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Search Results for: Oscar D' León

Ronald Borjas is a Venezuelan singer, musician and composer

Ronald Borjas is currently considered one of the greatest exponents of salsa in Venezuela with an international projection that grows every year.

He is a Venezuelan singer, musician and composer, born in Maracaibo, the capital of the state of Zulia, on November 19, 1981.

Ronald Borjas is a Venezuelan singer, musician and composer
Ronald Borjas is a Venezuelan singer, musician and composer

At the age of 10, his love for the timbal was born, a few years later, at the age of 14, he began singing as a soloist in the Bochinche Orchestra. Throughout his adolescence he stood out as a soloist in bands such as: Caribe, Asterisco, VHG and Bacanos.

He completed higher education at the Cecilio Acosta University (UNICA) where he obtained the degree of Bachelor of Music – Musical Education in 2002. In the same year he went on stage with the Venezuelan Super Band GUACO, where he debuted as a soloist and composer with the song “Te vas” from the album “El Sonido de Venezuela”.

Not only did he develop as a composer, Ronald also plays other percussion instruments such as the bass, the guitar and also the trumpet.

After 11 years as one of the main voices of Guaco, in 2014, Ronald decided to take another path and that is when the great project of his life began, developing his career as a soloist in genres such as Salsa, Bachata and Pop.

Ronald debuted as a soloist with the song “Te Doy Mi Voz” dedicated to his fans, with which he received the nomination for the Latin Grammy for “Best Tropical Song”. That same year, his musical godfather, Salsa legend Oscar D´ León invited him to his show at Madison Square Garden in New York, where he introduced him to thousands of people and baptized him as his “godson”.

That same year, he released “Te Encuentraré” a song that reached #1 on the Venezuelan radio charts Record Report and its video clip, filmed in New York, managed to enter the ranking of the most viewed videos on the HTV channel.

In 2015 he began his musical expansion to other borders, achieving success in countries such as Ecuador and Colombia where his third single titled “Dame Tu Amor” was positioned in the first places of the radio stations as well as in his native Venezuela, while in Peru, it was named the “tropical song of the summer”.

Ronald Borjas is currently considered one of the greatest exponents of salsa in Venezuela with an international projection.
Ronald Borjas is currently considered one of the greatest exponents of salsa in Venezuela with an international projection.

At the end of that year he officially released his first album “Da Capo” with an event that brought together in Caracas, Venezuela a hundred figures of the national show, as well as the press, radio and TV of the country in an unprecedented event. This release in its first weeks, managed to accumulate more than 10,000 digital downloads on his official website www.ronaldborjas.com.

“Da Capo” had valuable collaborations and a first featuring with his godfather Oscar D´León, with whom he recorded “La Quiero Para Mi”. In addition, this album has songs by Amaury Gutierrez, Robert Vilera and his uncle Neguito Borjas, among others.

In 2016 he began releasing his song “Cántalo” which quickly became an anthem of joy and managed to position itself in the first place on Venezuelan radio. That year he won several national awards of great importance such as “Mara de Oro Internacional”, “Cacique De Oro”, Explosión Creativa and Supremacy, all of which recognized him as the “Salsa Singer of the Year”.

That same year he signed a contract with Sony Music as an artist from the Andean Region and embarked on his first international concert tour entitled “Da Capo tour” with which he visited Aruba, Panama and several cities in the United States.

In 2018, he released “Loco por Volverte a Ver” a song he wrote with Nacho Mendoza, Cáceres and Sharo Torres. He also made his second featuring with the “Caballero de la Salsa” Gilberto Santarosa with whom he released “Ellas te van lleva” the first collaboration with an international artist that also managed to position itself as number one on the radio charts.

Ronald Borjas is currently considered one of the greatest exponents of salsa in Venezuela
Ronald Borjas is currently considered one of the greatest exponents of salsa in Venezuela

Shortly after, in 2019, he received a double nomination for “Album of the Year” with the song “Lo que pase aquí” as one of the songs on Tonny Succar’s album titled “Más de Mi” and “Salsa of the Year” with the song “No Queda Nada”. In addition to the collaboration he did with “Quintero´s Salsa Proyect” which was nominated for “Salsa Album of the Year”.

Also in 2019 he released his second album entitled “Bailamos Otra Vez” where he recorded songs of his own, as well as those of Servando Primera, Oscarcito and Amaury Gutiérrez. From this album come hits such as “Amor Demente” “Estoy Dispuesto” “Tu y Yo Tenemos” “Te Quiero para Mi” among others.

Shortly after he announced his collaboration with another former Guaco partner, Nelson Arrieta with whom he released the song “Sobran Los Momentos” which also gives name to the tour they would do together where they traveled through countries such as Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Colombia, Spain, Peru, Panama and the United States achieving great acceptance by the public.

He started the year 2020 with several collaborative releases. “Para Ustedes” from the album origenes where he participated as a guest and achieved #1 on the radio in Venezuela, then he released the song “Juegos Eróticos” with Victor Muñoz and promoted it in his country with great acceptance.

The “pandemic” stage begins and confinement did not stop him. In March he releases the version of the song “María Antonia” by the Venezuelan singer Gualberto Ibarreto, in April he releases “Aunque Parezca Extraño” with Manuel Petit who invites him to this collaboration. In May, together with his uncle Neguito Borjas, Jorge Luis Chacín and Nelson Arrieta they join in a project entitled “Los Mágicos”. In June “Ahora Me Llama” comes out, a song he had recorded for Rumberos del Callejón.

As if that were not enough, in July he records an intimate concert where he invites Victor Muñoz, his uncle Neguito Borjas and Nelson Arrieta to release it as a gift to his fans through his YouTube channel.

He closes the last months of 2020 with the song “Mía” written by Ronald and Salvador Solano that became the anthem of the ´Zumba´ reaching several places in the world. After this, he released one of his songs, “Ya Lo Decidí,” with which he again achieved first place on the radio and was accepted by the entire public.

He started 2021 as a special guest at Gilberto Santarosa’s concert at the Filmore Theater in Miami, where they performed the song “Ellas Te Van Llevando” together. Months later, he released the song he recorded as a duet with José Alberto “El Canario” entitled “A Mi Me Gusta” which quickly managed to position itself on the main playlists of digital platforms in the world. He closed that year with the song “Dime Cómo Hago” which he recorded with Nelson Arrieta and Oscarcito, a salsa that took over the public’s taste and today is one of the most chanted in his concerts.

2022 started with another important collaboration with Motiff, a song titled “Me Descontrola” which quickly entered the top spots on radio billboards and digital platform listings, and was also the song chosen by the renowned company Zumba to use as the official song at its world events.

In 2022, he also launched a very ambitious musical project that he carried out with his friends and fellow countrymen Adelmo Gauna and Nando De La Gente called “Los Pikis” with which they released a series of videos where they compiled erotic salsa hits from the 80s and 90s. Such was the success that in just two months they achieved more than a million views on YouTube.

In May 2022, the live concert titled “Sobran Los Momentos” premieres where Nelson Arrieta and Ronald Borjas invite the founder and lead voice of Guaco, Gustavo Aguado, and together perform several of the hits of the Venezuelan super band, such as “Vivo” “Pídeme” “Eres Más” and “Lo Eres Todo”. Oscarcito was also there performing his hit “Si Tu Me Besas” and the one he has with Arrieta and Borjas “Dime Cómo Hago”. All this incredible material can be enjoyed on the official YouTube channel of Ronald Borjas and Nelson Arrieta.

To close the year, he released the song “Se prende el Parampampan” with his musical friend, Acosta, a fun salsa that unites their musical styles, which together with a video recorded in Puerto Rico, managed to enter the public’s taste, turning this song into an anthem for Venezuelan parties. For his part, Ronald Borjas released a solo single titled “Los Vecinos” which is accompanied by a humorous video directed by Alex Galán.

2023 began for Ronald Borjas with his third featuring with an international artist, this time with the Puerto Rican legend, Tito Nieves. A romantic salsa titled “Te Busqué” that was accompanied by a video where the two singers can be seen in a performance and story. The video currently has more than half a million views on Ronald’s official YouTube channel.

Ronald Borjas
Ronald Borjas

Months later, Ronald reunited with his cousin Luis Fernando Borjas and recorded the song “Cuestión de Tiempo”, which was widely accepted by the public, surpassing two and a half million views of the video and positioned itself as one of the most listened to songs by “Lo Borjas” on digital platforms. This name gave rise to a joint tour with which they have traveled to the main cities of Venezuela, achieving sold out in each one of them.

He closed the year with a great concert “Live in Miami” where he reunited several of his musical colleagues and friends, such as Oscarcito, Victor Muñoz, Motiff, Los Pikis and for the first time since their separation, Toto and Beet from the group Caibo joined together with Ronald, performing the hits “La Despedida” and “La Promesa”. This great reunion of artists can be found on Borjas’ YouTube channel and has also surpassed more than 600,000 views in less than a year.

2024 began with his fourth song in a duet with an international artist, this time with the Nicaraguan, “the prince of salsa” Luis Enrique with whom he recorded “Y Si Mañana”. A great launch was made through the media in Venezuela and it has been a song that quickly became the favorite of the public of both singers and in a few weeks it was positioned in the main salsa lists on Spotify.

After this success, Ronald begins his “Tour LATAM 2024” through Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Peru, Panama and Uruguay, countries where he managed to sell out all his performances and reunite with his public after several years. The success of this tour will soon take him to Europe where he will be performing several shows in Spain and other countries that have not yet been announced.

Also Read: Tribute to Johnny “Dandy” Rodríguez Jr. His first recording was professionally with Tito Puente in 1964 and was titled “Exciting Rhythm of Tito Puente”

Maite Hontele in Concert!

Latin America / Venezuela / Caracas

A great musician is someone who can enlighten the stage only with his/her presence, this is the case when Maite Hontele is on stage. Full-house, the stage full of colors and all the audience is ready to dance and enjoy the best rhythm: SALSA!

Maite Hontele singing
Maite Hontele singing

International Salsa Magazine had the honor to be part of the last concert of Maite Hontele, the incredible dutch trumpeter, in Caracas, Venezuela.

The silence is interrupted with the beautiful sound of a characteristic trumpet playing a melody, the stage gets full of musicians and Maite comes out with the biggest smile that characterize her.

She starts with a speech where she explains how thankful she is for being there, talks a little bit about Colombia, and then the party starts! Two hours full of hits of herself, Oscar d’ Leon, and many other artists, with the performance of her Colombian band by her side.

But let’s get deeper in who is her. Maite Hontelé is a trumpeter who was born in Utrecht, Holland, and was raised with music. Her parents owned a huge collection of salsa and son Cubano, and every day she would listen to Latin music, quite unusual for a Dutch girl. After playing a few years with the local brass band, she decided to become a musician, and studied latin and jazz trumpet at the Conservatory of Rotterdam.

Maite Hontele
Maite Hontele

Her first big tour was life-changing. She went to Colombia, the country where she now lives. In 2004, Maite Hontelé toured with the world-famous Buena Vista Social Club. In 2009 Maite launched her first album, Llegó la Mona, a salsa-tribute to Colombian music. This album was made with the purpose to tour more in Colombia. Among the gigs she played was the Medellin Jazz Festival.

That year has been very important for her. Not only did Maite record her first album, she also found the place where she wanted to continue to live and make music. That’s when she decided to move to Medellin, Colombia.

In 2010, she released her second production, Mujer Sonora. The album is focused on oldschool styles such as son and charanga, but also contains some spicy salsa-tracks.

Maite Hontele photo
Maite Hontele photo

This album was presented at the 2010 North Sea Jazz Festival, and on various international tours. In 2011 and 2012 Maite toured many countries with her band, and was a guest with Ruben Blades, Yuri Buenaventura, Issac Delgado, Diego Galé (DVD-recording), Juan Carlos Coronel, Oscar D’León, and many others.

Her 3rd album, Déjame Asi, was released in April 2013. She is currently touring Europe and Latin America.

“My Outlaw Loredo is the most elegant gig-bag in the universe. A perfect match for me!” Maite Hontelé

The show ends with the best energy. Maite is not only an amazing trumpeter, but also a great singer and composer. We are glad to be part of his musical journey.

Maite Hontele playing the trumpet
Maite Hontele playing the trumpet

Isidro Infante is one of the most successful producers and arrangers in the history of Salsa

Born August 12, 1952, San Juan, Puerto Rico) is a professional pianist, arranger, composer and music producer, working in genres such as Classical Music, Rock, Pop Rock, Latin Ballad, Rock in Spanish, Salsa, Latin Jazz etc.

Isidro Infante is one of the most successful producers and arrangers in the history of Salsa
Isidro Infante is one of the most successful producers and arrangers in the history of Salsa

In addition, he has 5 awards and 47 Grammy nominations and several Billboard projects, Lo Nuestro Awards and Ace & Paoli Awards.

His parents were Dr. Isidoro Infante and Carmen Santiago.

From a young age Isidro was influenced by listening to his father play the violin, getting involved with music at age 14 when he participated in a band that played songs by Santana and Chicago.

At the age of 15 he formed his band “Carpe Diem” (Live Life), a Rock/Salsa group that played Rock’n’Roll, Pop, Salsa and included Tommy Villarini on trumpet, Cuto Soto on trombone and guitarist Manolo Sastre.

With this band Isidro wrote his first arrangement “Tiempo De Ti”.

Two years later, Infante was in charge of the background music for Myrta Silva’s television show.

After taking private piano lessons with the famous pianist Carmen Socorro Duclerc, he studied at the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico and at the University of Puerto Rico, obtaining bachelor’s degrees in music and chemistry.

Although he was inclined towards medicine because it was his father’s profession, he decided to delve into music and graduated in composition and arrangements at Temple University in Philadelphia in the late 1970s.

In 1995, Isidro Infante and ‘La Élite’ signed a contract with RMM Records as an exclusive artist. Isidro also signed as A&R director for RMM records.

With him he gained experience, quality and evident success in his productions for the label. His work with La India earned him double platinum sales and a Grammy nomination for their album “Sobre El Fuego.”

Within just four years of its founding, La Élite became a dominant force in the Salsa music industry. The band’s first release earned a gold record as well as awards from AS, Paoli and Diplo.

Isidro Infante He also has 5 Grammy awards and 47 nominations and several Billboard projects, Lo Nuestro Awards and Ace & Paoli Awards.
Isidro Infante He also has 5 Grammy awards and 47 nominations and several Billboard projects, Lo Nuestro Awards and Ace & Paoli Awards.

The hit songs “Que Tengo de Ti,” “Nave de Papel,” “Ganas” and “Has Quedado Retratada” all topped the Tropical Salsa charts.

On Isidro Infante y La Élite II, the group’s second production, Isidro added vocalist Maggie Ramos. This helped him create an album with an exceptional variety of music.

Songs like “Quítame ese Hombre” and “Santo Militar y Montuno” made Isidro Infante a favorite of many.

Along with Louie Ramírez, Infante was credited as one of the creators and pioneers in the Salsa movement. Romantic Salsa.

In 1998, his production “Licencia Para Engañar” was released, which was the result of his creativity and flexibility as a musician. In his orchestra, Isidro Infante y La Élite, Jennifer Jiménez and Guillermo Duval participate as vocalists.

In his first album “Secretos”, Kevin Ceballo made his debut as a soloist in “Licencia Para Engañar”, produced by Isidro Infante.

His work as a producer earned his album “India’s Sola” a Grammy nomination. Venezuelan Oscar D’León also received a nomination for “La Fórmula Original” which Isidro also produced.

Isidro’s commitment to everything related to the Latin community prompted him to produce the event “Canto Para La Guaira”.

The concert was held with the purpose of raising funds for the victims of the disaster that affected thousands in Venezuela and thus “Poliedro de Caracas” has been filled to full capacity.

Among the RMM artists who performed were Kevin Ceballo, Ray Sepúlveda, Cheo Feliciano, Tito Nieves, Roberto Avellanet, Michael Stuart and Tony Vega.

In 1981, Ramírez and Infante were approached with the idea of ​​producing an album of famous ballads with Salsa arrangements.

Both found the project interesting and ambitious, so they accepted the challenge. Isidro added his experience in the field of ballads, acquired through his work with José Luis Rodríguez, Camilo Sesto and Yolandita Monge, to Ramírez’s knowledge of Latin jazz.

The result was “Noche Caliente”, the first album in the genre to sell over a million copies.

Memories at El Corso Night Club in New York City with my friend and mentor, Master Louie Ramirez, producer, arranger, vibraphonist, timpanist, marimba player
Memories at El Corso Night Club in New York City with my friend and mentor, Master Louie Ramirez, producer, arranger, vibraphonist, timpanist, marimba player

Isidro Infante is one of the most sought-after arrangers in Salsa.

Venturing into a genre other than salsa, he also participated in Willennium, Will Smith’s most recent recording where Isidro played piano and keyboards.

Isidro Infante was working with artists such as Stevie Wonder, Herb Alpert, Gloria Estefan, Dizzy Gillespie, Dionne Warwick, Patty La Belle, Will Smith, Wyclef Jean, Clark Terry, Jon Anderson & Yes, Vangellis, Sheila E., Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Machito, Marc Anthony, La India, Fania All-Stars, Oscar D’Leon, Hector Lavoe, Willie Colon, Larry Harlow, Roberto Roena, Johnny Pacheco, Pete El Conde Rodriguez, Louie Ramirez, Ray De La Paz, Jose Alberto “El Canario”, Adalberto Santiago, Eddie Santiago, Lalo Rodriguez, Paquito Guzman, Marvin Santiago, Domingo Quinones, Camilo Azuquita, Kako, Rafael Cortijo, Ismael Rivera, Manny Manuel, Raul Marrero, Vitin Aviles, Papaito, Tony Vega, Puerto Rico All Stars, Ralphy Leavitt & La Selecta, The Latin Corporation, Jose Mangual Jr,Jr. Gonzalez, Ramon Rodriguez,Orquesta La Terrifica, German Olivera, Wichy Camacho, Johnny Ventura, Sergio Vargas, Cuco Valoy, Ramon Orlando, Los Hermanos Rosario, Los Niches, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Little Louie Vega, Robert Avellanet, Michael Stuart, Yanko, Kevin Ceballo Danny Rivera, Sophy, Mirta Silva, Ivy Queen, Tego Calderon, Mickey Perfecto, TNT and many more.

Among his compositions are “Viejo Pachanguero”, “Vicio de Quererte”, “Esa Niña” etc.

With more than 2,500 arrangements in his resume, Isidro is one of the most successful producers and arrangers in the history of Salsa.

Isidro Infante has been working for major record labels such as Sony BMG (Epic, Sony Discos, Sony International, etc.), Universal EMI Capitol TH Records Salsa International Velvet (Venezuela), Co Discos (Colombia), J&N Records, Univision Poligram, Luna Records Fonovisa, Sono Tone, Caiman Records, Faisán Records, GB Records, Ibero- Records, Salsoul Records and many more.

Isidro Infante produced the Special for Banco Popular 2010: Truibuto Al Gran Combo on CD & DVD which achieved platinum sales.

The project included the participation of El Gran Combo, Ismael Miranda, La India, José Alberto, Isaac Delgado, Michael Stuart, Domingo Quiñones, NG2, Luisito Carrión, Sammy García and El Sabor de Puerto Rico.

He was sharing the Fania All-Stars as musical director with maestro Johnny Pacheco in several concerts throughout Latin America and was involved in musical projects with the Mexican singer-songwriter Juan Gabriel.

In 2010, Isidro Infante and Iván Joy established the new company Artist System Inc. which is in collaboration with Diamond Music and has gained important positions in the market of digital production and promotion and also has a lot of experience in the creation and management of digital content.

Con India y La Cantante cubana, Laritza Bacallao
Con India y La Cantante cubana, Laritza Bacallao

The company is working with such artists as Isidro Infante, Lucecita Benítez “La Voz Nacional De Puerto Rico”, Lunna, Lourdes Robles, Conjunto Canayón, Сorporación Latina, Manolo Lezcano, Lou Briel, Jowell & Randy, Arcángel, Tego Calderón, Jadiel, Endo, Guelo Star, Kastrofobia, Los Metalicoz and many more.

Awards

5-time Grammy winner

47 Grammy nominations and several Billboard projects

Premios Lo Nuestro and Ace & Paoli Awards.

Also Read: Ezequiel Lino Frías Gómez was an excellent musician, pianist, arranger and composer.

Source and Collaboration: Marino de Jesus (1588) from Salsa History of the Dominican Republic

Samuel del Real was an excellent pianist, orchestra conductor, arranger and educator

Born on August 22, 1953 in Barranquilla, Colombia, he was a well-known pianist, orchestra conductor, arranger and educator.

Samuel del Real was an excellent pianist, conductor, arranger and educator.Samuel del Real was an excellent pianist, conductor, arranger and educator.
Samuel del Real was an excellent pianist, conductor, arranger and educator.

He was part of renowned orchestras such as Pacho Galán, La Dimensión Latina and El Trabuco Venezolano and participated in a series of record productions in Caracas, Venezuela.

In 1983 he recorded his first album with his own band. His first hit “Ella No Baila Sola” became the theme song in every night club in Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Panama, USA among other countries.

In 1985, Samuel moved to Chicago, USA, where he quickly formed his orchestra with members of different nationalities resulting in a mixed sound for his music.

Since then Samuel del Real and his orchestra participated in many festivals, concerts, private events in cities such as Chicago, London, New York, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Detroit, Indianapolis, Miami and more. “Piano Caliente”, ‘Piano Jamboree’ and ‘Piano Navideño’ are the most recent albums that include selections from his extensive Latin jazz repertoire, as well as new interpretations of Afro-Cuban classics from his album entitled Piano Caliente.

Samuel In 1985, Samuel moved to Chicago, U.S.A.
Samuel In 1985, Samuel moved to Chicago, U.S.A.

Samuel has ventured not only into the salsa genre, but also into Latin jazz that surprises even those who don’t know him.

It doesn’t take much to realize that Samuel was “El Maestro del Buen Ritmo” and that his music is here to stay.

Samuel del Real: the artist from Barranquilla who triumphed in the United States.

He trained musically and academically, open to the idea of expanding his artistic horizons.

“I began my musical studies in Fine Arts, among my teachers I remember Günther Renz.

In Venezuela I attended the Juan José Landaeta Conservatory and the Caracas Philharmonic Conservatory with the pianist Paul Rosenbloo.

I studied harmony and counterpoint. With maestro Antonio Lauro, composer and guitarist, I completed my academic training”.

At the age of 15 he began his professional career as a pianist in the Pacho Galán Orchestra. There he learned the tricks of popular dance music of the Colombian Caribbean, and the possibilities of sharing with national musicians opened up for him.

DiegoDel Real, my first piano teacher, my advisor, my partner in producing, arranging and recording music.
DiegoDel Real, my first piano teacher, my advisor, my partner in producing, arranging and recording music.

With him I learned the routine of Caribbean music, he had a very positive attitude towards me. He would summon me before rehearsals to teach me how to play, he would take the score and sit with me at the piano: ‘Play like this’, he would tell me, and ‘play the acor-des this way, this is the tumbao, this is the phrasing’, all with a lot of patience”, he recounted.

“There was Pi¬chirilo on bass, Jorge Pérez on timbales and drums; and Joaquín Pérez on congas. Chicho Sarmiento, Clí¬maco Sarmiento’s son, played the alto saxophone; Pacho Aragón played the tenor saxophone. On trumpets Armando Galán, Raúl Lastra and Chino Acosta.

Rosendo on trombone. Maestro Pacho Galán would arrive to conduct the first set and then he would leave, Armando would be in charge of the orchestra. That’s when my interest in Caribbean folklore began.

I did not record with Pacho’s orchestra because he did not record in that period, but I played a lot of his music and I still play it in Latin jazz.

“For me it was a great school,” he said.

Although he has lived outside the country for many years, when he returns to Barranquilla it is as if he had never left.

It shows in his confidence to walk the streets, to visit places, to call friends, to exchange anecdotes with people he barely knows.

He is a man who lives for music, to which he has dedicated a contagious enthusiasm. That is why when he comes, it is a pleasure to review his career.

“I come to take a little hot temperature and to bring my latest albums for the local public to get to know them,” he said.

In 1975 he formed an orchestra in Venezuela with which he worked at the Hotel Tamana¬co Internacional, while at the same time he was a pianist, administrator and producer of various musical projects in the recording industry of that country.

In 1979 he joined Dimensión Latina, an aggregation with which he recorded Di¬mensión desconocida (1979), el número uno con la núme¬ro uno (1980), Para siempre (1980), Combinación latina Nº 4 (1980), and Cuerda para rato (1981).

“In Dimensión Latina I spent three years with Andy Montañez, Argenis Carruyo and Gustavo Carmona, then I started the orchestra project with my name.

I also recorded with Andy Montañez as a soloist, and made arrangements in recordings for Velvet de Venezuela”.

Samuel also participated in the extraordinary Trabuco Venezolano, led by drummer Alberto Naranjo.

“With Trabuco Venezolano I participated in many concerts in Venezuela.

With them I recorded Irakere and Trabuco, in a live performance at the Poliedro de Caracas. I also recorded Imágenes Latinas.

The Flor y Nata, themes: No me engañes, Rosa de la Noche, Brujería, Almas Blues, Desilusión, (there I do a piano solo that has been highly praised), a pesar de Usted, Orquesta de moda, No quiero Confusión. Retrospectiva del Trabuco Venezolano Vol. 2 (1977- 1984)”.

El Trabuco Venezolano – La Flor y Nata 1984
El Trabuco Venezolano – La Flor y Nata 1984

In 1983 he recorded his first album with his orchestra, the hit was the song Ella no baila sola, which became his letter of introduction.

In 1984 he recorded his second album, repeating his success with the song Cara de Domingo, by the niuyorrican flautist Lou Perez.

The third album with his orchestra was produced in 1987, when he was already living in Chicago.

“When I left Dimensión Latina, Gustavo Cardona, Oscar D’León’s bass player, encouraged me to start my own orchestra.

One of the numbers was Ella no baila so¬la, and when it was played, people stopped to dance. That is why we decided to record that song.

I brought Frankie Paz, a boy from Maracaibo who had auditioned with Dimensión Latina as a replacement for Argenis Carruyo, but César Monje didn’t like it.

I told the boy, I’m going to have my orchestra soon and I’m going to bring you with me”.

Referring to his piano influences, Samuel recalls Noro Morales, Eddie and Charlie Palmieri, Richie Ray and Lino Frias.

Others such as Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk and Oscar Peterson, shaped his vision.

“I liked Noro Morales a lot, I had only one record of his, ‘Maria Cervantes’, which caught my attention since I was a child. One day I decided to arrange it a little differently. I still play it in my Latin concerts.

Del Real took up residence in Chicago in 1985. There he has continued his work moving between Latin dance music and Latin jazz.

I’ve been living there for 32 years, I have my orchestra, I give Latin jazz concerts, and I’ve also worked for other organizations in other cities like Minneapolis and Cleveland.

We do salsa and different Latin American rhythms. The music business has changed, it’s a big investment to make a record, and you have to project it to the singer, limiting the possibility of moving.

That’s why I decided to make Caribbean Latin jazz instrumentals; with that I expose my music without the need to write ten arrangements for a singer with whom you run the risk of him leaving”.

His recent recordings include the Pianos del Caribe series, which includes the discs Piano caliente, Piano jamboree and Piano navideño.

“The first disc of the series, Piano Caliente, brings songs from the 50’s such as Mata Siguaraya, El que siembre su maíz, Besitos de coco…. I made the themes a little more progressive with jazz, but preserving their essence.

I subtly changed the harmonic structures, without distorting them. There the singer is the piano.

Then came Pia¬no Jamboree, with some of my own themes. I do more complex things, trying to penetrate Latin jazz, looking for a space for my musical identity.

It is an interesting work that I would like music lovers from Barranquilla to listen to.

The third album also in the same series is entitled Piano Navideño,

“The first album in the series, Piano Caliente, brings songs from the 50’s like Mata Siguaraya, El que siembre su maíz, Besitos de coco…. I made the themes a little more progressive with jazz, but preserving their essence.

I subtly changed the harmonic structures, without distorting them. There the singer is the piano.

Then came Pia¬no Jamboree, with some of my own themes. I do more complex things, trying to penetrate Latin jazz, looking for a space for my musical identity.

It is an interesting work that I would like music lovers from Barranquilla to listen to.

The third album also in the same series is entitled Piano Navideño, I took as a reference the themes of Christmas. Christmas is very important to me. I am a lover of that celebration.

I took several themes from the international Christmas repertoire and put them in Latin jazz”.

No one doubts that Barranqui jazz or the International Carnival of the Arts would be the perfect setting for his work. Plus, it would be a homecoming in style.

“I think it would be a great opportunity to showcase my music in my city. I am glad that in Barranquilla they are creating spaces like the Carnival of the Arts and the Caribbean Cultural Park, so that people have access to that part of the culture that is music”.

He passed away at the age of 67 on December 10, 2020.

Samuel del Real, who suffered from diabetes, died in Chicago, United States, where he had settled 35 years ago.

Also Read: Thank you Rafael for all you have done for Salsa. Without you many of us would not be salseros

Source and Collaboration By: Marino de Jesus (15889 of Historia Salsera
Republica Dominicana

Leo Mendoza and “El Sonero Natural”

Latin America / Venezuela / Caracas

Get to know the new song “El Sonero Natural” by Leo Mendoza

Did you know that great international musical talents have emerged in Venezuela? This is due to the fact that in this Latin land, the seasoning is experienced, the joy is experienced, the desire to excel is seen, they demonstrate their talent to all those who see and listen to them. In this opportunity, we have a new talent to present; Meet the Caracas musician Leonardo Mendoza, also known as “Leo Mendoza”.

He tells us that since he was a child he felt a deep inclination for music, specifically salsa, this was because his father Héctor Mendoza, a record collector, was always putting on music, from salsa bands such as: Johnny Pacheco, Héctor Lavoe, Oscar D León, Rubén Blades, Willie Colon, among others.

Leo Mendoza and “El Sonero Natural”
Leo Mendoza and “El Sonero Natural”

This was only the first indication of his inclination and dedication to music, especially to singing in the salsa genre, practicing his favorite artists even within his family gatherings; Starting in 2008, he joined the group “Salsa Son y Fuego”, where he worked for 2 years, and thus continued his path of musical training until in 2016, participating in a festival organized by the Mayor’s Office of Caracas, he competed with a theme of his authorship entitled “Sonero al Natural” receiving the ovation and acceptance of the viewing public.

Intruments of Leo Mendoza and “El Sonero Natural”
Intruments of Leo Mendoza and “El Sonero Natural”

The qualifying jury was made up of Mariana Guevara the “Sonera de Venezuela”, Cheo Valenzuela “El Sonero de la Dulzura”, Juan José “el Indio” Hernández and the teacher Andy Durán, with their participation he managed to achieve 3 mentions, best unpublished song, 2nd place as interpreter and best arrangement of the song “Sonero al Natural” by Maestro José “Tuky” Torres, on this occasion he presents his first single “Sonero al Natural”, which is an invitation to good rumba and feeling sonero… If you want to know more about Leo Mendoza or his new musical theme, find out through:

  • Instagram: @lendozab
  • Twitter: @lendozab
  • Facebook: Leo Mendoza
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Phone: +58 424-1420962
  • YouTube of “Sonero Natural” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83cXHeQXO0E&feature=share

 

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International Salsa Magazine (ISM) is a monthly publication about Salsa activities around the world, that has been publishing since 2007. It is a world network of volunteers coordinated by ISM Magazine. We are working to strengthen all the events by working together.