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Mambo Coffee
Latin America / Ecuador / Quito
Mambo Coffee. One year playing El Ritmo

We are talking about the fashionable nightlife space in Quito, a space dedicated to dancing, enjoyment and the city’s nightlife. From its tropical image that clearly denotes its dedication to Latin music, to its context, it calls you to have a good time, with family, friends and in the company of a good musical selection.
In a short time, the Mambo, as it is known, has achieved an important link between all the dance schools in the city, sometimes being the meeting place for these dance professionals. For everyone’s benefit we have bachata and salsa Wednesdays, classic salsa Thursdays and Fridays and tropical Saturdays where we can listen to a musical variety that manages to absorb a very heterogeneous audience.

Michell Castillo, manager, expresses to us, “…the concept of Mambo Café is aimed at a Latin public, salsero, who wants to enjoy a good bar.” Concept that day after day continues to be rooted in the visiting public. “… the name arose from the need for something multicolored for a salsa bar, the conditions of the premises allowed the designer to play with colors and structures that will speak for themselves.” It is striking to see a column decorated with acetate discs, murals and paintings in the best Caribbean style.
We had the experience of collecting impressions from many of the city’s dancers, all express the good atmosphere that is lived in this beautiful place, these institutions have had their doors open to celebrate their anniversaries, special parties, closing of the year and other festive occasions. thanks to the great opportunities that the bar offers us.

The recommendation is to try the range of cocktails, delight yourself with the flavored Margarita, a huge glass that you will surely taste with great fascination, not to mention the Maracuya mojitos and the bulldog tequila that surprises you with a corona beer among the decoration, all a show. The Mambo is still waiting for everyone’s visit, from Wednesday to Saturday making the bailadera fashionable in Quito.
It is located on Ave. Cristóbal Colón, Quito 170517, Ecuador where you can contact them through: Facebook: MamboCafeQuito Email: [email protected] Telephone: +593 2-223-1249

“Orquesta Zodiac” Its name came about due to the fact that in the early 70’s the ‘Walter Mercado’ program and the Zodiacal Signs were all the rage
In June 1971 what we know today as the Zodiac Orchestra was organized in the town of Loíza. Its name came about due to the fact that in the early 1970’s the Walter Mercado and the Zodiacal Signs program, which was broadcast on Channel 2 in Puerto Rico, was in vogue.
Tony Escobar’s uncle (the orchestra’s declamationist) suggested the name because it was an eye-catching and “new” name.
The Zodiac Orchestra was organized with members of a group called Loíza Power directed at that time by Paquito Pérez, who was 14 years old. In addition, it was nurtured with the best musicians of Loíza Sound of Javier Calcaño.

The idea of recruiting these musicians was Paquito’s, since he grew up with José Luis Vizcarrondo and Tony Escobar.
Through Loiceño composers Carlos José Cirino (Tata) and Floren Ayala, the recording was achieved, as they approached Dario Gonzalez of Borinquen Record who contributed to make possible the release of the first 45 and LP. Tata’s “El Adiós” and José Feliciano’s “Las Costumbres” (1971) were part of this musical proposal that was very well received by the public.
This album became one of the best selling LPs. Other musical proposals of the group that would become hits were: “Panteón de Amor” by Angel Laureano (1973), “Sinceridad” by Samuel Cirino, “Mi Guitarra” by Angel Laureano, among others. These great hits are frequently requested today on the Salsa Z-93 radio station.
After the initial success, many of the musicians dedicated themselves to work and to finish their studies, since they were married and were looking for security and economic stability for their respective families.
The Zodiac had the opportunity to travel to different cities in the United States such as: Boston, Connecticut, Philadelphia, New York, among others. They also traveled to other countries such as Colombia and others.

During these years, several orchestras were at their peak, such as: La Fania, La Selecta, Lebron Brother, La Corporación Latina, El Gran Combo, La Lupe, Chivirico Davila, Bobby Valentín, Tomy Olivencia, Ismael Miranda, Ricardo Rey, Roberto Rohena, Roberto Anglero, Justo Betancourt, among others.
In 1997 Paquito decided to retake and regroup the orchestra, and for some years he dedicated himself to reunite with the musicians and organize them again.
In 1999 he managed to restart La Orquesta Zodiac at the Z-95 festival in Mayagüez. Later they performed at the National Salsa Day dedicated to Cheo Feliciano in 1998.
These two presentations were made at the invitation of Pedro Arroyo (director of Z-93) to Paquito, and were a great success. El Gran Combo, Rubén Blades, Jimmy Zabater, La Solución, among others, also played in the tribute to Cheo.
The members of the current orchestra are young, and most of them were music students of Paquito Pérez, who worked as a music teacher for 30 years in the town of Loíza (before retiring).
José Luis Vizcarrondo, Tony Escobar and Paquito Pérez were schoolmates for years. The director of the orchestra in the beginning was José Luis, also collaborating with him were Tony Escobar (saxophonist and declamation player), Freddy Ayala (conguero) and Paquito Pérez (singer). All of them contributed ideas for the arrangements. Currently Víctor Pérez (Paquito’s brother) is the director of the wind section.

In 2010 the orchestra played in the National Salsa Day and in 2012 the orchestra played again in the same activity, but this time the activity was dedicated to La Orquesta Zodiac and La Corporación Latina. In which Z-93 gave them a well-deserved recognition and Paquito, José L, Tony, Tata, Laureano, and the rest of the new members of the orchestra were present.
Currently the orchestra meets periodically to practice, and are available for all kinds of activities.
Did you know that…! In June 1971 what we know today as the “Zodiac Orchestra” was organized in the town of Loíza in Puerto Rico. Its name came about due to the fact that in the early 70’s the program “Walter Mercado” and the Zodiacal Signs, which was broadcasted on channel 2 in Puerto Rico, was in fashion. Tony Escobar’s uncle (declamationist of the orchestra) suggested the name because it was a striking and “new” name …Referring to the image of the post belongs to the second production of this Puerto Rican group entitled “Spiritual Beauty Vol. II” published in 1973 under the label “Horóscopo Récord” and directed by the founder, arranger, pianist and saxophonist Mr. José Luis Vizcarrondo. It is worth mentioning that this production includes the classics: Montuno de Oriente, Vicio de Amor and Belleza Espiritual”. Another important fact about the group is that it is still in force with musicians of the new generation, but with the same Swing and musical concept.

It is worth mentioning that the main responsible for making Orquesta Zodiac publicly known in Venezuela, Latin America and the Caribbean was Mr. Ali Delgado. Mr. Ali Delgado, for the year 1985 under the record label Performance Records, Delgado comments in detail that for the date of publication of this production the only popular sector (neighborhood) of Caracas where the Zodiac Orchestra was known was in Pinto Salinas.

Delgado is a music producer, music lover, collector, director and founder of the projects Salsa de La Mata and Jazz con Clave in Caracas.

Also Read: Sessions from La Loma brings together salsa fans from all over the world in Puerto Rico
Charlie Haden was an extraordinary double bassist and composer who was a key figure in the history of modern jazz.
Double bassist and composer extraordinaire, Charlie Haden (Shenandoah, Iowa, August 6, 1937 – Los Angeles, California, July 11, 2014).
Charlie Haden began his professional activity in 1959 with Ornette Coleman’s quartet, a key figure in the history of modern jazz, and very soon began to investigate in that direction that Coleman initiated known as free jazz.
In that context, Charlie Haden participated in the recording baptism of that movement with the album recorded on May 22, 1959 for the Atlantic label and entitled: “The Shape of Jazz to Come” with the invaluable collaboration of Don Cherry, another incomparable musician and leader together with Coleman of that revolutionary musical movement that still lasts today.

Charlie Haden in 1960 participated with another double bass player, Scott LaFaro in an operatic manifesto entitled: “Free Jazz” of whom both were distinguished representatives in their instrument.
In 1964 he worked with Denny Zeitin’s trio and in 1966 he returned with Ornette Coleman while expanding his performance area with collaborations left and right.
In these areas he stood out for his participation in the work, studio and recording meetings of the “Jazz Composer’s Orchestra” and in 1969 he was finally able to realize a wish he had been pursuing for years: to record his first album under his own name with the Liberation Music Orchestra.
With original arrangements by Carla Bley, the music of the Liberation also stood out for the political character of the songs, being the first time that, in that context, a jazz group echoed the popular songs alluding to the Republican side of the Spanish Civil War.
After the album recorded by Impulse in 1976 entitled: “Song for Che” in homage to Ernesto Che Guevara, Charlie Haden formed with Don Cherry, the quartet “Old and New Dreams” with which he toured throughout Europe, Asia and North America. At the end of the eighties, Charlie Haden elaborates a new musical discourse within the framework of his new formation entitled “Quartet West”.
The founding album of this new discourse was an extraordinary album generically entitled “Quartet West”, a musical manifesto of great beauty and one of the essential albums of contemporary jazz. From 1990 onwards, Charlie Haden explores more intimate jazz universes, introducing the duo format into his discourse.

In this context, the musician explores himself in the composition and his relaxation together with the other protagonist discovers us a music of great inventiveness, clean in the execution and approached from a purely instrumental point of view.
This is how on Thursday, November 14, 2002, Charlie Haden appears in Seville at the Central Theater with the master of the guitar, Jim Hall to offer a portentous concert, full of sensitivity, art and talent.
Fortunately Apoloybaco was present that magical night in Seville and Charlie Haden is still making music of the highest level. ~ (apoloybaco)
Charlie Haden teams up again with the young Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba in this melancholic and relaxing album. Ignacio Berroa on drums and percussion completes the main trio.
Special guests include tenor saxophonists Joe Lovano and David Sánchez, violinist Federico Britos Ruiz and guitarist Pat Metheny (one track only).

Rubalcaba contributes orchestrations on two tracks, both of which omit drums and percussion. Haden’s intention is to explore the bolero, a distinctive Latin dance rhythm that Ignacio Berroa accentuates with a soft, subtle snare drum roll, played with brushes, that begins on the “y” of the first beat of the measure and ends on the second.
This rhythm is perfect for a slow dance and, in fact, the whole album is very romantic, with bittersweet melodies and lilting cadences.
The only problem is that Berroa’s bolero figure is present on almost every track, perhaps what you would expect from a bolero album, but there is no getting around the fact that the music sounds pretty much the same on every track.
(To be fair, Berroa is not the only one guilty of uniformity.) Most of the songs, except for two Haden originals and one by Rubalcaba, are Cuban and Mexican standards, and they are beauties. Haden’s reluctance to mess with them is understandable.

But the arrangements, always straightforward, fade too easily into the background.
Nocturne may be the best music for a candlelit dinner party, but Haden and his guests are capable of much more. David R. Adler.
Charlie Haden – Nocturne (2001)
Temas:
01. En La Orilla Del Mundo (At The Edge Of The World) (Martin Rojas)
02. Noche De Ronda (Night Of Wandering) (Maria Teresa Lara)
03. Nocturnal (Sabre Marroquin/José Mojica)
04. Moonlight (Claro De Luna) (Charlie Haden)
05. Yo Sin Ti (Me Without You) (Arturo Castro)
06. No Te Empeñes Mas (Don’t Try Anymore) (Marta Valdès)
07. Transparence (Gonzalo Rubalcaba)
08. El Ciego (The Blind) (Armando Manzanero)
09. Nightfall (Charlie Haden)
10. Tres Palabras (Three Words) (Osvaldo Farrès)
11. Contigo En La Distancia·En Nosotros (With You In The Distance·In Us) (Cèsar Portillo De La Luz/Tania Castellanos)
Músicos:
Charlie Haden (Bajo)
Gonzalo Rubalcaba (Piano, Orquestación)
Ignacio Berroa (Percusión, Batería)
Joe Lovano (Saxo tenor en temas #1, #4, #7, #11)
David Sánchez (Saxo tenor en temas #6, #10)
Pat Metheny (Guitarra acústica en tema #2)
Federico Ruiz (Violín en temas #1, #5, #8)
Grabado del 27 al 31 de agosto de 2000 en Criteria / The Hit Factory Studios, Miami, FL.

Research Sources:
Also Read: Andy Gonzalez started as a musician at the age of 13 in the Latin Jazz Quintet in New York
Maite Hontele in CONCERT!
Europe / France / Utrecht
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!
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.
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. 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 Hontele is not only an amazing trumpeter, but also a great singer and composer. We are glad to be part of his musical journey.























