saying that they were always his favorites. Then, little by little, destiny led him to combine all these elements until he starred in his first important musical called ”Tanguera”. In this piece, participants did not talk or act too much, but they had to focus on putting on a good show at the level of dancing.

Another important musical in his career was ”Tita: Una Vida en Tiempo de Tango” with Nacha Guevara, which focused on the life and career of tango dancer and actress Tita Merello. This piece did require vocal talents between dialogues, so Pancho was finally able to show what he was made of as a singer.

All these facets have their degree of complexity, but the Argentinean performer thinks that the hardest part of his work is trying to combine all these areas, something a friend and colleague of his acted as a coach and helped him to train in the linking between singing, dancing and acting. He pointed out that this is a very strong training in which you have to control certain elements such as breathing, the air when dancing, concentration, among other details.

Role of man and woman in tango

According to Pancho, given that it is a dance of two, it is very important that both understand each other’s role in the dance. ”The leader leads and the other follows. In most cases, the leader is the man of the couple, who at the same time is the one who provides support and leads at the same time, while the follower has to follow the leader, but must also be an active member of the situation. Let’s remember that we are two people dancing and not one, so we are both active subjects in the dance. The woman expresses all her own beauty and sensuality, while the gentleman has that strength and guidance that, at the same time, seduces and makes his partner feel safe” said the artist.

Pancho with his father Oscar Cacho Martinez, and his uncle Raúl Martinez

How history and social changes have affected tango

Martínez explains that the World Tango championship gave a huge boost to this musical genre. It was always very popular in Argentina, but it did not have the importance it now has in most of the world. Tango came from a mixture of cultures in Buenos Aires, where the first lyrics of its social protest songs began to emerge. Tango has that popular and rebellious element coming from the people” explains the performer.

The golden age of tango was in the 1940s, when musicians and poets at the highest level began to emerge until foreign musical groups such as The Beatles or Elvis Presley appeared, who won over audiences of the time, which caused a temporary decline of tango. That is how matters stood until the early 1990s when the film Tango Argentino was released, which contributed significantly to the worldwide explosion of tango in those years and to improvement of techniques used for that dance”, he continued.

Finally, the dancer expressed his joy for the moment that tango is living nowadays, since he had never seen so many people interested in learning to dance it, both as entertainment and profession. He thinks that this current popularity is due to the need of people to connect with others after the pandemic and the multiple benefits that it brings at a mental level.

Interesting conversation with vocal coach and YouTuber Ceci Dover

Who is Ceci Dover and what she has done

Ceci Dover is a professional vocal coach and singer of Argentinean origin residing in Spain, where she has been dedicated to voice, music and technological advances that have emerged out in this world over the past few years. All this accumulated experience has made her worthy of sharing the stage with several of the most important Spanish-speaking artists such as Coro Kennedy and Alejandro Lerner.

In her talent and knowledge, we can notice that she has received a very solid training in the issues she always touches and two very important teaching centers in her academic life were the Manuel de Falla Conservatory and the singing academy Valeria Lynch, both of which contributed greatly to make Ceci the professional voice teacher she is today. Another important detail to highlight from her route is the Still Voice Training academy in the United States in 2020, which would complete her studies as a coach and professional singer.

Currently, Ceci is dedicated to perform vocal diagnosis for those who request it and she works as a content creator through YouTube, a platform on which she offers her analysis to well-known voices in the entertainment world so that the public can know a professional opinion on their quality or the absence of it.

In view of Ceci’s great career in the world of music, we wanted to talk to her and learn a little more about her career and experience from her own mouth.

How did your interest in music and vocal technique begin?

After thanking us for the space we gave her, Ceci went on to explain that it all started when she was in high school, which she combined with singing studies at a particular level since she turned 13 years old. Once she finished school, she enrolled in a conservatory and began studying lyrical singing full time for about 12 year until she chose to specialize in folk singing in order to achieve a change of range.

Throughout this process, she discovered that she enjoyed singing and teaching, although she would be dedicated exclusively to the latter.

Major references and inspirations

Her most significant influences are Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carrey, Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, Freddy Marcury, Michael Jackson, among others. Ceci said to belong to old school because of her tastes, but it took a few years for her to start paying more attention to music in Spanish. It was in 2020 that she started paying attention to Latin voices such as Juan Gabriel, who has gone on to become one of her favorite artists worldwide. Although she has discovered a lot of talent in music in Spanish, she has been really fascinated by Mexican culture, which has given birth to several of the songs that did not have faces during her childhood.

Italian singer Laura Pausini and Ceci Dover

One of the things that has caught her attention the most about rancheras and boleros is that they allow artists to show all their talent and vocal ability. In addition, he says that these genres come from times when singers ”sang for real, excellence was demanded of them and had to be good in order to succeed”.

The industry dies not require artists to offer quality because it only focuses on creating characters and products carefully designed to make shows,” said the professional singer on this subject.

Importance of lyrics in culture

Ceci has been highly critical of everything related to the kind of lyrics that have been used in modern genres such as reggaeton and considers that so much vulgarity is not necessary to express what is wanted. In fact, he considers that these lyrical resources are an involution and a total reversal in music. Ensures that trap and reggaeton do not bother her, but she believes that explicitness, offenses and vexations used by many of its exponents do not send any positive message to the youth.

For the artist, this issue becomes even more serious and delicate when talking about young children as well, who are the primary audience of this musical content. She comments that her own son learns these lyrics at school and comes home singing them, something that makes her very angry and leads her to do everything possible to reverse the negative effects that this may have on his upbringing.

Peruvian composer and singer Eva Ayllón with Ceci Dover

It is possible to talk about heartbreak without being vulgar and degrading. I understand that this is what many young people like nowadays, but I think it is not a generational thing, but a matter of education. I have very young students who also disagree with that way of expressing music”, she added.

In that sense, he also points out that parents should instill other musical references and listen to other music so that their children get to know other voices and styles. Few people know Freddy Mercury or Michael Jackson, but everyone knows Bizarrap, Rosalia and Quevedo. That has to change” said the performer.

Vocal diagnosis and training

When Ceci was asked if a person without natural vocal talent could develop it, her answer was yes, although with several points to consider. A person without natural singing talent can develop his full potential and educate his voice. I know singers who don’t have good voice, but they strive to make good songs, write good lyrics and convey the listening audience special things” Ceci replied.

”I encourage everyone to educate their voice, even if they weren’t born with the natural talent that can make that process a little easier. I think we all can work on our voice and offer quality singing, but within our means. You can’t promise people that they are going to sing like Celine Dion in a year if they don’t have the conditions to do that. There are borders we simply cannot cross, but we can look for the best version of ourselves” she added.

Scenography and details unrelated to voice

Just as voice is a very important part of the analysis, there are other aspects that can distract Ceci from her analysis, such as lyrics, costumes and choreography. In that sense, she mentions the recent case of Shakira, whose story of heartbreak attracts much more attention than the technical details involved.

He also mentioned the case of K-Pop groups, whose choreographies, pirouettes and costumes stand out much more than their members’ voices. ”Before, the technical aspects related to voice were what stood out on stage, but now the visual part of the show is much more important than before,” said the artist. ”I was very much against backing tracks, but I have realized that K-Pop groups cannot achieve a perfect voice with such demanding dances and aerobics,” she concluded on this issue.

Salsa exponents

Although Ceci has focused on analyzing rancheras, boleros, pop and reggaeton, she thinks it is time to dedicate some of her material to analyze other more tropical genres such as salsa or merengue. In this part of the conversation, she expressed her admiration for stars such as Juan Luis Guerra, Marc Anthony, Celia Cruz and many more. There have been many followers who have asked her to react to voices of this genre, so she is considering making an exclusive special for tropical rhythms such as these and thereby appeasing the part of her audience that enjoys these styles.