Search Results for: Salsa Music

Ángel “Cucco” Peña and a great legacy

Cucco Peña has donated his emblematic tuxedo to the Spanish Harlem Salsa Gallery Museum

By Johnny Cruz

News from NY City

Who is Cucco Peña

The emblematic tuxedo — Ángel “Cucco” Peña

On September 1, 1948, Angel ‘Cucco’ Peña was born, someone who from elementary school showed his interest in music and as the years passed, showed that there were little flashes of that brilliant talent he had. His talent and passion were aligned, so he always spent his life surrounded by music. Today he could be considered an icon of Latin music thanks to his achievements as an artist and thanks to everything he offered to the industry; he has managed to trace a career full of successes, one that today continues to inspire many people.

Peña’s talent led him to interact in many music-related activities, not only did he graduate from the Puerto Rico Music Conservatory, but also, after graduation, he joined the Pan-American Orchestra, starting with what would be a career full of reached goals. In the orchestra, he would familiarize himself with many different styles that would help him as a musician, since in the orchestra he played a wide variety of music, from bolero, blues and jazz, to pop and even rock.

Cucco Peña’s path

Cucco Peña is a great artist

Cucco left the band and began to trace his own path with everything he learned, he didn’t just become a music director, but a producer, composer, and arranger for many internationally famous artists such as: Ricky Martin, Chayanne, Ricardo Arjona, Olga Tañon, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Luis Fonsi, Franco de Vita and many other artists; despite each artist’s very different styles, Peña’s talent has allowed him to understand perfectly what all of them needed. In his own words, “it is important to see that music has three perspectives: the artist perspective, the company’s perspective, and my own.” Finding a perfect harmony between these three perspectives, Peña has participated in the creation of great themes.

Achievements

The North American has not only managed to collaborate with a large number of renowned artists, but has also achieved a lot of recognition for his work, he is a two times Grammy winner, the first is the Grammy for the best tropical album contra la corriente, Marc Anthony’s album (1999), the second is Latin Grammy for best musical production, this thanks to Olga Tañón’s album, Yo por ti. Grammy is not the only award he has won, he also received a total of 60 Cuspide awards and 40 Addy awards, plus 20 awards from the New York Theater Festival and an “Agüeybaná de Oro” for Director of the Year.

The awards are not everything, he has been both the director and the composer of the Central American games’ opening and closing ceremonies, and the composer of two movie soundtracks (“La Gran Fiesta” and “Nicolás y Los Demás”); Plus, he has produced more than 100 compositions, not to mention that he also worked as a producer for important figures in the industry, such as Lunna, Jerry Rivera, Chayanne, and many others.

Without a doubt, Ángel “Cucco” Peña is a very important figure for the industry, and after a long career dedicated to music, he has shown that his talent is worthy of being recognized.

The invitation to tune in to the new Fm / Internet radio station on Live365.com: Salsagallery continues. Great music, artist interviews and much more.

At the Spanish Harlem Salsa Gallery Museum we are happy to affirm that New York City is preparing to resume its activities little by little. We hope to have more news soon and that we can return to normal soon.

The Museum is open free to the public. We wait for you!

José Madera Timbal de Machito and his Afro-Cubans, Tito Puente, Mambo Legends Orchestra and Fania Record Co.

The musician, arranger and composer who has yet to find the time to record and write music for some of the most influential bands in existence.

José Madera, Timbal of Machito and his Afro-Cubans, Tito Puente & Fania All-Stars — osé Madera, born on September 30th

One might think that working for Tito Puente’s famous band can keep a percussionist busy enough.

But musician, arranger and composer Jose Madera had found time to record and write music for some of the most influential bands in the world.

Before joining Tito Puente over 35 years ago, Madera played for four years with the famous Machito Orchestra and recorded with many R&B artists (including James Brown, Diana Ross, David Sanborn and Aztec Two – Step).

Jose musical director of Mambo Legends Orchestra

As an arranger for Fania Records, he participated in several commercial hits, and over the years has composed music for Fania All-Stars, Larry Harlow, Johnny Pacheco, Willie Colón and Celia Cruz.

Despite having recorded some 75 albums in 20 years, as well as numerous radio jingles and movie soundtracks, Madera still had time for his other career: for 15 years he worked as a teacher and director at a privately funded performing arts high school in New York City.

Jose has written many arrangements for countless commercial Latino artists and has also recorded or worked with many of them.

Some of them include: Larry Harlow, Johnny Pacheco, Chico O’Farill, the Lincoln Center Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra, Celia Cruz, Tito Rodriguez, Fania All-Stars, Willie Colon, Joe Farrell, Machito, Graciela, Mario Bauzá, Willie Rosario, Earl Klughand, Eddie Palmieri, to name a few. Jose also worked and recorded with many pop, R&B and jazz artists.

Some of them include Diana Ross, James Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, Paquito D’Rivera, George Benson and Lionel Hampton, among others.

Jose has participated in over 250 recordings. He has worked on several television show soundtracks, including The Simpsons, and several film soundtracks, including The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love, where he was the musical arranger and conductor for the Tito Puente film segment.

Jose also taught the art of playing Latin percussion instruments at BOYS HARBOR in New York City for 28 years.

Jose has done and continues to do musical clinics around the country at various schools.

He was the musical director of the Latin Giants of Jazz from 2001 to 2009.

Jose continues his musical direction with Mambo Legends Orchestra, a band composed of former members of the Tito Puente Orchestra, which is dedicated to the execution of new and creative Latin and Latin Jazz concepts, as well as some of the music of Machito, Tito Rodriguez and Tito Puente.

Jose has personally recreated and re-arranged much of the music that the bands performed during the heyday of the mambo at the Palladium Ballroom in New York City, which many critics consider to be the “Greatest and Most Innovative Era” in the history of Latin music.

Madera’s father, Jose “Pin” Madera, a saxophonist, was one of the original members of the Machito Afrocubans.

The young Jose was influenced by Machito’s drummer (“the best Latin Big Band drummer I’ve ever heard”). He was later influenced by José Mangual and Tito Puente himself.

Madera's father, Jose "Pin" Madera, saxophonist, was one of the original members of the Machito Afrocubans — José Madera was influenced by José Mangual Padre and Tito Puente himself

Home

ISM January 2021

Cover january 2021

ISM brings you the January edition full of information that surely will interest you. Marlow Rosado talks about his two new studio recordings and marks expressed in music and ISM wants you to know a bit about the Orquesta Oeste 11.

North America

Bella Martínez presents “Las memorias de Jimmie Morales: un conguero para la historia”

“Vuelve conmigo” the new song by Enyel CO

This is the start of PC Records in 2021

Paquito Guzmán and Daniel Peña working together

“Golpe Duro” is the new from Little Johnny Rivero

“¿Qué hemos logrado?” winner at the Global Music Awards

Professor MSc. Carlos Colmenárez

Ángel “Cucco” Peña and a great legacy

José Madera, Timbal of Machito and his Afro-Cubans & Tito Puente

Génesis of Salsa, its essence, characteristics, rhythm, history and expansión

Tito Rojas passes away at 65 years of age

“El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico” in a virtual concert

Manny Cruz and Daniel Santacruz in Forbes magazine

Marlow Rosado talks about his two new recordings and contribution to music

Sandy from the duo Sandy and Papo passed away this December 23

Armando Manzanero “The King of Romanticism” left us this morning

Renowned pianist and producer Sony Ovalles died

Carlos Santana was part of “Peace Through Music: A World Event for Social Justice”

Europe

La Maxima 79 Salsa Orchestra was born in Milano, Italy

Latin America

ISM wants you to know a little about the Orchestra Oeste 11

@Latinasson, the online radio of Latin music and rhythms

COVID-19 affects the world of salsa (Music)

Yolanda Rivera The Lady of Salsa

Anthony Cruz Was one of the most emblematic interpreters of romantic Salsa

Génesis of Salsa, its essence, characteristics, rhythm, history and expansión

Professor MSc. Carlos Colmenárez and his “WRITTEN SALSA”

Artist jan 2021

Tito Rojas passes away at 65 years of age

Tito Rojas, The Puerto Rican artist passed away this December 26

The bad news in 2020 does not stop coming, after a hard year full of unfortunate events, a few days before the year ends, Julio César Rojas López, better known as Tito Rojas, died this Saturday, December 26. His death was confirmed by both the authorities of Puerto Rico and the statements of his daughter Jessica Rojas.

According to the testimonies given, the relatives of the salsa singer found his lifeless body on the balcony of his residence in Tejas de Humacao, a municipality of Puerto Rico, subsequently, they called 911 to report his unfortunate death. Although everything seems to indicate that the cause of death was a heart attack, it has not yet been confirmed by the doctors in charge of carrying out the autopsy, however, it is expected that such confirmation will come in the next few days.

The news came as a surprise to everyone, especially because a few days before this horrible news, he offered a virtual show for all his fans, and he seemed to be in good health, so the unfortunate news has caused a great impact.

“El gallo de la salsa”, as he (Tito Rojas) was known internationally, lived 65 years, and his music has inspired many artists of the salsa genre, who have had him as a reference. As expected, great Latin American artists have spoken about it through social media.

Tito Rojas dies — Tito Rojas passes away on december 26.

Artists share their thoughts about the singer’s death

The salsa singer Tony Vega shared a photo of Tito Rojas and accompanied it with the following words: “A colleague, a friend, today we mourn his departure, but we will always carry him in our hearts.” On the other hand, Gilberto Santa Rosa also offered a message full of emotions through his Facebook and Twitter accounts: “I still can’t believe it… my dear Gallo. We will miss you and remember you in each song, in each saying and in each gesture of affection and companionship that you left. Rest in peace, my friend Tito”. Tito Rojas had participated in the new production of his compatriot Gilberto Santa Rosa, specifically in the song “Por la calle del medio”.

Other artists who have also expressed their condolences have been: Don Omar, Bad Bunny, Tito Nieves, Victor Manuelle, among many others; On the other hand, Tito’s have been such an important figure than even other well-known faces outside of the music industry also publicly lamented his death. Pedro Pierluisi and Wanda Vázquez, both governors of Puerto Rico, also share their sadness through their social media accounts.

Social networks continue to be filled with moving messages, as well as memories and anecdotes related to “El gallo de la salsa”, and due to the importance that Tito has had in the industry, this is certainly expected. After a long career full of successes, the interpreter of songs such as “Siempre seré”, “Señora de madrugada”, ” “Ella se hizo deseo” and many others, will be remembered as one of the greatest exponents of the salsa genre, his music to this day continues to inspire both veterans and emerging talents.

Home

“El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico” in a virtual concert

The musical group will give a concert for their country, Puerto Rico.

It is no secret that 2020 has been one of the hardest years in recent times, with a pandemic that caused a health emergency and economically destabilized many countries, it is normal that most population is negatively affected as a result, and of course, artists have also been affected; many concerts and festivals have been canceled due to the delicate situation, which led artists and organizations within the music industry to “improvise”.

On this occasion, this virtual concert will be presented by the Econo supermarket, on December 26 at 8:00 pm, and will be broadcast on both the supermarket’s Facebook site and on their YouTube channel; It is important to mention that not only El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico will be presented, but the concert will also have the participation of Fiel a la Vega.

The concert is prepared to celebrate the supermarket 50 years of history, and more than a celebration, it is also a gift of gratitude to the people of the region, that is why the event is called “Agradecimiento a Puerto Rico” (thanks to Puerto Rico); Furthermore, the president of Econo, Eduardo Marxuach, said that “The concert is our way of thanking all the public for the treatment, preference and all the support that we have had in Econo Supermarkets throughout these 50 years of history” Marxuach also mentioned how complicated the year has been but from an optimistic point of view. “Even though we have had a difficult year, we want to close it up with a musical celebration, which is the soul of all of us.”

As for the duration of the concert, it is estimated to be two hours of music, the place chosen for the recording is the Coca-Cola Music Hall, so the sound quality is quite guaranteed. Everything has been planned so that the audience can enjoy a great virtual concert, despite the fact that surely most of the people are not yet familiar with this type of show.

El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico — The musical group will give a concert for their country, Puerto Rico.

Virtual concerts during 2020

The unfortunate pandemic caused people to spend much more time than usual in their homes, but is everything absolutely negative? All negative things always have a positive aspect too, and in this case, the fact that people have more time to spend in front of a mobile or a computer, has brought some possibilities that artists had not considered before, and one of those possibilities is virtual concerts. These types of events can help the artists to promote themselves or to connect with their followers; plus, the concert organized by the Econo supermarket has made it quite clear that even organizations that are not directly linked to the music industry, can also take advantage of the situation to present this type of events.

Proof of how well these particular types of concerts have worked out is that not only the most popular artists can carry them out, but organizations that are not huge multinationals can also take advantage of them.

Home