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Preparence is close to the Panama Jazz Festival 2022.

From January 10 to 15, the Panama Jazz Festival 2022 will be held, this being this 19th edition, which will take place both virtual and face-to-face activities, so that the Biosafety regulations of the Ministry of Health will be met (“No cloth” masks and gel), where they are informed that to enter all events they will be asked for the card and QR code 100% vaccinated with a minimum of 14 days and 12-year-olds must present a negative Covid test 24 hours before.

It will be held at the City of Knowledge Athenaeum, where every day except for Wednesday (12) from 7 pm at the National Theater there will be a Gala night with Danilo Pérez and Kurt Elling, however the other days will be presented:

  • Monday (10): Panamá Connections and Mayra Hurley.
  • Tuesday (11): Borderlands Trio e Idania Douman.
  • Thursday (13): Global Messengers and Pz533-Global Jazz Womxn.
  • Friday (14): Antonio Hart and Solinka.

This year the festival of this edition will be dedicated to Frank Anderson born in Panama, Bocas del Toro on January 24, 1929, in Panama he met and played with many Cuban musicians; In New York, he played piano and directed several recordings by Vicentico Valdés and worked with other artists such as Marcelino Guerra, Polito Galíndez, Arsenio Rodríguez, Andrés Andino and Yomo Toro, Israel López “Cachao”, Clark Terry, and in 1950 he founded his own big band, the musicians were members of the Duke Ellington and Count Basie orchestras. In the 1970s he became musical director and accompanist for many Broadway plays such as Purlie, Don’t Bother Me I Can’t Cope, A Raisin in the Sun, Eubie !, The Wiz, and Guys and Dolls. He also recorded on the discs of those works.

In 2009 he was recognized by the New York State Senate for his musical contributions, particularly his role as organist in various Brooklyn churches and his most recent recording is Ochosi Blues (2015) by Benjamin Lapidus and Kari-B3 where he is accompanying with the organ. in its unique style and unmatched flavor that combines Caribbean music, jazz and more in a very personal way. Anderson currently maintains his residence in Brooklyn.

The International Artists to participate are:

  1. Kurt Elling Dúo with Danilo Pérez “Secrets are the Best Stories”:
    Renowned for his unique combination of robust swing and poetic acumen, two-time GRAMMY winner Kurt Elling secures his place among the world’s leading jazz vocalists. The New York Times proclaimed him the “most prominent male vocalist of our time.” Over a 25-year touring and recording career, he has won 3 Prix du Jazz Vocal, 2 German Echo Awards, 2 Dutch Edison Awards and been nominated for a GRAMMY Award fifteen times. He has had a 14-year career at the top of DownBeat’s Critics and Readers polls, and has won twelve Jazz Journalist awards for “Male Vocalist of the Year.”Elling’s voice is instantly recognizable, embracing listeners with her warm, rich baritone and navigating the four-octave range as a virtuoso improviser and compelling storyteller. The Guardian has named him “some kind of superpowered Sinatra” and “one of the great jazz vocalists of all time.”
  2. Kris Davis and Bordeerlands Trio with Eric McPherson, Stephan Crump:In Borderlands Trio, the collective efforts of bassist Stephan Crump, pianist Kris Davis, and drummer Eric McPherson have luck on your side. In less than a year their chemistry is unusually deep. The title of their album Asteroidea is the Latin term for starfish, a creature capable of regenerating parts of itself, in turn related to the trio’s ability to constantly develop new landscapes. The word starfish evokes notions of both the ocean and outer space. “Gravity, magnetism, constellations, nature. With this band, we are always expanding and contracting, recontextualizing what surrounds us and heading towards the instantly inevitable. ” Crump comments.Asteroidea is a treatise on immediacy and a deep dive into the spectrum of responses to any gesture. Its rhythms are always transforming, its drama has wacky moments, and its creators are just getting started.
  3. Antonio Hart:He studied jazz at Berklee College of Music in Boston with Bill Pierce, Andy McGhee and Joe Viola. Of his friendships in Berklee, Roy Hargrove stands out, with whom he spends three years traveling the world and recording the first three Hargrove albums. During these years on the road, Hart completed a master’s degree at Queens College where he learned from teachers Donald Byrd and Jimmy Heath, who also produced the artist’s second recording ‘Don’t You Know I Care’.With his 1997 release, Impulse Records’ ‘Here I Stand’, he earned a Grammy nomination for ‘Best Jazz Instrumental Soloist’ and additionally participated in more than 100 guest recordings. Since its inception, Hart has recorded eight CDs as a leader. The latest JLP Jazz Legacy productions, ‘Blessings’.The artist balances his time as a full professor at Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College, with touring with his bands, The Dave Holland Big Band and The Dizzy Gillespie Big Band.
  4. El Berklee Global Jazz Institute (BGJI):It is a musical performance program designed to foster creativity and musical mastery across various musical disciplines, with pianist and composer Danilo Pérez as its founder and artistic director.The BGJI provides a comprehensive contemporary music environment where students have the opportunity to explore their creativity to the highest level possible, advance the power of music as a tool for the betterment of society, and connect musical creative thinking with the environment. natural.
  5. Global Messengers:Directed by Panamanian pianist and composer Danilo Pérez, Global Messengers draws its unique spirit from the culture and experiences of its members, who come from Palestine, the United States, Greece, Jordan and Panama, with varied musical traditions and instrumentation to match. They are committed to the ancient practice of building community through rhythmically rich and melodically exciting music.* Danilo Pérez piano
    * Farayi Malek voice
    * Vasilis Kostas laouto
    * Layth Sidiq violin
    * Naseem Alatrash cello
    * Tareq Rantisi percussion
  6. The New England Conservatory (NEC):It was founded in 1867, being the oldest independent music school in the United States. Since its opening it has played an important role in the musical life of Boston and the world. Its mission is to provide a more rigorous education at the level of musicians of all ages and parts of the world. Additionally, we have teachers who encourage individual excellence in a welcoming community.NEC works for music to have an important place in people’s lives and for rigorous education and excellent recognition. Beyond the study of music, NEC teachers help explore the historical and social frameworks that support our musical traditions.
  7. PS-533:It is the number of a class called “Musical Performance and Social Activism” for the Berklee Global Jazz Institute Master’s Program at Berklee College of Music. The PS refers to the department of “Performance” and 533 refers to an upper level class open only to graduate students. Patricia Zarate, a teacher of this class, organized this group in 2022 to present the Global Jazz Womxn (women and dissidents) that stand out as alumni and of the program. The letter “S” was changed to “Z” to reflect the change from a school environment to a professional environment led by Zarate.

The National Artists to participate are:

  1. Solinka: better known as Solange Arias, she was a public servant in the 1950s, working as a secretary in the Ministry of Education of Panama, has a beautiful voice and is very attractive, so a Cuban agent convinced her to be a singer of professional sauce. In those years, men dominated the salsa genre, which is why Solange was not successful at first. It was in Peru that she became a sensation as a salsa presenter, so much so that one journalist wrote that her performance was as brilliant as an “Inca sun,” a nickname she adopted as her stage name, changing the c to a k. Later he found success in his native country and signed a contract with a record company, traveled a lot and won the first prize at the Valparaíso international song festival.

  2. Idania Dowman: She has a privileged and unmistakable voice that has transcended throughout her 27-year career. Daughter of the renowned Panamanian calypsonian Lord Byron. She publicly began in the Church where she was director of the Archdiocesan Choir of Panama and was part of Jazz Effects of Panama with Reginal Boyce. Today he has two groups of his own: The Emotions and Cache. He shared projects with Billy Herron, as he believes in the generational sharing of culture. He has represented Panama in Peru, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica, Colombia, the United States and Dubai. She was recognized by receiving a Doctorate in Art from the United Graduate College and Seminary International (United States) for her career in ART, MUSIC AND CULTURE; by the National University of Panama in 2012 and 2014, and awarded the Golden Star Awards of the distinguished VIP Diplomática magazine of Peru in 2019.She is recognized for her virtuosity in each of her presentations, for maintaining her Afro jazz essence and being a defender of Panamanian culture.

    She is recognized for her virtuosity in each of her presentations, for maintaining her Afro jazz essence and being a defender of Panamanian culture.

  3. Panama Connections: Group made up of professors and scholarship students from the Danilo Pérez Foundation, under the premise of “community and sharing”, Panama Connections explores the creative possibilities between Jazz and its links with Pan-African and Caribbean folklore, from its compositions originals, arrangements and adaptations are focused on this fusion.
  4. Mayra Hurley: Singer, film and television actress, and broadcaster. The Panamanian singer-songwriter is inspired by her multicultural roots that are expressed in all her artistic expressions, from funk, salsa, to rock n’roll, each show is a live experience with Caribbean flavor. In his more than 10 years of experience in musical theater, he has worked under the artistic direction of Bruce Quinn and Edwin Cedeño and has participated in works such as Jesus Christ Superstar (2005), Cabaret (2006), A Chorus Line (2008), Peras en el huerto (2006-2012), Little Shop of Horrors (2010), en la guerra y el amor todo se vale (2011) and Hairspray (2013).He made his film debut in the acclaimed film Historias del canal (2014), presented in the official IFF Panama selection and at international film festivals in Spain, the United States, Costa Rica, Mexico, Canada and Jamaica. In 2019 he participated in the Panamanian film Escribiendo el General by Oscar Faarup and in 2021 he won the Panama positive award in the category Positive Artist.

Buy your tickets through https://panamajazzfestival.com/ or if you want to have other information, follow the following accounts:

News “En Clave”

Latest News of the Salsa Movement in Spain

artist dressed in light blue suit and white hat playing the trumpet
News “En Clave”! The most recent ISM section in 2022

This 2022 we come with more strength, new ideas, and recharged. In this first edition, we released a new section titled News “En Clave”. A space dedicated to the collection and promotion of the best shows, concerts, books, and the latest news from the Salsero environment & Latin rhythms in Europe and Asia.

Spain is one of the old-world countries that begin January 2022 with the best Salseros and Bachateros events. Here we will tell you each one En Clave so that you don’t miss out on going to one.

News “En Clave” In Spain

Luis Alberto Díaz "El Negri" playing the piano in the sound rehearsal
Cuban Pianist – Luis Alberto Díaz “El Negri”

We open the section to the northeast of Spain with La casa de Cuba in Barcelona, ​​El Sabor Cubano BCN. This Nightclub offers live music, Cuban Salsa, International Salsa, Bachata, and urban rhythms with DJs, it also has Salsa and Bachata instructors who give free lessons for beginners at 9:30 PM every Thursday and Sunday. The virtuous pianist Luis Alberto Díaz “El Negri” together with singer “Changui” will be playing the best songs of traditional Cuban music this Thursday, January 6th, and Sunday, January 9th, for two and a half hours. This will be one of the first live Salsa evenings that you can enjoy starting the New Year. El Sabor Cubano BCN opens its doors from 7:00 PM to 12:30 AM at Francisco Giner 32 Street, 08012, Barcelona. Have a memorable moment in this nightclub with a good atmosphere, friendly and impeccable service, and an authentic Cuban mojito. You find more details on their official social network.

We are still in Barcelona, and this time we walk through the Diobar Restaurant / Nightclub. This Greek restaurant has enabled a musical space every Thursday for Salsa and Rueda Casino classes. The duration of Salsa Thursdays is almost five continuous hours organized as follows: one hour of Cuban Salsa class and the next one in Rueda Casino, followed by the AfroCuban Jam Sessions live (open to all musicians). Starting at 9:15 PM there is a class for dancers of Intermediate / Advanced level with which they will acquire new skills for mastering individual steps, the couple turns, and Rueda figures. The cost does not exceed € 5, and the closest date is Thursday, January 6, 2022. A novel proposal to enjoy Salsa in the musical space of the Dionisos Born restaurant located at Marqués de la Argentera, 27 (ground floor) 08003 Barcelona, Spain.

colorful Cuban Party art at Matisse Club
Cuban Party begins January 12th at Matisse Club

We now jump to the east coast towards Valencia, and we run into the Matisse Club. We tell you that in this place of exhibition of events and culture they offer every Sunday the Cuban Party event, live Cuban music with AR-Latin (directly from the Caribbean island) playing Salsa, Latin Jazz, Son, and Bachata. This one-hour live show begins at 8:30 PM. Then you will enjoy six hours of Latin Quarter Session with DJ Sergio Falomir. Admission is € 10 and begins on Sunday, January 12th at the Sala Matisse. Enjoy a Latin music atmosphere with the Cuban Party event every Sunday of the month at Matisse Club located at Campoamor Street, 60, 46022, Valencia.

And the last News “En Clave” that I bring you is the Latin Dance classes in Salason in the northwest of the country at Lirio Street, 30 Cangas Do Morrazo, 36940, Galicia. This culture platform is designed for the reception of musical performances with exceptional acoustics and cutting-edge technology. Salason is a building structured in three independent but complementary environments at the same time. Salsa and Bachata classes will begin on Tuesday, January 25th, from 7:30 PM to 11:00 PM.

The Objectives of these Cuban-style Salsa and Rueda Casino classes, as well as the traditional Bachata lessons, are fun and disconnection to the routine with the rhythm of Latin music. Also, it improves coordination and body expression coupled with the new relationships that are established between people with similar pleasures.

On Tuesdays, there are two groups for intermediate students: The Salsa class starts at 8 PM while the Bachata group starts at 8:30 PM.

Thursdays are classes for beginners and have two times of choice: 8 PM and 9:30 PM. For more information, venture to visit its official website

We continue with Bachata…

group of people dancing at the Bachata Sensual World Congress
Bachata Sensual World Congress 2022 will be held in Girona

We start with one of the main congresses to be held the second weekend of this month (Friday 7th – Monday 10th) in Girona, a city located in the region of Catalonia, mainly known for its exuberant architecture of medieval origin and the historic Barri Vell neighborhood.

The Bachata Sensual World Congress (BSWC) brings great quality Bachata Sensual workshops with more than 16 qualified instructors of this Dominican rhythm and leading Salsa professionals worldwide. There will be live shows with more than 16 couples on stage and famous night parties during the three days of the event.

Girona becomes the international city of the Dominican melody with Bachata Sensual World Congress 2022

BSWC will take place at the Evenia Olympic Palace Hotel, Avinguda Del Rieral, 55 17310 Lloret De Mar, Girona. Tickets (Full Pass) range from € 140 and the event begins the first day at two in the afternoon ending on Monday, January 10th at five in the morning.

We continue, and it is the turn of the Winter Bachata Festival 2022. The particularity of this festival is that it will have night workshops with social dances, the instructors are mostly local, more than one continuous hour of shows, and a closing party. The musicalization throughout the weekend will be in charge of DJ Miguelón, DJ Salva, and DJ Yago in a shared room with the rhythms of Bachata and Salsa. Obtaining Full Pass tickets (€ 40) can be obtained through teachers or promoters and different payment methods by clicking here.  Remember that Winter Bachata Festival begins on Friday, January 21st, and ends on Sunday, 23rd, also returns for the fifth time to the Spanish municipality of Cullera at the Hotel Cullera Holiday, at Av. el Racó, 27 Cullera, Valencia.

Now we finish our trip in the center of the country, specifically in Madrid. During the first weekend of the month, the Magic Bachata Weekend event will take place with all the established biosafety measures: temperature measurement, Hydro-alcoholic Gel, and Mask (during the three days). Magic Bachata Weekend will begin on Friday, January 7th, and will end on Sunday, 9th. This weekend full of Bachata will feature 18 pairs of instructors of the genre conducting workshops, shows, and late-night Latin parties. You can get tickets online at La Salsa del Baile and the price at the door ranges from € 60. The venue will be the Hotel Eurostars Madrid Foro, Ronda de Europa, 1, 28760 Tres Cantos.

Salsa Escrita, the Salsa Column of Barquisimeto presents Cheo Valenzuela

Cheo Valenzuela, “El Sonero de la Dulzura”

We are pleased to have as a special guest in our salsa column, one of the vocalists possessing a unique, admirable, and respected quality of interpretation, which has stood out in our country and abroad, bringing his flavor and swing with great professionalism and hierarchy. We are talking about Cheo Valenzuela, “El Sonero de la Dulzura”, born in Cantaura, Anzoátegui state, on January 24th.

At the age of 7, he moved with his family to the city of Caracas, settling in one of the most popular parishes: La Pastora. Welcome Cheo to Salsa Escrita, “La Columna Salsera de Barquisimeto” and International Salsa Magazine, www.SalsaGoogle.com.

Thank you, friend and professor, Carlos Colmenárez, for giving me the opportunity to be present in this tribune of our Afro-Caribbean music, which serves us to make known our talents and musical projects and thus be able to interact with its assiduous readers in Venezuela and around the world.

Salsa Escrita, la Columna Salsera de Barquisimeto presenta a Cheo Valenzuela
Cheo Valenzuela, “El Sonero de la Dulzura”

Cheo, to begin with, we would like you to tell us how were your beginnings in music? Carlos, at the age of 14 I began my career as a salsa performer and with time I was called to join quite renowned orchestras.

Such as Cheo? I belonged to the Latin Dimension, then Oscar D’León called me and I was at his side with his orchestra; later I joined “Nuestra Orquesta la Salsa Mayor”; later I was called by “La Sonora Antillana”; then I joined the groups: Rumbero Menor, Venezuelan Master Orchestra, Orquesta Los Latinos, among others. Nowadays I have my own salsa orchestra “Cheo Valenzuela y su Orquesta” and also my own bolero group, called “Cheo Valenzuela y su Ensamble”.

Excellent Cheo, we really admire your work, which has been persevering and over the years, continues to rise steadily, with national and international projection. Yes, Carlos, let me tell you, apart from thank you for inviting me to your salsa column, that I launched myself into the market as a soloist some time ago and I currently have two musical productions, the first one entitled “Cheo Valenzuela and his Orchestra is you”.

Cheo Valenzuela
At the age of 7, he moved with his family to the city of Caracas.

This CD is made up of traditional salsa, romantic salsa, bolero, son, and ballads. Dear salsa lovers and consistent readers, let me tell you that Cheo, every time he gets on stage, shows off all his musical talent with total stage control, since he is a sonero, backed by multiple experiences acquired in his presentations, both in Venezuela and in the different countries he has visited.

Cheo, what can you tell us about your current musical situation? Professor Carlos, at present I am presenting for the consideration of all music lovers the new promotional theme that is part of my second musical production, which is called “Salsa Buena”, a theme of my authorship, with musical arrangements by the Venezuelan pianist, trombonist and singer Mauricio Silva, which we hope will be to the complete satisfaction of all of you. Of course, it will be a success, my friend Cheo, because your productions always carry an indisputable quality seal. By the way, what are your digital platforms and contacts? You can get me as Cheo Valenzuela in all social networks, you can also do it by email: [email protected] and Valenzuela [email protected] and for bookings by phone +58 424 1044822 and +58 416 6388420.

At the end of the interview, let me say that it was an honor to have you in Salsa Escrita “La Columna Salsera de Barquisimeto” and wishing you continue to succeed inside and outside our country so that we all enjoy Cheo Valenzuela “El Sonero de la Dulzura”.

A thousand thanks, Professor Carlos Colmenárez, for your unconditional friendship and for giving me a space in your column through International Salsa Magazine, also predicting successes in bulk and that you continue to support us in order to make our productions and presentations known, very soon in the name of God. Bendiciones Carlos and counts with the friendship of Cheo Valenzuela “Con Dulzura” and a lot of salsa…!

Remember not to leave your house…! Until next time and let’s keep on saucing!

Article of Interest: Eliel Rivero, “The Shaman of the Trombone”

Noticias Con Sabor with Luis Medina

Noticias Con Sabor in the month of January

We leave this year with the loss of giants in the Latin Music who have joined the ancestors that include the recent loss of the legendary Mexican star Vicente Fernandez, Panamanian powerhouse sonero Meñique and Paquito Guzman who was known for both his boleros and Salsa tunes.  This year we have also lost legends and great musicians such as Johnny Pacheco, Roberto Roena, Chick Corea, Larry Harlow, Adalberto Alvarez, Johnny Ventura, Ralph Irrizary, Tommy Villariny and at the end of 2020, Tito Rojas.  We are lucky that these artists have left us with their legacies of music that will continue to entertain people for years to come.  Rest in Power!

Spanish Harlem Orchestra conquered Monterey with two explosive sets at a special show this past Saturday, Dec. 11th at the Monterey Conference Center. SHO played a few new tunes from their upcoming 2022 release, their repertoire of hits and Christmas salsa music much to the crowd’s delight. I had the pleasure of emceeing the show as well as playing music as the event’s DJ. SHO who were on fire all night and the dance floor was packed all night long. The crowd roared their approval with a standing ovation at the end of the night.  SHO responded with an infectious danceable Christmas song with a crowd sing-a-long which ended the festive evening. Thanks to producer Luis Mendoza and Montuno Productions for inviting me to be a part of this event. Thanks to the great crowd in Monterey who are salseros all the way!

Oscar Hernández playing the piano
Oscar Hernández from Spanish Harlem Orchestra performing at The Monterrey Conference Center

During the COVID19 pandemic, it seemed that all live music stopped being played in public.  However, there were a few places, mostly outdoor cafes, farmer’s markets and restaurants with outdoor dining that offered live Latin Jazz during these dark times.  One of the unsung heroes who continued to play when the pandemic was at its height is veteran pianist-bandleader Gary Flores who formed Salsa Caliente in SF in 1976.  The group has had a lot of prominent musicians including vocalists Paquito Acosta and Angelo Pagan who continued to see their careers thrive in Puerto Rico and Los Angeles.  He disbanded Salsa Caliente in the late 90’s to concentrate on a smaller Latin Jazz group.  Flores along with ex Franco Brothers bassist/vocalist Carlitos Franco and a revolving lineup of all-star percussionists including Santana timbalero Karl Perazo and former Avance bongocero Oscar Soltero kept the live music going during the pandemic at different venues.  Flores was able to continue to play Latin Jazz and Salsa in stripped down format as a trio due to rearranging Salsa tunes as all the members sang coros and vocalized horn lines behind Franco,   Now that live music has made a comeback of sorts and some venues are now booking bigger bands, Flores is revitalizing a bigger version of Salsa Caliente featuring Franco and Perazo.  Flores has been writing new music and plans to record new music with the group.  His last recording “Descarga Caliente: A New Beginning” came out in 2005.  Gary Flores is a veteran and a survivor of the San Francisco Salsa Scene who deserves a big shout out for keeping Latin music alive in the age of COVID!  Pa’lante Gary!!

Reopening will be later

Some scenes are not reopening for 2022 until February or later.  One of those venues affected is Space 550 at 550 Barneveld St. in San Francisco who will reopen in February due to concerns regarding the current surge in COVID cases and the situation with the new variant of the disease.  I also spoke with Adrian Goddard of Jaffe Events who told me that he will continue to book events but later in the first quarter of 2022,  For some event producers, January isn’t a good month to book Latin Music.

People at Space 550
Some people dancing at Space 550

However that’s not stopping Grammy Award winners Pacific Mambo Orchestra who will play their annual January dates at Yoshi’s, Jack London Square on Friday, January 7 and Saturday, January 8th.  Get ready to enjoy and dance to swinging Mambo, Salsa and Latin Jazz from this awesome all-star 20 piece band led by pianist Christian Tumalan and trumpeter Steffen Kuehn. This SF based band is scheduled to play at Europe’s prestigious Tempo Latino Festival in late July. Tickets are now available for these upcoming January dates at Yoshi’s. For more information,  visit www.yoshis.com.

The Cigar Bar, 850 Montgomery St. in SF is starting 2022 with a calendar of great acts coming to this fine venue where you can dine, dance and smoke a fine cigar if you choose to do so. The schedule includes Orquesta La Original w/Alexis Jan 7, Josh Jones Latin Jazz Ensemble Jan 8, The Latin Rhythm Boys Jan 14, Edgardo y Candela Jan 15, N’Rumba Jan 21, La Clave Del Blanco Jan 22, Julio Bravo Y Salsabor Jan 28 and Manteca Jan 29

The Seahorse in Sausalito continues to feature explosive music from the following acts in January on Saturday and Sunday including La Clave Del Blanco Jan 2, Gary Flores and Salsa Caliente featuring Karl Perazo of Santana Jan 8, Edgardo Cambon y Candela Jan 9, Carlos Xavier Salsa Band Jan. 15, Louie Romero and Mazacote Jan 16, Braulio Barrera and Somos El Son, Jan 22,  Orquesta Bembe featuring Christian Pepin on Jan. 23 and Rumbache on Jan. 29.  DJ Jose Ruiz from KPOO/KPFA Radio will also be behind the decks for your dancing pleasure. Check out their fine Italian cuisine and selection of beer and wine.

Seahorse at night
Beautiful decoration of Seahorse at night

The Ramp, 855 Terry Francois in SF continues to offer Salsa under their all-weather tent during the month of January.  Their line up includes N’Rumba Jan 8, Louie Romero & Mazacote Jan. 15, Manny Martinez y La Rebeldia, Jan 22 and Orquesta Borinquen on January 29th. DJ Mendy is providing the music in-between sets and from 9 to 11 pm.  The music starts at 5 pm on Saturdays.

Cascal, 400 Castro in Mountain View will be featuring the explosive sounds of Edgardo Cambon and LaTiDo on Fridays, January 7th and 21st starting at 7:30 pm. There is no cover. Cascal continues to offer their tasty menu of Spanish cuisine, Tapas and fine drinks.

The following recordings kept me going during the second year of COVID19: Ruben Blades “Salswing”, El Gran Combo “En Cuarentena” and their Xmas cd “De Trulla Con El Combo”, Gilberto Santa Rosa’s all-star studded “Colegas”, Sonora Ponceña “Hegemonia Musical”, Mel Martinez “Asi Escribe Un Sonero”, Los Generales De La Salsa featuring Van Lester, a 1996 all-star session finally seeing the light of day, Tromboranga “Salsa Terapia”, Los Van Van “Mi Songo”, Various Artists “El Son De Caballero-Homenaje A Adalberto Alvarez and “Son Para Un Sonero”, Sounds Of Cuba “Los Titanes De La Timba”, Alexander Abreu/Havana d’Primera, Various Artists “En Barranquilla Me Quedo-Homenaje a Joe Arroyo, Dorance Lorza’s Sexteto Cafe “20 Aniversario”,  Luis Perico Ortiz “Sigo Entre Amigos”, Charlie Donato’s Son Ideal “De Vuelta Al Barrio, Eduardo Zayas Y Su EZ La Banda “Huerto De Soneros” and his latest “Sabor Y Sandunga”, Alain Perez, Issac Delgado & Orquesta Aragon “Cha Cha Cha: Homenaje A Lo Tradicional”  and Orquesta Failde “Joyas Ineditas”.  There are a flood of singles that did the job as well from Julito Alvarado’s maxi single “Lo Que No Se Escucha (Descarga De Soneros), Don Pergiñon Y La Puertorriqueña, Marc Anthony, Wilito Otero, Josean Rivera, Monsi Y Su Salsa , Mariana Y Su Makynaria, Julito Albino y Secreto De Voces and VibraSON.  These recordings are some of my picks for the Best of 2021.

And…if that wasn’t enough, my program Con Sabor, Saturday nights 9 to 11 PM PST on KPFA 94.1 FM will be celebrating its 25th Anniversary year on January 1, 2022!  Time flies when you’re having fun!!  I’m also on “Sabiduria Con Tumbao” every Wednesday night 5 to 7 PM PST on WorldSalsaRadio.com.

That’s it for this time.  Ciao 4 now!!

The tent at The Ramp!
Inside the tent at The Ramp

This is the report last month: Noticias con Sabor by Luis Medina

BY LUIS MEDINA, PRODUCER AND HOST OF CON SABOR ON KPFA 94.1 FM AND SABIDURIA CON TUMBAO ON WORLD SALSA RADIO.COM

Noticias con Sabor by Luis Medina

News about the live music scene in San Francisco

The Ruben Blades concert at Oakland’s Paramount Theatre on Saturday, November 20th was sensational!  The anticipation of the packed intergenerational crowd to his first visit In 18 years was at a high peak.  Blades wowed the audience with a stunning performance backed by bassist Roberto Delgado’s dynamic Big Band.  Ruben’s powerful voice was as crystal clear as when he started his career with Ray Barretto back in 1974.  His set list was a retrospective into his vast and deep repertoire that included his big hits, crowd favorites, esoteric song choices and selections from his Latin Grammy award winning album Salswing! The musicianship that accompanied Blades was top notch as Roberto Delgado’s crack band were tight, explosive and swinging!  The visuals projected on the huge screen above Ruben were imaginative displaying photo tributes to Hector Lavoe as well as to recently deceased Latin music giants and clever animation that was the backdrop for songs.  This was a triumphant return to the SF Bay Area for Blades who last played a concert here in 2003 at Roccapulco.  He performed for 2 hours and 40 minutes to the delight of the massive crowd.  What a show!!

Art for the Salswing Tour
Art for the Salswing Tour by Rubén Baldes

Speaking of big shows….Three time Grammy Award Winner Spanish Harlem Orchestra will play a special holiday dance/concert “Salsa Para El Bailador” on Saturday, December 11th, 8 pm at the Monterey Conference Center, 1 Portola Plaza in Monterey.   Yours truly, Luis Medina  will be your Master Of Ceremonies and DJ for the evening playing 100% Bailable in between the sets.  There are VIP seats and packages still available. There is also an auto caravan coming from San Francisco directly to the concert.  For more information on the concert, caravan and tickets, please visit www.montunoproductions.com or call 510-586-3215. 

I dropped by La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley to catch the livestream of their couch concert starring Santana percussionist Karl Perazo live from their stage on Friday, Nov. 19th.  The web streamed concert was hosted by renowned Bay Area based flautist Miguelito Martinez (Candela) with an intro from La Peña’s Executive Director Natalia Neira Retamal. Perazo was in excellent form on congas, bongos and percussion leading a hot Latin Jazz descarga accompanied by Martinez, bassist Saul Sierra and pianist Julio De La Cruz.  This session was part of an on-going series that is coordinated by La Peña new creative staff Corey Raynor.  For more information, visit www.lapena.org. 

The Cigar Bar, 850 Montgomery in SF’s North Beach will be open to Salseros in December for part of December.  Their lineup includes Orquesta Timbalero Dec 4, Alberto Y La Differencia Dec. 5, Edgardo Cambon y Candela, Dec 10, Josh Jones Latin Jazz Ensemble Dec 11, Latin Rhythm Boys Dec 17 and the last night for Salsa this year will be featuring PMO all star vocalist/percussionist Braulio Barrera’s Somos El Son on Dec. 18.  Cigar Bar will reopen the Latin music nights in early January 2022.

The Seahorse is Sausalito will feature in their Sunday Salsa lineup the following acts: Julio Bravo & Salsabor Dec 5, Edgardo Cambon & Candela Dec. 12, Louie Romero & Mazacote Dec 19 and the Salsa Caliente All Stars with Karl Perazo (of Santana), Gary Flores and Carlitos Franco on Dec. 26.  The Seahorse will also be starting off their Salsa Saturdays with Rene Escovedo on Dec. 4th. For the rest of the Sat schedule, visit sausalitoseahorse.com.

Julio Bravo Y Su Orquesta Salsabor
Julio Bravo in one of his performances

More news

The Ramp, 855 Terry Francois in SF will continue Salsa under their weatherproof tent on Saturday afternoons beginning at 5 PM featuring Pepe Y Su Orquesta Dec. 4, trumpeter Julius Melendez All Stars Dec. 11, Eric Rangel and Orquesta America, Dec 18 and a special Thursday with Julio Bravo and Salsabor on Dec. 23rd

Space 550 at 550 Barneveld, SF has opened its doors again to Friday Salsa dancing featuring Somos El Son Dec 3, Orquesta Borinquen Dec. 10 and their last event for 2021 featuring N’Rumba on Dec. 17th.  The Friday Night happenings will resume on Friday, January 14, 2022 with Borinquen.  The Saturday nights have resumed with Bachata Takeover Saturdays featuring Bachata in the main room and the other rooms featuring Salsa and Bachata.

Kimbara 3380 19th Street at the site of the old big room of the former SF Bissap Baobab location is now featuring Suzy Q Wednesdays every 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month.  This night brought you by the Producers of I Heart Mambo and the SBK Congress feature Salsa Congress style DJ’s and live bands such as VibraSON on December 15th. 

Peninsula/South Bay’s long-running established Salsa Club Alberto’s, 736 West Dana St in Mountain View offers Salsa on Tuesday and Friday nights featuring dance lessons by Pantea with DJ and live entertainment.  Their weekly calendar includes Tango on Sunday, Bachata on Wednesdays and Rock En Español on Saturday nights….Cascal Restaurant  located nearby at 400 Castro Street, Mountain View offers live entertainment on Fridays through Sundays with great ambiance, tasty Spanish cuisine and the sounds of Edgardo Cambon and LaTiDo on December 3, 4 and 17th. 

Singer Edgardo Cambon
Uruguayan bandleader, percussionist, and singer Edgardo Cambon

Producer Adrian Goddard’s Jaffe Events continues to keep busy into the holidays.  They will celebrate with a Fiesta Navideña on Saturday, Dec. 11 from 3 to 7 pm. Featuring an afternoon of Salsa, Timba, Bachata, Reggaeton and more by DJ’s including Walt Digz, Tony O and Pablo at the Mars Bar, 798 Brannan SF.  Jaffe Events is also presenting Feliz Año Nuevo 2022 on New Years Eve with DJ’s spinning Reggaeton, Salsa, Latin Hits, Cumbia and more at the BEI Hotel, 50 Eighth Street in San Francisco.

On New Year’s Eve, the renowned Salsa orchestra Grupo Gale from Colombia will headline at the Hyatt Regency in Burlingame.  The event will also feature DJ Tony O, DJ Bosco and DJ Franklin.  The event will also feature International music in their second room. For more information, go to eventbrite.com, ticketsparaticom or call 415-424-8809.

The Marriott in San Mateo will feature 6 rooms featuring live music by Julio Bravo and Salsabor, Amor Do Samba with Brazilian Drummers, Orquesta N’Rumba, Orq Revelation and 10 DJ’s playing hits, Reggaeton, Bachata and Salsa.  Free beer offered from 8 to 11 pm. For ticket info, visit www.marriottliveparty.com.

There will be a New Years Eve Descarga 2021 featuring Salsa, Bachata and Kizomba music at 1824 Hillsdale Avenue in San Jose.  This bash will feature a tribute to the legendary all-star timbalero Louie Romero who will be performing with Orquesta Salson, Dance performance by John and Liz of Salsamania Dance Company,, DJ music will feature WorldSalsaRadio DJ’s El De La Clave SF and DJ Boricua, dancer Kathy Reyes will be hosting the bachata room and more!  For tickets, go to eventbrite.com

Be sure to check out my radio programs “Con Sabor” every Saturday evening 9 to 11 pm on KPFA 94.1 FM/kpfa.org and “Sabiduria Con Tumbao” every Wednesday evening 5 to 7 PM PST on WorldSalsaRadio.com.

Until next time, Ciao 4 now!!!

Louie Romero Y Su Grupo Mazacote
Bandleader and timbalero Luie Romero while performing

This is the report last month: NOTICIAS CON SABOR- SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA/NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

BY LUIS MEDINA, PRODUCER AND HOST OF CON SABOR ON KPFA 94.1 FM AND SABIDURIA CON TUMBAO ON WORLD SALSA RADIO.COM