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Unstoppable Hollywood Salsa Fest focuses on the importance of Salsa

In the midst of the release of the single in which she collaborated with Edwin “El Calvito” Reyes ‘Dos pa’ lante’, on April 13, 2024; Melina Almodovar performed at the most important salsa festival in South Florida in the U.S. Melina also serves as an entrepreneur, along with her partner Cristina Moinelo, for the past nine years.

“La muñeca de la salsa”, Melina Almodóvar

Each year, the Hollywood Salsa Fest focuses on the importance of salsa music, recognizing that Afro-Latin music fuses us into a culture that draws from diverse roots. This year’s festival – sponsored by the city in a public-private partnership with various businesses – was held at the Artspark at Young Circle.

As masters of ceremony, the festival featured the winning team of “Meca” from Salseo Radio and “El Cacique” from Zeta 93 FM, Puerto Rico’s leading salsa radio station. On the decks was DJ “Boricua loco” with a tremendous selection of salsa, in addition to coordinating from his musical corner the dance exhibitions by the salsa dancers of YC Dance Studios.

The first orchestra in charge of starting the concert, Latin All Stars, counted with the vocal and scenic mastery of Marlon Mendioroz, Yorman Clay, Adrián Marchant, Yomil Rivas and Frank Cróquer, backed by a musical team that did not fall short of the expectations of those who waited patiently for the stage to light up with good salsa. Latin All Stars was followed by “Juano, tu cantante” from Cali, Colombia. The team of musicians of the orchestra with the second shift shined accompanying who for 16 years was part of Orquesta Guayacán.

The trumpet player also performed in the mid-afternoon block, preceding the arrival of the Hollywood Salsa Fest Orchestra in a segment in which they accompanied Hilda Naranjo from Cuba, Fabián Rosales from Chile and Joey Hernández from Puerto Rico.

At around 6:00 p.m., it was the turn of the Cuban sound known as timba, with the Julio Montalvo Orchestra and Miami’s Huracán. Once the hurricane winds that accompanied Julio Montalvo ceased, tribute was paid to the late Venezuelan percussionist Robert Vilera thanks to the staging of Vilera Son. The tribute to Vilera’s legacy featured the talents of Los Gaitanes from Panama, Avelino Romero from Venezuela, El Mola and Braidsman from Cuba, as well as Robert Vilera’s first singer, Felix Argenis.

“La muñeca de la salsa”, Melina Almodovar, was backed by Luigi Flores from Costa Rica on piano and musical direction, Johnny Fortunato from Dominican Republic on bass, Pablo Molina from Venezuela on timbales, Juan Pablo Camacho from Venezuela on tumbadoras, Carlos Molina from Venezuela on bongo, Carlos Perez from Cuba on first trombone, Ramon Benitez from Colombia on second trombone, Carlos Frank from Cuba on first trumpet and Julian Cifuentes from Colombia on second trumpet.

On backing vocals, Melina was backed by: Joe Arroyo from Puerto Rico and Freddy Lugo from Cuba. Melina gave us a first class show. As part of Melina’s performance, “El Calvito Reyes” joined her for the first time to perform the recently released single ‘Dos pa`lante’ as a live duet.

During the afternoon, the festival took place under a beautiful blue sky that kept the crowd’s enthusiasm positive. During the night, the clear Floridian skies kept the attendees dancing at full steam. Of course, to that end, the aforementioned talents kept the stage in salsa.

The festival closed with the always remembered for the classic ‘De barrio obrero a la 15’, Chamaco Rivera, who with a stellar salsa career to his credit, not only kept the audience engrossed in his impeccable staging, but also introduced us to his guest artist, his son: Christian Ray.

Melina contó con el respaldo vocal de Joe Arroyo de Puerto Rico y Freddy Lugo de Cuba

Christian delighted us with his repertoire shortly before inviting us to listen to his recently released CD entitled El legado continúa. To bid farewell to the musical day, which lasted nearly ten hours, the grand finale invited the group of singers who had paraded on stage during the day and part of the night to come in and jam with the “papa de los pollitos” (father of the chicks).

We are waiting to enjoy the next ‘Hollywood Salsa Fest’, for which the businesswomen in charge promise to throw the house out of the window. Melina and Cristina have delivered nine festivals in a row. So see you in April 2025 to dance in the tenth edition of the same.

Also Read: A party of dancers at the concert to celebrate Willie Rosario’s 100th birthday

Verano Producciones Colombia with Jimena Verano presents Noel Montano

Latin America / Colombia / Medellin

On this occasion, the promoter Jimena Verano introduced us to the singer and poet “Noel Montano” born in Cuba

Jimena Verano: He began his first artistic activities at a very early age, from the age of 7 he did his first school performance work called “El Sabio y el Boatman”, then at the age of 14 he leaned towards writing, writing poems, poems, among others. At the age of 16 he wrote his first song called “Desecho y Vacio”, which was part of the record production Cruzando Fronteras” by the Uruguayan singer Pablo Alejandro along with three other songs.

Noel entered the world of modeling and acting, in 2001 with the company “Cosmodiva Talents”, he participated in a number of television programs and commercials on different networks such as “Sabana Gigante”, “Dinamitados” (Americateve), among others. After 2 to 4 years, he is invited to join the group Climax from Mexico (table that applauds the most, ZaZaZa), a song that achieves the fame of that group, allowing it to tour various international stages and being winners and multiple nominees for more than 30 awards musicals.

Noel Montano artist interviewed by Jimena Verano

In 2013, Noel published his first book of poetry and reflections “When the soul sings” which can be purchased on Amazon and other online stores. Also that same year he released his first musical single “Apariencias”, which is having a great success. good acceptance internationally.

He is currently working as a composer for different artists and groups inside and outside the USA. He is currently preparing for a media tour in Colombia with the help of Jimena Verano, his promoter VERANOPRODUCCIONES COLOMBIA, who tells us that “Noel Montano came to the artistic world to leave your own legacy

For more information contact them through email: [email protected]

ISM January 2019

Willie Rosario, El Rey del ritmo by journalist and music researcher Robert Téllez M.

Puerto Rico Date Be more by Bella Martínez writes announces the release in Puerto Rico of the second edition of the authorized biography of Míster Afinque, Willie Rosario, El Rey del ritmo by music journalist and researcher Robert Téllez M.

This second edition, which has been revised, expanded and updated, has 62 more pages, every time master Willie Rosario has remained active since the publication of the first edition in 2019 to date. It also contains photographs that were not included in the first edition, images from Willie Rosario’s own archive and from the archive of the most important salsa collector, Robert Padilla.

The book, which has a preface signed by musician “Bobby” Valentín and a foreword by researcher José Arteaga, also compiles significant accounts from composers, musicians, instrumentalists, arrangers and vocalists who have been part of Rosario’s orchestra throughout different periods.

The new cover photo is by photojournalist Conrado Pastrano, the cover design is by graphic artist Felix Disla and the illustrations are by artist Frank Rosado.

The content of the back cover of the first edition, which includes the praises of Edwin Clemente, Edwin Morales, Elmer González, Hiram Guadalupe Pérez and Néstor Galán, was moved to the inside of the text, adding the recently captured praise in the voice of Ricardo Padilla, programming director of Salsoul radio station.

The back cover text is by the prodigious arranger, composer and music producer, who was exalted to the Hall of Fame of the U.S. East Coast and who, like Willie Rosario, is a timbalero and orchestra leader: Tito Rodríguez, Jr. Tito tells us about “El Inolvidable’s” friendship with Willie Rosario, as well as the way in which Mister Afinque received from Tito Rodríguez the first songs that Rosario would record with his orchestra, including the classic ‘Changó ta vení’ (composition by “Justi” Barreto), arranged by René Hernández. He also shares with us the closeness between Willie Rosario and Tito Rodríguez since they were neighbors in the Bronx, NY until they became colleagues and developed a friendship based on companionship and mutual admiration. In a nostalgic way, he highlights the golden years of El Palladium. As if all this were not enough, Tito candidly offers his opinion on Willie’s contribution to the salsa sound, which he reinvented by adding the baritone saxophone to his orchestral format, which at the time was thought to be an experiment, and on the permanence of that contribution within Latin music.

The publication of this second edition of Willie Rosario, El Rey del Ritmo comes just in time to add to the centennial celebration of the musical leader, who has managed to keep his orchestra active and alive for more than six decades. The book is now available in physical format and can be purchased through Amazon.

Book cover Willie Rosario Second Edition

About the author:

The author, Robert Téllez M, is a music journalist, broadcaster and audiovisual media producer. He is a member of the Círculo de Periodistas de Bogotá (CPB) and since 1998 he has worked as a programmer for different music radio stations. For nine years he directed and hosted the program Conversando La Salsa on Radio Nacional de Colombia. He was also founder and general director of Revista Sonfonía. Robert Téllez M stands out as a researcher dedicated to Afro-Antillean music. His in-depth research has led him to serve as a consultant and lecturer, specializing in the appreciation of salsa music.

Published books:

* Ray Barretto, Fuerza Gigante (2016).

* Willie Rosario, el Rey del ritmo [Authorized Biography] (2019, 2024).

* Ray Barretto, Giant Force (2021), the translation by Ronald Vazquez of Ray Barretto, Fuerza Gigante, is the silver medal winning literary work for best Spanish to English translation at the International Latino Book Awards, 2021 edition.

Also Read: Metamorphosis: from music to photojournalism, a reinvention without limits

Pedro ”Pocholo” Segundo supports the Spaha Harlem Salsa Museum

At the Spanish Harlem Spaha Museum we always welcome the best of Latin music and, on this occasion, we could not stay behind, so we are glad to have had the opportunity to share with one of the best percussionists of the moment, Pedro Pocholo, who has a very interesting career that we will review below.

Pocholo signing his album — Pedro ”Pocholo” Segundo signing a copy of his album ”A Guapetear” in 2022

Who is Pedro ”Pocholo” Segundo? How were his beginnings in music like?

Pedro ”Pocholo” Segundo is an important producer and percussionist who has made a recognizable name in the Latin music industry thanks to his participation in some of the most critically acclaimed salsa and jazz orchestras.

In music, it all started for him at the young age of 13, which is when he began playing with Ismael Miranda, representing the formal beginning of his professional career as a teenager. His efforts fortunately paid off, since a few years later, he was playing with Andy Montañez.

In 1988, he joined Johnny and Ray’s group, causing him move to New York City, a place that gave him the greatest opportunities he would ever have in the artistic area. He became so well known for his skills as a percussionist that he was sought after by many artists to play with them such as Celia Cruz, Héctor Lavoe, Andy Montañez, Tito Rojas, Tito Nieves, José Alberto ”El Canario”, David Pabón, among many others.

Pocholo playing the cowbell — Pedro ”Pocholo” Segundo playing the cowbell in his studio

Important things Pedro ”Pocholo” Segundo has done in his career

Pedro ”Pocholo” lived many peak moments in the musical aspect, but without a doubt, the possibility to play to former presidents Bill Clinton and Al Gore with Celia Cruz and ”El Rey de Los Timbales” Tito Puente has been extremely important to his prestige as an artist, so he just went for more and more.

This performance would not be the only collaboration he would have with Puente, as he also joined his talent to that of the timbalero in the DVD entitled ”Live at Manhattan Center” and traveled with him, The Big 3 Orchestra and Jimmy Bosch’s group to several countries in South America, Central America and Europe.

Sometime later, in partnership with vocalists Carlos Santos and José Peña, Pocholo formed the group Madera Fina, with which he and his two fellow musicians managed to place some hits such as ”Guarimbo”, ”Palo de Son”, ”Desde Que Te Casaste”in very good places on the charts. They also went to Puerto Rico to promote the group and seek the support of local media such as La Mega 97.9 FM, being this radio station very important in the dissemination of these musicians’ work.

Thanks to the experience gained from belonging to Madera Fina, Pocholo was more than ready to face bigger musical challenges, which led him to take on the creation, production and percussion of Boricua Legends, which has become one of the most popular New York orchestras of the moment.

One of the best years of Boricua Legends was undoubtedly 2015, which was when it released its own version of ”Si Por Mi Llueve”, a song that was part of the world-renowned Cheo Feliciano’s repertory. He also took second place in the GenGenSalsa Top 70 chart and eighth in the LatinosUnidosOnline chart.

Pocholo performing live — Pedro ”Pocholo” Segundo during a live performance

Pocholo supports the Salsa Museum

As many other Latin artists, Pocholo also supported the Spaha Harlem Salsa Museum and was a special guest on The Johnny Cruz Show to talk with the host and director of the museum, who was very pleased to welcome him on his show.

In a video uploaded to Johnny Cruz’s social networks, the host can be seen introducing his guest and saying that they would talk about a number of very interesting topics, such as the beginning of his career, the founding of Boricua Legends and much more. Then, Cruz asks Pocholo to greet the audience and the musician, who was decked in a grayish suit and pink shirt, invites people to tune in to the show and assures them that they will talk about important things such as Latin music in New York and Puerto Rico.

Finally, Johnny closes by saying that viewers can enjoy the show from 3:30pm to 4:30 every Saturday on channel 67 and says goodbye with the song ”La Fama” by Héctor Lavoe playing in the background.