Search Results for: Salsa

Renowned pianist and producer Sony Ovalles died

The news was released on Sunday 13

On Sunday, December 13, Latin music mourned the death of the great pianist and music producer Sony Ovalles, who was a key piece of the merengue and music in his native Dominican Republic. It was known that the cause of death was a heart attack, many industry figures spoke about it:

“Dominican Music is still mourning, the teacher, producer, arranger, pianist Sony Ovalles has just died of a heart attack! Responsible for many hits of Wilfrido Vargas, Jhonny Ventura, Sergio Vargas, Monchy Capricho, Rubby Perez among other great orchestras and Dominican artists! My condolences to his family and friends! Another great musician who becomes part of the Celestial Orchestra! Rest in peace Sony Ovalles’ soul!”, expressed Alejandro Henríquez through his Instagram account.

Ovalles has left a very huge position to fill, since his contribution to Latin music is very great. There are many outstanding artists who owe many of their successes to this genius, whose favorite instrument was the piano. But his talent went beyond the black and white keys, his gift for producing, composing, and arranging the songs with which so many artists and groups became known, could be considered magic. Heaven is now celebrating to the rhythm of the Dominican Sony Ovalles!

Sony Ovalles falleció — Sony Ovalles left a great legacy,

Learn more about the great musician Sony Ovalles

His real name was Rafael Ovalles Amaro, but it was through Sony Ovalles that the industry knew him. He was born in Salcedo, part of the Hermanas Mirabal province, in the always beautiful Dominican Republic, back in the 40s, being the proud son of Carlos Ovalles and Nidia Amaro. His initiation in music did not occur until he was 14, under the tutelage of the great musician Cuto Estévez, who managed to see a future with music for Sony.

He was the pianist of choice of Wlfrido Vargas, Félix del Rosario, Runny Pérez, and many more artists, despite not being in front of the stage, his presence was very powerful alongside the other musicians in the orchestra. Apart from collaborating with solo artists, Sony also lent its talents to great groups such as Joseíto Mateo’s, Los Hermanos Rosario, Las Chicas del Can, along with many more.

In addition to collaborating with great artists, he formed different groups, such as the salsa group El Complot that had Mike Peguero as its interpreter, as well as an orchestra with Vicente Pacheco as singer. Despite standing out in the merengue, he put his touch to several salsa compositions, recorded a complete album with the salsero Michel, highlighting the song Esa mujer.

There were many hits where he collaborated but the following are some of the most important: Wilfrido Vargas’ Atrevida, 13 años and Bachata merengue; Sergio Vargas’ Noche, La tierra tembló and Por ella; Vicente Pacheco’s El atracador, The New York Band y Tus 20 años. But his repertoire was infinite, demonstrating once again the great talent that exists in the Dominican Republic, one of the Caribbean jewels.

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

Carlos Santana was the main Latin artist in this lineup

The world renowned Mexican guitarist Carlos Santana took part in the concert “Peace Through Music: A World Event for Social Justice”, to celebrate the 75 years of the United Nations. This event was transmitted virtually through the Playing For Change Facebook page, the purpose was to gather musicians around the world, who would send a message of peace and justice through their music.

Carlos performed the famous song “Oye como va”, which originally was performed by Tito Puente, but was immortalized in the 70s by the Jalisco-born guitarist. This performance was accompanied by the beautiful landscapes of Hawaii, and the excellent drums of Santana’s wife, Cindy Blackman.

“Music is a mystical medicine that heals the listener from the infection of fear, the infection of separation, of thinking that you are not enough. Music rescues you from thinking like that”, were Santana’s words during the broadcast.

Carlos Santana in Peace Through Music

But Santana was not the only Latin artist to be present at this beautiful event, Tito Puente Jr. and Becky G, also performed their songs and gave their messages about this complicated year. Together with different artists from countries such as Colombia and Brazil who showed the sounds of their land.

Ringo Starr was the other major artist to say present

Ringo Starr, the well-known drummer of the iconic British group The Beatles, was the other artist who attracted the most attention at this event, interpreting a song with many artists around the world called The Weight, where again a call is made for love and peace, a message that Starr has always professed since his beginnings with the Beatles.

“I am honored to be here and to be part of this musical presentation celebrating the United Nations and 75 years of working for peace and justice around the world and I am sure that love was part of this in some way,” he commented during his participation.

Ringo Starr in Peace Through Music

In addition to him, artists such as Annie Lennox and Jack Johnson were also present. The first performed “Here comes the rain again”, a song that was immortalized by the British duo Eurythmics in the 80s. While Johnson commented: “Music has the ability to unite us”, a message that the entire event demonstrated despite being separated by kilometers, technology allows us to enjoy the talent of these renowned artists, who in one way or another only want to bring people together.

The event was organized by the Playing For Change and Blackbird Presents foundations, seeking to give a message of unity and strength in these difficult times for all. In fact, between each presentation you could see messages from many corners of the world, about the fight against covid-19 and its repercussions. Apart from that, the event also had slogans against racism, and of course the power of music in the world.

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Where the idea of the name of the Fania Record label came from

October 2020

Jerry Masucci and Johnny Pacheco

Genaro Masucci, known as Jerry Masucci and Juan Azarías Pacheco Kiniping, known as Johnny Pacheco — Jerry Masucci and Johnny Pacheco

Where the idea of Genaro Masucci, known as Jerry Masucci ((Brooklyn, New York, Oct. 7, 1934 -Argentina Dec. 21, 1997)) and Juan Azarías Pacheco Kiniping, known as Johnny Pacheco ((Santiago, Dominican Republic, Mar. 25, 1935)) to give the title to the record label “Fania” arose.

The name was taken from the old Cuban son: “Fania”, which was successfully performed by the Conjunto Estrellas de Chocolate and composed by Reinaldo Bolaños.

The lyrics present a syncretism between the Spanish and African languages.

Members of the Conjunto Estrellas De Chocolate.

Theme: Fania

Author: Reinaldo Bolaños

Voice: Filiberto Hernández Fuentes

Voice: Chinese Lion Lahera Wilson

Voice: Agustín Cabrera .

Three: Andrés “Nino Rivera” Echevarría

Bass guitar: Sergio De Cuba

Bongos: “Pichi”

Piano: David Palomares

Trumpet: Armando “El Gorilla” Albertini

Felix “Chocolate” Alfonso was not afraid to put together and lead an ensemble in the style of Arsenio and Chappottín in 1959. The ensemble format was part of the medium in which he swam like a fish in water.

He knew the best montuneros musicians and called them together. The good ensembles still retained the favor of part of the public.

Jesús Gorís, the architect of the Puchito label, didn’t think twice about it and recorded them right away.

Victrolas in bars and bodegas all over the island began to spread the son montuno macho of Las Estrellas de Chocolate.

But the 1960s in Cuba were too strong, diverse and creative, and the good work of Chocolate with its stars had to deal with a scene that was too competitive for a novel ensemble.

As often happens, it took several years for the Chocolate Stars to finally shine as stars and be on everyone’s lips.

was recorded in the voice of Pedro Juan Rodríguez Ferrer "Pete" El Conde Rodríguez — “My New Tumbao Cañonazo”

Fania, although composed by Reinaldo Bolaños for Conjunto Estrellas de Chocolate, was recorded on the voice of Pedro Juan Rodríguez Ferrer “Pete” El Conde Rodríguez (Ponce, Puerto Rico, Jan. 31, 1933 – Dec. 2, 2000); who along with Pacheco’s group recorded the company’s first album entitled “Mi Nuevo Tumbao. Cañonazo”, with a majority of Cuban songs, like most of the albums recorded by Pacheco and many of those recorded by that label.

In 1964 Jhonny Pacheco and Jerry Massucci founded Fania Records and created the international and renowned Fania All Stars.

Pete was the first singer that Fania had, and on his shoulders was the responsibility of taking that project forward.

In the first Fania album Cañonazo (1964) Pete interpreted the theme Fania, composition of Reinaldo Bolanos and with which the band was inaugurated.

It is 1964 and the history of Latin music is about to change.

The Dominican flutist Johnny Pacheco, one of the most popular Latin artists in New York, has parked his flute, changed his orchestra and recorded an album, “Mi Nuevo Tumbao…Cañonazo”.

It’s a curious recording, although it doesn’t seem special.

It sounds like a somewhat modernized Sonora Matancera. But it has been released under a new label, Fania Records, which he has just founded in partnership with New York lawyer Jerry Masucci.

And what was only meant to be a start to relaunch and boost Pacheco’s career is out of the hands of both of them and becomes a phenomenon.

Fania All Stars

Additional information:

The name of one of the most important record labels in Latin America and the world All comes from a song by Cuban Reinaldo Bolaños called Fanía, which refers to a story about a woman whose name was Epifanía and her mentally challenged son.

The story goes that in the middle of a fight between the two, she threw flour (funche as it is called in the Caribbean) in her son’s face and he responded “Fania Funché”.

Bolaños liked the story very much, as did the founders of the record company Jerry Masuci and Jhonny Pacheco, who decided to name their music company after her and include the song in the first album produced.

With the passage of time, they stopped pronouncing the tilde on the “i” and started calling it Fania, without an accent.

Research sources:

Thomas Muriel (Puerto Rico)

www.gladyspalmera.com

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Daniela Darcourt and Tony Succar together for a charming photo

Daniela visits Tony on her trip to Miami

While she was in the United States, the artist visited the renowned producer, in what was a nice surprise for the fans of both of them. The news was released by the singer herself through her Instagram, where she told a small but motivating story while sharing a photograph of both posing together with the talented Peruvian-American producer’s Grammys.

Daniela mentions the first contact she had with who is her friend now, Tony, saying that five years ago she wrote to him to express her admiration for the producer’s work; she also added that she would love to meet him one day, which happened, for 4 years after that message was sent, they played together at a huge concert in Peru.

Daniela’s touching words

The words dedicated to Tony Succar by the artist are overflowing with love, the second we read them, we realize how happy she felt about the visit. “You know better than anyone how much I adore, love, and respect you, your family, your work, your heart”. All of these words, accompanied by the two big smiles in the picture.

Daniela Darcourt and Tony Succar together.

She concluded her post with a nice message and an ambitious promise, “You can count on me forever and always (I promise that in the next photo we take, my Grammys will be there too) I love you with all my heart!” she said in a cheerful tone.

Not only Daniela made a post about the reunion, but Tony also posted another photo of them together in his studio with a shorter but just as loving message. “It was an honor to have you here for the first time! You have too much talent. I am super proud of what you are achieving”.

As expected, as a result of these events, rumors of a collaboration between the two of them did not take long to arrive, not only due to their reunion, but also to the photograph published by Tony, where Daniela is seen with an expression that suggests that she is singing, which is enough reason to put all the fans of both artists to the expectations of what may happen between them, although it is important to note that until now there has been no statement by either of them that confirms or denies the rumors.

Whether there is a collaboration between the two artists or not, what is clear is that Daniela Darcourt is at a great moment in her musical career, and her ambitions are not low, she has made clear her intentions to apply to the Grammy awards and get one, a dream that can be achieved if she continues to grow as an artist.

Despite how problematic the year has been for everyone, the interpreter of ‘Señor mentira’ has had a couple of remarkable moments in 2020, one of them is her nomination for the Heat Awards with her song ‘probabilidad de amor’ ; also, her music has been widely heard on Spotify, which is quite significant, especially when we take into account her obvious intentions to internationalize musically.

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ROX’s new single “Cristal”

Cristal is dedicated to those strong women

“Composing is a magical process”, said a Venezuelan living in the United States that puts the name of her country very high. She is a multifaceted artist and this time presents her new single “Cristal”.

Roxana Frontini, her real name, known in the industry as “Rox”, unveils her new song: “Cristal”, inspired and dedicated to “all the queens of the world”, as its description dictates. Frontini wanted to consciously empower women and honor what they stand for. The song is within the Latin genre and has a very powerful message: “No one can stop her” is one of the phrases she mentions there, referring to “the glass woman.”

“Cristal” had the voice, melody and authorship of the artist, while the production and arrangements were in charge of Arturo Cabrera. The music video was directed by Nestor Cabrera. Since the beginning of December, it has been available on digital platforms. The positive comments have been increasing, as well as the support of her colleagues and followers; the views on YouTube exceed the 100 thousand.

“Cristal is a celebration of the Queen that each woman carries inside, whatever the path we have chosen, we all fulfill an essential role that contributes to the development of our society. The mother, the daughter, the sister, the cousin, the grandmother, the friend… We all matter”, stated the businesswoman.

In the music video, different women can be seen in their facets of everyday life as mothers and workers. This is the first song she has done in Spanish, and she hopes to release its English version soon.

“Our stories are full of challenges and victories that make us precious, like crystal. In each one of us there is a warrior, a friend, a teacher, an angel, and a queen. It is my greatest wish that by singing and dancing this song, each woman connects with her value, and together we shine more. This goes to my beloved, respected and admired Crystal Women all over the World!”

In the music video she wanted to reflect the process she went through while creating the song. She sought to stay fresh, natural, with little makeup, and everyday wardrobe. For this reason, she added some shots in her gym look, very constant in times of pandemic. With the phrase “This song is for each of you because we are all queens and together we shine more”, ends the credits of the music video.

“Part of the song came out one day exercising on my balcony (because we were in full lockdown); minutes before I had had a long conversation with my mother where we covered her life trajectory, and all the things she has overcome including cancer. Then, when the first part of the song was ready, I started working on a new fine art series called Reinas; this series shows very different women, all with something in common, Modern Crowns: hats of different styles, colors and sizes that symbolize the originality of each one. As this series began, the missing piece of Cristal emerged with total fluidity. Every time I sat down to work on the art pieces, it was like the information for Cristal was downloaded to me”

The work was made up of enterprising women who have obtained great merits in different areas: Almudena Álvarez, lawyer, LL.M, partner at Álvarez Lentner; Gisela Morichetti, Visual Communication designer; Lisset Galeyev, photographer, owner of Lisset Galeyev Photography; also Liz Nieves, fashion designer, owner of Ilogear Active & Dance Wear; and Ethel Schutz, Christian, faith leader, and the woman who taught Frontini to paint. All brilliant and worthy of admiration.

Rox is presenting her new single Cristal — Roxana Frontini better known as ROX.

ROX’s Biography

Rox is Venezuelan, born in Caracas and who has made her way internationally. She is an artist, a businesswoman, and has led projects in different areas. She has a very solid career in different aspects. She founded FashionCurators.com, a business that seeks to provide opportunities for stores, brands, and designers to broaden their horizons, and gain a further scope. She has combined her role as an artist and a businesswoman. She writes, paints, dances tango, sings, designs, creates content, and runs businesses. In fact, she has a personal blog. She has done volunteer work, is an expert in marketing and the digital area. A Crystal woman!

The singer began her musical career from a very young age. Her first steps were at the Juan José Landaeta National Conservatory, in her native Caracas. From the age of 15, she composed and collaborated with renowned artists signed by Sony Music. In addition, she is the daughter of a long-time musician, a member of the Fenix Jazz Band, in Argentina. On many occasions, she accompanied him in his presentations, and learned many tips that she then put into practice, in addition to obtaining greater ease in the industry.

At the age of 17, she started in pop-rock covering songs by some greats of the genre and her favorite singers such as: Shakira, Soda Stereo, Fito Páez, The Police, Alanis Morisette, and No Doubt.

At an artistic level, she stands out for her beautiful pieces, inspired for the most part by the femininity that characterizes her so much. Elegant and very subtle pictures and illustrations. It also offers cell phone accessories, clothing, and details for home decoration. Frontini has other musical singles to her credit in English and Spanish. It fuses elements of pop, electro pop, and Latin music “Oasis”, “Your Groove”, “Better Choices”, among others.

She is one of the most renowned Latin exponents in the United States, and has achieved success in Europe, and Latin America. She has struggled to be successful and overcome life’s obstacles; among them, she had to recover from a facial paralysis that changed her perspective but gave her more strength to continue. Thanks to being a multifaceted woman, she was able to focus her energies in other areas.

Her passion for music, art and entrepreneurship gave her the hope she needed at that time. From this experience, she learned to value moments more, and that the greatest treasures are inner power, creativity, purposes in life, family, and wisdom. For this reason, she wanted to inspire others to grow and have tools to constantly face life.
The artist has been very excited about the release of her new single. She did not miss an opportunity to thank those who have supported her and the women who inspired her:

“Special thanks to all the women of the world, for inspiring this song”

For Frontini, composing is a magical process, she feels blessed to be able to collaborate with producers who challenge her as a singer and author. For her, it is a privilege that she is inspired to go beyond her own mental and emotional barriers.

Her musical career will continue to give something to talk about, and perhaps before we imagine, she will surprise us with her album!

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