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David Morales “The Captain Of Salsa”

Erika Muñoz, official administrator of the portal “Se Armó la Rumba en México”, www.SalsaGoogle.com and International Salsa Magazine present the Puerto Rican David Morales.

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Son of a seamstress and a furniture upholsterer. He began his studies at the Federico Asenjo and Albert Einstein School in Barrio Obrero where he grew up.

He graduated from Juan Ponce de Leon High School in San Jose and then entered the University of Puerto Rico completing his Bachelor’s Degree in accounting, through a scholarship that ironically he won through an audition he performed in the UPR choir.

At the age of 11 he began working delivering newspapers and years later he worked selling household products. Since he was a child he had two great ambitions: to be a singer and to be an airline pilot. At the age of ten he was already singing the songs of the orchestras of the moment such as Willie Colón and Héctor Lavoe, Ismael Miranda, Raphy Leavitt (RIP) and his Orquesta La Selecta, Roberto Roena and his Apollo Sound, Oscar D’León’s La Dimensión Latina and Oscar D’León’s La Dimensión Latina.

Dimensión Latina de Oscar D’León and Jimmy Urbina’s Orquesta Revolución 70 among others.

The first time he saw an orchestra perform in person was Orquesta Revolución 70, who sang at the Placita Barceló in Barrio Obrero and while singing their hit song Soy de Borinquén, David was fascinated by the music and discovered that his desire was to become a salsa singer someday. It was precise with Revolución 70 that David years later would be initiated into music as a singer.

She graduated from Juan Ponce de León High School in San José and then entered the University of Puerto Rico completing her Bachelor's degree in accounting, through a scholarship that she ironically earned through an audition she performed in the UPR choir. — David Morales “The Captain Of Salsa”

Maestro Jimmy Urbina, director of Revolución 70 was preparing to record an album and it was in this way that Maestro Mario Ortiz (RIP) recommended him for the orchestra. After auditioning as a singer David joined the group and recorded an album where he sang 5 songs of the production along with singers Dino Guy and Angelo Pacheco.

During his artistic career, one of the orchestras that most captivated and inspired David was Raphy Leavitt’s Orquesta La Selecta.

With him, David had the opportunity to sing and from that moment on, the maestro became his mentor and they created a friendship that lasted forever.

In 1982 David had to give up music because he entered the military service where he achieved his dream of becoming a helicopter and airplane pilot. At the end of the 80’s he returned to Puerto Rico and returned to music, singing with the orchestras of Tommy Olivencia, Conjunto Chaney, Omar Alfanno, Manolo Lezcano, Aldo Mata, José Nogueras and Paquito Acosta. He was also a singer in the orchestras of Willie Rosario, Roberto Roena y Su Apollo Sound, Orquesta La Solución, and Orquesta Costa Brava, where he had the opportunity to record the production “A Pico y Pala”. During this same period the producer and arranger, maestro Carlos “Cuto” Soto baptizes David Morales as “El Piloto”.

David Morales as “El Piloto de la Salsa” (The Salsa Pilot), becoming known by that name within the salsa scene. David Morales had the opportunity to travel to many places around the world to sing with several famous orchestras within the genre.

He has also had the opportunity to sing as a guest with orchestras of the stature of El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Oscar D’León, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Tito Nieves, Don Perignon and La Corporación Latina, among others.

David Morales "El The Captain Of Salsa" Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico — David Morales “El The Captain Of Salsa” Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico

After the passage of Hurricane María, in September 2017 David was invited to participate in the recording “Entre Amigos in the recording of “Entre Amigos Después de la Tempestad” with Luis González El Tsunami de la Salsa and Nino Segarra; production that took place together with several singers of trajectory in Nino’s recording studio.

Recently he has just recorded his first album as a soloist, under the direction of pianist, composer, and arranger, maestro Pedro Bermudez, who was David’s partner for many years in Willie Rosario’s orchestra. This production is quite varied, as it includes classic salsa, romantic salsa, boleros, and Cuban salsa, respecting the traditions of the masters and founding fathers of the salsa genre.

All the songs are oriented to the dancer.

There are compositions by Pedro Bermúdez, Ángel Santos, Peter Velázquez, Pablo Milanés, Gloria González, Jimmy Sánchez and Osvaldo Noel, Yturvides Vilchez and Michel Puche.

The arrangers are Pedro Bermúdez, Tommy Villariny, Ramón Sánchez, Carlos Torres,

Tito Rivera and Cuto Soto. It also features the participation of José Alberto “El Canario” as a guest singer in the song titled “El Piloto y El Canario”.

Thanks to all who made possible this record production which was always inspired for the dancer.

Enjoy!!!!

Facebook: David Morales-El Capitán de la Salsa

[email protected]

s[email protected]

Phone: 5529778401

Article of Interest: Chevy “El Pitirre De La Salsa”

By: Erika Muñoz from “Se Armó la Rumba en México”

Ray Barretto Giant Force y A Conguero’s Conguero

Finalists in the 23rd edition of the Latino Book Awards, October 2021.

In Puerto Rico this past September 17, 2021, Bella Martinez announced that two of the publications produced in 2020 under the imprint ‘Be more by BME’ are in the finals of the International Latino Book Awards, the most important award for Latino cultural focus in the United States. The awards ceremony for the 23rd edition of the International Latino Book Awards will be held on October 16 and 17, 2021. It will be virtual via www.LatinoBookAwards.org. Finalists are from the United States, Puerto Rico, and 19 other countries.

Positive Impact

The awards are produced by Empowering Latino Futures (ELF), a non-profit organization established in 1997 by Edward James Olmos and Kirk Whisler. Other ELF programs include the Latino Book and Family Festival. The International Society of Latino Authors.

‘Education Begins in the Home’ has provided books to more than 155,000 young readers. 182,000 students have utilized the Latino and American Indian Scholarship Directory. More than 80 episodes of the Latino Reads Podcast have aired. ELF programs have reached more than one million people. 350 volunteers annually donate more than 14,000 hours of service.

Sponsors of this effort are AALES, AARP, American Library Association, Atria Publishing, Book Expo America, California State University System, California State University Dominguez Hills, California State University San Bernardino, Entravision, Independent Book Publishers Association, Las Comadres para las Americas, Libros Publishing, Los Angeles City College, Los Angeles Community College District, MAAC, MAOF, MiraCosta College, Piping Industry Progress & Education Trust Fund, REFORMA, Scholastic Books and Visa. ELF has recently received grants from Amazon, LULAC, SDGE, and SBA.

Availability

Both books are available through the links below: Ray Barretto, Giant Force or A Conguero’s Conguero, A Memoir of Jimmie Morales as told to Bella Martinez.

Since 2016, ‘Be more by BME’ has been offering solutions focused on cultural dissemination through literature.

‘Be more by BME’, A Conguero’s Conguero, and Ray Barretto, Giant Force are trademarks of ”Be more by BME’ in the U.S. and other countries.

The names and brands of the companies and products mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective owners.

For more information, press only:

Bella Martinez

7874248868

[email protected]

For more information about the books:

bellamartinezescribe.com

Bella Martínez was born in Puerto Rico. She is a graduate of Natural Sciences from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus.

She lived in the state of North Dakota as a member of the United States Air Force. She completed her master’s degree in Health Services Administration and Quantitative Methods at Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan.

In 2016 she published Schizophrenic: Imaginary Episodes of a Different Life. In 2020 she wrote Insurrecta: Schizophrenic Chronicles of an Untamed Life from Scriba Editions NYC.

She maintains contact with her followers through the blog La Vida es Bella, atrévete a vivirla. Her mission is to inspire Spanish-speaking people around the world to live life to the fullest. Her writings have been published in several international literary anthologies, among them: Divina, la Mujer en veinte voces by Ediciones Scriba NYC -awarded at the International Latino Book Awards 2019, in Los Angeles, California- and in several editions of the poetry collection Siglema 575, of minimalist poetry, Ediciones Scriba NYC.

If you would like to learn more about Bella, you can do so by visiting Bellamartinezescribe.com or through her pages on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Pinterest.

Articles of Interest:

Jimmie Morales a conguero for the history of Afro-Caribbean music

Bella Martínez: Amazon

By: Bella Martinez “The Irreverent Salsa Writer”

Puerto Rico

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 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.

Eliel Rivero, “The Shaman of the Trombone”

The versatility, trajectory, and professionalism of this musician and composer, born in the capital of Venezuela, make him one of the most important and sought-after salsa bastions in the country.

This time comes to Salsa Escrita “La Columna Salsera de Barquisimeto”, the outstanding trombonist Eliel Rivero Rivas, who was born on April 3, 1961, and already has an artistic life with more than 40 years; for this and many reasons, we bring to our readers a complete review about “El Chamán del Trombón”, as he is jokingly nicknamed by his musical friends.

Eliel, welcome to the salsa column, which is currently dedicated to providing information on the happenings of Afro-Caribbean music and therefore also projects and makes known nationally and globally the musical talent here.

Thank you very much Professor Carlos Colmenárez, for giving me this opportunity to share with you and all the regular readers of your prestigious Salsa Escrita “La Columna Salsera de Barquisimeto”, and to spread my career.

To begin with, we want to know how were your beginnings in music? -My life was surrounded by music since I was a child since my grandfather Pablo Emilio Rivas was the first tuba player of the Symphonic Orchestra of Venezuela, besides that in the family gatherings we listened from symphonic music to the most emblematic Caribbean artists of the moment, and so on, until I lived in Los Frailes de Catia, Macapaya sector, there was “La Dimensión Latina” and I was captivated by a cover where the trombone was shown, I think it was Dimensión Latina 76, and since that time I said, I would like to learn to play that instrument, but I did not do it because it was so expensive to buy one. Until one day Rodrigo Mendoza, who had just joined Dimensión Latina and who lived in front of my house, heard me playing a trombone solo of the song “Yo tenía una mujer” by Roberto Roena in a meeting that we often had and he told me: start studying that instrument.

The versatility, trajectory and professionalism of this musician and composer, born in the capital of Venezuela, make him one of the most important and sought-after salsa bastions in the country. — Eliel Rivero, “The Shaman of the Trombone”

From then on my musical career began, I was able to buy a trombone and thus began this beautiful story that I enjoy to this day, thanks to the support of my family. I began to have contact with many musicians in the area, among them, Johán Muñoz, a brother sent to me by God, Antonio Acevedo “Toñito”, son of maestro Dugarte, trombonist of the Sinfónica Venezuela and Alberto Crespo, who also lived in Los Cuatro Vientos de los Frailes.

We all followed the trajectory of orchestras and musicians that rehearsed in the area such as “La Banda y su Salsa Joven”, “La Renovación”, we followed the steps of Alejandro Pérez Palma, Faustino González, Enrique Blanco “El Bachaco”, César Monjes “Albóndiga”, José Antonio Rojas “Rojitas”, Nené and Taíto Piñango and many more. From that moment I began to take my course as a trombonist with seriousness and professionalism until today.

Eliel, where did you study music and with whom? My friend Carlos, I studied theory and solfeggio at the Musical Association of the Federal District with maestros Daniel Contramaestre and Daniel Milano.

I continued my training at the “Simón Bolívar” Conservatory of Music, directed by maestro José Antonio Abreu, and at the “José Ángel Lamas” music school, under the guidance of professors Ángelo Pagliuca, Tiero Pezutti, Antonio Estévez, Erick Colón, among others.

I continued my professional and work training with the “Simón Bolívar” Symphony Orchestra for 40 years, sharing with different masters of national and international music.

At the same time, I had the opportunity to participate as an active or guest musician in national and international orchestras of the salsa genre.

Now that you mention the salsa genre, with which orchestras and vocalists have you participated? Professor, at the national level, apart from the Simón Bolívar Symphony, Municipal Symphony, Venezuelan Symphony and Caracas Philharmonic, I have been on stage with: Bailatino, Oscar D’León, El Pavo Frank, Mariana, Marianella, Andy Durán, Cheo Navarro con Tributo, la Banda Sigilosa, Orlando Poleo, Hildemaro, Alfredo Naranjo y su Guajeo, Silva y Guerra, Saxomanía, Trina Medina, Orlando Watussi, Magia Caribeña, Moisés Daubaterre with Grupo Mango, Bacheo, Servando y Florentino, Naty y su Orquesta, La Negramenta, El Trabuco Venezolano, La Nueva Parranda, Canelita Medina, Javier Plaza, Guarará, among other participations to which I have been invited.

And as for international artists and groups, which ones have you worked with? My friend Carlos, I have had the honor of accompanying: Gilberto Santa Rosa, Celia Cruz, Justo Betancourt, Nino Segarra, Eddie Santiago, Willie González, Roberto Lugo, Ismael Miranda, Maelo Ruiz, Cheo Feliciano, Paquito de Rivera, Andy Montañez and in relation to artists outside the salsa genre: Rafael, Andrea Bocelli and José Luis Rodríguez “El Puma”.

Excellent and admirable career Eliel, now, what can you tell us about who you have recorded with? Indeed Carlos, I have made recordings with the Simon Bolivar Orchestra, Música Latinoamericana, Bailatino, El Pavo Frank, Naty y su Orquesta, Victor Quintana, Rumberos del Callejon, Bacheo, Un Solo Pueblo, Trina Medina, Saxomania, La Dimension Latina with Joseito Rodriguez, La Negramenta, Orlando Poleo, Carlos Julio “El Oso”, Juan Pablo Barrios, Víctor Cardona y su Máquina de la Salsa, Gilberto Santa Rosa con la Sinfónica Venezuela, Cheo Navarro y su Orquesta Tributo, Francisco Requena, Oscar Dudamel, Otilio Galíndez, Luisito Quintero, among others.

Eliel, what can you tell us about your facet as a composer? I started when I was 13 years old and I have written songs for the following artists: Orquesta Los Satélites de Cheché Mendoza with the song “Sufrí por ti” on the LP Di Corazón, I have also written compositions for the Sabadonga orchestra, Oscar Dudamel, Victor Quintana and most for the Bailatino group, of which the hit “Bailatino llegó” was versioned and recorded by the Hispanic Orchestra of Harlem (SHD) of New York under the name “Baila Latino” on the CD “Viva la Tradición”, Grammy award-winning album.

World Artistic Tours? I have performed in Italy, France, Spain, Japan, Germany, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Switzerland, England, Holland, USA, Mexico, Australia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Peru.

Eliel Rivero is one of the most important and sought-after salsa bastions in the country.

At present, what do you do besides being with different orchestras?

Well, Professor Carlos, I am currently involved in pedagogical activities with the trombone, doing master classes and I am a frequent guest in the “Orquesta Nuevo Mundo” of Bogota, directed by Alejandro Orellana, covering symphonic salsa and permanently in the trombone and composer with the group Bailatino.

By the way, how did Cheo Navarro ask you to be part of the staff of musicians of Bailatino y Tributo? In fact, my friend Carlos, that was one night when we were in block 6 of 23 de Enero in Caracas, we greeted each other and he told me that he wanted to make a band to cure us playing the salsa that fed our lives, such as Palmieri, Libre, Mon Rivera, Típica 73, Bobby Rodríguez and others.

And I told him to count on me and since at that time I was playing with Johán Muñoz with Ajoporro of Grupo Mango in private parties, Cheo told me: “Tell Johán if he wants to participate in this project” and the affirmation was not long in coming. As for “Tributo”, the same thing happened, Cheo wanted to record emblematic songs that nurtured his career, and of course, we gave him our support since those of us who recorded in that project are from “Bailatino”.

Eliel Rivero performing pedagogical activities with the trombone.

Finally, what are your social networks? My social networks are Eliel Bailatino on Facebook and eliel_bailatino on Instagram. Concluding, we want to know why that nickname “El Chamán”. Ha, ha, ha, ha, my friend Carlos, that epithet was given to me by my great friends of the “Negramenta” Orchestra. Let me tell you Eliel that for me and for “Salsa Escrita” it was a privilege to have you as a special guest in this issue and from “International Salsa Magazine”, we wish you the best of the best and of course, keep on giving it up with pure tastiness…!

Thank you very much Professor Carlos Colmenárez for this opportunity that you give me and I take this opportunity to send my greetings to the great number of salseros in the city of Barquisimeto and congratulate you for this praiseworthy work of supporting and projecting the musical talent of Venezuela and the world.

Remember not to leave your house…! Until next time and let’s keep on salsing!

Article of Interest: Written Salsa, Barquisimeto’s Salsa Column presents Pamir Guánchez

Photos: courtesy Lisbeth Weffe