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Search Results for: Rumba
Here we have Salseros With Attitude
Alex, Jairo, and Andrés in Canadá
Salseros With Attitude is a salsa band based in Toronto, Canada, whose Latin music scene is gaining strength as the years go by.
We got to work and contact these talented young people to learn about the band’s history and what their lives have been in the North American country with the profession they are in.
We spoke with Alex Naar, Jairo Acuña and Andrés Magno, who had a lot of highly valuable information to provide to this conversation about music and Latin culture in general. Here are the most relevant details of the interview with three of the main members of Salseros With Attitude.
How Alex and Jairo started in music
August 10, 2023 was the day chosen to meet with these musicians via Zoom and the first to speak was Alex Naar, saxophonist and vocalist of Salseros With Attitude, who greeted us and welcomed the opportunity to talk to International Salsa Magazine.
When asked about the group’s beginnings and how its members met, Jairo Acuña, the orchestra’s conguero and percussionist, indicated that, in his own personal case, his first steps in music were through the saxophone, an instrument that brought him closer to what would become his great passion decades later.
The musician said that he always liked rumba and salsa percussion, which led his parents to believe that a pair of conga drums would be a very fitting present for their young son, and well, they were right. In addition to the congas, there were other percussion instruments he learned to play in church, which served as stepping stones for Jairo to further advance his career.
Another great stepping stone in his musical growth was the Cuban teacher and musician Jorge Luis Torres ”Papiosco”, who was one of his great mentors and taught Jairo everything he knew, to the point that today he still has much respect for him and considers him an important reference to follow
As was the case with Jairo, Alex also learned a lot about music in church, but he turned to guitar playing. His big leap to professional music was a friend of his who invited him to join a merengue group, a genre he had never played before in his life. However, he accepted the challenge with the best of mind and began formally studying music to acquire the academic knowledge he knew he would need later on.
Later, Alex made the leap to playing and doing backing vocals in the salsa genre, which is still his greatest specialty. He said laughing that many of those who know him would never think that he started in this world with merengue, but he is very glad he did, since today his greatest passion is also his profession.
Beginnings of Salseros With Attitude
As for the beginnings of Salseros With Attitude, Alex let us know that a DJ who was a great friend of them, Oscar Betancourt, connected them with the hip-hop group Los Poetas, which offered them to serve as a backing band for some of its live events.
By having to play together with this and other bands, Alex, Jairo and Andres noted that they had much chemistry between them and got along very well musically speaking, so they decided to form their own group to see how it went.
Then, Andres, who had just joined the Zoom meeting, was the one who gave the band the name of ”Salseros With Attitude”. The Uruguayan-born Canadian drummer and multi-percussionist, who inherited Uruguayan music and values from his parents, entered the artistic world with typical and folkloric orchestras during his teenage years, until he discovered that his thing was Latin American tropical music, more specifically salsa.
After traveling to several stages and performing in activities together, they ended up being part of an orchestra and a very strong brotherhood that holds them together.
Why Canada?
When we wanted to know why they chose Canada as the place to establish their orchestra, Andrés laughs and says that he had no choice, since his parents moved there. It was the country where he was born and where he has always lived.
Jairo, for his part, was born in Panama, but he had no choice either because his parents moved to Canada when he was only seven years old. Although he is extremely proud of both nations and always mentions them when asked where he is from, he emphasizes that he was raised in a Latino household with Latino values in which the Spanish language was never lost.
Alex was born in Panama, but also points out that his parents decided to move to Canada and he has been living there ever since.
while the decision to make life in Canada was not taken by them, the three artists keep living there by choice and every day they thank their parents for choosing this destination, otherwise they would not have had the opportunities they have both personally and professionally.
Original music and covers
Most of the time, the music and arrangements come from Alex’s ingenuity, but there is no lack of good ideas and contributions from Jairo and Andrés in order to beautify and improve the work already done. However, there are times when the last two can have a specific idea with which Alex, in his words, ”plants the seed” to grow a beautiful oak tree.
The Panamanian artist highlighted Andres’ role with regard to covers and they two make the necessary arrangements so that their versions are not remotely similar to the original songs.
He also revealed that one of the soon-to-be-released songs was written by the singer of Salseros With Attitude, Venezuelan Albany Caldera. The lyrics are hers and it was Alex who created the musical arrangement.
Event planning and music classes
The planning of events has not been a simple matter, since the members of Salseros With Attitude know that they are in a very competitive environment with many groups and few festivals and places to play. That is why they are always in search of opportunities outside those spaces such as corporate events, weddings and other shows not included in the world of entertainment. That has led them to opt for the production of events focused on these more private activities.
As regards the teaching of music, they have been blessed with the possibility of going to schools to perform for children in a dynamic and interactive way. They also get used to covering children’s songs in salsa and cha cha chá so that the little ones feel connected and identified with what they hear and, therefore, learn in a simpler and more friendly way.
Conclusions
After having listened carefully to each of the interventions, it is evident that these young musicians have a very powerful brotherhood and are in sync with one another.
It is really admirable that they know and feel how special they are compared to other groups of this kind and that trust has led them to the success and popularity they have achieved over the years.
From International Salsa Magazine, we wish them the best and hope that Salseros With Attitude keeps growing to infinity in all possible areas and takes Latin culture to the top.
Read also: Founder and owner of Guapacha Productions Gil Tower
Betsy Colombian Salsa, Bolero and Son Cubano Singer
Betsy, Colombian singer who began her career at the age of 17, in Bucaramanga in the tropical genre.
She is part of the most recognized orchestras of her region, standing out as one of the most powerful voices of the genre.
She recorded with local orchestras, tropical productions and at the same time consolidated as a commercial voice.
Her love for salsa, bolero and son has led her to belong to important orchestras such as RUMBATA directed by maestro Edwin Rey and LA JOHND BAND directed by JOHN DENNIS ESCOBAR from Cali.
Betsy records with the maestro Edwin Rey, the album “SINCERIDAD”, interpreting in the single PROMESAS, she a song called MI CUMBIA, composed by MARIO ENCALADA, CHILENO and Colombian folklor is heard again with a young and modern oxygen.
In 2020, she recorded the single “SENTIR”, original arrangements of You Salsa de Perú, generating a very positive result to the ear of the public lover of romantic salsa.
In 2021, with the help of producer ALBERTO RUEDA and MS PRODUCCIONES, he releases the album “Una vida de Son”, composed of 10 salsa hits, among which stand out: (Los olores del amor, Siempre Seré, Si te Preguntan, Caretas), in a new, fresh version with that wonderful Cuban touch.
With this album, she was nominated as best female singer SALSA, in the last edition of the CRISTO REY Awards, in the city of CALI, which took place on October 21, 2021.
In 2022, she released the album esencia, sabor y son, which contains 10 tracks of emblematic salsa songs, in Cuban son version, such as DIME POR QUÉ, CASI TE ENVIDIO and with an interesting bet on the songs YA LO SE and UN SUEÑO y NADA MÁS, by Calle Real and Polo Montañez respectively.
At the end of 2022, she won the PANORAMA DE PLATA AWARD, as PERSON OF THE YEAR IN SANTANDER, for her outstanding musical performance during the year and for taking the Department to other regions of the country.
For 2023, the album “YO SOY” is released, which contains the title “Si ya no estás”, written by maestro Jorge del Valle, Cuban composer, with arrangements by maestro Alberto Ardila Rueda and recorded in the studios of MS PRODUCCIONES in Bucaramanga.
In addition, this musical cut is part of the new record production entitled “Yo Soy Betsy”, which has several songs such as: “Caballo Viejo”, “Cuando”, “El Me Mintió”, “Manantial de Corazón”, “Mentira”, “No Sabes Como Duele”, “Que Suene Mi Campana”, “Que Vas Hacer”, “Yo Quisiera” and “Si Ya no Estas”.
Betsy, Colombian singer of SALSA, BOLERO Y SON CUBANO presents her album “YO SOY BETSY”.
Betsy Moreno, Colombian singer, specialist in Bolero, Salsa and Son Cubano, launches her album: “YO SOY”, which contains the title: “Si ya no estas”, written by maestro Jorge del Valle, Cuban composer, with arrangements by maestro Alberto Ardila Rueda and recorded in the studios of MS PRODUCCIONES Bucaramanga – Santander – Colombia.
“Si Ya No Estas” is a romantic song arranged by Alberto Ardila Rueda, a song for lovers of romantic son.
In addition, this song is part of the new record production called “Yo Soy Betsy”, which has several songs such as: “Caballo Viejo, “Cuando”, “El Me Mintió”, “Manantial de corazones”, “Mentira”, “No Sabes Como Duele”, “Que Suene Mi Campana”, “Que Vas Hacer”, “Yo Quisiera” and “Si Ya No Estás”. This is a highly recommended production for lovers of good music and is already available on all streaming platforms.
Follow BETSY MORENO’s career on her social networks and all digital platforms.
Instagram: @betsycantanteoficial
Facebook: betsycantantebucaramanga
Youtube: Betsy Cantante Oficial
Tik Tok: @betsycantanteoficial
Twitter: @betsycantanteoficial
E-mail: [email protected]
Contacts and Bookings: + 57 316 6348316
Also Read: Henry Benavides surprises with “Por Cuenta Propia,” his new project
Humberto Ramírez
Latin America/ Puerto Rico / San Juan
Humberto Ramírez one of the most innovative musicians on the Island of Enchantment Puerto Rico
Recognized as one of the most innovative musicians of his generation, Humberto Ramírez grew up in a home where the music of Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Lee Morgan, Tito Puente, Tito Rodríguez, Cal Tjader and Machito was heard.
His father, who is a saxophonist and conductor, was the one who inspired him to play the flugelhorn at age 11.
By the age of 14, Humberto was performing professionally with his father’s orchestra and at the same time taking orchestration courses with bassist Inocencio “Chencho” Rivera.
At the age of 18, after graduating from the Escuela Libre de Música de San Juan, his interest in composing and arranging music motivated him to enroll at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in music, then studied composition and orchestration for film and television at the Dick Grove School of Music in Los Angeles, California.
In 1985, and for a period of four years, Humberto worked with the Willie Rosario orchestra, one of the most popular bands in Puerto Rico.
In 1989 he became the musical director of Tony Vega.
His admirable ability as a producer and arranger led him to make important collaborations with great figures in music.
In 1999 he took over the musical direction of merengue and tropical music star Olga Tañón.
His work as a producer, arranger, composer and director for tropical music artists such as Willie Colón, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Marc Anthony, India, Domingo Quiñones, Lourdes Robles, Rubén Blades, Brenda K. Starr, Tito Nieves, Víctor Manuelle and others , has established him as one of the busiest arrangers and producers in the industry.
He has also had the responsibility of directing the concerts of important exponents of reggaeton such as Daddy Yankee, Tito El Bambino and Zion, which undeniably demonstrates his broad musical mastery in various genres.
His great dream was always to develop a career in Jazz. In 1992, Humberto Ramírez debuted as group leader in his first production for the Tropijazz label entitled “Jazz Project”.
Since then he has shared the stage with important jazz musicians such as Freddie Hubbard, Justo Almario, Alex Acuña, Chick Corea, McCoy Tyner, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Tito Puente, Hilton Ruiz, Michel Camilo, Herbie Hancock, Eddie Gómez, Michael Brecker, Paquito D ‘Rivera, Chucho Valdés, Ray Santos, Gato Barbieri, Terence Blanchard and Herb Alpert, with whom he recorded the album “Passion Dance”.
His music has received rave reviews from prestigious publications such as Down Beat, Jazz Times, Jazziz, Latin Beat, CD Review, Hispanic Magazine, New York Daily News, The Plain Dealer, Miami Herald, The Boston Globe, and Austin Chronicle.
From the launch of his first record proposal, Humberto Ramírez has established himself as the most important exponent and promoter of Jazz in Puerto Rico.
He has recorded 26 albums in which he has experimented with all kinds of formats: duets, trios, quartets, quintets, sextets, octets and “Big Bands”.
His collaborations with the group Rumbantela and with the queen of filin, Lucy Fabery have received great praise from specialized critics. In 2005 he founded his own record label, Nilpo Music and last year he began to present his own Jazz festival: Puerto Rico Jazz Jam, marking a new stage in his musical career.
This year 2011 celebrates its 20 years cultivating the difficult expression of Jazz, a career that began with its debut as a leader in the first edition of the Puerto Rico Heineken Jazz Fest in June 1991. This year 2016 celebrates its 25 years.
Humberto Ramírez has received 4 Grammy Award nominations as a producer. His first nomination was for the album “Nueva Cosecha” by Willie Rosario in 1985, then for “Hecho en Puerto Rico” by Willie Colón in 1993, “Tony Vega” in 1996 and “Olga Viva, Viva Olga” by Olga Tañón, which earned him the Grammy Award in 2000.
In 2013 he was nominated for a Latin Grammy for his album Sentimentales with Lucy Fabery.
Among the awards he has received are 6 Platinum records, 12 Gold records, 4 “Visionary Awards” and six “Tu Música” awards. He has received tributes from Ohio State Representative Dennis J. Kucinich and from the Senate of Puerto Rico.
In 1997 he had the honor of entertaining the inauguration of the President of the United States, Bill Clinton in Washington, D.C. In October 2009 he was invited to play at the White House for President Barack Obama.
After having received several awards and nominations, as well as having recorded his own record successes, Humberto Ramírez shows that his creative explosion is still in its infancy.
https://www.humbertoramirez.com/#home-section
https://www.facebook.com/Humberto-Ram%C3%ADrez-Jazz-Project-110525453672/
José Madera Niño & his 3rd his World
Latin América / Venezuela / Caracas
José Madera Niño “The records and the radio were my first teachers”
Soon he will premiere his second production entitled Matices, with the promotional song Canta Sonero.
A creator, a great human being, this is José Madera Niño, this Colombian-Venezuelan musician, self-taught, percussionist, composer and plastic artist; who after participating in different groups decides to form his own Orchestra, José Madera Niño & 3er Mundo, assures that his passion for music began when he was very young, following the example of his father, uncle and his older brothers, defines his songs as “simple and diaphanous”. He confesses that our salsa genre, “needs to feed on new things, unpublished songs, in short, proposals, and that the music lover is the one who decides if it is good or not”; As the chorus of one of their songs says, let them be the ones to speak and express their emotions.
His first record production De amor, desamor y rumba, contains 8 songs, of which 6 are his own, with the participation of leading Venezuelan musicians; in this work he presents us with an innovative style, where he sings to love, to spite and invites us to dance to the rhythm of the conga that is in fashion. In each composition, everyday life is reflected, the adventures and misadventures that music lovers make their own, a work made of guava trees and poetic joys.
Soon he will launch his second record production with a very striking name; Nuances, something that in his words “makes him very happy”, where there is no doubt, his gift as an artist will be present and a motley of musicians with a great career who will put the final touch on his new production.
How did you start in music?
“I remember that at the age of seven, I was drawing a lot, on paper, on the walls and on whatever came my way. My older brothers already showed an interest in music, so instruments began to arrive at the house. While I drew they practiced and when they went to school I took possession of a drum and a radio, I tried to accompany all the rhythms I heard on the stations”.
Was your training professional or are you a self-taught musician?
“Autodidact. I entered the school of plastic arts, to study drawing and painting, at the age of fourteen. There I saw nine subjects, also I started at the high school where I saw nine more subjects, so there was no space to study music. I listened to a lot, yes. Records and the radio were my first teachers”.
Tell us about your experience with Orlando Poleo?
“In a self-taught way, almost without realizing it, I began to play with different groups and orchestras, I was already in trouble, so on the fly, I decided to take theory and solfeggio classes at the headquarters of the Musical Association. On a Caracas night I was playing with La Orquesta Ideal and there I met Williams Hernández -Percussionist and manufacturer of Latin percussion instruments-. It was he who recommended that I attend the workshop in Sarria where the teacher Orlando Poleo taught. The experience there at the beginning was a bit traumatic because although I already had time playing congas, I didn’t have the ideal technique. I had to get rid of what I learned on my own and put new ways into practice. It was not easy but I am very grateful to have passed through the school of Grand Master Poleo”.
Where does your musical vein and passion for painting come from?
“My father was a bolero singer back in his native Colombia, my uncle was a guitarist. That’s where the taste for music comes from.”
What motivated you to make your first production, in a market so Competitive and often poorly supported by the media?
“I was motivated by a passion for music and by that need to contribute at least one point of view, a way of doing things. For example, I think that this genre that we love, called Salsa, needs to feed on new things, unpublished songs, in short, proposals and that it is the music lover who decides if it is good or not”.
What is the reason for the name of the group; 3rd world?
“That’s where we are, that’s where we come from. This is how they classified the countries of our region and we assumed them without complexes or pride. I think it’s just a title that doesn’t detract from our ability to do great things. Baptizing the band with that name was an act of rebellion, it shows a little that despite many limitations we are capable of making quality music”.
Why the name De Amor, Desamor y Rumba?
“There were many hours of recording, then editing, then came the art of the album and when we were already finalizing details, a doubt assailed me, I thought: Isn’t the selection going to be very rockolera? I started to review the production and I realized that it was balanced. We sing to spiteful love and I think it’s very danceable. From there the title was born: “Of love, lack of love and rumba”.
What inspired you to write 6 songs of your first production?
“The need to do unpublished things, on the other hand I didn’t know so many composers who wanted to risk their songs in a novel production. The language of my songs is simple and diaphanous”.
Which of the themes do you identify with, and why?
I like them all.
How would you define the 3rd world style and how do you get there?
“It’s just Salsa, without a “surname”, as it was before. It’s not erotic Salsa or hard Salsa or Nothing Salsa… Just dance music”.
Any relationship with the percussionist José Madera -the one from Tito Puente-?
“Only immense admiration for his work and the fact that like him I play percussion and have the same first and last name.”
Have you ever been interested in another musical style?
“I listen to almost everything and in my career I have had the opportunity to play other popular music rhythms such as merengue, cumbia, vallenato.”
An artist you admire?
“There are many whom I admire, it would be unfair to name just one.”
What inspires you to write a song about love or heartbreak?
“Both, in addition to the simple, everyday things.”
Define yourself in one sentence?
Creator
How does the soul see through painting or music?
The soul sees and manifests itself in the purest and most honest way through art. Call it painting, music or another related manifestation.
Tell us about your 2nd production, who participates in it?
This is something that makes me very happy because we are giving the last brushstrokes, soon, very soon my dear friends will know about this work. There are many guests.
Why nuances?
Precisely because of the variety of its guests.