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2nd Annual Bay Area Latin Jazz Festival brings news
Castro Valley will be the scene of the best jazz event you can find
After so many months of confinement due to the pandemic, which has ravaged the world, Castro Valley, California, will become the scene of a spectacular event that will make jazz and music lovers in general very happy. It turns out that, later this month, the second edition of the Annual Bay Area Latin Jazz Festival will take place, whose surprises will blow attendees out of water.
In this new edition, the event is expected to be an important contribution to jazz as a musical genre, but it will not be the only musical style that attendees will enjoy, as organizers have made every effort to make the festival as varied and diverse as possible. This means that there is a planned special emphasis on the Latin American and Caribbean influences that have made this genre what we know today, so the mixture of cultures that will be present there will be unbelievable.
The space destined for sales positions and counters will include businesses, food sales, handicrafts, community organizations, among many other things. However, the main attraction will be the great group of artists who have been invited to the Annual Bay Area Latin Jazz Festival, among which we can include Oscar Hernandez and his quintet Alma Libre, Bobi Cespedes, Carlos Rosario, Ricky’s Grupo Afro-Nativo, Rene Escovedo Latin Jazz Ensemble and much more. In addition, the festival will be attended by broadcaster Luis Medina, who kindly spoke with us and provided us with all this valuable information.
Mr. Medina from KPFA Radio’s Con Sabor and WorldSalsaRadio.com’s Sabiduria Con Tumbao will be the master of ceremonies for the event and DJ during breaks, which will allow those who attend to see Luis in one of his most exciting musical facets.
Montuno Productions and its role in this
Montuno Productions will be the entertainment services provider that will organize this great festival, which guarantees that it will be a success. It must be remembered that this corporation specializes in offering all kinds of services related to Latin music, including promotion, marketing, representation of artists of various genres, assistance in obtaining tickets, website creation and many other things. Without a doubt, this provider is highly reliable and respected in the industry, so it is a fact that its work will not disappoint.
One of the great achievements of Montuno Productions in this time has been the coming together of local small businesses, community organizations and music lovers in one place to create a positive contribution to arts, economy and culture. Benefits to the community, attendees and music lovers will be incalculable.
As for the place, this Latin jazz festival is expected to take place at Rowell Ranch, Castro Valley, California. It is a lovely area surrounded by hills whose access by motorway is quite easy for those who wish to go by car. The place is quite accessible for those coming from Livermore, Dublin and Pleasanton. Those coming from Hayward can be there in just 10 minutes.
With respect to entry costs, this event is a very economical option for those who do not want to spend too much, but want to have a lot of fun. General admission has a value of $30, but can amount to $35 for those who bring their vehicle.
Link to the event’s website: https://www.facebook.com/events/rowell-ranch/2nd-annual-bay-area-latin-jazz-festival/595551574740975/
Cost of tickets:
General admission: $30
Parking: $5
Johnny “Dandy” Rodríguez Jr. Growing Up in Latin Dance Music and Jazz
Johnny “Dandy” Rodriguez Jr. is a salsa legend and world-renown, pioneering bongocero.
His “Dream Team” is currently regarded as the hottest salsa “conjunto” performing In New York City.
It is rare, and ever increasingly so, that a musician would spend a lifetime in a band. But percussionist Johnny “Dandy” Rodríguez Jr. who was a teenager when he was allowed to sit in with the Tito Puente Orchestra and be an apprentice for a few months before earning a place in its rhythm section, was also there at the end, playing alongside Puente until his death, after a concert on May 31st, 2000.
“I went from being a kid, coming into the band as a 16-year-old to being the man running the band at the end,” said Rodríguez, 70, in a conversation from his home in Las Vegas.
Between that beginning and end, Rodríguez also contributed, in prolonged stints, to the sound of the Tito Rodríguez Orchestra, Ray Barretto, his own band, Típica ‘73, and more.
The son of Johnny “La Vaca” Rodríguez Sr., a respected percussionist who also played with the Puente and Rodríguez orchestras, “Dandy” Rodríguez is one of those essential musicians who have created and shaped the sound of contemporary Latin Jazz yet are little known by the public at large.
While some of the great players in Duke Ellington or Count Basie bands have long been recognized for their contributions, their counterparts in the Latin orchestras, for the most part, have not. Rodriguez will be honored by Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra in their concert “Tribute to the Great Sidemen of Latin Jazz” alongside Sonny Bravo, Ray Santos, Papo Vázquez, Reynaldo Jorge, José Madera, Joe González, and Bobby Porcelli at Symphony Space, in New York City, January 29th and 30th.
“When they called me about the concert I thought it was such a great idea,” says Rodriguez.
“Usually people just know the name of the bandleader and it’s fine,” he says. “But they must remember that there is a good team behind that leader which makes him look so much better.
There’s a way of playing that music that makes it sound the way they wrote it and the way they wanted it and these guys knew it and they knew how to do it.”
Rodríguez grew up in Spanish Harlem, Manhattan, in a house with “a great music collection, a good, what was then called, hi-fi system and always full of musicians,” he recalls.
“It was great but I was interested in baseball, in stickball. I didn’t get involved with music until later, but the music was always in the background, in my house.” By the time he was in junior high, Rodríguez played bongos, congas, timbales, and set drums and, as he puts it, “started to get into it.”
“Remember, I lived in El Barrio and back in those days, in that area, there was a lot of music in the air.
There would be speakers outside the furniture store or the bodega or the record shop, and music would be playing. This shop would be playing this radio station, the butcher would have another, so walking one block you’d be hearing three different pieces of music. It was an environment full of music.”
During the first two decades of the new century, the musical work of maestro Johnny Rodriguez continued; thus, his musical imprint has remained in other publications with The Latin-Jazz Coalition, Frankie Morales, Eddie Palmieri, Gilberto Santa Rosa, George Delgado, Victor Manuelle, Rick Arroyo, Orestes Vilató, Mitch Frohman, Cita Rodriguez, Doug Beaver, Adalberto Santiago and Jeremy Bosch.
In addition, special mention must be made of the participation of maestro Johnny Rodríguez with a group called The Latin Giants Of Jazz, in the best style of the classic Big Bands, made up of great teachers, among them, some of the former members of the band of maestro Tito Puente; with this group they have released four albums; this project gave rise to another band called The Mambo Legends, who recorded the album titled: Watch Out! ¡Ten Cuidao!
John Rodriguez is, without any doubt, one of the most prolific percussionists in the world of Latin music called Salsa; the nickname “Dandy” goes back to his childhood, when the car in which he was taken was bought in a warehouse or a store called “Dandy”, and people said: look how cute the “Dandy”, and from there he kept that nickname. In music he is better known as Johnny instead of John.
In the (year 2022) the experienced Johnny Rodriguez had three or four groups with which he is playing, among them Dandy Rodriguez and his Dream Team, and at the same time he teaches percussion classes over the Internet. He is part of the true legends of Latin music, not to mention that his talent has also been reflected in recordings for other musical genres such as: Electronic, Folk Rock, Folk, World & Country, Funk / Soul, Heavy Metal, Jazz, Stage & Screen, Jazz-Funk, Merengue and Pop.
In his very extensive artistic career, the master Johnny Rodriguez took part in historical and iconic recordings of our musical culture, some of these albums have been worthy of awards such as the Grammy Award, among which are:
Homenaje a Beny Moré – Year 1978.
On Broadway – 1983
El Rey: Tito Puente & His Latin Ensemble – Year 1984
Mambo Diablo – 1985
Goza Mi Timbal – Year 1990
Mambo Birdland – Year 1999
Masterpiece / Masterpiece Tito Puente & Eddie Palmieri – Year 2000.
“In 2008, Johhny entrusted LP’s Research and Development Department with the design of the John “Dandy” Rodriguez Jr. bongoes in the Legends series. John is proud that these drums, which bear his name, feature such outstanding sound and visual characteristics.”
He died on August 17, 2024 in New York City of a stroke.
Facebook: John Rodriguez(Dandy)
Article of Interest: José Madera Timbal de Machito and his Afro-Cubans, Tito Puente, Mambo Legends Orchestra and Fania Record Co.
Richie Bonilla Management is a Latin Music booking and Managing Agency
Celebrating 60 years as a Personal Manager – Booking Agent and Promoter
This agency has been organizing events throughout the United States, Europe, South, and Central America. It has been organizing events for more than 50 years in Japan.
For a period of 50 years, Richie Bonilla has been a force that has contributed to the continuous growth of the Latin music industry. He has been directly responsible for the success of many of our biggest names in the Latin business.
In 1962 Richie Bonilla signed an unknown artist named Pete Rodriguez. As a result of his effort and contant dedication, Pete Rodriguez became the hottest recording artist of that time and one of the all-time drawing artists. He was crowned “King of Boogaloo”
During the same period, Richie Bonilla signed another unknown artist, a young boy, 17 years old who had only one LP to his credit. Once again because of his persistence this young artist named Willie Colon is now a living legend.
The stories of his accomplishments are endless. Other Boogaloo/Salsa artists which had success under Richie’s guidance and management were Hector Lavoe, Ray Barretto, Ismael Rivera Mongito El Unico, Victor Aviles, Eddie Santiago, and Frankie Ruiz.
During the Boogaloo era in the early ’60s, Richie Bonilla management company was the main booking agency in New York City, He also managed the hottest artists of that period. They were Ralfi Pagan, Pete Rodriguez, Orq Flamboyant, TNT Boys, La Conspiracion, Orq Colon, Joey Pastrana, King Nando, Ralph Robles, Ray Jay, Lat-Teens, Willie Colon with Hector Lavoe, Johnny Zamot, Kako y Su Combo, Joe Acosta, The New Generation, Landy Nova, Sonora Borinquen, Latin Souls, including merengue bands like Primitivo Santos, Eddie Bastran, Dominica and Hugo Perez.
In the late ’60s and early ’70s, Bonilla Management controlled 90% of the music going to Panama for the carnivals and other national holidays. Other countries in which he was successful in developing prior to the Fania Era were Venezuela, Curacao, Aruba, Martinique, Guadalupe, St.Thomas, and St. Cruz.
When Richie Bonilla opened his booking agency in 1962, during that time very few orchestras were traveling out of the United States. He was one of the first promoters to bring salsa music to places such as Chicago, Ohio, Boston, Washington, Philly, Connecticut, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
Richie Bonilla has always been available to anyone who needed help, advice, or encouragement. Vitin Aviles has always thanked him for giving him the confidence needed to go out as a soloist. Orchestra Broadway’s first trip to Venezuela was booked by Richie. Ralph Mercado’s first trip out of the country, to Curacao as an agent for Eddie Palmieri, was also booked by him.
Jelly Bean Benitez’s first DJ booking at a club was also done by Richie Bonilla. When Pete Rios, the original founder of Latin New York Magazine, only had visions of such a magazine, Richie Bonilla took him by the hand and introduced him to everyone in the industry, including Izzy Sanabria.
After the first Latin awards night was discontinued, Richie Bonilla sponsored a Latin awards night at the Cheetah Club in 1972 at his own expense, because he felt it was important to recognize our Latin artists and give them credit for their accomplishments.
During the early and late 50’s the Bronx was the birthplace of the Salsa(Mambo). Most of the best musicians and future name artists resided in the Bronx and so did Richie Bonilla. He started promoting salsa dance parties in the apartments and finished basements. Then he graduated to ballroom dances such as Hunts Point Palace, Club Cubano Inter-Americano, Tropicana, Calgate Gardens, New Terrance Gardens, and Bronx Casino.
During the ’60s there were very few bands residing in Puerto Rico. Richie was the connection for the New York bands to travel to Puerto Rico. They would perform for all of the graduation dances, Fiestas Patronales, Secretary Day, and club dates all over the island. He was one of the first persons to promote Salsa music in Puerto Rico with two associates, Alby Diaz and Fernando Lopez.
During the exotic period of salsa music, He signed another unknown artist named Eddie Santiago and promoted him to stardom, managing his career for 3 years. During the same period, he also managed and booked Frankie Ruiz and Lalo Rodriguez.
Then in 1989 history was made again, Richie discovered Orquesta De La Luz, an all-Japanese Salsa orchestra residing in Toyko, Japan.
Some of his friends in the salsa industry had told him that he was wasting his time with this attraction and once again because of his dedication to commitment and devotion to Latin music, Orquesta De La Luz‘s success all over the world is well documented.
Because of Orquesta de La Luz popularity and his influence in creating a Japan Salsa Festival.
Japan has been a great market for our artists and record sales. Richie was directly responsible for the following artists performing in Japan: Marc Anthony, Tito Nieves, Jose Alberto, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Los Hermanos Moreno, Milly Jocelyn y Los Vecinos, The New York Band, Ernie Agosto y La Conspiracion, David Cedeno, Elemento 10, Joe Cuba, Carmen Jimenez, Stacey Lopez Dancers, Cubarama Afro-Cuban Jazz Band, Crissy I-cee, Alexa, and DLG.
In recent years Richie has been promoting legendary artists and orchestras such as Israel “Cachao” Lopez, The Machito Orq, and Cubarama Afro-Cuban Jazz Band (formally the Mario Bauzer Orq). His dedication of keeping the Old Big Band School alive is because having knowledge of strong musical roots will always maintain the growth of our Latin music.
To name some of the many awards that Richie has received for his love, dedication, and contribution to the Salsa Latin music industry are:” THE UNITED NATION PEACE MEDAL” for promoting Orquesta de La Luz , who drew all different kinds of nationalities under the same roof in concert halls all over the world. Also, Mayor Dinkins Proclamation contributed to improving Latin relationships in NEW YORK CITY.
President Clinton’s Commendations letter, keys to the City of Cartagena, and recipient of the “SALSAWEB’S LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD” at their Second International Convention. Also “DR. SALVADOR F. SOLA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD” in 2000, ALBERT TORRES WEST COAST CONGRESO LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD in 200I and in 2002 he was also inducted into THE INTERNATION LATIN HALL OF FAME “SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD”
2006 New York Salsa Congress
Life Time Achievement Award
Received at the New York Hilton Hotel
2007 Received the Honor to be inducted as
One of the Musketeers in the French organization
“Compagnie Des Mousquetaires D’ Armanc”
during the “Temp Latino Festival” in
Vic Felesac, France
Richie Bonilla has always conducted himself with honor and integrity and has brought style and grace to our industry. He is quick to flash a warm smile and a strong handshake to his friends, associates, and clients.
Richie feels that no matter the problem Latins must hold their heads up high in order to see the right direction to pursue.
Contact: 917-699-4641
Article of Interest:
NORA SUZUKI 32 Years After Her Debut In Salsa
Hector “Bomberito” Zarzuela Quality and Tuning in the Fania All-Star Machinery
