Search Results for: Salsa Orchestra

Yari More Latin Band, the orchestra that accompanied Celia Cruz

Yari More Latin Band is one of those groups whose history shows us that dreams do come true and that there is always the possibility to meet our greatest idols. Today, Yari More, with whom we were able to talk a little about his history as an artist and his band, is an example of what Latin artists in general have achieved over the past decades.

Yari posing for the camera — This is Yari More posing for the camera

How Yari More first became interested in music

Juat like most musicians, he became interested in music when still a child. He remembers getting together with his friends from the block to play with makeshift instruments, moments that he keeps in memory and that marked the beginning of what would become his great adult vocation.

Some time later, he joined the army in his native Colombia, specifically the navy, but that was not the only thing he devoted his time. It turns out that he found a great taste for several of the songs from acclaimed Spanish singer Raphael and started imitating his voice in musical events of the armed forces. He was so good that he began to be called as ”El Rafael de Colombia” by his acquaintances, but the event that would make him see music as a serious profession was yet to come. That came later.

A night where he was celebrating a friend’s birthday in a night club, another boy in the group asked the orchestra director to let Yari sing with them. The audience liked his performance so much that he started going to the same place every weekend to continue delighting those present with his melodious voice, eventually leading the orchestra he was performing with to offer him the position of singer on an ongoing basis.

Never in his wildest dreams did Yari imagine such an offer, but he accepted it, so he began to balance his activities in the orchestra with his daily work in a factory at that time. Since both jobs took up so much of his time, he eventually had to decide on just one, which was, of course, music. It can be said that this was the official beginning of his career.

From then on, he was in several groups both in Colombia and in the neighboring country Ecuador until he was given a great job opportunity in the United States, more specifically in Los Angeles. After some time with the orchestra that hired him there, he decided it was time to pursue a solo career with romantic music.

Yari with Celiz Cruz — Yari More Latin Band playing live with ”La Guarachera de Cuba” Celiz Cruz

Yari More Latin Band

In the 1990s. he decided to form his own orchestra which he named Yari More Latin Band. Since he already had plans about undertaking such a project, he visited universities and talked to many friends in the industry in order to hire the best musicians he could find for his band.

His success earned him the possibility of signing with the company RMM Records & Video owned by the popular Latin music promoter Raphy Mercado. This label was the same one that signed ”La Guarachera de Cuba” Celia Cruz, with whom they shared the stage, since Yari More Latin Band was the orchestra that accompanied her in her performances on the West Coast.

In addition to Celia Cruz, he has also accompanied other musical luminaries like Rubén Blades, Willie Colón, Eddy Santiago, Tony Vega, Tito Nieves, El Grupo Niche, El Gran Cobo de Puerto Rico, Oscar D’ León, Joan Sebastian, Las Chicas del Can and many others.

Yari says he has learned a lot from each and every one of the aforementioned singers and groups, details that he has added to his own orchestra in order to improve it every day more and more.

Yari with Oscar D’ León — Yari More next to ”El Sonero Del Mundo” Oscar D’ León

Private Events

Yari More Latin Band offers its talent for all kinds of private events such as weddings, quinceañeras, corporate parties, charitable activities, award shows, festivals, Latin nights in clubs, among others.

Yari told us that those interested in hiring the orchestra simply have to contact him through his official website, Instagram and Facebook. These are the channels he uses to agree with the client on the conditions, the place, the date and the economic arrangement.

‘‘Fortunately, we have a lot of work here in the Bay Area and many events of all kinds for the rest of the year” said Yari on this subject.

Anacaona Orchestra

Latin America / Cuba / Havana

Anacaona Orchestra. Women of Cuba Since 1932

Genesis Founded in 1932

Anacaona Orchestra founded on February 19, 1932 by Concepción Castro Zaldarriaga and her sisters, being then the first female sextet of Son Cubano and in 1934 expanded to the Jazz Band and Charanga Típica format, projecting itself to the world from the famous ¨Aires Libres of the Saratoga Hotel. ¨ in the Havana Prado.

Between the 1940s and 1960s, these talented women toured throughout North to South America, the Caribbean and France.

In Mexico, one of the countries most visited by the orchestra at this stage, its images and sounds were recorded in some film of Mexican Cinema, such as: ¨the night is ours¨, ¨I do not deny my past¨ and ¨Women of theater¨ in which they alternated with film and music artists from that country. Also at that same time they recorded with the RCA Víctor label.

The Aguirres

The sisters Giorgia and Dora Aguirre, with a solid musical background, specializing in Double Bass and Saxophone, recently graduated from the ¨Amadeo Roldan¨ Music Conservatory, joined the Anacaona Orchestra with its original founders in 1983, under the direction Alicia Castro, with whom they learned the most genuine genres of Cuban popular music, the rigor and discipline in this profession.

3rd Generation

After the retirement of the Castro sisters in December 1987, she assumed the direction of the Georgia Aguirre Orchestra, who, together with her sister and other young women who had also graduated from music schools, continued the work begun by the founders, consolidating a style that combines tradition with modernity, to preserve and enhance the history of Anacaona.

Tours

Internationally, they have traveled to more than 30 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, America and the Caribbean, performing at important festivals and multiple stages, among which the most outstanding are:

The tour of 34 countries in the People’s Republic of China; his participation in the play ¨El Burgués Tropical¨ under the direction of Gerome Sabarì, inspired by Moliere’s classic, El Bourgeois Gentleman”; the tour made through some cities in the United States in which they also had a very emotional meeting with Graciela Pérez, singer and founder of Anacaona and the show “Sabor de la Habana” that opened the season of Cuban shows at the Cabaret Del Gran Casino Monte Carlo of the Principality of Monaco,

In addition to other important jazz and summer festivals in Spain, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Holland, Canada, Jamaica, Aruba, Curacao, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Lucia, Peru, Honduras, Venezuela and Mexico, among others.

Mariantocook: In this kitchen “La Salsa” puts in the flavor!

Europe

Maiantocook:

Mixing two passions to a perfect match, is possible. Going into the kitchen of this beautiful woman means tasting a universe of flavors with your tastebuds, soul and hearing, yes your hearing comes included, when we talk about Marianto.

Teaching how to make fresh pasta in your kitchen in Panama

By Carmen Aular

María Antonieta Pérez Mendoza is Mariantocook, a culinary reference for those looking for options to learn professional cooking techniques and run to apply them at home and delight everyone with exquisite flavors, and preparations of an executive chef. She delights her followers constantly with recipes made with love, sense of humor and a lot of stories that she shares with a special happiness in her social media. She opens the doors of her home and shows us how to prepare, in the simplest way, amazing dishes that seem more elaborate. She is, also, very open to helping her followers, when they contact her in private asking for tips and a word of advice.

All this is wonderful and exciting to share, but why did Mariantocook really catch our attention? ¡La Salsa! This Venezuelan chef living in Europe not only makes everything look easy and exquisite in a few minutes, but, as if that were not enough, she enjoys cooking, listening to music and being inspired by it. Her Salsa Brava repertoire has inspired too many interesting and delicious dishes. Music is a ‘must’ in her kitchen.

This’ how it all started

Marianto is a Professional Chef at CEGA (Gastronomic Studies Center) in Caracas, Venezuela, and although her love for cooking began at a young age, her professionalization in the area did not come until many years later. She can cook for private dinners for 25 people or in the kitchen of “my little piece of heaven in Tuscany” as she calls it.. The kitchen is the same, what changes is the context.

In the middle of process to discover something in what could be good no matter the age, Marianto decided to cook; because she could take the kitchen and go anywhere in the world and at any time. And so, she took her kitchen to Italy, where she settled with her family and where she continued to learn from the original source of the recipes.

This entire project that has made a very good impression in social media and that she decided to call Mariantocook, began when her son going off to college in the United States and she needed to do something to not be sad and at the same time learn something new. Many videos, recipes and bloopers later, the result has been fantastic.

Cooking is passion, and that extra flavor in Mariantocook’s kitchen, is the music. There is a careful selection of a theme for cooking, from which derive colors, ingredients and even smells. Creating a menu inspired by music, depends of the chef’s mood. There is nothing tastier than cooking, singing and dancing.

For this passionate cook, the most dynamic and wise menus are inspired by the notes of Salsa, while the most passionate ones come straight from Jazz. After this affirmation we wanted to make a creative exercise and we decided to ask Mariantocook how she imagines a menu to the rhythm of Salsa Brava, a menu, especially designed for International SALSA Magazine. This was the extraordinary result:

International Salsa Magazine menu to the rhythm of Salsa Brava and masterfully designed by Mariantocook.

Appetizers

“First the tasty percussion” to begin with: Andean sweet ‘Arepitas’ (cornflour tortillas) with banana, ‘Telita’ (type of cheese produced in Venezuela) cheese and colorful sweet pepper jam. Mini dogfish ‘empanaditas’. Arepita Reina Pepiada (specialty of Caracas with chicken and avocado). “Here we have represented a few regions of Venezuela: Los Andes, Margarita and Caracas.” (Different regions of Venezuela with their own and very characteristic flavors). The “arepitas / arepas” are round tortitas made with cornflour, water and salt and are usually enjoyed fried, roasted and even baked.

Arepa with grilled chorizo, arugula and tomatoes

Entry

“The introduction begins with the instruments of the whole orchestra”: Minced grilled octopus, seasoned with tomato, escalonias, olive oil, coarse salt, pepper and fresh thyme.

Main dish

“Then comes the discharge”: Matricciana and fried pancetta, tomatoes, pepper and pasta with some grated pecorino romano cheese.

Dessert

“It ends with a bolerito”: Pears candied with syrup.

Bon appetit!

Auyama and mandarin cream with bread croutons

First the music

Before starting to cook, Mariantocook first puts the music, Thinks of a theme, and even improvises her culinary compositions when she has an opportunity. She also selects the wine, and cooks for it. She is a faithful believer of the argued kitchen, and to transmit to the diners what she feels while cooking. Marianto’s kitchen is a deep kitchen that comes from the soul and the heart and looking for memories, not only to be in a kitchen worthy of remembering, but that it also brings back memories to whoever sits at the table.

We want to close this editorial note with three of the questions we asked Mariantocook during a pleasant interview and a lot of learning. Marianto, as a good Venezuelan, flees from the Italian winter and takes refuge in her little house in Panama, where she was able to talk with ISM about her project, her passions (cooking and music), her plans for the future and her motivations.

ISM: What would you advise, from your life experience, both in the kitchen, as in the initiative to undertake the Mariantocook ’s project, to those entrepreneurs who want to start in the world of cooking or who want to venture into culinary art?

Mariantocook: Study, read, learn. Understand the reason for each process in each recipe. Be curious; do not be dogmatic, because dogmas close your head. Be humble, although with self-esteem, but without falling into the fatuous. Keep an open mind to new knowledge. Love everything. Cook with love and passion, no halves, give it your all.

Marianto Cook making delicious fresh pasta

Variation of La Carbonara with smoked salmon

ISM: What are your salsa recommendations?

Mariantocook: ‘El libro de la salsa’ de César Miguel Rondón is the tastiest thing you can give away. Rubén Blades, Adalberto Santiago, Ray Barretto, Bobby Valentín. ¡Salsa Brava!

ISM: What comes with Mariantocook?

Mariantocook: Cooking, editing, music. Learn many things to improve the videos and all the material I’m doing. I want to buy 2 or 3 cameras so that everything looks more professional.

You can follow Marianto on Instagram: Mariantocook, and by the same name subscribe to her YouTube channel. From wherever, she will always share her human warmth and that magic to cook and teach everything she has learned since she was 10 years old.

Photos: Mariantocook’s courtesy

Unstoppable Hollywood Salsa Fest focuses on the importance of Salsa

In the midst of the release of the single in which she collaborated with Edwin “El Calvito” Reyes ‘Dos pa’ lante’, on April 13, 2024; Melina Almodovar performed at the most important salsa festival in South Florida in the U.S. Melina also serves as an entrepreneur, along with her partner Cristina Moinelo, for the past nine years.

“La muñeca de la salsa”, Melina Almodóvar

Each year, the Hollywood Salsa Fest focuses on the importance of salsa music, recognizing that Afro-Latin music fuses us into a culture that draws from diverse roots. This year’s festival – sponsored by the city in a public-private partnership with various businesses – was held at the Artspark at Young Circle.

As masters of ceremony, the festival featured the winning team of “Meca” from Salseo Radio and “El Cacique” from Zeta 93 FM, Puerto Rico’s leading salsa radio station. On the decks was DJ “Boricua loco” with a tremendous selection of salsa, in addition to coordinating from his musical corner the dance exhibitions by the salsa dancers of YC Dance Studios.

The first orchestra in charge of starting the concert, Latin All Stars, counted with the vocal and scenic mastery of Marlon Mendioroz, Yorman Clay, Adrián Marchant, Yomil Rivas and Frank Cróquer, backed by a musical team that did not fall short of the expectations of those who waited patiently for the stage to light up with good salsa. Latin All Stars was followed by “Juano, tu cantante” from Cali, Colombia. The team of musicians of the orchestra with the second shift shined accompanying who for 16 years was part of Orquesta Guayacán.

The trumpet player also performed in the mid-afternoon block, preceding the arrival of the Hollywood Salsa Fest Orchestra in a segment in which they accompanied Hilda Naranjo from Cuba, Fabián Rosales from Chile and Joey Hernández from Puerto Rico.

At around 6:00 p.m., it was the turn of the Cuban sound known as timba, with the Julio Montalvo Orchestra and Miami’s Huracán. Once the hurricane winds that accompanied Julio Montalvo ceased, tribute was paid to the late Venezuelan percussionist Robert Vilera thanks to the staging of Vilera Son. The tribute to Vilera’s legacy featured the talents of Los Gaitanes from Panama, Avelino Romero from Venezuela, El Mola and Braidsman from Cuba, as well as Robert Vilera’s first singer, Felix Argenis.

“La muñeca de la salsa”, Melina Almodovar, was backed by Luigi Flores from Costa Rica on piano and musical direction, Johnny Fortunato from Dominican Republic on bass, Pablo Molina from Venezuela on timbales, Juan Pablo Camacho from Venezuela on tumbadoras, Carlos Molina from Venezuela on bongo, Carlos Perez from Cuba on first trombone, Ramon Benitez from Colombia on second trombone, Carlos Frank from Cuba on first trumpet and Julian Cifuentes from Colombia on second trumpet.

On backing vocals, Melina was backed by: Joe Arroyo from Puerto Rico and Freddy Lugo from Cuba. Melina gave us a first class show. As part of Melina’s performance, “El Calvito Reyes” joined her for the first time to perform the recently released single ‘Dos pa`lante’ as a live duet.

During the afternoon, the festival took place under a beautiful blue sky that kept the crowd’s enthusiasm positive. During the night, the clear Floridian skies kept the attendees dancing at full steam. Of course, to that end, the aforementioned talents kept the stage in salsa.

The festival closed with the always remembered for the classic ‘De barrio obrero a la 15’, Chamaco Rivera, who with a stellar salsa career to his credit, not only kept the audience engrossed in his impeccable staging, but also introduced us to his guest artist, his son: Christian Ray.

Melina contó con el respaldo vocal de Joe Arroyo de Puerto Rico y Freddy Lugo de Cuba

Christian delighted us with his repertoire shortly before inviting us to listen to his recently released CD entitled El legado continúa. To bid farewell to the musical day, which lasted nearly ten hours, the grand finale invited the group of singers who had paraded on stage during the day and part of the night to come in and jam with the “papa de los pollitos” (father of the chicks).

We are waiting to enjoy the next ‘Hollywood Salsa Fest’, for which the businesswomen in charge promise to throw the house out of the window. Melina and Cristina have delivered nine festivals in a row. So see you in April 2025 to dance in the tenth edition of the same.

Also Read: A party of dancers at the concert to celebrate Willie Rosario’s 100th birthday

Pedro ”Pocholo” Segundo supports the Spaha Harlem Salsa Museum

At the Spanish Harlem Spaha Museum we always welcome the best of Latin music and, on this occasion, we could not stay behind, so we are glad to have had the opportunity to share with one of the best percussionists of the moment, Pedro Pocholo, who has a very interesting career that we will review below.

Pocholo signing his album — Pedro ”Pocholo” Segundo signing a copy of his album ”A Guapetear” in 2022

Who is Pedro ”Pocholo” Segundo? How were his beginnings in music like?

Pedro ”Pocholo” Segundo is an important producer and percussionist who has made a recognizable name in the Latin music industry thanks to his participation in some of the most critically acclaimed salsa and jazz orchestras.

In music, it all started for him at the young age of 13, which is when he began playing with Ismael Miranda, representing the formal beginning of his professional career as a teenager. His efforts fortunately paid off, since a few years later, he was playing with Andy Montañez.

In 1988, he joined Johnny and Ray’s group, causing him move to New York City, a place that gave him the greatest opportunities he would ever have in the artistic area. He became so well known for his skills as a percussionist that he was sought after by many artists to play with them such as Celia Cruz, Héctor Lavoe, Andy Montañez, Tito Rojas, Tito Nieves, José Alberto ”El Canario”, David Pabón, among many others.

Pocholo playing the cowbell — Pedro ”Pocholo” Segundo playing the cowbell in his studio

Important things Pedro ”Pocholo” Segundo has done in his career

Pedro ”Pocholo” lived many peak moments in the musical aspect, but without a doubt, the possibility to play to former presidents Bill Clinton and Al Gore with Celia Cruz and ”El Rey de Los Timbales” Tito Puente has been extremely important to his prestige as an artist, so he just went for more and more.

This performance would not be the only collaboration he would have with Puente, as he also joined his talent to that of the timbalero in the DVD entitled ”Live at Manhattan Center” and traveled with him, The Big 3 Orchestra and Jimmy Bosch’s group to several countries in South America, Central America and Europe.

Sometime later, in partnership with vocalists Carlos Santos and José Peña, Pocholo formed the group Madera Fina, with which he and his two fellow musicians managed to place some hits such as ”Guarimbo”, ”Palo de Son”, ”Desde Que Te Casaste”in very good places on the charts. They also went to Puerto Rico to promote the group and seek the support of local media such as La Mega 97.9 FM, being this radio station very important in the dissemination of these musicians’ work.

Thanks to the experience gained from belonging to Madera Fina, Pocholo was more than ready to face bigger musical challenges, which led him to take on the creation, production and percussion of Boricua Legends, which has become one of the most popular New York orchestras of the moment.

One of the best years of Boricua Legends was undoubtedly 2015, which was when it released its own version of ”Si Por Mi Llueve”, a song that was part of the world-renowned Cheo Feliciano’s repertory. He also took second place in the GenGenSalsa Top 70 chart and eighth in the LatinosUnidosOnline chart.

Pocholo performing live — Pedro ”Pocholo” Segundo during a live performance

Pocholo supports the Salsa Museum

As many other Latin artists, Pocholo also supported the Spaha Harlem Salsa Museum and was a special guest on The Johnny Cruz Show to talk with the host and director of the museum, who was very pleased to welcome him on his show.

In a video uploaded to Johnny Cruz’s social networks, the host can be seen introducing his guest and saying that they would talk about a number of very interesting topics, such as the beginning of his career, the founding of Boricua Legends and much more. Then, Cruz asks Pocholo to greet the audience and the musician, who was decked in a grayish suit and pink shirt, invites people to tune in to the show and assures them that they will talk about important things such as Latin music in New York and Puerto Rico.

Finally, Johnny closes by saying that viewers can enjoy the show from 3:30pm to 4:30 every Saturday on channel 67 and says goodbye with the song ”La Fama” by Héctor Lavoe playing in the background.