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Spanish Harlem Salsa Gallery & Johnny Cruz: ¡Que viva la Salsa!

North America / USA / California

Spanish Harlem Salsa Gallery & Johnny Cruz: ¡Que viva la Salsa!

A private collection that was built over four decades has opened its doors to the public in El Barrio, New York, becoming the only permanent exhibition dedicated to salsa and its heritage

By Carmen Mercedes Aular

With the magic and passion of Johnny Cruz as host, Spanish Harlem Salsa Gallery opened its doors to the New York community and the world a year ago, after 5 years of starting as a private gallery for an exclusive audience.

In this extraordinary place are exhibited 40 years of music, experiences and memories that now everyone can relive and consequently know the history behind each instrument, behind each object that rests in this immaculate space and carefully organized by Cruz. The collection includes instruments, pictures, newspapers, clothing and several gadgets donated by great musicians of Latin music.

Must share the good things

The initiative to bring the VIP experience to more people was conceived by Johnny Cruz to realize the positive impact that the gallery would have on the community of El Barrio and the way in which, through it, he could get more involved with schools from the neighborhood. The goal is to continue teaching children and adults the history of Latin music and show them how music is part of history and culture, and how it’s also part of El Barrio.

Cruz hopes to tell the story of each element of the gallery to anyone who wants to listen, and continue to increase the collection with donations from the stars of Latin music. Anyone interested in the history of music can learn something new and continue to share this information with other people so that the successes of these artists are never forgotten and kept alive in the collective memory.

In the near future, they hope to carry the information from the gallery to schools and universities in New York. In addition, they are working to collect resources to expand the collection and preserve exposure in the best and safest way possible, and become a source of employment for the community.

What awaits you at SpaHa Salsa Gallery?

At 1708 Lexington Ave NYC, you can find a wide variety of instruments, costumes, and other items from top artists of Latin music. One of the pieces of more recent data is the costume used by Sophy from Puerto Rico, in the tribute concert to Rafael Hernández at the Center for Fine Arts of Puerto Rico.

The great Eric Vélez supported the gallery by donating the congas that are in the permanent exhibition. You can also appreciate the tuxedo that Adalberto Santiago used in his 55th anniversary concert and a Bobby Cruz costume. A piece that you definitely have to watch is the colorful and vibrant Celia Cruz’s dress. Mike Rodriguez donated his güiro, maracas and tamboril. Willie Álvarez’s trombone also rests in this exposition.

Tourists and locals can learn about the history of objects belonging to musicians of La Fania All Stars or La Sonora Ponceña, the shoes of Héctor Casanova perched on the congas of Eddie Montalvo and numerous pieces full of anecdotes that will always, very gladly, share their host. The commitment of the gallery, and Johnny Cruz, is reaffirmed every day with donations of great glories that have a single purpose: to keep the music alive.

Soon, you will have access to the membership of the SpaHa Salsa Gallery, with which you will get information about the events before the general public and discounts in a wide network of restaurants in town, among other benefits, as a way to promote the gallery and obtain funds for its expansion and maintenance.

Within the gallery’s events programming for this month is Pablito Rosario and Cachete Maldonado’s visit, a celebration for Governor Andrew Cuomo for his triumph in the primaries vote in the state of New York, and another for Assemblyman Roberto Rodríguez, who has the support of the Latino community in the area where SpaHa Salsa Gallery lives. Moreover, Nicky Marrero, musician of the Fania All Stars, will donate the timbales he used recently in a tribute to Celia Cruz, so you can meet him in the gallery; on that day, he will be signing the instrument to formally deliver it to the collection.

The gallery is open to the public from Wednesday to Friday from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and Saturdays from 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm at 1708 Lexington Ave. NY 10029 (El Barrio).

You can get more information about events, membership and donations by calling 917-747-8505.

About the precursor of the initiative

Johnny Cruz has a history of 40 years in the world of Latin music, during which he has been collecting musical instruments. In the last 5 years he created Spaha Salsa Gallery in El Barrio in New York City and a year ago he shares it with friends, contacts, tourists and the community.

He has been a percussionist for the last 40 years and is passionate about music, singing it, producing it, composing it, telling it, living it today and keeping it alive forever. He has worked closely with some of the most outstanding Latin musicians in the business throughout his career and has been honored with a variety of awards over the years.

Photo by Johnny Cruz with more music instruments

At this time, he produces a public access television program for mnn.org called The Windows of Latin America. The program has been on the air weekly for 20 years, and it is the only TV space in New York where salsa is broadcast.

In a few days he will be premiering a collaborative production with Adalberto Santiago, with songs that recap his musical career of more than six decades and have the admiration and gratitude of Cruz. Within the framework of this launch, there will be an event in which great Latin music personalities will meet again at the Spanish Harlem Salsa Gallery to share a fun time with fans and friends.

Since the beginning of this trip, his desire has been to create a space for the community. Sharing these artifacts is their way of giving back to a community that they have had the pleasure of being part of for many years, a bit of their culture and their heritage for the world.

Brisa Tropical con Taino

North America / USA / Oklahoma

Brisa Tropical con Taino. The Oklahoma´s Salsero program in Spanish

For almost 30 years, the state of Oklahoma has among its ranks of entertainment, “Brisa Tropical con Taino”, the first spanish radio show with Salsero sound, made especially for the Latin community in the country.

Its creator, founder, host and producer is the Puerto Rican Lino “Taino” Roldán Torres, a Disabled Vietnam and Persian Gulf wars Veteran, salsa lover, who together with his wife Carmen decided to undertake this project for the Latin market unattended for so many years.

Brisa Tropical with Taino

This pioneering program began its transmission for the first time in 1992, through the Amplitude Modulation (AM) dial. At first, this format had three hours of broadcast of only Tropical Music in its programming, novelty that made him a creditor of a preferential site in Frequency Modulation (FM) in 1995, with a duration of one hour in addition to the one established at the beginning in the AM circuit.

This way, Brisa Tropical con Taino had a total of four hours of continuous Latin music with advertising spaces, musical information and artists´ biographies, these transmissions lasted 18 uninterrupted years in that radio space.

Nam - Brisa Tropical con Taino — Nam – Brisa Tropical con Taino

“AN ANNOUNCER SHOULD FOCUS ON THE MUSIC AND LEAVE ASIDE ANY OTHER SUBJECTS THAT ARE NOT APPROPRIATE.”

Lino started with the idea of a Latin program for Latinos at a Local Radio Station when he arrived in Oklahoma after his work in the military in the early 90’s, at the same time, this retired military man with 23 years of service also worked as a DJ in two European countries: Italy and Germany. “… When I arrived to Oklahoma, I noticed the absence of a radio station in Spanish of tropical rhythms, such as Salsa, Merengue, Etc.

I went to several radio stations, but they were not interested in having a program in Spanish. I went to the commercial establishments of the city and told them about my idea that would bring them a market that was unexplored (the Hispanic market). The merchants and other commercial institutions immediately told me that they would give me their support. I presented the idea to an AM station, and they accepted it. (My goal was FM, but this opened the doors)”, Taino told us.

Currently, Brisa Tropical con Taino is developed only by network 2.0 since 2015, going from a Radio Program to a Digital Salsera Station with 24 hours programming each day with live interruptions between 10AM and 3PM, using that is commonly known as “Voice Track” for the rest of the time.

With this change, this interactive Web Station based in the city of Jenks, south of Tulsa in Oklahoma, has managed to obtain a loyal and numerous audience in Europe, the Caribbean, all of Latin America, the United States, and especially in remote areas such as: Iraq and Afghanistan, where the station fulfills a gratifying mission, as they carry greetings from the hundreds of soldiers deployed in those war zones to their relatives in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

The also sociologist, Lino Roldan, along with his wife and great collaborating friends, are responsible for producing the varied programming for all Salseras generations all week, as well as to bring information capsules about Health, Consumer, Home Security, Maintenance of automobiles, etc., always with the firm purpose of bringing entertainment and, at the same time, education for the listening public.

“… LA SALSA LLEGÓ PARA QUEDARSE Y ES MUNDIAL”

This non-profit digital broadcaster is committed to the community, sponsoring Salsa events (without cost) such as: cruises and artist presentations, as well as helping to promote several activities of various organizations. In the same way, they are always present and united with the community in cases of emergencies such as natural disasters caused by the past hurricanes Mitch (1998) and María (2017), collaborating with the collection of food for the victims.

Lino “Taino” Roldán, as a good Salsa lover, hopes to continue praising this tropical music for many years, transmitting through his digital station different interpreters’ songs from all over the world, and to continue with this important work and pasion, Lino and Carmen need to raise $1000 in the account opened in “Go Fund Me” for maintenance expenses and music royalties that they promote. Would you like to help them?

Carmen and Lino Roldán - Brisa Tropical with Taino — Carmen and Lino Roldán – Brisa Tropical with Taino

“… AT MY AGE, PROJECTS AND GOALS ARE DONE EVERY DAY. I FEEL HAPPY WITH WHAT I DO”. Lino Roldán

For more information, please visit www.brisatropical.com or download the app for Smartphone Radio La Brisa Tropical.

La Candela Salsa Orchestra has a new album titled “On Time”

Europe / Peru

After the worldwide success of their previous work on the best dance floors, the Candela Salsa Orchestra makes a new foray into the sound of legendary sextets like Joe Cuba’s, seasoned with the characteristic sound of the vibraphone. The DJs at conferences and salsa parties, who support Candela’s work worldwide, have had a lot to do with this success, such as:

Members of the new musical theme On Time - Candela Salsa Orchestra — Members of the new musical theme On Time – Candela Salsa Orchestra

DJ Pablo Bat (Spain), DJ Hugo Leite (Portugal), DJ Chino (Colombia), DJ Momo (Japan), DJ Lasse (Norway), DJ Antonio La Conga (NYC), DJ Mauri (Holland), DJ David Muñoz ( Germany), DJ Toni (Switzerland) or DJ Andrea Martini (Italy) among many others.

With this new work, La Candela promises not to leave lovers of a pure and authentic sound focused on the dancer, where there is no shortage of montuno, mambo, guaguancó, pachanga, boogaloo and danceable Latin jazz.

On Time - Candela Salsa Orchestra Members — On Time – Candela Salsa Orchestra Members

The album, which is produced by Batlei Productions and with the collaboration of Canarian musicians, such as Manuel Ángel Lorenzo “Mangüi” and the “Original Big Band”, makes a nod and at the same time a tribute to the great dance bands of the 50s, the golden age of the prestigious Palladium in New York.

After the success achieved in the last edition of the Benidorm Salsa Congress, the most important congress held in Spain, this year they repeated the visit once again last Thursday, July 13, where they officially presented this new album, which has been recorded at Arena Digital under the direction of sound engineer Juan Carlos Hernández.

Presentation "On Time" Benidorm (Photo by Alfil Photography) — Presentation “On Time” Benidorm (Photo by Alfil Photography)

In a very short time and leaving from the Canary Islands, La Candela has been able to carve out a niche for itself within the salsa scene worldwide. Their music can be heard from Australia to California, passing through such exotic places as Taiwan, Malaysia, India, etc. With the new album, they intend to establish themselves in this market and make different presentations that are already closing both in Spain and in the rest of Europe and America.

La Candela is made up of: Rafael “Richie” Rodríguez, voice; Fonsi Rodríguez, piano: Alejandro Fuentes, bass: Jordi Arocha, vibraphone; Fran Martín, congas; Alberto Martín, timpani; José Brito, bongo and bell. A band that mixes experience with youth, which provides a fresh and different sound for the dancer. Without a doubt La Candela is here to stay “On Time”.

The album is now available on the digital music platform CDBaby.com and soon on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, etc. It will also be available very soon in CD and vinyl format at www.cucumpa.com

More information on Facebook: lacandelasalsa

Front Pagedisco On Time - Candela Salsa Orchestra — Front Page
disco On Time – Candela Salsa Orchestra

Latin America – October 2018

Papo Lucca. The Giant of the South

Latin America / Puerto Rico

Papo Lucca born in Ponce, Puerto Rico on April 2, 1946, Enrique ‘Papo’ Lucca began playing the piano at age 11 with his father’s orchestra. Initially, La Ponceña played versions of tropical hits of the moment by bands like Cortijo y su Combo and La Sonora Matancera.

In the late 1960s, Papo became the orchestra’s musical director, beginning a profound transformation that would eventually establish la Ponceña as one of the most progressive groups in the history of Afro-Caribbean music. Papo’s orchestrations were bold, experimenting with elements of jazz, rock, and Brazilian music. Representing the authentic spirit of Puerto Rican salsa, his piano solos were velvety, displaying elegance, restraint, and infinite swing.

During the mid-’70s, La Ponceña began to enjoy unprecedented success with critics and the public. The band recorded for the Inca label, which eventually became part of the Fania empire. Papo was invited to arrange and play on sessions for the company’s biggest artists, including Johnny Pacheco, Celia Cruz and Cheo Feliciano. He also recorded and toured with the Fania All Stars.

This compilation pays tribute to the art of Papo Lucca through 14 classic songs recorded between 1967 and 1981. Although Lucca has recorded as a solo artist and also collaborated with a multitude of salsa stars, it is his work with La Ponceña that best expresses the clarity of his vision.

The music we make has to make people happy, as well as make them dance. That’s what it’s all about, says Lucca from her home in Puerto Rico. When the public can dance, no matter how complicated the music is. The first theme that this genre had was to divulge the things that happened in the different communities, as if it were a newspaper.

Our journey begins with two fiery songs from the beginnings of La Ponceña: “Hachero Pa’Un Palo” and “Fuego En El 23” are versions of songs by Cuban Arsenio Rodríguez. La Ponceña always had a soft spot for Puerto Rican folklore, but she also found inspiration in the golden age of Cuban music.

The precise moment in which La Ponceña becomes a mature orchestra in total control of its aesthetics can be found in the six songs from the Musical Conquest/Conquista Musical and El Gigante Del Sur albums. Launched on the market in 1976 and 1977 respectively, they represent the pinnacle of the salsa movement.

These songs combine a musical skill that approaches virtuosity with deep lyrics and a generous sense of humor. “Ñáñara Caí” is a hilarious narrative of pure magical realism, describing a world where everything is turned upside down (my favorite phrase: I saw a cow/Hit with Pacheco). Also included in Musical Conquest, “El Pío Pío” achieves the perfect cross between Afro-Cuban rhythm and contagious pop. This hit is a mandatory part of all La Ponceña concerts.

The opening theme of the El Gigante Del Sur album, “Boranda” seems to offer a salsa version of progressive rock. Its lyrics contain an important sociopolitical message, and the sophistication of its arrangement is a slap in the face for all those who believe that this music is only for dancing. “Soy Tan Feliz” combines bolero climates with an electric piano solo that recalls the psychedelic sound of jazz-rock from the ’70s. “Noche Como Boca ‘E Lobo” creates a tasty collision between salsa fever and Brazilian rhythms.

Lucca was not alone in his mission to reinvent the rules of Puerto Rican dance music. It was also benefited by the prowess of some of the best instrumentalists on the island. Furthermore, his instinct for choosing singers was always irreproachable.

Some of the vocalists of la Ponceña that appear here are Tito Gómez, who would later find fame with the Grupo Niche de Colombia; the inimitable Luigi Texidor, who gave a sense of placidity to all the songs he performed; and Yolanda Rivera, who added variety to the band’s sound with her unique timbre.

One of Rivera’s happiest moments is included here: Coming from 1980’s Unchained Force, Johnny Ortiz’s “Borinquen” is a soulful anthem to Puerto Rico, blessed with a sinuous melody and subtle instrumental arrangement–one of Rivera’s happiest moments. transcendental within the Ponceña canon.

The golden days of salsa are a distant memory in the new millennium, but Papo Lucca hasn’t stopped shining. Perhaps precisely because he continues to record new music, he refuses to idealize the past when I ask him what his favorite album with “La Ponceña.”

The last one, the most recent, he explained in his characteristically introverted tone. All the albums are very important in the career of the orchestra. They all fulfilled their mission at the time, which was to reaffirm the previous one. That’s the way to maintain a pool after 50 years.

The teacher was a little more direct when I asked him about his favorite concert of all time.

It was my first concert with the Fania All Stars at Madison Square Garden, back in 1974, he said. All the stars of the Fania were still alive. A few years later we played in front of 47,000 people in Cali. My knees always shake before I go on stage, but this time they shook a little more.