Search Results for: New York

Eva Gordillo, psychologist by profession and director Salseros Academy

Eva Gordillo: The so-called Cuban style is the original way of dancing “casino” or “rueda de casino”.

The first steps of this dance were developed in the sports casino in Havana and other dance halls in the Cuban capital at the end of the 1950s, hence its name in Cuba: “–“, as it was originally called “El baile del casino”.

In Barquisimeto, the musical capital of Venezuela, the dancers of Afro-Caribbean rhythms have a place to develop, improve and learn skills with the help of professionals, who achieve the integration of its participants, creating an atmosphere of great joy for all ages.

In this sense, our special guest in Salsa Escrita “La Columna Salsera de Barquisimeto”, through International Salsa Magazine, www.salsamundi.com, is Eva Gordillo, psychologist by profession and director of the dance academy “Salseros Academy”.

Dancers of Salseros Academy Dance Academy

Eva has been a passionate dancer since the age of 13 and today, with only 22 years old, she has toured most of the dance schools in the twilight city and some outside the state of Lara, projecting and developing herself as an instructor of proven hierarchy and reliability.

Welcome Eva to the only salsa magazine in the world, International Salsa Magazine and Salsa Escrita. Thank you, Professor Carlos, for giving me the opportunity to be present in your prestigious salsa column, which is already recognized in my country, the Caribbean, the United States and Europe, thus supporting the entire existing salsa movement in Venezuela.

Eva Gordillo and Members of the Salseros Academy dance academy

Eva, how and when did the idea of having your own dance academy come up? Friend Carlos, on November 26, 2018, I started and materialized my great dream, my own academy and together with my colleagues and friends, Eleazar Hernandez and Manuel Gamez, we started this adventure, from which today, we are harvesting many fruits and we feel extremely happy with this project and grateful, mainly with God, because everything is thanks to Him.

Excellent, very good friend, by the way, what kind of dances do you develop and teach in “Salseros Academy”? In our academy we give group and personalized classes, for all ages, conditions and levels. Our strength is Latin rhythms, especially Salsa, as our name indicates.

We focus on their different dance ramifications, such as New York style mambo, Salsa en Linea or Los Angeles style, Cuban Timba en Linea and En Rueda or “Salsa Casino”. Amiga Eva, in addition to salsa, do you teach other dance rhythms? Indeed Carlos, in addition we teach some Cuban music derivatives such as the chachachá, pachanga and boogaloo.

We are also projecting ourselves strongly with the bachata and its variants, as well as other Latin genres, such as merengue, among others.

During a visit to the headquarters of “Salseros Academy” in the city of Barquisimeto, by the Latin American correspondent team of International Salsa Magazine, we were able to see the excellent, comfortable and spacious facilities, located on Carrera 16 between Calle 61 and Avenida Rotaria, where Eva is accompanied by four experienced instructors specialized in different dance styles. The attendance and registration of participants is massive, given the proven quality and recognized throughout the city of Barquisimeto.

Friend Eva Gordillo, do you also have other projects at a musical and danceable level? That’s right teacher, at present we are heading to be producers of salsa events, thus promoting the Latin dance movement in our state Lara.

By the way, last year we had the pleasure of carrying out an event called “La Gran Gala de la Salsa” (The Great Salsa Gala), on the occasion of the celebration of the 1st anniversary of our academy, in which the dancers were able to enjoy the “Kadencia Latina” and “Jossy y su Banda” orchestras. Digital platforms and contacts for those interested in dancing at Salseros Academy? Friend Carlos, they are: Instagram: @salserosacademy, @evacarolgz, Whatsapp: 0424-5697908, Facebook: Grupo Salseros.

On behalf of the academy, my team and students, we would like to thank you for your support and projection of our work through your column “Salsa Escrita” in International Salsa Magazine. We wish you success and blessings to continue driving the Venezuelan salsa movement.

By Carlos Colmenares, ISM Journalist Correspondents, Barquisimeto, Venezuela

The message of the Latino community in the United States to Goya Foods

or weeks, we have witnessed how the Latino community in the United States has withdrawn its support, and has even considered its decision to buy Goya Foods, after the demonstration of support by its CEO to Donald Trump.

Goya Foods, or Goya as this Hispanic-rooted food company is popularly known, faces calls for a boycott in the United States. This comes after its CEO, Robert Unanue, fervently praised the President of the United States, Donald Trump, saying that his leadership is “a blessing.”

Goya Foods is the largest Hispanic-owned food company in the US With these statements, many of its loyal consumers and even some high-profile Democratic supporters are asking that they not buy the company’s products.

Unanue attended an event at the White House where President Trump signed the Hispanic Prosperity Initiative, which was described as an effort to improve access to educational and economic opportunities for members of this community.

Unanue’s exact words were: “We are all truly blessed to have a leader like President Trump, who is a builder.”

For many regular consumers it is puzzling and contradictory that the CEO of the largest empire of food consumed by Latinos in the United States, suddenly decides to support so openly a president who is not exactly the favorite for Hispanics.

Since then, much criticism has rained, not only for the political affinities of the highest representative of Goya Foods, but for what this company represents for the millions of Latinos in the United States.

The White House, has made controversial anti-immigration decisions, sought to end a policy that protects hundreds of thousands of undocumented youth from deportation, and sought to build a border wall in the south. enacted a policy that separated children from parents when they were detained at the border.

Many consumers have since said that they would no longer buy the company’s products, which include basic inputs for the preparation of traditional food in many Latin American countries. Those who promote this boycott have shared brands and alternative recipes on different social networks, with the hashtags #Goyaway and #BoycottGoya.

What message do Latinos want to send to Goya?

Some consumers say they have grown up with a sense of cultural attachment to the brand, but are now disappointed by the CEO’s comments. Many have relied on the company for affordable products that are often hard to find, but are key ingredients in Hispanic cuisine. Now they feel slighted by a CEO who has left the community that supports their company.

Unanue defended himself and pointed out that he has also worked with initiatives of former US first lady Michelle Obama. She stated that, in her view: “This is repressing (freedom) of expression,” she said. “I don’t apologize for speaking – and especially when the president of the United States calls you – you’re going to say, ‘no, sorry, I’m busy, thank you.’

Robert Unanue and his message at the Goya Foods

But the debate seems to involve more than just Latinos, as Goya has always been concerned about also attracting non-Latino consumers, from Asians to white Americans, using advertising slogans in English such as “Goya, O-Boya.” For many non-Latinos, consuming Goya products is a fairly authentic, albeit superficial, way of practicing Latinidad.

Goya fans are divided on whether or not to follow the boycott, a considerable number planning to end their attachment to the brand. Some have even published recipes for making adobo and stir-fry, among other alternatives to the brand’s products. Others have posted suggestions for lesser-known brands like Sun Vista, Pilón and Badia.

Goya will have to deal with a significant drop in sales and its perception in the market, at least in the short term, during a time when so many economic indicators are in recession. It’s also true that earlier this year, Goya donated some 136,000kg of food, or roughly 270,000 meal portions, to food banks and organizations to help with the coronavirus crisis. In the event that generated all the controversy, Unanue announced that it would donate another million cans of Goya chickpeas and 454,000 kilos of food products to food banks to help families affected by the pandemic.

Elections in key states are often defined by very narrow margins; even a small dropout of Latinos from the Republican side could be decisive for the results.

The White House Hispanic Prosperity Initiative Act created a 20-member commission designed to work with various Cabinet members to implement vague initiatives related to employment, education, and small business development. But most Latinos will find this effort too little, too late, and too much like election-year complacency.

The message of the Latino community in the United States is very clear, they are a united front and will not be manipulated by last minute actions, even with the support of important figures in various sectors of the Hispanic community.

Why is Goya an icon of Hispanicity?

Like many of the immigrants in search of the “American dream”, Prudencio Unanue landed with his wife in New York in 1921, from Puerto Rico. The Unanue family had emigrated from Spain to the island in the early years of the 20th century. In New York he settled in the Latin quarter of Harlem and after several years of hardship, one day in 1936 he made the best investment of his life: he bought a bankrupt company (Seville Packing Company) and the Goya brand.

In 1936, Prudencio Unanue found the name Goya perfect: simple and easy to pronounce in Spanish and English. And he decided that his new business venture would bear that name, convinced that this time he would achieve his goal. He bought the brand for $ 1. He never imagined that that day a giant was being born that today has a turnover of more than US $ 1,500 million a year, according to company figures, and sells all kinds of foods of Hispanic American origin, such as beans, rice, canned meat and seafood, condiments, cheese, oil and even frozen dishes.

It started by importing products from Spain – like olives and olive oil – to sell to Spanish expatriates, but quickly expanded the business to import food from Latin America to reach other immigrant communities. In fact, as after the Second World War, a wave of Puerto Ricans entered New York to fill the lack of labor in the factories, Unanue realized that there was a great opportunity.

Then, in the 1960s, the first Cuban wave arrived and thus, little by little, Latino immigrants were opening up space in the different states of the country, and in the same way the business began to expand. Goya gave an answer to the “nostalgia” of those who leave their country.

Prudencio was succeeded by his son Joe, who inherited the challenge of expanding Goya internationally and today the firm is under the executive direction of his grandson: Robert Unanue. It only remains to wait to see how high the price Goya Foods will have to pay for having disheartened so many, to maintain a political stance rejected by the majority of its consumer base.

A walk through the history of Latin music in the United States

Latin music has been of great influence for singers in training and, without a doubt, marked the lives of its pioneers. Some born in Spanish-speaking countries and others with descent from these lands have not been able to put aside the flavor that has been inherited to them. There are those who affirm that these tropical and Caribbean rhythms are carried in the veins and it is very difficult to get rid of these roots.

The arrival of Latinos in the United States also implied the arrival of their customs and culture. Latin music is considered to be a large number of genres, including: salsa, merengue, bachata, bolero, bossa nova, reggaeton, rumba, ranchera, cumbia, tango, among others.

Photo of Latinamerican Festival at Nagoya in Golden Week

Latinamerican Festival at Nagoya in Golden Week

How did Latin music begin to enter the United States?

Latin American music has influenced American music, starting from jazz to country music. Many bands added congas, percussion, or maracas to their instruments as they were drawn to the result these elements brought.

Starting in 1940, the music of Latin America, which still did not have a specific term, covered a greater number of audiences in the United States; international radio networks broadcast different themes of the time. In addition, they featured different Mexican bolero musicians such as Alfredo Antonini, Néstor Mesta Chayres, Eva Garza and Juan Arvizu. In the 1940s the US also heard the “Calypso” with great acceptance.

It was not until the 1950s that the term “Latin music” became popular, seeking to establish a difference between Afro-American and Afro-Latin American rhythms. Some artists marked this musical fusion to a greater extent, making the best of Latin music known on American soil. During the 1950s, music brought to the north from the island of Cuba, such as mambo, cha-cha, and rumba, was very popular. As well as the famous Mexican songs: rancheras and mariachis.

Some Latino artists who marked the history of Latin music in the United States Tito Puente was an American percussionist with Dominican origins remembered for his participation in worldwide jazz, Cuban music and salsa. In 1950 he helped promote the genre of mambo and cha-cha. His album “Dance Manía” was considered the most famous by the artist, it was one of the most heard among the Latino community in the US The album also set a precedent by being recorded in Spanish, generally, Latin albums were in English or with instrumental songs. It was Tito Puente who broke with this tradition.

At the beginning of the 20th century, tango touched American soil. Then, in the 70s, the Argentine Astor Piazzolla gave something to talk about by demonstrating his passion for the genre and revolutionizing what was known until that moment. Piazzolla was born in Mar de Plata but lived in New York from a very young age. It definitely changed the way of looking at music that was long marginalized, it was considered the music of the working class. The singer made mixtures between tango, jazz and contemporary classical music. His songs were a great success and were famous in bars of the time.

It was not until the late 1960s and early 1970s that the term “salsa” began to become known. Afro-Caribbean musicians mixed Cuban dance with influences from jazz, Caribbean music, and American rhythms. Although in previous decades it had already had its beginnings, it was in the streets of New York where it was consolidated as a commercial success.

Photo by Celia Cruz and Tito Puente

Celia Cruz and Tito Puente – Latin music

Salsa launched artists who are now legends to stardom, such as: Celia Cruz, Willie Colón, Héctor Lavoe, Rubén Blades, Johnny Pacheco, among others.

Between the 1970s and 1990s, Dominican immigrants to the United States continued, especially to New York City, and promoted genres such as merengue and bachata. Juan Luis Guerra was one of the great exponents of both styles.

In the 90s, Selena mixed the Texan aesthetic with pop, giving her the title of the highest representative of the genre.

Entering the 2000s

In this decade, Latin rhythms continued to set the trend. Singers like Rubén Blades returned with songs that promised to be hits in the country.

At the end of 1999 Marc Anthony surprised his followers with an album of the same name. Although he was already known in the salsa genre, he decided to try other styles. With the intention of reaching the Anglo market, he is encouraged to sing in English. “I Need To Know” is a cha-cha song that quickly became popular in the United States. For eleven weeks it remained in the top North American positions, ranking in the Top 10 on the Billboard. The Spanish version won the Grammy for the best Latin song of the year 2000.

Marc Anthony was one of the artists who marked this decade in the US That same year a compilation of his best salsa songs went on sale, which he called: “Desde el principio”. With these successes to his credit within this country, he set out to make an important tour of the United States. Canada and Central America. Madison Square Garden in New York was overflowing with fans who wanted to hear this American singer but who positioned himself as the leader of a Latin genre.

Photo by Marc Anthony

Marc Anthony

The opening of “I Need To Know” appeared in the Nissan Versa commercial in the United States and in 2009 it also featured in an American Dad chapter, an American television series; thus giving greater projection to this genre throughout the North American territory.

During this decade, salsa and Latin music in general ended up positioning themselves in the United States.

In 2002 Blades launched his album “Mundo”, becoming one of the most popular in the United States. In fact, it won a Grammy. The album contained a mix of various rhythms and instruments. The artist wanted to create a fusion of cultures and musicians from different countries. “Estampa” was a subject with great acceptance as it evoked the Afro-Cuban influence in New York music.

By the year 2000, there were already music channels and with them the projection of emerging talents who in many cases did not speak the English language. The dynamics of these channels focused on the public, who chose which songs and videos were to be played, giving the opportunity to many young, little-known artists. They were also considered a springboard for the singers of the season and the Latin movement in general.

A movement that is here to stay

Latin music had come to continue making history and it was time to give it greater merit within the American spectacle.

Today, Latin singers, songwriters, and bands are innumerable. Latin music continues to gain space in the United States and more and more artists are achieving success within its borders. In addition, the endless awards that enhance their work in the industry.

Ruben Blades - Mundo

Ruben Blades – Mundo

The consumption of these musical rhythms has increased throughout the American territory. Latinos and followers of this genre have gained space over the years; they can enjoy nightspots, live music, festivals, concerts and much more. Long live Latin America and its people! Long live the United States and the countries that have opened their doors to Latin music

Tito Nieves The Pavarotti of The Salsa

Humberto Nieves, (Río Piedras, Puerto Rico, June 4, 1959), better known as Tito Nieves, is a Puerto Rican salsa singer of American origin, known by the nickname of The Pavarotti Salsa.

Tito Nieves

Tito Nieves began his career while participating in Orquesta Cimarrón, a group that originated in New York.

In 1977, he teamed up with singer Héctor Lavoe and his Orchestra and joined the Conjunto Clásico.

In 1979 in New York he recorded the production with the outstanding boricua composer Jhonny Ortiz for the Fania Records label that same year in Puerto Rico under the support of the New Generation label. Tito Nieves recorded with the also boricua percussionist Julio Castro and the Massacre the production of El Pregonero.

Later, Nieves decided to start his solo career in 1987, apart from singing salsa in English.

He is known for his hits such as El Amor Más Bonito, Sonámbulo, and the English-language salsa hit, I Like It Like That.

In 1988 he was presented with the opportunity to record for the RMM label. His first big hit for the company was the song “Sonámbulo”, a composition by Leo Casino, which appears on his first album for RMM, entitled “The Classic” which reached a gold record.

With this album, Tito Nieves definitely imposed his interpretive style, launching himself to conquer international markets, setting the tone for other artists who later form the nucleus of what is known as “The Sound of New York”, championed by RMM.

“Yo quiero cantar”, the second album for RMM in 1989, brought a pleasant surprise. The English-language song “I’ll Always Love You”, taken in the style of salsa, became a hit on English-language radio stations.

Thanks to this and other songs, the album reached the numbers to be credited as a Gold Record. With this production Tito Nieves expanded horizons making the famous “crossover” to the Anglo-Saxon market.

His third production “Déjame vivir” in 1991 reached a platinum record, including the hits “De mí enamórate”, “Te amo”, “Déjame vivir”, “Almohada” and “How To Keep The Music Playing”. His fourth recording was released in June 1993 under the title “Rompecabeza (The Puzzle)”.

Inspired by the success of his songs in English, Tito decided to include two songs in this language “Can You Stop The Rain” and “You Bring Me Joy”.

In 1995 his fifth album, “Un tipo común”, was released, produced in Puerto Rico by Cuto Soto and had arrangements by Ramón Sánchez, Julito Alvarado, Louis García and Cuto himself. The production included the song “No me vuelvo a enamorar” by the Mexican singer-songwriter Juan Gabriel and with arrangements by Sergio George.

Another surprise on the album was Tito’s version of Selena’s classic song “No me queda más”.

Tito Nieves definitely had a strong impact on the Anglo-Saxon market with his sixth production recorded all in English “I Like It Like That”. This song took him to great stages such as the UPN TV show VIBE.

Hits from the album Fabricando Fantasías (2004) include Fabricando Fantasías and Ya No Queda Nada with La India, Nicky Jam, and K-Mil.

In 2005, he released Hoy, Mañana and Siempre which contains the hits Esa Boquita, Si No Fuera Él and Tu Belleza.

In 2007, he released Canciones Clásicas de Marco Antonio Solís, a tribute to Mexican singer-songwriter Marco Antonio Solís

Five Latin – Caribbean artists who triumph in Canada

Canada is another of the countries that has been influenced by the arrival of Latin music. Its beginnings are attributed to the immigration of Latin Americans to their lands.

By sharing borders, the United States and Canada tend to have similarities in the musical field. In the 90s, Latin music was present in Canada. However, Spanish pop singers such as Julio Iglesias and Gloria Estefan, as well as Lydia Mendoza, an interpreter of Tejano music, were already known.

Having Latin Americans started a kind of Latino roots, allowing Latin music to gain more ground on Canadian soil. Singers like Celia Cruz, Willie Colón and Rubén González made their songs sound in Canada. However, the beginnings of Latin music in the country are attributed to Ferdinand Morton, known in the artistic field as Jelly Roll Morton, an American jazz pianist.

Starting in 1999, Latin music had a greater growth, beginning to be heard on radio stations, events, festivals and national television stations. By that time singers like Ricky Martin were already being heard in other parts of the world.

Selena, Buena Vista Social Club and Jennifer López. Arriving in Canadian lands was no exception. In fact, Buena Vista Social Club’s album broke a record by becoming the highest-selling Latin album in Canada.

Surprisingly, Canadian artists were also captivated by the benefits of Hispanic countries, by the Caribbean flavor and the warmth of its people. Nelly Furtado, singer, songwriter and producer born in Canada was inspired by the island of Cuba for her album “Mi Plan”. Furtado recorded what would be his fourth album entirely in Spanish. It featured the participation of renowned Latin artists such as Juan Luis Guerra, Alejandro Fernández and the Latin American Julieta Venegas.

“I think this album has several of my first true love songs. They are not complicated. They were not over-thought and I discovered that it is liberating to be able to sing in a Latin language and express my Latin soul,” he said.

Mi Plan obtained great merits and was positioned as the album in Spanish with the highest sales numbers recorded by a Canadian singer. Undoubtedly, a suitable place for many Latino musicians of birth or descent who have wanted to try their luck outside their borders. Some have succeeded and today are among the most loved in Canada.

Some representatives of Latin music in Canada

Hilario Durán, Cuba

Photo by Hilario Duran

Hilario Durán

Hilario was born in Havana in 1953. He moved to Canada in the late 90’s, after touring the world with his band “Perspectiva”. He is a famous jazz pianist who fell in love with Canada and decided to live on its streets. He joined the Afro-Cuban jazz band “Spirit of Havana” belonging to Jane Bunnet, a Canadian lover of Cuban culture. In fact, Bunnet regularly travels to Havana to perform with Cuban musicians.

Hilario Durán has become known in Canada and other parts of the world thanks to his orchestra (Big Band), where together with his friend Roberto Occhipinti, a Canadian musician, they bring together Cuban and Canadian musicians. Leaving Latin jazz high. In 2007 he was nominated for a Grammy for his album “From the Heart”, along with Roberto D’Rivera. In addition, it obtained three Juno Awards and different awards in Canada.

Amanda Martínez, Mexico

Photo - Amanda Martínez in concert

Amanda Martinez in concert

Amanda Martínez was born in Toronto, Canada with Latino blood. His father is Mexican. Martínez studied biology and business administration but decided to take a course in his life and dedicate himself to what he really loved: music. The artist was not wrong in her decision. He has left his roots high by venturing into Latin jazz.

In 2007 and then in 2009 she was nominated for the Latin Jazz Artist of the Year Award at the National Jazz Awards in Canada. He has three albums to his credit and his first album “Sola” won the Best World Music award, selling around 6,000 copies.

Martínez has performed on famous stages and renowned events; she sang at the Winter Garden Theater, at the Koerner Hall in Toronto, the Festival Centro Histórico de México, at the Montreal Jazz Festival

Ogguere, Cuba

Ogguere's photo

Ogguere

Aka Edrei Riveri, is a Cuban singer and songwriter who resides in Canada. It has become famous for its musical fusions. He walks through rap, hip hop, jazz and la chacuba. A mix of cha-cha and rap. It is registered as the first mix between both styles.

Ogguere has two solo albums, “Solar” released in 2011 which earned two nominations for a Cubadisco award and “Raíces”. He moved to Toronto in 2010 and has since become an immediate reference in jazz and hip hop.

Natasha Roldán, Colombia

Photo by Natasha Roldan — Natasha Roldán

Born in Colombia and based in Toronto, Canada, Natasha Roldán breaks stereotypes in the musical field. She walks between jazz and bossa.

The artist has a fair complexion and very light eyes. From what anyone would believe, she is a native Canadian singer. However, her Colombian roots run deep in her career.

For Natasha it is important that the musical boundaries collapse. It promotes pattern-free Latin music.

“I think that above all I break many stereotypes because people in Canada whenever they think of Latin music, identify it directly with salsa or bachata. Well, and now reggaeton (laughs). And everything is linked to a super sexy image of the Latin woman, who dresses spectacularly and clearly I am not like that.

Therefore, it is very gratifying to share another type of music that people do not know such as bambuco, cumbia, Argentine zamba, Brazilian music aside from bossa nova … and whenever I talk to someone and they discover that I am always Colombian They ask me why I don’t play such music or dance this.

Suddenly I break with the stereotype but not because it is a bad stereotype but because other things have to be shown as well ”, she expressed in an interview for the Hispano Phone portal.

Her music has allowed many Canadians to have access to the Latin culture and to experience sounds with different influences.

Henry Vivel, Colombia

Photo by Henry Vivel

Henry Vivel

Henry was born in Colombia but moved to New York and later to Toronto. In New York he had the opportunity to study music with Enrique Gil, musician and composer. After his arrival in Toronto, he worked in Sky’s Banda, a group that performed at weddings and different events. He sang Latin music.

In 2009 he became the leader of the Tropicanada Orquesta. Pioneer Latin Orchestra in Toronto. They have participated in different salsa festivals and radio stations. Henry and the band have also been a part of different charities in Canada and other countries. In the same way, Henry has joined social causes for the inclusion of immigrants, he has taught them English and part of Canadian culture.

In 2013 he was nominated for the Oye Awards and 10 Most Influential Latinos in Canada. The singer is very pleased with the affection of the Canadian public.

“The chemistry is so great, especially with those who don’t understand my songs in Spanish, which makes the language barriers dissolve into enjoying themselves, dancing and having a good time. With the orchestra I have been able to witness how people enjoy the beauty of Latin music and it makes me very happy to be a Colombian who sings to Canadians and who puts up our musical roots ”, he commented

Toronto has been a city with great Latin influence. Canada has received mixtures of different cultures and they have formed a variety of styles that locals and visitors enjoy. It has been one of the countries that receive the foreign musicians as part of a great family and give them the opportunity to present their work. They have a great affection for Caribbean music.