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Benefits of music in pregnancy

Music and pregnancy

On a number of occasions, science has shown the benefits that music has for the health of humans in general and of course the stage of pregnancy could not be the exception.

It turns out that listening to music can be highly beneficial for both the future and the baby on the way, who already has the ability to perceive sounds on his own from the sixteenth week of gestation. Throughout this material, we will be talking about the influence that music has on this very special stage of a woman’s life and the child she has in her womb.

A baby can perceive sounds from the sixteenth week of gestation

Music and the realtionship of the fetus and the mother

While it is true that it has not been proven that music affects the baby’s intelligence and development, it is known that it is a very powerful catalyst of emotions for the mother, which will affect her child at a physiological level. This is because the child can perceive both nervous and quite moments that his mother feels at some point as part of the connection that both human beings already have. Although the baby cannot hear as an adult would do, he is capable of capturing the eotions of his mother unconsciously.

This connection is even strengthened by their heartbeat synchrnization, which are in time with the rhythm of the song they listen to at the same time. If the mother listens to her favorite song at that moment, she will relax and feel a state of well-being almost immediately, which will also happen with her child.

If a song makes a pregnant woman happy, her baby will be happy too

Another important detail is that the mother produces endorphins that make her feel happy and comfortable at that moment, which will also be noticed by her little one, who will also be infected by these sensations. Many would recommend classical music or medias designed for future mothers, but songs that are simply to their liking and help to relax them from daily stress are also a good option.

A fetus’s perception of music

Thanks to a study by Institute Marqués entitled ”Fetal facial expression in response to vaginal music emission”, it is known that a fetus can hear clearly sounds from his mother’s body such as her heartbeat and breaths, but outside sounds from are completely distorted, which of course includes music. It was also discovered that the only sound waves that are clearly perceived from the womb are those coming directly from the vaginal canal.

Most of the sounds will be perceived as distorted by the baby

Specific benefits of music for the fetus

One of the main benefits music for the fetus is the stimuation of the brain areas and cells responsible for language by this set of sounds, which greatly helps this area to develop correctly. In fact, there have been ultrasounds that show many babies can be seen opening their mouths and trying to vocalize while there is a background melody.

Another great benefit of listening to music for babies is intense stimulation of heart rate by these sounds, which makes the heart pump faster, the cells achieve a better oxygenation and the brain has a more complete development.

In addition to this, prolonged exposure to music may cause the baby to stay calm for a longer amount of time and cry less once he is born.

Son Del Monte’s musical director and timbalero Manuel Rivera

Who is ”Manny”

Manuel ”Manny” Rivera is the musical director and timbalero of the Son Del Monte Orchestra. We had the great opportunity to have a friendly conversation with him to know in detail his beginnings, career, groups, role as musical director, among other things.

Manuel ''Manny'' Rivera tells us his interesting story — Manuel ”Manny” Rivera tells us his interesting story

Time in the Yambú Orchestra

After apologizing for his deficits in the Spanish language, he continued by thanking us for the opportunity to tell his story and describe his time in the Yambú Orchestra, which was the first group in which he could start developing his talents in the 70’s. ”what we wanted to do at that time was make a mix between jazz with typical music because the pianist, who was of African descent, was who wrote the music with musical director and bassist Ramón Rodríguez”. It is presumed that the pianist focused a lot on these genres because of his roots, but his colleagues were fine with it.

Although he loved jazz, Manuel began to notice that it was not very danceable for the audience, which is what caused him to become interested in charanga, a genre that was already very famous in New York City in those years. That’s how he decided to immerse himself in this set of rhythms because he liked to see people go to the dance floor and enjoy themselves.

He also liked Yambú’s style a lot, but felt he had to take a more accurate path for what he was feeling at the time.

Similarities of Son Del Monte with other jazz big bands and members

I was a bongo player, but I started playing timbales because they are widely used in charanga. What I was looking for was to do a similar thing to what Eddie Palmieri did with La Perfecta, who used trombones and a flute mixed with timbales to achieve a charanga sound” said Rivera on this subject. He also added that ”I also wanted to avoid monotony of charanga so I also started using trombones, violin and a flute. This is what I have baptized as chajunto, a mixture of charanga with the characteristics of an ensemble (conjunto in Spanish) ”.

He also pointed out that New York does not have an orchestra like his because he did not want to do the same thing that all groups of this kind do, but something different and novel. ”Son Del Monte is charanga with something more for the people, not only violin and flutes,” said the artist. ”I have three singers with three different styles and they are Puerto Rican Luis Ayala, Colombian Armando Son Giménez and Puerto Rican-Dominican Luisito Soto Junior,” he added.

The Son Del Monte Orchestra also features from the talent of flutist Mauricio Smith Junior, violinist Erick Salazar, trombonist Juanga Lakunza, trombonist Charlie García, bassist Bert Castro, conguero Joe González, pianist Andy Colón, among others. This is the group that has stuck by his side for more than six years in spite of the storms and they always perform together.

All members of the Son Del Monte Orchestra

Opinion on the academic training of musicians

Rivera was one of the best students at Harbor’s Conservatory of Music in Manhattan, New York and he thinks that institution had done so mucho good for folk music because of all the talent that graduated there. After studying there, he began to read percussion music and learned to play batá, tumbadora, Colombian rumba, guaguancó, yambú, and so on.

The musician stresses the importance of studying, as this knowledge helps to understand the clave, the moment to start playing an instrument, the chime, the reading of music, discipline and many more. Before this, Manuel played led by the spirit and sensations, but his teachers at the conservatory taught him to have the technical tools necessary for being even more professional.

What is more important, experience or studies?

”Definitely experience. I have seen many great artists learn to read music without going to a conservatory and a great example of that is Roberto Roena, who did not need that learning to be who he was. However, that is something that not everyone can do” said Manuel. I can also mention the case of Tito Rodriguez who was not a musician guided by the lyrics, but he knew very well what he wanted. These are some of the many examples of privileged artists who only needed accumulated experience to achieve wonders with their work”.

However, this does not mean studies are not important, as they can teach things that can be useful later on and under some circumstances.

Front cover of the Son Del Monte Orchestra's album ''Una Charanga Con Algo Más'' — Front cover of the Son Del Monte Orchestra’s album ”Una Charanga Con Algo Más”

Covid-19

”The pandemic did not let us do anything on stage. The guys went to the studio from time to time or we met virtually, as we do now. It was so sad because there are many venues that have failed to open their doors again. Since the pandemic started, we have not seen as much activity in New York as it used to be before” expressed the artist sadly.

Also of concern to the musical director of the Son Del Monte Orchestra is that this situation has put many musicians out of work, at least in the industry. Active musical groups have very few members in the vast majority of the cases, contrary to his and the orchestra he conducts. He hopes that it will improve with time.

Winterthur receives the Bachata Fusion Festival

Latin rhythms reach corners of Europe every day where it would never have been thought that these genres could be heard, much less danced. In this case, we have that Bachata is reaching unthinkable borders such as Switzerland, which is why the next Bachata Fusion Festival 2023 Carnival Edition will take place in the city of Winterthur in the Zurich region, during February. Know the details in the following lines.

Bachata Fusion Festival 2023 Carnival Edition in February

Young love couple dancing social danse kizomba or bachata

This festival is a continuation of the one that took place in November, a way to close Winter and begin Spring. It was the first festival dedicated exclusively to bachata, which was organized in Switzerland in the entire dance history of this country. And after that mega success it had, there was no reason not to organize another soon.

This edition will be dedicated to Carnival, a festival that is traditionally celebrated during the month of February in the Caribbean and South American countries. And when it comes to Latin rhythms, Carnival is a perfect concept to show them. That is why the organizers decided to carry out the Fusion with this premise but as always with the central axis of bachata.

As in the previous edition, the Carnival one will feature the best international artists, who in turn will attract the best dancers from all over Europe and other borders. But there is no need to be a professional dancer to enjoy the complete package that this festival offers. If you like Latin rhythms and even want to learn to dance next to the best dancers, this is your cue.

Confirmed artists include:

Mark & Sarah
Carlos & Idaira
Magda & Valerie
Gaby & Stefi
Dario & Sarah
Anthony & Ivana
Marco & Paola
Sorush – Let’s play bachata
Tony & Ana
DJ York
DJ Husky
DJ Paul G

The organizers at GO&Dance have left the prices of the packages and everything they offer. Prices range from €65 to €240, with various discounts depending on the package, and the days of reservation, remember that the closer the date is, there will be fewer opportunities for discounts or promotions. But from this moment Winterthur awaits you with open arms.

Winterthur, a historic city in the heart of Europe

Switzerland is a country located in the heart of Europe. It is very marked by its magnificent natural landscapes where the star is the central mountain range of the Alps. Its cities are must-see places on the continent, from Zurich, one of the most dynamic, to Winterthur, where culture takes center stage.

But there’s a lot to do in Winterthur while visiting for the festival. Just 30 minutes from Zurich, it has the largest continuous pedestrian zone in Europe, museums that house masterpieces of European art between the 14th and 20th centuries. Even presentations in the middle of the street, and a wide range of festivals since culture is the main thing in this city.

Despite not having the cosmopolitan air of many European cities, Winterthur has its own identity which makes it unique in the eyes of the visitor. And an excellent place to carry out the Bachata Fusion Festival 2023 Carnival Edition, this February will be a month highly anticipated by all.

La Gozadera in Barcelona will never be the same

Latin rhythms are very popular in Europe, Spain is not escaping this and one of its most cosmopolitan and original cities is enjoying the Latin party. In Barcelona you can enjoy the best Latin party “La Gozadera” every Thursday at La Fira Provença. There is a lot to do in this city but if you want to dance the night away to the best Latin rhythms, La Fira Provença is your place. Learn more in the following lines.

Barcelona is your city if you are looking for cosmopolitan and original environments

One of the most impressive cities in Spain is Barcelona, filled with a lot of art and creativity. It has become one of the cultural capitals of Europe, where in each street there is an artistic representation of different genres. It is a place that knows how to mix the new with the old, that is not afraid to show how its artists left their marks, and that attracts people for its tendencies.

Gaudí is one of those artists who left his artistic signature wherever he could, and one of those who gave the city the most fame. It is not strange to see the Gaudí touch in most of its buildings, but also the modernization that this fame has brought it. Visitors can easily enjoy the city life together with the flair of the Mediterranean coastwhich turns nights into an adventure.

Find La Gozadera in Barcelona Nights

One of those adventures can be found in La Fira Provença, one of the most fashionable nightclubs in the city. La Fira translates to The Fair, and precisely the style of this place can be defined as a fair, since everything is very lively and exuberant. From the decoration of the premises that is governed by Feng Shui, which gives it a unique atmosphere, to what they offer in food and drinks, and of course the loyal public of La Fira.

Its location is highly exclusive on Carrer de Provença, one of the most elite areas of the city, which generates one of the most visited experiences in Barcelona. From sunset to midnight, it offers a great gastronomic service but at 12, the disco starts its Latin party.

It has become so popular that you can see great figures from Barcelona, Spain and even international celebrities in the VIP area. But the central day of this Latin party is Thursday with “La Gozadera”, a party organized by Barceloning, which starts at midnight and ends at 5am.

During those hours the best Latin music of the moment is presented with great hits from the past, some Thursdays there is live talent. But the best thing is that until 1am the entrance is completely free, so it is not strange to go through Carrer de Provença before midnight on Thursdays and observe a line to be able to enter to enjoy “La Gozadera”.

Barcelona offers a lot for all its inhabitants and visitors, but if it is about Latin rhythms, La Fira Provença is the best place for this. Its location, atmosphere, and service make it one of the best nightclubs in this Spanish city.

Gilberto Santa Rosa arrives in Spain with his “Camínalo Tour”

The great Puerto Rican singer Gilberto Santa Rosa continues his successful concert tour “Camínalo Tour” with four stops in Spain’s most representative cities. This tour is not only to relive his best hits, but also to celebrate his more than four decades on the stage. We tell you everything in the following lines.

Gilberto Santa Rosa, an artist with four decades on the stage

“El Caballero de la Salsa” was born in Puerto Rico in 1962 and from a very young age showed talent for music, especially Latin genres. After more than four decades on the stage, Santa Rosa has left an indelible mark on Latin music, hence his nickname.

This artist has managed to be very versatile in his work, even though he concentrates on a single genre such as salsa. Many of his songs show different sides of the genre, from a very romantic salsa to one that makes everyone dance.

Another of his great talents is his ability to improvise on stage, in many of his shows it is not surprising to hear different lines from the original ones. But all this, plus his great charisma, conquers his public, as he says: “In my concerts, music is always the star of the show.”

“Camínalo Spain Tour” is the reunion of Gilberto Santa Rosa with Spain

“Camínalo Tour” began in June 2021, when he returned to the stage after the COVID-19 pandemic. It has passed through the big cities of Latin America and the United States. Finally after 4 years without stepping on Spanish soil we will be able to enjoy Gilberto in this part of his tour.

The great Puerto Rican artist will be in four cities: Barcelona, Alicante, A Coruña, and Madrid; from March 2 to 5, 2023. The announcement was made in November 2022 and tickets are already on pre-sale, so if you want to see this great salsa singer, run and secure your ticket.

The love that the Spaniards have for Gilberto is so great that the best arenas in each city were reserved for these stops. And it will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, as he himself explains: “We are a generation of artists who, if we didn’t sing on stage, would feel like we’re cheating people.”

And this love for the stage is also shown in these words: “I am very happy to be able to close this tour… which has given us so many unforgettable moments. These next concerts will be very special, because in some cities we haven’t been there for a long time and that always gives it a particular aura. The musicians who accompany me from Puerto Rico, all those who are part of the tour, and I are more than ready to present the Camínalo Tour”.

The talent, passion and charisma that Gilberto Santa Rosa imposes on his work is undeniable, which is reflected in his Latin Grammy awards for best salsa album in 2007 and 2010, best traditional tropical album in 2009, best traditional pop vocal album in 2015 and the Latin Grammy for musical excellence that he won in 2021. We are excited for this concert!