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Melómana – Salsa has a woman’s name

Latin America / Venezuela / Caracas

The Salsa World by Melómana

Born on July 2 in the populous and musical parish of San Agustín del Sur, she reserves the year of her birth, which, although it does not weigh her down, assures that they are years of hers and each one has earned them by hand.

She studied at the Don Pedro “Fe y Alegría” school, and although he has prepared himself for life, he does not like to talk about titles. Consider that these do not define the human being, because the higher you get, the more humble you must be. At this point in his life, with fewer shocks, he finds himself pursuing another professional dream.

Music lover from her mother’s belly, affirms that they fed her with a bottle to the rhythm of the Matanzas sound and other rhythms of that golden age. She feels a great passion for her friend salsa, the one that doesn’t let anyone down.

Asocosalsa - Melómana - Salsa
Asocosalsa – Melómana – Salsa

She has been President of Asocosalsa San Agustín for nearly 5 years, an Association of Salsa Collectors in Venezuela, which was born 44 years ago by Elio Navas, with the purpose of highlighting and publicizing the great musical talent that Venezuela has. , today is one of the largest collectors’ associations in the country, with almost 48 representatives nationally and internationally.

Attending the different events that take place in some places of the capital city, he realized that very few media echo the great work that the country’s musicians do to show their talent.

This is how she began to leave a photographic record of each one of them, that is when Elio Navas called her to create an Asocosalsa page with the name of the parish where she lives: and that is how “Asocosalsa San Agustín” was born.

The rest is embodied in its two Facebooks, where it seeks to make the micro visible and turn it into a macro; They are already part of the history of salsa, each one contributing their grain of sand to highlight what is ours and that the salsa does not decline. Because as our friend says: It’s no use having everything, if you don’t contribute or leave a positive mark in your time in this world.

Asocosalsa - Melómana - Salsa
Asocosalsa – Melómana – Salsa

And how not to love salsa if he was born and grew up where the thing started!!

Salsa has a woman’s name…

Salsa is the seasoning that gives joy to the days.

Salsa always cheers you up, because its rhythm is contagious and moves the hip to the cadenced woman.

Salsa enters your skin and shakes your veins, it makes you forget all your sorrows with its melodious rhythm. Salsa fills your being with its tasty rhythm and makes your friends enjoy feet, oh what a tasty rhythm!

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.

Alberto Crespo and his magical muse

Latin America / Venezuela / Caracas

Alberto Crespo, a young pianist, arranger, composer and music producer, from an early age began his studies in Piano and Theory and music theory at the “José Ángel Lamas” music conservatory in the city of Caracas, to later continue his studies in harmony, counterpoint , orchestration and improvisation in different music schools

Alberto Crespo
Alberto Crespo

Since the age of seventeen he has accompanied and toured nationally and internationally with orchestras and artists such as Celia Cruz, Bobby Capo, Carmen Delia Depiní, Ray Barreto, Héctor Lavoe, José Alberto El Canario, Henry Fiol , Ismael Miranda, Mulenze Orchestra, Andy Montañés, Adalberto Santiago, Tito Nieves, La India, Herman Olivera, Frankie Vásquez, José Mangual Jr., Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz, Carlos Cano Estremera, Tito Allen, Pete Conde Rodríguez, Junior Gonzáles, Frankie Vazquez Guatacando.

Photo of Alberto Crespo
Photo of Alberto Crespo

He has stood out as a producer, arranger and pianist for national and international artists such as Maikel Stuart Ny. Frankie Morales Former singer of Tito Puente Ny, Dancer Orchestra of Cheo Navarro, Grupo Mango.Grupo Bacheo, Naty y Su Orquesta, Rumberos Del Callejon de Carlitos Padron, José Papo Rivera Ny, Renzo Padilla Ny, Soneros De La Calle, Freddery el Frederyck El Coco II, Wilmer Cobos Cuenta Nueva II and his Orchestra, La Kindness Orchestra, Efrén Avellaneda and his Orchestra, Lisandro Torres and his Orchestra, Mariana La Sonera and his Orchestra, Canelita Medina, Andy Duran and His Latin Jazz, Herman Olivera Ny , Angie Rincón in London, among others.

With more than thirty years of experience in salsa and Latin Jazz, he has integrated the best groups in Venezuela, including the Orquesta Bailatino, Naty y Su Orquesta, Grupo Bacheo, Andy Durán and his Latin Jazz, El Pavo Frank and his orchestra, Orquesta La Renovación, Los Rumberos Del Callejón, Orquesta las Vibraciones, Verónica Rey and Her Orchestra, Salsa Silva and Guerra by Mauricio Silva Musician and, Mariana La Sonera and Her Orchestra, Grupo Mango. Between his tours he has visited countries such as the United States, France, Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Australia, Curaçao, Mexico and Aruba.

Photo - Alberto Crespo
Photo – Alberto Crespo

Alberto Crespo and Bacheo Latin Jazz has two record productions, the first el Chuchu del viejo and the second de África Soy, which will be on sale soon, and they feature musicians with a long career and perform salsa and Latin jazz with a varied repertoire in rhythms such as son, danzón, chachachá, guajira, salsa, etc.

He currently serves as director, arranger, composer of the Salsera Resistance of Venezuela Bailatino and at the same time working hand in hand with musicians of international stature.

Alberto Crespo anh his piano
Alberto Crespo anh his piano

Yasser Peralta and his musical experience

Latin America / Argentina / Buenos Aire

We have the opportunity to meet the dancer and teacher Yasser Peralta, who is dedicated to teaching Son and Rumba in the Cuban style, being something very striking due to the naturalness of his classes and we can believe that it is because his Cuban blood flows through his veins, giving the essence and flavor to the dance. He tells us that the development of his profession as a dancer and instructor began when he was little, since he was dedicated to dancing at parties, being a very common characteristic for most Cubans.

Yasser Peralta
Yasser Peralta

When he moved to Argentina, that did not stop him and in order to maintain his firm roots in his native land and to have his beloved culture very close, he went dancing, where he took advantage of every trip to Cuba to take classes, of which he was with:

  • Julia Fernández Regisseur of the National Folkloric Ensemble.
  • The Aspirins: Rumberos majors of Regla.
  • Luis Roblejo, professor of Modern Cuban Dance.
Yasser Peralta and his students
Yasser Peralta and his students

He tells us that he not only took classes, he also took training courses in both Cuba and Argentina; in Cuba he was in Cubadanza and in FolkCuba. In Argentina he was with two great dance masters of various genres and musical styles including the Cuban style such as the Mambo in 2 L.A. styles. All this made him increase his knowledge and resume of his musical career, being expanded by studying music, where he learned to play piano, guitar and percussion. And over time he began to organize events through his production company “AhíNaMá!”.

Workshop with Yasser Peralta
Workshop with Yasser Peralta

Of all his life journey, he tells us that “it was not only learning and having a profession, he enjoys dancing and teaching the genres of popular Cuban roots such as Afro-Cuban dances, Son and Rumba, because I understand that you have to go to the basis to better interpret current Cuban music…

On the other hand, I am from the Timba generation and I apply all of the above”, that is, dancing and teaching Cuban popular root genres are 2 of the things that I enjoy a lot, especially since In the future, he sees the possibility of traveling to, meanwhile, dedicate himself more to the production of cultural events of these Latin genres.

Photo - Workshop with Yasser Peralta
Photo – Workshop with Yasser Peralta

Yasser tells us that he has an event production company called “AhíNaMá!” where they hold workshops and teach at other academies:

La Viruta AhíNaMá! Vibra Dance
Tuesday: 20.30hs. $140

Thursday: 20.30hs $150

 Wednesday: en Feeling 21.30hs más baile Social $120 Friday: 21.30hs más baile Social $150

Yasser expresses himself to all of us and above all recommends that lovers of Latin rhythms, whether they are dancers or artists who want to expand in the artistic area, “open your studio to other genres, other styles.” “Everything nourishes and gives resources to personal dance and there is nothing more difficult (but sublime) than achieving one’s own style; especially that they study the music they dance to, understand its structure and the “root” sub-genres that make it up. That is what makes the detail, and the difference is in the detail”.

Salsa Casino with Yasser Peralta
Salsa Casino with Yasser Peralta

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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