Search Results for: Puerto Rico

Ayumi Azucar Suzuki

Asia / Tokio / Japón

Ayumi Azúcar Suzuki, plays Latin percussion, Classic percussion, Marimba & Vibraphone.

Ayumi "Azúcar" Suzuki and her drums — Ayumi “Azúcar” Suzuki and her drums

Ayumi Azúcar Suzuki was born in Japan. She plays Latin percussion, Classic percussion, Marimba & Vibraphone.

She graduated from the Faculty of Percussion, Tokyo College of Music. At the college; she began to study percussion in earnest mainly with classic music and gained experience of ensemble in orchestras, brass bands, musicals, operas, etc.

At the same time, she started to organize concerts and participate as percussionist, keyboard percussionist or drummer.

She has been also teaching eurythmics at a nursery school.

In 2015, she started her own band, “Ayumania” that features mostly her original compositions and arrangements, where she fuses Japanese atmosphere into Latin rhythm.

Inviting both Japanese and foreign guests, she has been organizing live concerts in various places in Tokyo.

In July 2017, she released her first album “Oukagekka” in Japan. It has been promoted in overseas radio programs in Colombia, Puerto Rico and New York.

National Zalsa Day 2020

North America / Puerto Rico

In April 2000, the third Sunday of March was instituted as the National Zalsa Day under Law #100 of the Senate of Puerto Rico

National Zalsa Day 2020 - Edicion Platino — National Zalsa Day 2020 – Edicion Platino

History

The National Zalsa Day was created in 1984 by Pedro Arroyo, Z-93 Programming Director, who always had the desire to celebrate an event where the talent of popular salsa music, its composers and performers would be recognized, to present it to the great public that loves this tropical genre.

Since its first year, the great event has seized a public eager to enjoy this live music.
The support was total and it immediately positioned itself as the annual concert of the people of Puerto Rico and visitors from other countries.

Since its inception, the National Day of the Zalsa was dedicated to some figure of this genre, as a recognition of their talent and their roots in the public.

1984 – Dedicated in life to the Sonero Mayor, Ismael Rivera
1985 – Rafael Ithier of the Great Combo of Puerto Rico
1986 – Tito Puente and Santitos Colón
1987 – Hector Lavoe
1988 – Andy Montañez and Gilberto Santa Rosa
1989 – Celia Cruz and the Sonora Ponceña
1990 – Willie Colón and Tite Curet Alonso
1991 – Bobby Valentín, Oscar D’ León and the composer Gloria González.
1992 – For the Best 5 Trumpets of Puerto Rico: Elías Lopés, Charlie Sepúlveda, Juancito Torres, Mario Ortiz and Luis “Perico” Ortiz
1993 – Celebration of the Tenth Anniversary of the National Day of the Zalsa, dedicated to the Salsero People 1994 – Ray Barreto and Adalberto Santiago
1995 – “Sunset Duels”
1996 – Dedicated to reunions: Classic Ensemble, Tito Nieves, Luis “Perico” Ortiz and Rafael De Jesús, El Gran Combo; Andy Montañez and Roberto Rohena; Sonora Ponceña with Luigi Texidor and Yolanda Rivera.
1997 – To the salsa town
1998 – Jerry Masucci
1999 – Cheo Feliciano
2000 – Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz
2001 – Eddie Palmieri
2002 – Ruben Blades
2003 – Johnny Pacheco and Roberto Rohena
2004 – Quique Lucca, Papo Lucca and Willie Rosario
2005 – Tommy Olivencia and Roberto Angleró
2006 – Los Hermanos Lebrón and posthumous tribute to Charlie Palmieri, Tito Rodríguez and Ray Barretto
2007 – Ismael Miranda, Ramón Rodríguez, Raphy Leavitt and Sammy Marrero
2008 – Larry Harlow and Manny Oquendo
2009 – Celebration of the release of Tite Curet Alonso’s work on Puerto Rican radio. Dedicated to Louis Garcia.
2010 – Johnny Ortiz. Special recognition to Héctor Maisonave and Ángel Luis Córdova García “Paleco”.
2011 – Elvin Torres from Costa Brava, Luisito Ayala from Puerto Rican Power, Paquito Guzmán, Tito Allen and Luigi Texidor
2012 – Posthumous tribute to Frankie Ruiz. Dedicated to the Zodiac Orchestra and the Latin Corporation.
2013 – Posthumous tribute to Pedro Arroyo, former director of Z-93. Special recognition to Edwin Morales from La Mulenze, Pedro Brul, Pedro Conga from Orquesta Internacional and Cano Estremera.
2014 – El Gran Combo, Joe Rodríguez de La Terríca, Justo Betancourt and Meñique
2015 – Gilberto Santa Rosa receives the first National Zalsa Day Star Award. Dedicated to Sammy “Rolo” González, Mickey Cora, Nacho Sanabria.
2016 – Eddie Palmieri receives the second National Zalsa Day Star Award. Dedicated to Lalo Rodríguez and Tito Rojas.

National Zalsa Day 2020

On March 8, the 37th edition of the National Salsa Day will be held at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

We often hear that salsa in Puerto Rico is not having a good time or that the atmosphere is not what it used to be. However, each time before. However, every time National Salsa Day is announced, everything changes.

Those who live on the island rub their hands to wait for the big moment and those who arrive from abroad begin to check plane tickets and schedule a little vacation.

In 2020 it will not be the exception. The station Z93 announced a tremendous salsa billboard with Eddie Palmieri, Sonora Ponceña, Oscar D’ León, Ismael Miranda, Lalo Rodríguez and India.

In addition, Tony Vega, Ray de la Paz, Tito Rojas and NG2 have been confirmed as part of the great salsa party. This has caused fans on social networks to begin to express themselves with different opinions about the chosen artists.

Perhaps the balance tilts favorably towards the more classic salsa and not so much towards the proposals of the youngest (except NG2), but let’s see how this formula works for Zeta.

The Crazy Owl, a popular Puerto Rican radio host, announced that tickets can be purchased on the Ticket Center website (tcpr.com/). So you are already warned.

If you want to give yourself the pleasure of enjoying salsa on the Isla del Encanto itself, this may be your chance.

V.I.P platinum $225.00
Area / V.I.P
Open bar / open bar
Quick access / Fast Pass
Private bathrooms / private bathrooms
Official T-shirt / official t-shirt
V.I.P arena $75.00
Numbered seat / reserved seating
Quick access / fast pass
Private bathrooms / private bathrooms
General admission $15.00
Christmas offer only 1000 tickets

For more information:

Omar Lugo

North America / Puerto Rico / San Juan

Omar Lugo “Young Promise of the Juvenile and Romantic Salsa of Puerto Rico”

Omar Lugo - Puerto Rico — Omar Lugo – Puerto Rico

With a modern, restorative and very representative style, the talented Puerto Rican Omar Lugo arrived to reinforce Latin music, offering a trend with a youthful and urban touch; who in addition to being a singer and performer of various musical instruments, is a composer.

Lugo, is a native of the beautiful Caribbean municipality of Arroyo, belonging to the free state of Isla del Encanto, Puerto Rico. This promise of salsa, was born on November 23, 1993 and tells us that, from a very young age, he showed interest and ability to vocalize from the age of 15, when he began to educate himself and train musically in the band of his beloved town of Arroyo and later in adolescence, he accompanied artists of various musical genres in Borinquen.

Let’s see Omar, since when did you start in composition?

“Friend, that was the product of compiling various experiences that I had in love and coincidentally gave me the opportunity to compose my first song “Si supieras”, which I recorded when I was 15 years old, under the arrangement and production of my older brother. Jayson Lugo; serving all this experience to start my artistic career at the age of 17.

That song is a declaration of love, and many identify with it by being able to gather the feelings that a person inspires in you, If you knew, it had, by the way, a lot of radio success, it is a letter that I wrote from the heart”-. This is how he told us for International Salsa Magazine.

The young Puerto Rican, Omar, is characterized by fusing urban and electronic sounds that identify his style for “la salsa”.

Omar Lugo - Mexico Salsa Sabor — Omar Lugo – Mexico Salsa Sabor

In addition, he has shared stages with artists from his country as main singer and musician, such as: Fabián, Juan Vélez, Three Son Salsa, Kimary Carrero, Ricky Luis, Barreto y su Plena, Víctor Manuelle, N’Klabe, Tito Nieves, NG2 , Charlie Cruz, Ken-Y, Keykon, Pirulo, Frankie Negrón, Boni & Kelly, Planéalo, Oscarito, Aníbal de Gracia and many more.

It is noteworthy that Omar has a number 1 on the Billboard Charts (Tropical Charts), with the single “Amor de Verdad” by Charlie Cruz, being Omar Lugo, one of the youngest salseros in history to reach that position. in the musical genre “salsa”.

He adds that, in 2017, he performed at the “El Aniversario de la Salsa” event, at the Paquito Montaner stadium, in Ponce, before more than 15,000 spectators, receiving a standing ovation for his performance. Finally, he told us that he is currently recording his first record production under the direction of his brother Jay, a fundamental and key piece in his musical growth, by the way, winner of the 2018 Latin Grammy.

It was an honor to have in International Salsa Magazine, as a special guest, this talented Puerto Rican Omar Lugo, who has been demonstrating with his music, the interest of attracting young people to salsa with modern touches in his songs.

Salsa: From New York to the world!

North America – United States – New York

Last February we actively participated in different activities in New York, promoted by different instances and always supported from the Spanish Harlem Salsa Gallery Museum and The Johnny Cruz Show.

Johnny Cruz: We were part of the Somos Puerto Rico event, together with more than 25 artists and with the collaboration of La Boom, which allowed thousands of people to work for our island: Puerto Rico. There was a lot of music, and we were accompanied by artists such as Jova Rodríguez, Arlene, Roberto Vásquez, Anissa Gatners, Fernando Berniero, Alex Bautista, Jen Carrasco and Kevin Tapia, among others.

We also had typical food for sale and many initiatives aimed at saving so many lives in need. From this event we want to continue bringing families to the United States and they can be calm until they stop shaking in the south west of Puerto Rico. You are not alone!

In addition, we are working hard on a documentary about Frank Ferrer, always thinking of immortalizing figures that have consolidated Salsa in the world as a Latin genre of world projection.

Salsa, as you know, is a typically New York musical genre, the result of the influence of great Latin jazz musicians, and the existence of a youth of Latin origin born, or resident in New York, in slums where Salsa is the best expression, spiced up by the exile produced by the Cuban Revolution and the awareness of American racial minorities.

In 1964, Johnny Pacheco, a flutist of Dominican origin, and Jerry Masucci, a young businessman, founded the Fania label, which gave the old Latin labels, a more modern sense of Caribbean music. Musicians and singers of the previous generation were reinvented, but others were incorporated as a young Willie Colon, the Palmieri brothers, Eddy and Charlie; Papo Luca, Ray Barreto, Larry Harlow. And, there were also singers who put their voice to Salsa to tell stories of the street, daily or reflexive, that were the mirror of the life of the neighborhoods: Cheo Feliciano, Adalberto de Santiago, Andy Montáñez, the Ismaeles -Miranda and Ribera-, Justo Betancourt, Héctor Lavoe or Rubén Blades.

Johnny Cruz Salsa: From New York to the world!

The influence of the Cuban revolution had led composers and salsa musicians to become aware that it was necessary to compose songs that talked about what was happening in the streets from a critical perspective, giving way to a new salsa and foot reality for characters as Frank Ferrer started from folklore and protest to arrive at salsa mixing both concepts in an exemplary album: Yerbabuena. All this and much more can be enjoyed very soon.

For this month of March, Puerto Rico will organize the 1st World Salsa Collectors Meeting and of course we will be there representing New York with the Salsa Museum (SPAHA Salsa Gallery Museum). From March 7th, at least 15 organizations of this type of collector from seven countries will exhibit their collections of the Caribbean genre.

The collectors meeting will take place at the Sheraton Hotel, in Miramar, under the theme “La Salsa se baila así” and will be free admission. It will be attended by collectors from Puerto Rico, Colombia, Panama, Peru, Ecuador, Mexico and several cities in the United States.

That day will be the official release in LP format of the album “Mario Ortiz, 55 Aniversario”, nominated for the last edition of the Latin Grammys.

The event includes memorabilia exhibitors of legendary salsa artists such as Willie Rosario, Bobby Valentín, Roberto Roena o la Sonora Ponceña, as well as the Museo de la Salsa de Puerto Rico or the Fundación Nacional para la Cultura Popular.

Pieces from the Jairo Varela Museum, renowned deceased Colombian musician, whose orchestra Grupo Niche is still active and triumphing around the world will be presented. The writer Daniel Nina, will give a lecture about Salsa, and Puerto Rican dancer Tito Ortos will talk about the history of salsa dancing. We can enjoy live music with the group Cubaneo 54, and a great closing with the several times awarded Big Band of the Free School of Music of San Juan, directed by Professor Manuel García. See you there!

As always, remember that Spanish Harlem Salsa Gallery is in 1708 Lexington ave New York N.Y. 10029. Open free to the public all Thursdays & Fridays from 4 to 7 pm and Saturdays from 1 to 8 pm. Check the updates in our website: spahasalsagallery.com.

Johnny Cruz - Spaha Salsa Gallery — Johnny Cruz – Spaha Salsa Gallery

Also, The Johnny Cruz Show, the #1 Salsa Show on television on all 5 Boroughs of New York on CH67. Saturdays from 3:30 to 4:30 pm.

Contact: Johnny Cruz. 917-747-8505. [email protected].

By Johnny Cruz Correspondent, New York City, New York

Víctor Gabriel Rosario Durán

Latin America / San Juan / Puerto Rico

Many singers have passed through time in the world of music, this time we have the privilege of making our followers known to “Víctor Gabriel Rosario Durán“

Victor Gabriel "Mi Problema" — Victor Gabriel “Mi Problema”

Victor Gabriel Rosario Duran is a great singer and percussionist who was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico on June 27, who showed from a very young age a great interest in tropical genre music since he played drums with his father, who in turn was a percussionist, even with the passing of the years Víctor Gabriel with his sister imitated the Duet “Pimpinela”, making a waste of talents at family parties and at school, so his parents, seeing their son’s talent, decide to enroll him in the Ernesto Ramos Antonini free music school, entering through the percussion department.

During his studies at the music school, he took advantage of his free time to practice “singing” in the square and one day he caught the attention of one of the members of the Latin Revolution orchestra, being at that time of the school salsa orchestra, he was called to audition and was chosen as a singer.

By joining the orchestra they managed to win first places in the “Talent Shows” that they participated in and out of school; and over the years he creates his own orchestra where he manages to win first place as “Best Talent” in the school talent contest, as well as in many other “Talent Shows”. Then he went from percussionist to the singing curriculum to perfect his technique as a singer and from 1994 he joined the group “Caribe Tropical” of Mr. Jorge

At 21, he is part of the orchestra led by maestro Elías Lopés, where he recorded as the duo Gaby and Nelson. From the mid-1990s to the present day, Víctor Gabriel has been a singer, chorus girl and percussionist for local groups in Puerto Rico that make their presentations at the main hotels on the island, such as the Marriot Hotel, the now-defunct Hotel Cerro Mar de Dorado and Hotel San Juan, among others. He also continued his collaborations as a singer, backing vocalist and minor percussionist in Plena Libre, Tres Son Salsa, Zacandela, Atabal, the Orquesta La Offer. Don Perignon, and others.

Víctor Gabriel Rosario Duran participated for nine years as one of the main singers of the VSP Orchestra (Villariny Salsa Project), who performed in 2012 on the “National Salsa Day”, where he has had a great musical exposure enriching his extensive race; which has prepared him for what has been the dream of his life, his solo career. For the month of June 2019, Víctor Gabriel launches as a soloist with his first single “Mi Problema”, Salsa Version, which has been a resounding success on different stations worldwide.

Home Media Tour in Mexico and Colombia in its Caribbean Region visiting cities such as Barranquilla, Cartagena, Santa Marta, in the first one he appeared before a large audience LIVE in an activity called “HEROES IN COLOMBIA”, organized by the Military Police in the Battalion paradise, alternating with Chelito de Castro and Poncho Zuleta and which was covered by “EMISORA TROPICANA”.

He was also invited to participate in the “RANCHO CURRAMBERO INTERNACIONAL” in an event called “LA SALSA CONTINUES”, alongside great Colombian musicians such as Ray Palacio, Charlie Gómez, Nelson Fontalvo and Su Tribu Band among others. In less than four months, Víctor Gabriel was the winner with his song “Mi Problema” at the “Paoli Awards”, in the category “Salsa Revelation Artist 2019.”

On November 16, 2019, Víctor Gabriel Rosario Duran won the “Paoli Award”, “Salsa Revelation” in Orlando Florida.

Victor Gabriel Rosario Duran photo in concert

On February 14, he released his song “ASI ES EL AMOR” authored by master John Dávila, on all digital platforms and is taking possession of the different hit parades of stations in the world. Right now he is recording what will be his complete record work alongside prominent artists and musicians from Puerto Rico, such as Jay Lugo, the most important arranger on the island at the moment and who recently won “Grammy” awards with different artists, Omar Lugo and Luis Omar salseros of the new blood of salsa, John Pito Dávila, trombonist and director of different orchestras such as Puerto Rico Power, The John Dávila Orchestra and his Koketones de la Salsa, Viti Ruiz among others.

“What we are sure of is that Víctor Gabriel Rosario Duran, singer and percussionist, is a Boricua who makes his way safely into the Salsa of the new generation.”