Search Results for: Salsa Orchestra

The best of Cuban music in Tampa with Cuband Son Band

We are very happy to be able to talk with Lizandro Muñoz, Liaudriz Fuentes, and Alfredo Sotolongo, who are part of the Cuban music group Cuban Son Band. We will know a little about each of them and the orchestra as such so that the public can get to know them and identify them.

Although all the musicians are coming from Cuba such as the genres they play, they met in Tampa, Florida, where they currently reside and have developed their respective musical careers.

Lizandro playing — Lizandro Muñoz playing at Water Street Tampa in April

How Lizandro, Liaudriz, and Alfredo became interested in music

Lizandro was the first who talked a little about himself and started by describing how his father played the guitar and began teaching his son to do the same. After attending the pre-university studies and playing guitar along with a group for about four years, he did his military service and moved to Spain to work with a number of groups at many Latin music events, especially Cuban music, which was what he played most.

Itis at this point in the conversation that Liaudriz, the group’s keyboardist, joined the meeting. After saying hello and introducing himself, he began to explain that he started in music at a very young age in Cuba, more specifically on the Isle of Youth or the Isle of Pines, as it was known before. As a child, he already had a lot of affinity for the guitar just like Lizandro, but also for everything related to percussion, which led him to take the respective tests to enter a music school.

That was when he went through the elementary, middle, and part of the upper levels. He did not complete the latter, as he got the opportunity to move to the United States.

When Alfredo, Cuban Son’s violinist, slipped into the conversation, he and the boys joked about whether he remembered how he started in music due to his age. He then relates starting in music at about 10 and is now 66, so much water has flowed under the bridge since then. He studied at the National School of Art up to the fifth level for five years, where he trained as a percussionist, singer, and violinist, but had to withdraw due to family problems. However, his great strength helped him keep the lights on.

By not being enrolled in any institution, he began his training at home. Several members of his family were helping him to continue his dream and one of whom was his uncle, a flutist who played in Los Van Van, who inspired him to follow his path in the world of music. This is how he resumed his academic training and received an A grade in singing and an A grade in violin lessons.

Liaudriz playing — Liaudriz Fuentes playing the keyboard live

He was in the Cuban Institute of Radio and Television Orchestra, better known as ICRT for its acronym in Spanish, and made some recordings with Los Van Van as a violinist. In 1998, he emigrated to Israel, where he worked as a musician for 10 years and even played in an orchestra known as Jerusalem Salsa Band, in which he alternated with several great artists such as Alfredo de La Fe, Buena Vista Social Club, and many others.

After those 10 years, he moved to the United States in search of new opportunities, which led him to make contact with Lizandro and Liaudriz from Cuban Son, which he joined about two years ago.

Alfredo added that one of the things that brought them together was that his now bandmates were following the way of son, the same path as their ancestors, who were soneros. It is in their blood and they had that in common.

How Cuban Son Band got started

Liaudriz again takes the floor and assures that the affinity between them was also due to the need Cubans feel to continue making music from their native land despite the distance and the way many of them come together to do this work. This is something that has mushroomed in Tampa in recent years due to the large number of Cubans who have arrived there.

“Cuban Son Band emerged from our need to share the music of our country not only here in Tampa, but also in other cities in Florida,” said the young keyboardist on this subject.

Lizandro added that several members of the group came from a much larger orchestra, but for economic and practical reasons, they left it and opted for a smaller, more compact format. This also gave them the freedom to make the music they wanted without consulting many people.

Alfredo playing — Alfredo Sotolongo playing the violin during a concert

The biggest challenges Cuban Son faced at first

Regarding the receptivity of the people to Cuban Son Band’s work, Alfredo pointed out that they always try to make their music as traditional as possible so that the audience may know it. What has made things easier for them was his senior audience that misses these genres and enjoys listening to them, even if they are not what is trendy right now. There are many new genres in Cuba, such as reggaeton and cubatón, but the audience between 30 and 40 years old are not fans of that kind of music, but of more traditional genres such as bolero, bachata, changuí, and others.

Lizandro also added that as long as they offer something traditional, original, and authentic, language barriers should not be a problem, even though most of their fans are American. One of the biggest challenges for the group has been communication, precisely because of the language of their lyrics, but that has not prevented them from being listened to and fervently supported.

In addition to that, they rely on covers of well-known English songs to connect even more with their non-Latin listeners, which has made them accept their work even more willingly. Their traditional foundation and open mind to new things have been the key to their progress.

Lizandro, Liaudriz, Alfredo, and Raysel — Trumpet player Raysel Reyes, keyboardist Liaudriz Fuentes, Violinist Alfredo Sotolongo, and guitarist Lizandro Muñoz

Current members of Cuban Son Band

Alfredo pointed out that they always try to be as loyal as possible to their main project, which is Cuban Son Band, but they are also aware that it will not always be possible for them to play only with their main orchestra, as they will have to work on other projects due to their economic situation.

Liaudriz also said that something that benefits them is that Tampa is a city that is growing a lot as for the Latin music scene, resulting in more and more work for them and groups with the same characteristics. This allows them to call each other and help each other without egos or pettiness.

Inspirations for each one

Alfredo was inspired as a singer by artists such as Ibrahim Ferrer, Pacho Alonso, Felix Chappottín, Pedrito Calvo, Oscar D’ León, Gilberto Santa Rosa, among others. in one way or another, all of them have honored Cuban music and that makes them bastions of what Cuban Son wants to achieve.

For his part, Lizandro mentioned Buena Vista Social Club, Omara Portuondo, Compay Segundo, Adalberto Álvarez, Chucho Valdez, Juan Formell, Bebo Valdéz, and Benny Moré.

Read also: Tito Planas talked to us about his Orquesta Afinke and its members

Los Surik is a musical group formed in Victoria, Las Tunas, in eastern Cuba

Los Surik, a musical group from Las Tunas a province known for orchestras recognized both nationally and internationally has distinguished itself in the Cuban music scene for its excellence.

Los Surik is a group that was created in Victoria Las Tunas, in eastern Cuba.

This group of fifteen musicians (four of whom are vocalists) was established in Victoria, Las Tunas, in eastern Cuba.

They began their professional careers in 1982, focusing on harmonious arrangements through the use of complex structures, all in service of preserving the authenticity of the genres they perform, such as son, guaracha, merengue, song, and bolero, among others.

Los Surik used to rehearse at the home of José Luis Borrel, across from the old La Gran Señora store (at the intersection of Lucas Ortiz and Julián Santana streets). Later, they moved their instruments to Benny Revuelta’s house, on Gonzalo de Quesada street, at the corner of Lucas Ortiz.

This orchestra has stood out in the world of music in Cuba for its excellence.

Los Surik’s repertoire included, among other pieces, classic Spanish and American pop songs, and instrumentals that Benny would recreate with his saxophone. Pablín (now deceased) was an excellent singer, later a finalist on the TV show Todo el mundo canta. Paco Mesa also shone as a vocalist. Catalá was comfortable on the drums, as was Omarito on the bass. The speakers in the photo were designed by José Luis Borrell, who, in addition to being a musician, was a great electronics enthusiast.

In 1994, the group released an album titled Alma Musical (CD (Magic Music 0003-3)). Some of the songs from this album were number one in Cuba at that time.

Los Surik holds an interesting first in their career: its members ushered in the era of discography in Las Tunas, by recording the first long-play record in the territory in 1985. The album features 12 tracks, most of which were authored by group members, and it was recorded at Siboney studios in Santiago de Cuba. Due to its foundational nature, the album is an invaluable piece for the cultural heritage of Las Tunas.

Group Photo and Member

This photo was taken in the 1980s at the home of actress and promoter Blanquita Becerra (center), during the time when this once very popular and distinguished lady of Cuban lyrical theater resided in Las Tunas.

Among other members of the musical collective pictured are Arturo Gooden, Alberto Bada, Benny Revuelta, Gerardo Leyva, Raúl Cáceres, Héctor Aguilar, and Rafael Diez.

At that time, Los Surik was composed of the following musicians:

Julián Galbán Cruz – Bass
Fernando E. Quintana – Saxophone
Herminio García Rodríguez – Trombone
Gastón H. Allen Binhan – Trumpet
Rolando Portillo Cedeño – Trumpet
Arnaldo García Estrada – Keyboards
Eldo A. González Mantilla – Piano
Pablo S. Machado Palmero – Congas
Edilberto Machado Alba – Timbales
Luis Alfonso Guerra Ramírez – Bongos
José Eugenio Marín Tejeda – Vocals
Virginia Iznaga Cantero – Vocals
José Manuel Arnedo Rodríguez – Vocals
Francisco G. Mesa Marrero – Vocals

Lost Treasures and Alma Musical

Almost all the orchestra members were composers of the songs they performed. Sadly, many of these songs were never recorded on any album, so we cannot enjoy the high quality of the tracks they created. Only a lucky few had the chance to enjoy them live in concerts they gave outside of Cuba.

Los Surik – Alma Musical (1994)

Tracks:

Dame Un Traguito (Son)
Estoy Romántica (Ballad son)
Amor De Película (Son montuno)
El Cantante Enamorado (Son)
Lo Que Cae Es Candela (Son)
A Ese Le Llaman Parejero (Son montuno)
La Fuerza Del Amor (Merengue)
Juanita Morey (Merengue)
La Luna Compartir (Ballad son)
Voz Universal (Son)
La Noche Junto A Ti (Bolero)

Musicians:

Julián Galbán Cruz (Bass)
Fernando E. Quintana (Saxophone)
Herminio García Rodríguez (Trombone)
Gastón H. Allen Binhan (Trumpet)
Rolando Portillo Cedeño (Trumpet)
Arnaldo García Estrada (Keyboards)
Eldo A. González Mantilla (Piano)
Pablo S. Machado Palmero (Congas)
Edilberto Machado Alba (Timbales)
Luis Alfonso Guerra Ramírez (Bongos)
José Eugenio Marín Tejeda (Vocals)
Virginia Iznaga Cantero (Vocals)
José Manuel Arnedo Rodríguez (Vocals)
Francisco G. Mesa Marrero (Vocals)

By:

L’Òstia Latin Jazz

Dj. Augusto Felibertt

EcuRed

Also Read: Septeto Nacional de Ignacio Piñero has played an important role in Cuban music for over seven decades.

The composer and singer Carlos Xavier reveals unpublished details of his career

The composer and singer with Nicaraguan roots Carlos Xavier is a very good friend of the house due to his collaboration with the Editor of International Salsa Magazine Eduardo Guilarte and we are extremely pleased to have invited him to this edition and to know him in a more personal way. The artist born in San Francisco talked to us about his musical career, his facet as a composer, his great inspirations, among other relevant topics.

Carlos Xavier is a friend — Composer and singer Carlos Xavier is a great friend of the house

Carlos’ beginnings in music

From a very young age, Carlos was already in close contact with music thanks to his father and older brother, since they always sang, played the radio or listened to records they bought. At home, he listened to all kinds of music in both English and Spanish, but it was not until he was 16 years old that he became really interested in singing in a more serious way. He was not accompanied by a teacher to tell him exactly what to do, so he had to start practicing alone and be guided by what he saw in professional singers like Christian Castro, Luis Miguel and Marc Anthony when it was his turn.

As for his musical debut, in 1999, Carlos ventured to look for an orchestra to sing with once he felt ready to prove his vocal skills on stage in front of a crowd. Then, he found Orquesta Caché, which had just been created and was looking for a singer, a post for which he was finally selected and made his first performance with the group that same year. This concert took place at the well known Café Cocomo and, since then, the artist has not stopped.

Interest in Latin music

Although Carlos states that he likes English music and has recorded several songs in English, he also clarifies that his focus is and always has been Latin music. He has worked on other people’s projects in which English is the base, but whenever he releases something of his, he always tries to base it on Latin or salsa music and always in Spanish. It’s a matter of preference.

This is partially thanks to his parents, who always made sure that their children had as much contact as possible with their Nicaraguan roots through the rest of his family, music, food and Nicaraguan culture in general.

In addition, most of his family also went to live in the United States, so he always spent time with them, which helped Carlos to know much more about Nicaragua and the way of life in that country. They always instilled in him the pride of being Latino and he still keeps that feeling intact.

Solo debut

Although Carlos spent many, many years playing with orchestras, he says that becoming a soloist at some point was always his greatest goal. That moment came in 2010 when the singer released his first single as a soloist called ‘’Mientes’’, which was the piece that gave him the confidence to know he could have a solo career and write his own music.

When we wanted to know the biggest challenges faced by him, he replied that he never thought of his solo career that way, but that he was working for a purpose, drawing inspiration from his greatest idols who had already achieved what he wanted. He simply saw his goal as something he had to achieve at some point, not as a challenge that would make the path more difficult for him.

Vive Todo Ahora

‘’Vive Todo Ahora’’ was the representation of the dream of Carlos, who always wanted to be able to release an album of the same quality as those of Marc Anthony, La India, and Frankie Negrón. The fact that it was his first album did not mean that the singer was going to let his first album reveal his inexperience in this field, so he hit the deck and contacted producer Efrain Davila. At that time, Davila was working with Victor Manuelle, Marc Anthony and Carlos Vives, so Carlos decided to send him a message and show him his song ‘’Mientes’’ to cover it in salsa.

The producer responded enthusiastically that he liked the song and accepted the proposal, leading ‘’Mientes’’ to be released as a single in 2014 and the rest of the album was made and released in the same way. Fortunately, Carlos succeeded in including some of Marc Anthony’s musicians such as bassist Ruben Rodriguez, percussionist Luisito Quintero, backing vocalist Guianko Gomez, among others.

Carlos Xavier and Luis Enrique — Luis Enrique and Carlos Xavier posing for the camera

His facet as a composer

Another facet that has been of vital importance to Carlos’ growth as an artist has been composition and, of course, he has his own creative process, although it is not extremely complex. He simply sits down at the piano and looks for the most beautiful melody he can think of, but it is a creation that is born from the inside of him.

n the year 2000, together with the Orquesta Caché, he had the opportunity to record a cover in Peru, but he told the members of the group that he wanted to write that song in his own hand and they agreed. That is when he created ‘‘Marchate’’ and it was the material they recorded in the aforementioned country.

Even then Carlos showed that he wanted to be original and follow his own ideas, which he finally achieved thanks to his perseverance.

Clubs where he currently plays

As mentioned above, Carlos worked closely with Eduardo Guilarte at Charley’s LG Club in Los Gatos, California for some time a few years ago. Of that time, Carlos recalls that Guilarte was one of the few people who truly praised him for his talent on stage, which he appreciated today. He mentioned that he always offered him nice words and advice regarding the way the industry works, so he has the best memories of his collaboration with the editor of International Salsa Magazine.

For the time being, he keeps playing at other clubs such as Building 43, Vino Godfather Winery, The Dawn Club, among others.

Carlos and Viviana — Carlos Xavier during an interview with Viviana Paez and Brian Lozado on Univision

Oscar D’León’s La Crítica was founded in Caracas in 1978

La Critica by Oscar D’León

We had just returned from New York when “Chiquitín,” Oscar D’León’s longtime secretary, called us at the office to let us know there was a commotion in the “Faraón de la Salsa’s” office.

Oscar D'León's La Crítica was founded in Caracas in 1978 — Oscar D’León’s La Crítica was founded in Caracas in 1978

It was about the defection of some musicians from the Orquesta La Salsa Mayor. Indeed, Leo Pacheco, Felipe Blanco, and other musicians had decided to leave for financial reasons.

The news caused a stir; Oscar had already achieved a very special sound. He had moved away from the trombones that characterized his style and had incorporated a brass section with trumpets that made a difference. Suddenly, he was without his powerful machinery. Leo and his group formed what was called Nuestra Orquesta La Salsa Mayor, and Oscar, without a second thought, reassembled his group alongside Enrique “Culebra” Iriarte.

La Crítica

No one should doubt that Oscar had a tough time, but the prestige he had gained and the popularity of the sonero allowed him to come out on top.

Paul González, the son of “El Guajiro” González, a veteran guarachero and who at the time served as manager for the now-called “Sonero del Mundo,” devised the orchestra known today as La Crítica to avoid future setbacks and to have an orchestra on hand to alternate in scheduled dances.

The project’s formation brought together pianist and arranger Mauricio Silva, percussionist Radamés Pimentel, and Teo Hernández, who would serve as vocalist.

Since 1978, La Crítica emerged as an exceptional group. The jazz influences infused by Mauricio Silva from the very beginning were crucial for the public to accept the band as a favorite. In that “beginning,” other significant names included “Cheo” Navarro and Gustavo Quinto, who were already known from their time with Grupo Mango.

It could be said that Teo Hernández was the newest to the scene, as he had only been “toiling” in the world of salsa for five years, although he already had a “summa cum laude” after recording with maestro Ray Pérez and his Dementes. A female voice would debut with the orchestra: Gladys Torres.

40 Years of La Crítica

There have been many setbacks and successes over 40 years.

The musicality of this successful group is to be celebrated this Saturday, June 16, at the BOD Cultural Center. The event is at 5:00 in the afternoon, when the salsa public will gather en masse.

La musicalidad de esta exitosa agrupación ha de ser celebrada este sábado 16 de junio en las instalaciones del Centro Cultural BOD.

Jorge Collazo, who was Oscar D’León’s press chief and now is La Crítica’s on their return, tells us that a spectacular night is being prepared, “an evening to remember, a show that no salsero should miss.

The original singers will be there: the sonero Teo Hernández and Gladys Torres, who will take the stage accompanied by top-tier musicians and luxury guests to celebrate, dance, and sing the well-known hits of the moment, we are talking about ‘Se necesita rumbero,’ ‘Amada ven,’ ‘La merenguita,’ ‘Madre,’ ‘Rumba rumbero,’ ‘No lloraré,’ ‘A él,’ and ‘Cruel desilusión,’ among others.”

The prestige gained by La Crítica allowed it to accompany great international soneros such as Justo Betancourt, Héctor Lavoe, Ismael Miranda, Ray de la Paz, Daniel Santos, and the legendary Celia Cruz.

This is part of La Crítica.

Also Read: Cheo Linares is a Singer, Composer, Sonero, Poet and Caraqueño

Sizzling Summer Nights dancer April Connella breaks silence on Orlando Delgado and her career

A while ago, we wrote a story about Sizzling Summer Nights, which is a series of outdoor performances by long-established and emerging orchestras at the Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles. However, we never had the opportunity to talk to any of those involved in the event, but that has changed in the last few days, as we have had the joy of speaking with professional dancer, dance teacher and choreographer April Connella, who will give us details on her career and professional life.

April at an event — April Connella at one of her dance events

How April became interested in dancing

April started to become interested in everything related to dancing from a young age, but the one who really introduced her in this world is Orlando Delgado, who was a salsa instructor and dancer in Los Angeles. It turns out that in this same city, someone close to Orlando saw April dancing in events by chance and told her to go to Orlando’s studio, meet him and take classes with him to reach her full potential. So she did and the connection between the two was instantaneous and, over time, they became friends and Orlando came to be someone very special in her life.

They became a dance couple, taught classes and did many events together until the untimely passing of Orlando in September 2023 due to a long battle with cancer

Sizzling Summer Nights

April was telling us that it was Orlando they really contacted to participate in Sizzling Summer Nights. One of his students in one of his dance classes, who turned out to be one of the organizers, suggested that both he and April attend these events, since the previous instructors had left, so he was looking for new ones.

Since then about eight years have passed and Sizzling Summer Nights has become one of the biggest salsa and Latin music events of the summer, largely due to the effort made by the talented duo.

Orlando and April in Sizzling Summer Nights — Orlando Delgado and April Connella at the Autry’s Sizzling Summer Nights some years ago

How Orlando’s death affected April

The dancer also confessed to us that Orlando’s loss has affected her personally and professionally, to the degree of saying that, together with him, she has lost a part of herself that feels that she will never be able to recover. Many have asked her why she does not get a new dance partner, but she finds it difficult to do that. She recognizes that there are many good dancers who could fill that spot, but finding someone she has the relationship and emotional connection she had with her previous partner is impossible. You do not get that anywhere else.

However, despite this painful loss, April knows she has to move forward in spite of everything and carry out her projects as hard as it is. In fact, one of those challenges is that April herself also happened to be sick with cancer and is in remission.

To this we must add that one of the things keeps her going is the great passion she feels for what she does and she believes that her profession is a part of her soul she cannot let die too. Not to mention that she has felt the support of the entire salsa community that knew Orlando in life and helped her to continue her work.

April and Chino Espinoza — Chino Espinoza from the group Chino Espinoza Y Los Dueños del Son and April Connella

April’s Feel Da Beat

The dance instructor explained that April’s Feel Da Beat is actually a new version of the previous dance company that was only called Feel Da Beat and was directed by Orlando. After the two meet, they not only become dance partners and best friends, but also business partners.

Then, Orlando was planning to retire at some point due to age, so he wanted his project to be in the hands of someone he could trust and that was April, whom he taught everything he knew so he could delegate what he had built so far to her. When Delgado’s health was already very frail, both he and April discussed the matter of the company and concluded that the best thing to do was to transfer it to her and change its name to April’s Feel Da Beat. After that, it was up to her to handle the project alone and adjust to this new stage without Orlando by her side.

She does not have a big team working for her right now, but she does work with many artists and dancers for the various events in which she performs.