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Search Results for: Latin Music

Charlie Cardona

Latin America / Colombia / Bogota

Born on July 8 in the city of Bogotá, Colombia. Who since he was a child had an inclination for music, especially for singing, inheriting this artistic vein from his father. Charlie Cardona in his childhood sang with his brothers, at family gatherings, later with groups of friends and later he came to the stage with different musical groups in renowned night spots in the Colombian capital.

Charlie Cardona
Charlie Cardona

The opportunity to start his professional career was presented to him the same night he received his bachelor’s degree when he made his debut with LA MÁXIMA DE MAÑUNGO, an outstanding orchestra in Colombian folk music that he joined for two years, hence his taste for this genre.

In 1987 he began his studies of Solfeggio and Singing at the National University of Colombia, shortly after he met a group of musicians with whom he began in the salsa environment and through them he had contact with the producer and percussionist Willie Salcedo who is the one who takes for the first time to the recording studios where he begins singing jingles and choirs for different groups.

Year later, Charlie Cardona recorded with the tropical group FUERZA CARIBE, the song TE QUIERO under the production of the Ramírez brothers, being the beginning of a great list of successes in the voice of this great interpreter.

In 1989 with LOS ALFA 8 he recorded the songs TU Y YO and AL ROJO VIVO, songs that were his first hits in the Salsa genre, which became very popular on radio in Latin America and the United States.

Buena Fortuna - Charlie Cardona
Buena Fortuna – Charlie Cardona

In September 1990, he was called by Jairo Varela, director of GRUPO NICHE, to be part of the most important salsa institution in Colombia. For Charlie Cardona, it was his great trial by fire; He leaves his beloved Bogotá and settles definitively in Cali. Cardona assumes responsibility for a repertoire full of successes that in less than a month lead him to debut in the framework of the National Beauty Reign, a concert that is televised live throughout Colombia and they are the witnesses of the launch of the new star of the Colombian sauce.

In 1993 he recorded the songs DUELE MÁS, LAS TRES SON CARIBE and UN ALTO EN EL CAMINO, the theme and title of the album for which they received the award for Best Tropical/Salsa Group of the year at the Premios lo Nuestro de la Música Latina.

Charlie Cardona, with his voice and style, reflected his artistic acumen in five records over six years at the head of GRUPO NICHE until July 1996, the date when he retired from this institution to make his dream come true, to start his career as a soloist. In May 1997 he signs with the WEA Latina label and it is the beginning of his solo career, his first album, made in New York City under the direction of the outstanding musician and producer Sergio George.

El Amor Todo Lo Poder is the title of his second production as a soloist, which was made in 1999 in the city of Miami, where he presents us with a more mature Artist interpreting excellent songs, among which stand out PARA OLVIDARLA, TONTO CORAZÓN, I LOVE YOU SO MUCH and I ASK YOU FOR PEACE, the latter dedicated to his Colombian land.

Zoukchata social Fest - Charlie Cardona
Zoukchata social Fest – Charlie Cardona

In the same year he is nominated in the category of Revelation Artist of the Year at the Lo Nuestro Awards for Latin Music. In 2008, he released his third musical production Para Ser Feliz, the first under the NL Entertainment label, where he presents nine songs dedicated to love, family and God, including the hits LA MUJER DE MI VIDA and YOUR HANDS / CARPINTERO DEL LOVE.

From this musical history it can be concluded without a doubt that Cardona is a Colombian artist with international recognition, who remains present in several generations of different countries of the world with great acceptance, recognition and remembrance, with a large discography full of successes. Charlie studied Advertising and Marketing at the Central University of Bogotá, although it was a great effort to fulfill these two great commitments, he recognizes that the two careers complement each other and enrich his professional life.

In addition to being a great singer, this incredible artist is an excellent communicator; In 1999, he presented the program THANK YOU TO GOD SALSA for two years, on Radio Caracol’s Tropicana Estéreo station in the city of Cali, achieving first place in all of southwestern Colombia.

Cardona currently resides in Colombia with his family, focusing on soccer, swimming and athletics in his spare time. BUENA FORTUNA is the title of his new musical production, a work that was recently presented to the tropical music market.

It is the fourth in his solo career and was produced by N.L. ENTERTAINMENT. BUENA FORTUNA is the result of the mixture of the talent of a varied and significant number of Colombian and foreign artists, instrumentalists and arrangers, all successful in the salsa market of which our award-winning artist is a part and makes history, always leaving the name of his beloved high. Colombia.

Flyer Charlie Cardona
Flyer Charlie Cardona

With CHARLIE CARDONA Salsa has a great interpreter, and music a unique vocalist. GOOD FORTUNE to all!

ISM / December 2024

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Letter to the edtor

“We are the Latin music world network”

Do you enjoy Latin music? Would you like to get more involved in this genre and share your passion for Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba, Merengue and more. Why not joint our Global Team of volunteers as a correspondent?
You can ask for more details with no obligation and we’ll be happy to talk to you about the benefits that come with the role [Read more…] about ISM / December 2024

Orestes Vilato

North America / USA / New York

Orestes Vilato. Cuban Multi-Percussionist.

Cuban multi-percussionist, Orestes Vilato, is undoubtedly one of the greatest figures in the history of the Cuban drums known as timbales.

Orestes Vilato
Orestes Vilato

During the fifties, the Vilato family moved to New York, salsa capital of the world, where young Orestes would rise to fame as an innovator of his beloved traditional instrument, “Los Timbales”.  While living in New York for 25 years, Orestes was intimately involved with many musical organizations that played seminal roles in shaping the course of Latin Music around the world.

Among the many groups were: Fania All Starts (founding member), Ray Barretto, Tipica 73 (founding member), Los Kimbos (founder-director), Tito Puente, Johnny Pacheco, Cheo Feliciano, Ismael Rivera, Joe Cuba, Eddie Palmieri, Ruben Blades, La Lupe, Celia Cruz, Rolando La Serie, Chico O’Farril, Lionel Hampton, Los Chavales de Espana, Cal Tjader.

Other artists with whom he has recorded or worked include: Winton and Bradford Marsalis, Paco De Lucia, Whitney Houston, Linda Ronstadt, Aretha Franklin, Willie Nelson, Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, Cachao, Andy Garcia, Emilio Estefan, Gloria Estefan, Paquito de Rivera, Dave Valentin, Mongo Santamaria, Armando Peraza, John Santos, Rebeca Mauleon, Giovanni Hidalgo and Raul Rekow.

Orestes Vilato - Photo
Orestes Vilato – Photo

In 1981, Mr. Vilato moved to the San Francisco Bay area, where he still resides with his family.   From 1980 to 1989 he recorded and toured with the renowned Carlos Santana Band.

Orestes was nominated for a Grammy in 1995 (Latin Jazz category) for his CD, Ritmo Y Candela With Patato and Changuito. In 2009 his solo CD Its About Time was nominated for a Latin Grammy.

Orestes has recorded several movie sound tracks that include:  Our Latin Thing, Mambo Kings, Carlito’s Way, Steal Big Steal Little, The Bird Cage, Dance With Me, Just A Ticket, Things To Do In Denver and The Lost City.

He has been a special guest artist in multiple Jazz Festivals around the country and Puerto Rico including the San Jose Jazz Festival.   He has performed and taught at numerous music conservatories including The Berkeley School of Music, UCLA, Fresno University, Standford University as well as many conservatories overseas.

Orestes was given tribute at Yerba Buena Garden, Monterey and San Francisco Jazz Festivals.

Photo of Orestes Vilato
Photo of Orestes Vilato

Orestes’ style is one of the most imitated and emulated among recording-performing artists.

Betty Zapata ¨The Lady of Salsa¨

Latin America / Venezuela / Caracas

In Venezuela, Caracas, the neighborhood is a way of life with its own identity. The neighborhoods of the entire National Territory, its inhabitants, become outstanding characters. Such is the case of Betty Zapata who was born in the emblematic La Pastora Parish located in the Capital (Caracas). There he spends his childhood in a neighborhood of colonial and historical houses of Venezuela.

Betty Zapata ¨The Lady of Salsa¨
Betty Zapata ¨The Lady of Salsa¨

There are many memories of that legendary Zone, they are inevitably built by those associated with survival, preparation, development, work, love, struggle and family formation, its magic and what marked it for life… . “Music”.

My connection with music is due in part to the fact that I live in a popular area where the music that was heard was Afro-Caribbean (mostly Salsa), the parties or meetings in my house and the neighborhood were always enlivened by that type of music, the most rooted and sticky collectively, originating the most varied dancers.

In the Carnestolendas festivities, improvised platforms (Templetes) were installed to stage the most varied costume and dance contests. Leaving my childhood and beginning my adolescent stage, I participated in dance competitions, obtaining recognition and prizes that were awarded to the young people of my generation.

I attended festive celebrations (dance meetings) with my older sisters at the age of 12, not because I was a dancer, but to not leave me alone, since I was the youngest of 3 sisters, this allowed me to share with people older than me and which I was learning the different dance styles “remembering with great affection the Cayender family, made up of excellent dancers” they are part of my school and love for dance. My cadence, flavor and body movement also allowed me to learn until I had my own dance style.

The music of the moment was the Danzones, Billo’s, Melodicos and in my house my sisters listened in the 70’s to Joe Cuba, Ricardo Rey and Bobby Cruz, Eddie Palmieri, the Latin Dimension prevails, Grupo Mango, Salsa Mayor, La Banda and his Young Sauce. That stuck with me forever and I felt drawn to Salsa.

That gave me the basis to fully incorporate myself into the exciting world of music. In the Barrio salsa is something essential, if you don’t dance it, enjoy it, feel it, you’re nothing.

Attending a meeting, an event, a concert, a presentation, a party or a meeting and there is no salsa, you feel an emptiness since with it we enjoy, we share, we dance and it definitely puts us to enjoy.

Photo - Betty Zapata ¨The Lady of Salsa¨
Photo – Betty Zapata ¨The Lady of Salsa¨

In the course of my 6 decades of existence, I have not ceased to be linked to it in different facets: as an audience, spectator, guest, contestant, jury, organizer, producer and director of events.

Each of these participations has allowed me to stand out, stand out and be a well-known, popular and loved person, a reference in the organization of a good party, night events, presentations of representative groups of the world of Salsa such as:

Ray de La Paz, Herman Olivera, Frankie Vásquez, Bobbie Valentin, Willie Rosario, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Sonora Ponceña, La Selecta, Mulenze, Carlos Cano Estremera, Julio López, Yolandita Rivera, Mambo Legends among others, and for those from the Patio: Bailatino, Rumberos del Callejón , Ensamble La Calle, Albondiga y su Pandilla, Repicao, Tributo, On Fire, La áquina de la Salsa, La Negramenta, Gerardo Rosales, Javier Plaza’s Son Risa Orchestra among others.

This has allowed me to be an obligatory reference when it comes to producing and making an event of great importance and musical quality where the Dancing Public is respected and appreciated, providing them with the comforts to enjoy an excellent show and Latin music is seen as an element of identity that belongs to all of us to live it and feel it.

I am (Betty Zapata) currently planning and developing projects in the short, medium and long term and to give you a heads-up I am giving you the scoop: I am here with my radio program to promote, support, disseminate and promote our exciting and magical world of Caribbean music.

Great Christmas salsa songs and their stories

Christmas is a time of joy where one of the most important elements is music, so we believe this is the best opportunity to feature some of the best Christmas salsa songs that we can remember. Here are the most cheerful songs in Latin music to listen to during the most beautiful time of the year.

Aires de Navidad by Héctor Lavoe and Willie Colón

”Aires de Navidad” is a great song which is part of the Christmas album ”Asalto Navideño Vol. I” from 1971. In the same year, Lavoe and Colón were already making preparations to record an album entirely dedicated to the festivities, indeed, they already had some songs recorded, but they knew that there were still details to finish. 

Then, Héctor asked musician Roberto García to join the project that was underway, as they needed a guitarist to accompany them. Garcia accepted the proposal almost immediately and got excited about the project that he even proposed Yomo Toro to join them, to which Hector and Willie agreed with no problems.

The day they agreed to record the material, Toro came in first and began playing a Puerto Rican cuatro when he was scheduled to play the electric guitar. However, Johnny Pacheco, upon hearing the sounds, liked the arrangement and approved it without question. 

That is how the four artists set out and recorded what would soon become one of the greatest Christmas hymns in recent times, and it will surely be in thousands of homes around the world this month.

Aires de Navidad
One of the photos taken during the recording of ”Aires de Navidad”

La Fiesta de Pilito by El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico

”La Fiesta de Pilito” is included in the album ”Nuestra Música” by El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, which was recorded in 1985 as a tribute to the most beautiful and endearing of the Island of Enchantment during the Christmas holidays. Back then, any musical work created by El Gran Combo always became a resounding success once it was released and its members were sure that this would be no exception.  

It is then when the composer of one of the main songs of ”Nuestra Música” came on the scene, and we are talking about Luis ”Pilito” Cruz, who would become part of the internationally acclaimed salsa group that same year.

What is known in the first instance about the song is that it did not have a specific name, so it was baptized as ”La Fiesta de Pilito” honoring the composer of its first two verses. Subsequently, the piece was completed with pregones and soneos created by the rest of the orchestra members.

Additionally, they received the support and collaboration from ‘‘El Caballero de La Salsa” Gilberto Santa Rosa, who served as a guest artist for the legendary recording.

Nuestra música at Christmas
Cover of the Christmas album ”Nuestra Música”

Bembé en Casa de Pinki by Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz

”Bembé En Casa de Pinki” is a Christmas song written by the famous duo Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz, which was released in 1971 and is the first single from the Christmas album ”Felices Pascuas”.

The song’s title comes from someone who would be very important in the career of the two aforementioned artists and that was the Panamanian-born diplomat named José Rogelio ”Pinki” Arias. The gentleman was a close friend of Richie and Bobby and, at the same time, director of the Panamanian Institute of Tourism. He used his friendship with the vocalists to invite them to various events in his country, knowing that they would be a complete success with the presence of the duo.

Such was the affection both exponents had for ”Pinki” that they dedicated to him two songs from their extensive repertoire, which were ”Bembé en Casa de Pinki” and one belonging to the album ”El Diferente”. 

Among other songs, ”Felices Pascuas” also includes tracks such as ”Bomba en Navidad”, ”Mi Niñez”, ”San José”, and ”Aguinaldo Navideño”.

Felices fiestas at Christmas
Cover of the Christmas album ”Felices Fiestas”

Estelita by La Sonora Ponceña

Another group that never misses a chance to offer their talent to please their fans and make them enter the Christmas atmosphere during the holiday season, leaving great classics that can not be missing every year in our homes and one of them is ”Estelita”.

Something that can never be missed in a Christmas album is that colorful character who always brings playfulness and good humor to the atmosphere. In this case, it is Estelita, who is a party neighbor who always sneaks into the Christmas parrandas in her neighborhood, something that many people will surely feel identified with in various parts of Latin America.

The song was written by the late maestro Joe Torres and was part of the album ”Otra Navidad Criolla!” along with ”Opera Gandinga”, ”Vamonos Pa’l Campo”, ”La Vengo Siguiendo”. 

Read also: Luis Guillermo Rangel the great friend of everyone

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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.