Search Results for: Salsa Orchestra

Fundación Cultural Madera 15 where Brotherhood, Sports, Dance and Salsa go Hand in Hand

By the end of the 70’s and beginning of the 80’s a group of young people from different parts of the country gathered by chance in the same sector 4 de las Mercedes in La Victoria, Aragua State, began to listen to the new genre of the time, the popular “Salsa”.

Fundación Cultural Madera 15 donde la Hermandad, el Deporte, la Danza y la Salsa van de la Mano

Each one with different tastes but without leaving the genre, they felt the desire to imitate the Venezuelan and international bands they knew through the Lps, so every weekend they organized themselves to play their instruments with musicians already studied and the guataqueros in an empirical way.

These meetings became more and more frequent and due to the need of an acquaintance of the zone to have a salsa group they decided to form the first salsa group of the sector called “El Quinto Sonero”, then years later with many of the members of the previous group they formed the group “Juancito y su Son” and years later the “Conjunto Sabor”.

It is worth mentioning that the rehearsals of the different groups took place in the homes of some of the members, playing songs by Ray Barreto; Eddie Palmieri; Dimensión Latina; Grupo Mango; Trabuco Venezolano Grupo Libre and of course Grupo Madera, among others.

By the end of the 80’s this same group of young people always supported by their families decided to formalize all the events that took place during the year, thus creating the “Madera 15 Foundation” unifying culture, sports, art and dance all in what was once a “Little Square” and over the years became a court, which would become its main location.

Its name is due to the admiration that everyone felt for Grupo Madera and product of its unexpected accident in which most of its members lost their lives on August 15, 1980.

For this reason the affection and the interpretation of many of their songs and the attendance to their concerts. Once the tragedy occurred, the passion for the Caracas group grew, specifically in the Marín neighborhood of San Agustín del Sur, which was invited to the inauguration of the Cancha in 1989, an invitation that was accepted and it was possible to enjoy three days of Afro-Caribbean songs and dances among neighbors and people close to the area.

From then on, cultural, recreational and sporting activities are carried out and one of the most important meetings is organized every year on December 31st, where the Guataca de Fin de Año is held, which began as an informal meeting of these young people every year-end, specifically on the 31st of the year, and continued with a soup on January 1st, welcoming the new year.

Currently by decree of the Mayor of the Municipality of Ribas in La Victoria Aragua State, specifically by Mayor Juan Carlos “Jaimito” Sanchez in his 1st term in 2012, the Municipal Day of Salsa is celebrated, and are invited to cultors and musicians from different parts of the country to participate in this special date with all attendees, which enjoy a unique day full of much feeling.

For years, all kinds of musicians, orchestras, groups and salsa characters that have exalted the salsa culture, as well as characters of the gaita and folklore, have passed through the festival.

Today, the tradition of the Guataca is still maintained, paying tribute to the life of its famous characters and remembering those who left for another plane and those who unfortunately emigrated.

Hand in hand with the music was also formed the dance group of the area called in its beginnings “Los Gurrugurru” which performed nationalist dances and sang aguinaldos and parranda every Christmas. Today there is still a dance group called “Danzas Tricolor” also dancing all the national folkloric dances.

Through both groups passed the great majority of the young people of the sector and after generations their children and now grandchildren, all under the direction of Griseida and Mileyda Batidas.

It is important to highlight some emblematic names of the foundation among them stand out:

Benilde (RIP), Mercedes (RIP), Ligia (RIP), Aminta (RIP), Alicia (RIP), Carmen (RIP), , Williams (RIP), Santana (RIP), Agustín (RIP), Neptali (RIP), Mileyda (RIP), Ángel Miguel (RIP), Amalia, Dinora, Raquel, Adela, Eugenia, Ángel, Jaime, Nelly, Entre otros.

Participating Families:

Los Bauter, Los Yanes, Los Ascanio, Los Bastidas Salazar, Los Momplasiert, Los Power, Los Anzolar, Los Escalona, Los Guevara and many more.

Memorable sites

La Placita, La Cancha, La Matica de Amalia, La Esquina de los Bauter, and El Terreno.

There the traces of all those who in their time gave their hearts for the good of the most rumbustious sector of La Victoria were captured.

This message goes to them:

MADERA 15 we are all and even those who left.

Collaboration and Main Source:

Lcda. Shinaury Rojas / Publicist for Salsa Escrita

Photographer Nelson Bauter

Actividad con el Septeto Caribe y Nelson Bauter en La Fundación Cultural Madera 15

Also Read: Djane. Shina Rojas una Pasión Convertida en Realidad

Betty Zapata ¨The Lady of Salsa¨

Latin America / Venezuela / Caracas

In Venezuela, Caracas, the neighborhood is a way of life with its own identity. The neighborhoods of the entire National Territory, its inhabitants, become outstanding characters. Such is the case of Betty Zapata who was born in the emblematic La Pastora Parish located in the Capital (Caracas). There he spends his childhood in a neighborhood of colonial and historical houses of Venezuela.

There are many memories of that legendary Zone, they are inevitably built by those associated with survival, preparation, development, work, love, struggle and family formation, its magic and what marked it for life… . “Music”.

My connection with music is due in part to the fact that I live in a popular area where the music that was heard was Afro-Caribbean (mostly Salsa), the parties or meetings in my house and the neighborhood were always enlivened by that type of music, the most rooted and sticky collectively, originating the most varied dancers.

In the Carnestolendas festivities, improvised platforms (Templetes) were installed to stage the most varied costume and dance contests. Leaving my childhood and beginning my adolescent stage, I participated in dance competitions, obtaining recognition and prizes that were awarded to the young people of my generation.

I attended festive celebrations (dance meetings) with my older sisters at the age of 12, not because I was a dancer, but to not leave me alone, since I was the youngest of 3 sisters, this allowed me to share with people older than me and which I was learning the different dance styles “remembering with great affection the Cayender family, made up of excellent dancers” they are part of my school and love for dance. My cadence, flavor and body movement also allowed me to learn until I had my own dance style.

The music of the moment was the Danzones, Billo’s, Melodicos and in my house my sisters listened in the 70’s to Joe Cuba, Ricardo Rey and Bobby Cruz, Eddie Palmieri, the Latin Dimension prevails, Grupo Mango, Salsa Mayor, La Banda and his Young Sauce. That stuck with me forever and I felt drawn to Salsa.

That gave me the basis to fully incorporate myself into the exciting world of music. In the Barrio salsa is something essential, if you don’t dance it, enjoy it, feel it, you’re nothing.

Attending a meeting, an event, a concert, a presentation, a party or a meeting and there is no salsa, you feel an emptiness since with it we enjoy, we share, we dance and it definitely puts us to enjoy.

Photo - Betty Zapata ¨The Lady of Salsa¨ — Photo – Betty Zapata ¨The Lady of Salsa¨

In the course of my 6 decades of existence, I have not ceased to be linked to it in different facets: as an audience, spectator, guest, contestant, jury, organizer, producer and director of events.

Each of these participations has allowed me to stand out, stand out and be a well-known, popular and loved person, a reference in the organization of a good party, night events, presentations of representative groups of the world of Salsa such as:

Ray de La Paz, Herman Olivera, Frankie Vásquez, Bobbie Valentin, Willie Rosario, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Sonora Ponceña, La Selecta, Mulenze, Carlos Cano Estremera, Julio López, Yolandita Rivera, Mambo Legends among others, and for those from the Patio: Bailatino, Rumberos del Callejón , Ensamble La Calle, Albondiga y su Pandilla, Repicao, Tributo, On Fire, La áquina de la Salsa, La Negramenta, Gerardo Rosales, Javier Plaza’s Son Risa Orchestra among others.

This has allowed me to be an obligatory reference when it comes to producing and making an event of great importance and musical quality where the Dancing Public is respected and appreciated, providing them with the comforts to enjoy an excellent show and Latin music is seen as an element of identity that belongs to all of us to live it and feel it.

I am (Betty Zapata) currently planning and developing projects in the short, medium and long term and to give you a heads-up I am giving you the scoop: I am here with my radio program to promote, support, disseminate and promote our exciting and magical world of Caribbean music.

Great Christmas salsa songs and their stories

Christmas is a time of joy where one of the most important elements is music, so we believe this is the best opportunity to feature some of the best Christmas salsa songs that we can remember. Here are the most cheerful songs in Latin music to listen to during the most beautiful time of the year.

Aires de Navidad by Héctor Lavoe and Willie Colón

”Aires de Navidad” is a great song which is part of the Christmas album ”Asalto Navideño Vol. I” from 1971. In the same year, Lavoe and Colón were already making preparations to record an album entirely dedicated to the festivities, indeed, they already had some songs recorded, but they knew that there were still details to finish.

Then, Héctor asked musician Roberto García to join the project that was underway, as they needed a guitarist to accompany them. Garcia accepted the proposal almost immediately and got excited about the project that he even proposed Yomo Toro to join them, to which Hector and Willie agreed with no problems.

The day they agreed to record the material, Toro came in first and began playing a Puerto Rican cuatro when he was scheduled to play the electric guitar. However, Johnny Pacheco, upon hearing the sounds, liked the arrangement and approved it without question.

That is how the four artists set out and recorded what would soon become one of the greatest Christmas hymns in recent times, and it will surely be in thousands of homes around the world this month.

One of the photos taken during the recording of ”Aires de Navidad”

La Fiesta de Pilito by El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico

”La Fiesta de Pilito” is included in the album ”Nuestra Música” by El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, which was recorded in 1985 as a tribute to the most beautiful and endearing of the Island of Enchantment during the Christmas holidays. Back then, any musical work created by El Gran Combo always became a resounding success once it was released and its members were sure that this would be no exception.

It is then when the composer of one of the main songs of ”Nuestra Música” came on the scene, and we are talking about Luis ”Pilito” Cruz, who would become part of the internationally acclaimed salsa group that same year.

What is known in the first instance about the song is that it did not have a specific name, so it was baptized as ”La Fiesta de Pilito” honoring the composer of its first two verses. Subsequently, the piece was completed with pregones and soneos created by the rest of the orchestra members.

Additionally, they received the support and collaboration from ‘‘El Caballero de La Salsa” Gilberto Santa Rosa, who served as a guest artist for the legendary recording.

Nuestra música at Christmas — Cover of the Christmas album ”Nuestra Música”

Bembé en Casa de Pinki by Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz

”Bembé En Casa de Pinki” is a Christmas song written by the famous duo Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz, which was released in 1971 and is the first single from the Christmas album ”Felices Pascuas”.

The song’s title comes from someone who would be very important in the career of the two aforementioned artists and that was the Panamanian-born diplomat named José Rogelio ”Pinki” Arias. The gentleman was a close friend of Richie and Bobby and, at the same time, director of the Panamanian Institute of Tourism. He used his friendship with the vocalists to invite them to various events in his country, knowing that they would be a complete success with the presence of the duo.

Such was the affection both exponents had for ”Pinki” that they dedicated to him two songs from their extensive repertoire, which were ”Bembé en Casa de Pinki” and one belonging to the album ”El Diferente”.

Among other songs, ”Felices Pascuas” also includes tracks such as ”Bomba en Navidad”, ”Mi Niñez”, ”San José”, and ”Aguinaldo Navideño”.

Felices fiestas at Christmas — Cover of the Christmas album ”Felices Fiestas”

Estelita by La Sonora Ponceña

Another group that never misses a chance to offer their talent to please their fans and make them enter the Christmas atmosphere during the holiday season, leaving great classics that can not be missing every year in our homes and one of them is ”Estelita”.

Something that can never be missed in a Christmas album is that colorful character who always brings playfulness and good humor to the atmosphere. In this case, it is Estelita, who is a party neighbor who always sneaks into the Christmas parrandas in her neighborhood, something that many people will surely feel identified with in various parts of Latin America.

The song was written by the late maestro Joe Torres and was part of the album ”Otra Navidad Criolla!” along with ”Opera Gandinga”, ”Vamonos Pa’l Campo”, ”La Vengo Siguiendo”.

Meet the venezuelan Oeste 11 orchestra

Latin America /  Venezuela / Caracas

Did you know that tropical music arises from the region surrounding the Caribbean Sea and the Antillean region of the American continent, where there is a mixture of rhythms from the African continent, fused with folklore and rhythms from the different American countries?

In this edition we can say that many music and dance lovers tend to choose Salsa and/or Tropical music, since they are musical genres that people enjoy as a couple or in a group, whether at an event, party or festival. giving it essence, life and sharing among all the members, for this reason there are many singers and members of orchestras that specialize in these genres, today we have as a special guest the Oeste 11 Orchestra from Caracas, Venezuela.

It was made up of young musicians belonging to the Venezuelan Orchestral Movement, among them the Venezuelan percussionist Alejandro Alfonzo who baptized it in 2007 with the name “Oeste 11” for all the musical experiences they shared since childhood, because most of their members were formed together in said parish.

It is currently made up of 13 musicians, who specialize in the musical genre “Salsa”, giving life to 2 discographies, the first entitled “AL NATURAL” that came out in 2015, consists of 8 unreleased songs and a cover. “With his songs I lie, Al natural, I forgot about you, Forget you, Medicine, You made fun of me, I have decided to forget you, My sweet friend and Dancing”

And for this month of May their second discography “Amor y gusto” will be available, which will be composed of 11 unreleased songs, and to give a preview of the new album they already presented us this March 31 their first single (theme), titled “ I want you to feel Mine”, which is accompanied by a music video that you can enjoy on her YouTube page https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpleKvxCg9Y.

And over the years they had the opportunity to share on stage with several well-known artists and/or groups, such as the Latin Dimension, Rafael el Pollo Brito, Proyecto A, Los Satélites, Magia Caribeña, Grupo Mango, and other national artists. of different musical genres.

Among their achievements, they mention that in the National Festival of Salsa Orchestras Dile no a la Payola de PDVSA la Estancia were the winners in 2014, they were also selected to honor the Sonora Ponceña for her 60 years of artistic career and were in the Festival Sounds Caracas.

If you want to listen to their discographies “Al Natural” and “I want you to feel mine”, they are available worldwide on the platforms Amazon, Itunes, Spotify, Tidal, Google Music, among others.

For more information:

E-mail: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Oeste11/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/oeste11?lang=es
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oeste11/?hl=es-la
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR-wi3ybnoTbLH9C3-8keMA
Phones: +584242251360 / +584265161630 del manager Alejandro Alfonzo

El “Día de San Juan” Salsa Festival

North America / USA

El “Día de San Juan” Salsa Festival Western Region Puerto Rican Council, Inc.

Concilio De Organizaciones Puertorriqueños Del OEste

Countdown to El “Día de San Juan” Festival 2018

40th Anniversary

SAVE THE DATE

June 30, 2018

Due to the ongoing effects of the devastation of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, the WRPRC will be directing all proceeds of El Dia de San Juan Festival to aid in the educational programs of the youth of Puerto Rico. http://www.wrprc.org/

“Día De San Juan” Salsa Scholarship Festival Line Up

Charlie Aponte

Charlie Aponte, one of the most beloved and remembered voices by millions of Salseros worldwide, returns to the stage as a Soloist after 41 successful years with La Universidad de la Salsa…El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico.

With Charlie Aponte as their lead singer El Gran Combo recorded many hits Brujería; Amor Brutal; La Loma del Tamarindo; No hay Cama pa’ tanta Gente; Hojas Blancas; Arroz con Habichuelas; among many others.

Tony Vega

Internationally known salsa singer and band leader, Tony Vega, emerged from Puerto Rico in the 1980’s, He has worked with many of the greatest salsa stars from the beginnings of the genre, to the present.

Vega was exposed to music at a very early age; influenced by many adults in his family who were musicians. Even in those early days, it was clear to Vega that nothing could satisfy his musical preferences like the music of his native Puerto Rico.

He was greatly influenced then by Ismael “Maelo” Rivera and Cortijo y su Combo, Rafael Ithierand El Gran Combo. Vega signed with the then new RMM record label and released his solo debut with “Yo Me Quedo!” in 1988.

Vega’s riveting voice and his innate ability to perform contemporary salsa in the best tradition of the classic “soneros” has been honed and refined over 19 years as an artist, first as a percussionist and then as a singer. Thus far Vega has participated in the recording of 17 albums, including the last four on the RMM label with his own band.

Tony Vega has recorded Hablando del Amor, Greatest Hits, Aparentemente, Hoy Quiero Cantarte, the self-titled Tony Vega, and these have established Vega as a highly regarded salsa star.

Taino Orchestra

Taino Orchestra began as a project to deliver salsa and latin jazz in August of 2010. The concept is very simple, a nine piece band with the sound and elegant sophistication of a big orchestra.

Inspired by bands and individuals such as Ray Barretto, Tito Puente, Willie Rosario, Eddie Palmieri and many others, TAINO has developed into one of the most solid, hard-hitting salsa bands in the area.

The band is led by percussionist and lead vocalist, Aaron Routtenberg. Aaron has toured and performed with some of the biggest names in the salsa industry including Jerry Rivera, Tito Nieves, La India, Tito Rojas and many more.

The percussion section features Carlos Caro on congas and Papo Martinez on bongo. On bass, Taino is proud to have veteran bandleader and musician Gilbert Roman, while the extremely talented Erick Peralta occupies the piano chair.

The sizzling horn section is proud to have Mike Rinta and Charly Aguilar on trombones, while Carlos McCoy dazzles audiences on baritone sax and flute. With this strong vocal section, swinging rhythm section, and blazing horn section that will make you move, we invite you to experience a musical masterpiece that you won’t soon forget! Ya lo ves, que viene TAINO!