Search Results for: Música Latina

Latin Music Revolution in United States: Record labels that bet on producing Latino Artists

North America / United States

Record labels that bet on the first Latin singers in the United States

Currently, visiting a nightclub in the US and listening to a bachata or merengue song is totally normal. The assistants, regardless of their nationality, will end up dancing and chanting the melodies. However, a few years ago it was not this way. Find out which labels made this a reality.

Latin music came to the United States around 1930 thanks to the bolero. Its growth continued to rise within its borders passing through salsa, chachachá and merengue; until genres such as bachata and Latin jazz became popular in order to position themselves as they are today. To a large extent, social networks have contributed to the projection of today’s artists. For the most part, they create strategies that increase their reach by improving their sales and reproductions. In 2019, on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, which measures the most popular songs in the United States, there were more Latin songs than ever. A true historical record!

Record Labels in Latin Music — Record Labels of Latin Music

These data were revealed by Leila Cobo, Billboard’s vice president for the Latin market.

In 2018, Latin music rose to the fifth place with the highest demand in the United States, according to the music statistics firm BuzzAngle, in charge of rankings for Rolling Stone magazine.

For many, it is a cause for astonishment and they cannot imagine what the previous story is. The first Latin singers had to go a long way, being rejected in some opportunities but, finally, achieving success on American soil. There is a long list of characters who paved the way for other Latin musicians such as: Héctor Lavoe, Celia Cruz, Rubén Blades, among others.

Another curious fact worthy of consideration corresponds to the companies that were behind these releases: the record companies. Those record labels that dared to try a foreigner with a proposal in a language other than the United States; They trusted and believed in his talent. Part of this musical revolution, it is thanks to them and their directors.

Record labels that bet on the first Latin singers in the United States

Fania Records

In 1964 this project was born in New York City. It was founded by the American businessman, producer and promoter, Jerry Masucci and the Dominican musician Johnny Pacheco.

Pacheco is one of the most influential figures in Caribbean and Latin music. He is a composer, director, arranger; he specializes in Cuban and Caribbean music such as salsa. This singer also had to go step by step within the US market, train in its streets and go after recognition. In 1960 Pacheco y su Charanga was created, a band that reached more than 100,000 copies on its first album. Alegre Records was the label they signed with. His fame led him to visit countless countries. His experience in the industry made his wish he could help others. After creating Fania Records, he was recognized for promoting the careers of many young artists.

The name of Fania Records was taken from a Cuban song by Reinaldo Bolaño. In part, their great popularity was due to their promotion of salsa. The label supported the greats of the show such as: Rubén Blandes, Willie Colón, Tito Puente, Bobby Valentin, Ray Barretto and Héctor Lavoe, among others.

Alegre Records

It was founded in 1956 by Al Santiago, the owner of a record store in the Bronx. It specialized in products born in the 1950s.

Alegre Records represented, for the most part, Latin music singers. In addition, opening its doors to greats such as Tito Puentes, Johnny Pacheco, founder of Fania Records, Eddie Palmieri. In 1975 it was acquired by Fania Records.

Capitol Records (EMI Latin)

It is an American record company that opened its doors in 1942. Its founders were Johnny Mercer and Buddy DeSyIva, American singers. Today it is owned by Universal Music Group, one of the world’s leading record labels. In most cases, it focused on genres typical of its borders. However, they gave their support to the American with Mexican roots, Selena and the Dominican Juan Luis Guerra.

Discos CBS International

CBS Record Label — Record Label of Latin Music

At first it was located in Coral Globes and then it was transferred to the city of Miami. Discos CBS supported bands like Miami Sound Machine, in which the renowned singer and songwriter Emilio Estefan participated. In 1991, it was acquired by Sony. It is one of the best known for being part of the CBS television network (Columbia Broadcasting System, Inc). It was founded in 1962 by Harvey Schein. Discos CBS is active despite the number of years since its inception. He is dedicated to different genres, without neglecting music in Spanish.

Warner Music Latina (WEA Latina)

It is a label belonging to Warner Music Group, one of the world powers in the field. Warner Music Latina emerged in 1987 and focused on Latin productions, giving the opportunity to artists such as the Puerto Rican, Olga Tañón. It was the label that gave her her first opportunity as a solo artist with the album Sola (1992), making her a Platinum Record recipient. At present, it has branches in different countries of the world. It has production and publication of music, recorded music and services for artists.

RMM Records

It was an independent record company that operated in New York City until the late 1990s. It focused on salsa, merengue, and Latin jazz productions. He worked with artists such as Marc Anthony, Tito Puente, Cheo Feliciano, Tito Nieves, Celia Cruz, Óscar D´León, among others. RMM Records went bankrupt due to legal problems with artists and a millionaire lawsuit filed by singer Glenn Monroig. In 2001 Universal Music acquired the RMM records catalog. A lot of

Over the years, the American music industry was increasingly influenced by songs in Spanish. Those who do not speak the language have commented that they are attracted to the catchy rhythm and do not hesitate to dance them non-stop. The US public has become less skeptical of Latin rhythms. Recording industry experts say it is due to the rhythms and their proximity to the songs in English.

The creation of platforms such as YouTube and the appearance of streaming platforms has given greater openness to the market. More and more Latinos are succeeding in the US and record companies are deciding to finance their projects.

Merlin, a specialized agency, has been in charge of bringing together different independent record companies and managing the collection of income derived from streaming platforms. Half of the record labels associated with Merlin are American. On the other hand, the number of clicks and visits obtained by Latin songs on video platforms such as YouTube and Vevo are increasing, especially in the case of audiences in the US The number of new immigrants and young people must also be considered. Born to Latino or Latin American parents.

The market continues to bet on Latin music. In fact, in the United States there are a large number of stations focused on this type of music. Users can request the songs of their choice and enjoy them at any time of the day.

What will be the next step for songs in Spanish within the United States?

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6 artists who helped make Latin Music successful in the United States

The success of Latin Music in the United States

Some artists have taken Latin music to another level. They fell in love with the public on American borders and helped shape the market as we know it today. We will tell you more details!

Latino immigrants who made their way into the United States gave way to Hispanic music as it is known today.

The Argentine tango, for example, was a success in the US in 1930 and is considered the first Latin genre to have participation on American soil. As you can imagine, from then on a movement was born that is here to stay. At the end of the 90s, this musical boom finished exploding. The numbers were increasing and more and more artists were honoring their Latin roots.

Currently, the industry numbers give prominence to Latin artists, having a greater incidence when they present their songs in Spanish. Also, there are a large number of versions that have been translated into English and are heard in renowned venues. In fact, it is enough to go to a nightclub or a Latin concert in iconic venues such as Madison Square Garden, located in New York or American Airlines Arena in Miami to check acceptance by the public. How much ground have they gained to have a leading role in the most powerful country in the world?

La Guarachera del Mundo - Latin America — Celia Cruz is well known all around the latin world

The road has not been easy, it has been marked by countless artists who, little by little, were making known the rhythms of Caribbean countries. Salsa, for example, was one of the most popular rhythms at the time. Starting in 1960, it was catapulted into the United States, paving the way for Latina artists who are now considered legends of the genre. Celia Cruz, Willie Colón, Héctor Lavoe, Rubén Blades, Johnny Pacheco, among others, marked a before and after in the industry.

Today we want to talk about some famous singers who set the tone and promoted the careers of other Hispanics.

6 Latino artists who paved the way for new generations

Emilio Estefan, Cuba

The Cuban was born in 1953 and arrived in the United States at the end of 1960, from Spain. Estefan always had musical interests. Although, in principle he had to work in other areas. He formed the band “Miami Latin Boys”, which would later be called “Miami Sound Machine”. Thanks to his different presentations, he met Gloria Fajardo, today known as Gloria Estefan, who accompanied them as vocal reinforcement. No one imagined that this singer would become their life partner.

Despite the success of the group, it is other achievements of the artist that place him in this category. Emilio Estefan soon established himself as a producer for Latin American artists and contributed to Gloria Estefan’s success as a soloist. He quickly became known within the industry, working with artists such as Charliee Zaa, Cristian Castro, and Carlos Vives.

In 2002, Estefan became a producer for the Latin Grammy Awards, an annual event that awards artistic excellence for productions in Spanish, Portuguese or other languages of Hispanic countries.

Emilio Estefan and his wife have been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom from the United States, the highest honor in the country, due to their work in the training of artists and projection of Latin music in the world.

Celia Cruz, Cuba

Celia Cruz, began her career in her native Cuba. She excelled in tropical music and was known as “The queen of salsa.” During her first years of career, she stood out in her country, and later ventured into Mexico and the United States. She moved to the US and at the end of the 70s she joined the Fania All-Stars, along with other artists, fully joining salsa. In 1987, her star was debuted on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Cruz is part of a legacy that will continue throughout history. Her songs remain current and are part of the heritage of Latin America. She was nominated for two Grammys and three Latin Grammys.

The Postal Service of the United States included it in a selected group of five stamps, destined to the greats of Latin music; together with Selena, Tito Puente, Carmen Miranda and Carlos Gardel.

Selena, Mexico

The singer was born in the United States and was of Mexican descent. Her genre leaned toward ranchera, Mexican cumbia, and ballads. Selena is known as “the queen of Latin music” and has exceeded 70 million records worldwide.

In the 1990s, the US Billboard magazine named her “the most influential and best-selling Latin artist.” In addition, she is credited with catapulting Latin music in the United States and the world. Selena featured five albums ranked on the Billboard 200 at the same time. Her album Live (1993) won a Grammy for best Mexican-American music album, leaving behind the paradigms of those who considered the Tejano musical style as exclusive to men.

Selena was murdered in 1995. A great loss to show business. Her fans still regret her departure and imagine what she could achieve thanks to your talent. However, it leaves a very broad legacy for Latinos. After her death, she continues to be an example and inspiration for those who want to enter the market.

Juan Luis Guerra, Dominican Republic

The Billboard Winner Juan Luis Guerra — An Artist who help the genre in USA

Juan Luis Guerra is one of the most recognized Latin artists in the world. In the United States, he has been the recipient of 24 Latin Grammys, three Latin Billboard Awards and two American Grammys. He has recorded in Portuguese, English and, of course, in Spanish.

She trained at the largest private music college in the world, Berklee College of Music, in Boston. Earning a degree in jazz composition.

Guerra has made different tours of the US obtaining a box office record. He is a recognized exponent in the genre of merengue and bachata. In 2015, he collaborated with the financing of the Juan Luis Guerra Scholarship, presented by the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation for a low-income student.

The singer is of Dominican origin and today he works as a composer, arranger, musician and producer.

Héctor Lavoe, Puerto Rico

Considered one of the best salseros of all time. He is credited with helping to bring about the genre’s golden age in New York. In addition, to expand the popularity of salsa in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s.

In New York City, he takes his first steps as a bolero vocalist to make his way in what would be a great musical career. The Puerto Rican’s success kept on rising, he sang with the famous Willie Colón and together they toured different stages. Lavoe was also part of the Fania All Stars, a salsa and Latin music group. The Singer, as he was also baptized, died on June 29, 1993. He left an unforgettable musical legacy in the United States and the world; his songs and style are inspiration for many salsa performers today.

Marc Anthony, United States

For many, it could come as a great surprise that an American artist has such a marked and extraordinary Latin musical rhythm. However, his parents are Puerto Rican and he grew up with part of this culture. Marc Anthony is a singer of ballads, pop, salsa and bolero; ambassador of Latin music and culture.

When he began his career, many doubted whether he would be successful in Latin music.

“My career was not easy at first, because I neither looked nor sounded like the ‘typical salsero’. My sound was not considered usual for purists, ”he told The Associated Press.

The singer and actor has sponsored young talents such as Luis Figueroa, a Latino who was just beginning his career in the artistic medium. In addition, it has sold more than 30 million records around the world. Received 2 Grammys and 7 Latin Grammys. Marc Anthony has many fans worldwide. However, Latinos have a very special appreciation for him. In 2012, he started the Maestro Cares Foundation, to raise funds to build orphanages in Latin America.

If we wanted to mention those musicians to whom the expansion of Latin music is due, the list would be endless. Infinity of people who overcame cultural barriers to carry the name of their country, its rhythms and culture high. Currently, the city of Miami is considered as the starting point. The first contact of the young musicians, before venturing to the rest of the country. In addition, the same experts call it “the epicenter of the Latin industry.” This is due to the number of media, producers, multinationals and locals that are willing to open their doors to them and boost their talent.

Latin music represents an industry that does not stop, is profitable and is taking more and more space in the United States. Therefore, a decline is not expected in the coming years.

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New Music Video Billo’s “Tu Amor Para Navidad”

Get ready to celebrate another Christmas with Billo’s

Celebrating Christmas with Billo’s has been for a long time part of the Venezuelans traditions, and fans around the world. This year, to the surprise of many, it won’t be the exception. Thanks to the project carried out by several recognized latin singers, who participate with so much love and fondness, we can enjoy a legacy of good music.

JN Music Group, a record company that support latinamerican talents, reaches a higher level. On this occasion it does with “Legendarios”, an album that commemorates the band’s career and master Luis María Frometa.

Few days ago it was released another production from this album: “Tu Amor Para Navidad”. The single is interpreted by Billo’s Orchestra, which right now are under the baton of Frometa’s son Adrian Frometa, and are settled in Miami. “Tu Amor Para Navidad” featured executive production by Juan Hidalgo and Nelson Estévez, arrangements by Mauricio Silva, musical production by Víctor Pabon and Remil Renna, and performed by singers Abraham Casanova, Rolando Mendoza, Fredy Giménez and with the participation of Victor Pabon.

Billo's Tu amor para Navidad — Billo’s is bringing right for Christmas “Tu amor para Navidad”.

The music video is already available on the different digital platforms, and has exceeded the expectation within the industry. Only on YouTube it has more than ninety thousand views. In the audiovisual work you can observe the different singers inside a kind of musical studio. The artists were very happy and smiled incessantly.

More about the song

Yo sólo quiero tu amor, para esta navidad y que me llenes de luz, cuando haya oscuridad, Yo solo quiero tu amor, para esta navidad, saber que estoy a tu lado y que conmigo tú estás”, is part of the corus.

It has already had a good acceptance, and it’s projected as another song that will be part of the band’s history. Venezuela was present within the creation and composition of some of the songs, among them we can find Simón Ruiz “Simón”, Óscar Hernández “Oscarcito”, and Yasmil Marrufo. The actor Ricardo Álamo was part of the direction team, and of course the team from JN Music Group.

“Tu Amor Para Navidad” is part of “Legendarios”, the album has another eleven singles that have broken records in views and downloads. There is also an animated music video for “Tres Perlas”

The fans of Billo’s and the latin artists that were part of this project, had enjoyed each release. Carlos Vives, Milly Quezada, Tito Rojas, Oscar D’ León, Wilfrido Vargas, Sergio Vargas, Charlie Aponte, Eddy Herrera, Alex Bueno, Don Fulano and Karina; were the responsibles to give their voices to Billo’s hits. Beside, we are waiting for the behind the scenes of the production, a documentary that portraits the work of each participant.

The band’s new generation has a presentation schedule in Miami, and they will end the year with the tour “Tu Amor Para Navidad 2020”. However, with this new single some new work commitments can emerge. What could bring 2021 to them? We hope for endless opportunities!

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Marco Toro y su Ensamble Leave Venezuela on high

Marco Toro – How it all began

Music knows no barriers in cultural and linguistic terms. Proof of this is drummer and percussionist Marco Toro’s amazing trajectory, who was born in Caracas, Venezuela, and whose musical roots are embedded in the rhythms and culture of that country.

Five years ago, the artist launched his latest music work based on what we know as Latin jazz, which is a blend of rhythms and sounds that transport its hearers to certain parts of Africa and South America.

Marco Toro in the netherlands — Marco Toro with one his instruments

This percussionist always flaunts his versatility by interacting with first-class musicians from all latitudes, with whom he has created certain musical productions. In addition to that, he can play the drums, timbales, the conga, the big drum, the maracas, among others.

In 2004, Toro released his solo project called Marco Toro y su Ensamble, with which he began to venture into rhythms such as joropo, salsa and rock.

We were pleased to converse with him on his musical history told by himself.

You have a very interesting musical and personal story. We would like to know a little more about your beginnings. When did you decide you wanted to make a career out of this? How were your first steps into the musical world and what inspired you to accomplish what you have done today?

Well, my beginnings were with my dad, may he rest in peace. I started by playing the maracas with him. He sang and played the cuatro. I sang llanera music in bands and trios like Los Panchos. I sang serenades, I was a serenader within the Guarenas blocks and played llanera music with a hat Pelo É Guama since I was 9, which I did not like when I was little kid, but anyway I did it.

After that, I began taking drum lessons when I was 14 or 15 years old with a drummer friend named Ildemaro, and afterwards in Caracas, I also took a couple of classes with the Daiquiri band’s drummer in Hemisferio Musical, which was a school with music store in Sabana Grande (area of Caracas) with a teacher named José Matos.

Finally, I also took lessons with Willy Diaz who is a drummer in Caracas and with whom I made recordings and other things.

Then from there, I was hitting on rock. Let’s say, I knew much about salsa from my mother and I don’t know if the new generation is aware, but there was what we used to call matinees, where I danced salsa while at home, I listened to rock. That’s where this mix comes from, but overall I have always liked those musical styles and it shows at what I do.

In Guarenas there was a group called Estandard and we started playing original music with musicians from Caracas and Guarenas, with whom we used to mix these two styles (salsa and rock). We mixed heavy metal with Latin music and rehearsed in a studio in Caño Amarillo (another area in Caracas), which was equipped with many Latin instruments such as the conga or the timbales, and that was how the whole mixing of the Latin with rock began.

We started doing very well, so much so that we recorded a demo and ended up playing with Desorden Público, which at the time was one of the best bands.

We played with them in Mata de Coco and the Poliedro of Caracas. The band was getting a lot of swing until, like every young man with dreams, the time came when we felt we had to head to new directions, so we decided to go to the Old Continent and bring our savings here.

When we finally got to Europe, many doors were opened for us because this was a style that was not being done anywhere in the world at the time. So, through the Dutch ministry of culture, began to appear the first recording deals and we got a chance to play on local television networks.

A lot of people did not even know where Venezuela was, so we did really well and started touring Europe. I got a little off track there (laugh), but that is what the emotion of talking is about.

It is a very interesting mix of rhythms without a doubt. You commented to us that you started a rock band, took salsa classes and listened to rock at home.

From here arises what is known as Latin jazz or sambojazz, could you tell us a bit about this interesting mix made in your career? How do you think your Venezuelan roots influenced your music along with all that you have learned abroad?

The Venezuelan roots have always been in me. Also, I have a regionalist family. My parents and my uncles always bet on Venezuela, so I grew up with this picture in my mind even though I listened to foreign music. Thankfully I have always been open to any kind of rhythms, but my roots became to grow when I played Christmas bonuses, aguinaldos and Afro-Venezuelan drums in the block where I lived. By the way, I lived very close to Curiepe (a Venezuelan town in the state of Miranda where drums and Afro-Caribbean music are very common).

More than once, I went to Curiepe (another Venezuelan town in the State of Miranda) rumbas to celebrate the festival San Juan, so this Afro-Venezuelan part was always very present.

When I got to Europe, I wanted to learn more about Afro-Venezuelan and Afro-Caribbean drums in general. In Venezuela, drums were a mere pastime, but here we had to explain the origin of our music, so we had to learn many more about these instruments.

After that, I realized that our music was different and very original to each other’s ears. When there was talk of Caribbean music, you just heard the names of Cuba and Brazil, but things have changed because Europeans have become much more open to new rhythms and the large number of Venezuelan musicians who have left the country and brought Venezuelan culture to a new level. That has made Venezuelan music more present and many musicians, artists, dancing painters have been in this. Everyone doing their bit.

Musician Marco Toro next to his drum — Marco Toro poses next to his drum

Everything what you told us is very interesting. In that case, can you tell us about the change in attitude of Europeans toward all those Venezuelan rhythms and the vision they have of Latin talent compared to a few years ago?

If you want to enter, you need to get it nice and slow. Venezuelan music have been accepted immediately by Europeans, but they feel like it is something new by listening.

That does make them pay a little more attention. That is like saying that arepa vendors should make them thinner for the European, since they don’t like it too thick. Thus, you should turn this around to introduce our music so people can enjoy it, but we have only been able to form music groups in December and the majority of attendees are Venezuelans and their Dutch partners.

Our music has not become as internationalized as much as salsa. When you go to a place where you dance salsa, the band can come from anywhere and people will always dance it. We have not yet succeeded in making people dance to Venezuelan drums in the same way. We have only participated in festivals where all kinds of music are played, but we are working on it.

And so we go on little by little. The important thing about Venezuelan musicians is that we have always been influenced by all kinds of Afro-Caribbean music, which makes a big difference. The other countries do not play our music, which makes make a big difference. In addition, there are always Venezuelan musicians in almost all orchestras. I mean, we have entered our music thanks to our musical aperture and our participation in any genre.

I personally don’t like labels, I’m a musician and if there is anything I can do in any genre I will do so without any problem. I am not one to take salsa or any musical style as a religion. I am very open to playing with the Dutch, the gringos and whoever. I love participating with different nationalities because that is where learning occurs.

Everything you have told us is very interesting. Certainly, This set of mixtures you use is what has made your work so interesting, you are not afraid of anything. You also told us that you have to adapt your rhythms to the European’s ear to make it more enjoyable.

Could you tell us how you have made Europeans to get interested in Venezuelan music and what arrangements have you made at instrumental level to make it more enjoyable to their ears the first time they hear them?

I’m going to give you an example. I am performing with a group called Drums United with which I have toured the world. With them I included Curiepe’s drums culo e´puya and have a show where I play that instrument. What do I do? I play that instrument first for people to hear it and at the same time one of the members explains to them how these drums sound, where they come from, their roots, how they got there, among other things.

After playing them, I sing the most popular music with those drums in the background and people really get into it. My way of singing is so easy for the European who come to party with those drums. I also sing with the attendees and throw a party with them, I think it is the best way to interact with the public when they do not know our music.

Also, I have made compositions in which we do not use the drums that are typical in Venezuela. We use a grenadier and a snare drum that are known around these parts. One of my own compositions is called Reina Pepiada (arepa with chicken and avocado salad which name means ¨curvy queen¨ in honor of Susana Dujim, the first Venezuelan international beauty queen) and the other is Guasacaca (savory sauce very similar to guacamole).

When our songs come up, people ask the meaning of the names mean, and that is where we need to explain this. In my case, music is closely linked to food, and so you start to raise public interest.

In that case, in what way has music helped to put Venezuela and other Latin American countries on the map after listening to these rhythms?

Venezuela has become known for all the Venezuelan musicians who are in these parts. Each of us, within his style, has done that. La India came here and we joined her. We were rehearsing without her and when she came in she said she knows that there are Venezuelans on the team and asked who they are.

We were six Venezuelans and she said she had nothing to worry about because everything will be fine. That is the explanation of how Venezuelans in Europe and elsewhere have earned a reputation for discipline and effort. That has helped us turn the attention of the European public to what we are doing.

For instance, in New York there is a group of Venezuelans who are an emblem. I can name Luisito Quintero, Roberto Quintero, Raúl Agrá, and some others. Here is also a tremendous crowd putting on the table their best effort. There is Orlando Poleo in France, Javier Plaza in Germany, and many others. Here’s a crowd doing his best.

What we do have is a short break for the pandemic. Well, in my case, I had a tour with some saxophonists, but all of this year was cancelled. We are all waiting for things to go back to normal to move forward. Meanwhile, I wrote two new songs during the pandemic. Everyone has been recording material at home and sending us their files. There was even a song that Marcial Isturiz sang from Colombia and sent me the files, so I worked on the mixes and turned this around.

Marco Toro smiling — Marco Toro willing to play his music

Covid-19 and adaptation to the new normal

In view of the fact that all artists had to reinvent themselves because of all this situation caused by COVID-19, in what way have you been impacted, both professionally and personally?

I have been touring, playing in all places, and suddenly the front door gets slammed in your face. And it happens to be, like, what now? Not just for myself, but for many people as the world was surprised by this and now we have to learn to live with it.

What else are we going to do? You have to look after yourself and turn this around. In spite of everything, I am not complaining because I have noticed that I have sold many records. I have sent records from here to the United States and other parts. At a certain point, the live shows have been cancelled, but music is still sold. Additionally, there is a couple of interview there and over there.

In that case, what would you recommend to all new generations of musicians?

What I recommend is that the new generations is that they should have discipline. I bethink that this is the most indispensable in the music world and when I talk about discipline I mean the study of your instrument to try to be better. For example, you have to be on time or earlier for the band plays or practices. Please call if you have a problem. Everything that has to do with discipline is important because I have seen many excellent musicians who have failed as they have not had discipline. So these is paramount to succeed.

So, as we confront this new normal, what advice can you give to these new generations at the suspension of concerts are going to be canceled for a long time? Given this new scenario, what would you advise those who are starting in the music world?

Well, I recommend them remain positive and use the brain to get what they want. If one door has closed on us, one will be open up. However bad the situation is, one can always invent things. There are many musicians who are doing online concerts. So they have their account, and if people like their music, they can put some money in their accounts. I think it is fabulous. Other people are doing other things. There are people that play in front of their homes and those who walk around can give them some money too. A lot is happening here until then, you have to be positive.

When a person is complaining all the time, he is just adding negativity upon himself, making doors harder to open. In my case, I just made two new songs, one is called Mi casa (My house in Spanish), which is a parrandón (musical genre typical in Christmas) with Afro-Venezuelan drums and is dedicated to Venezuela. The other is called Sólo un poco. I have a little studio and from where I record and send material to other places. That is how I held mi own and made my productions here from the house.

My message is that. We have to move forward. When I came to Europe, I arrived with a small suitcase without knowing where to go and my English was so bad that I could not make myself clear. I got in touch with the culture of this country and met people. However, I have not lost touch with Venezuela, and what is more, I go every year. In 2018, I was playing at La Casa del Artista, La Rumba Latina in Guatire and elsewhere.

A final message to the public of International Salsa Magazine and your social networks.

My website is www.toro-ensamble.com, you can follow me on my Facebook Marco Toro y su Ensamble and you can follow me on Instagram as @Sambojazz

As a final message, we have to be positive and think about the good times to come. We have to be patient, wear a mask and take care of ourself because this is not a game. And most of all, we have to take care of elders.

I tell young people to listen to your elders. Listen to old music that is very important and then listen to modern music because everything has its roots and starts at a certain point.

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