International Salsa Magazine

Search Results for: Son

Víctor Porfirio Baloa Díaz, more commonly known as Porfi Baloa

He is a Venezuelan musician, composer, producer, and arranger. Creator of the group Adolecent’s Orquesta.

His work as a pianist, arranger, and director in the orchestra has been intense, but his compositions have been the base for the triumph. He has been nominated for New York City’s star award a total of 11 times, the ACE, winning 7 of them. Apart from the prices already won in different places of America and Europe.

About 39 songs of his own composition came in first place in the Record Report, which was unique to a Venezuelan composer and a musical group (Los Adolescentes).

Porfi Baloa Creator of the group Adolecent's Orquesta.
Porfi Baloa is a Venezuelan musician, composer, producer and arranger.

Personal life and beginning of Porfi Baloa

He was born on September 19 in the city of Caracas. At age 8, he was already playing the bass with matchless skills, knowing his talent as a composer at that young age.

He started very young in the world of music, having been a pianist for groups such as Las Vibraciones and Dimensión Latina.

He was the creator of the youth orchestra Salserin, being both its owner and musical producer.

Musical career

Since then, he decided to create an orchestra with a different concept, being born La Adolescent’s Orquesta, better known as “Orquesta Los Adolescentes”, so that all the songs of his four musical productions were in top positions of the national and international charts.

Adolescent`s Orquesta, a group formed by young Venezuelans between the ages of 19 and 23, was consolidated in 1995 with the support of Luis Francisco “El Negro” Mendoza and the label of Korta Record.

The band’s innovative style of performing the salsa genre rapidly earned hundreds of fans who made the release a success at home and abroad in a few weeks.

The passion for music and the creative magic in lyrics took Porfi Baloa to compose infinities of music hits, which, along with his Adolescentes, has managed to show and take to the 4 continents.

Porfi Baloa is the winner of approximately 87 awards, 4 Billboard Awards nominations, and 3 lo Nuestro Awards nominations, and has a record of 60 first places in the Venezuelan Hit parade.

Around 39 songs of his authorship have been positioned in the first place of the Record Report, being a unique case for a Venezuelan composer and a Venezuelan musical group (Los Adolescentes).
Víctor Porfirio Baloa Díaz, better known as Porfi Baloa

The high degree of expertise in his arrangements and compositions, coupled with the playing of the piano, bass, congas, bongo, timbal, and trombone have made him a well-rounded musician and composer in his genre.

He went inside of the hearts of the public thanks to the records made by his group such as: “Reclamando nuestro espacio”, “Persona ideal”, “La misma pluma”, “Ahora más que nunca”, “Búscame”, “Sellos de mi ADN”, including his other groups such as “Chiky Salsa” and “El Klan de Porfi”.

Songs like Persona ideal (me Tengo que ir), Virgen, Me negó, Aquel Lugar, Anhelo, among others, have had great commercial success at both national and international levels.

After 20 years of artistic career, he returns in 2016 with a new single, Bésame, which spent 17 weeks in the musical bill and rises to the post of honor to become the 61st hit that Porfi Baloa obtains as First Place in the Record Report.

Porfi Baloa y sus Adolescentes will be performing this coming Saturday October 2, 2021 at Dominic Hall Event Center in Miami FL.

Porfi Baloa y sus Adolescentes will be performing this coming Saturday October 2, 2021 at Dominic Hall Event Center in Miami FL.
Porfi Baloa y sus Adolescentes will be performing

 

Facebook: Porfi Baloa y sus Adolescentes

Article of Interest: Yolanda Rivera The Lady of Salsa and the Sonera of Ponce

“Big Band Máquina” Latest Production from Angel Meléndez released by Gia Fu

International Salsa Magazine from Silicon Valley presents the album “Big Band Máquina” a production of Angel Melendez and Gia Fu, a real musical gem with 12 melodies of rhythm and flavor dedicated to the dancer, music lover, and collector of the world of Salsa.

Undoubtedly, this record production made between Hong Kong and Puerto Rico will be immortalized as one of the most important albums of the XXI century.

International Salsa Magazine from Silicon Valley presents the album "Big Band Máquina", an authentic musical jewel with 12 melodies of rhythm and flavor dedicated to the dancer, music lover and collector of the Salsa world. Undoubtedly, this record production made between Hong Kong and Puerto Rico will be immortalized as one of the most important albums of the 21st century.
“Big Band Máquina” Latest Production from Angel Meléndez released by Gia Fu

Grammy-nominated Angel Meléndez reappears on the scene with his latest album, Big Band Máquina, which will be available starting Saturday, September 18, 2021.

This production has the particularity of having the talented artist and producer, Gia Fu.

Gia releases this production through the independent label Kong Records Limited.

Angel Meléndez, Latin artist based in the United States, delivers a new and refreshing chapter in his musical career, after the success of his album, Angel Meléndez & the 911 Mambo Orchestra.
Ángel Meléndez y Gia Fu

Angel Melendez, a Latin artist, based in the United States, gives us a new and refreshing chapter in his musical career after his album, Angel Melendez & the 911 Mambo Orchestra. Big Band Máquina album consists of eleven songs and a Bonus Track.

The Big Band Máquina project was directed by Ralph Riley. Ralph, Angel, Gia, and other magnificent professionals such as Juan Picorelli and Rolando Alejandro, completed the complicated feat of organizing the 30 artists’ work collaborated on the project.

The recording of the songs took place in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, at the well-known Rolo’s Studio.

Gia Fu, Ángel Meléndez y Ralph Riley en Rolo’s Studio, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
Gia Fu, Ángel Meléndez y Ralph Riley en Rolo’s Studio, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico

The Team of collaborating artists on this album comprises a quite heterogeneous combination of generations of musicians. Some of the excellent members of the Team were: Tito Allen, Primi Cruz, Hermán Olivera, Rico Walker, Carlos García, Willie Otero, Jorge Yadiel Santos, and Gerardo Rivas.

In addition, Big Band Máquina gives us the presence of a group of musical stars such as Richie Bastar, Gilbérto “PULPO” Colón Jr, Jan Duclerc, Sammy García, Luis Marin, Pedro Pérez, and, especially, Angel Meléndez.

Who is Angel Melendez?

Angel Melendez is a Puerto Rican artist based in the city of Chicago, United States. Angel has had an impressive musical career in the world of Latin music, primarily Salsa.

Melendez had the opportunity to study at VanderCook College of Music, which provided the foundation for his experience as a producer, trombonist, arranger, and music director.

His valuable performance has led him to become an artist nominated for the “Best Tropical Music” category at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards. This nomination was due to his previous album, Angel Melendez & the 911 Mambo Orchestra. Later he was honored with the award in “Best Latin Album” 4th Annual Independent Music Awards 2005.

Angel has had the opportunity to collaborate directly with internationally renowned artists such as Tito Puente, Tito Rodriguez, Andy Montañez, Ismael Miranda, Adalberto Santiago, Cheo Feliciano, The Singers of the Apollo Sounds, Frankie Ruiz, Eddie Santiago, Hector Tricoche, Tito Allen, Johnny Rivera and the Fania All Starr Records.

References & Reviews:

“As one of the most recognized musicians in Chicago, he leads the most popular Latin bands locally. The 20 piece 911 Mambo Orchestra and Tributo Lavoe are widely recognized and move people to the dance floor.  Angel’s bands play an array of Latin music from the modern tropical sounds of today to the most traditional hard hitting Mambo of the 50’s”.

https://martyrslive.com/

“Whenever a big band can produce great blasts of sound without sacrificing technical detail, audiences are in for a thrilling ride.”

Facebook: Gia Fu(昭盈)

Tito Allen, Gia Fu, Rico Walker, Nino Segarra, Herman Olivera y Primi Cruz
Tito Allen, Gia Fu, Rico Walker, Nino Segarra, Herman Olivera y Primi Cruz

Article of Interest: Ayumi “Azucar” Suzuki, she plays Latin percussion, Classic percussion, Marimba & Vibraphone

Pianist Fadi Gaziri Debuts In Salsa Music With Cuba Classic

A Studio Album That Reflects The Multicultural Sound Of Western Europe And Latin America

Cuba Classic album cover with colored houses and a red car
Cuba Classic was released in August 2021

The son of medical parents and the grandson of a passionate pianist, Fadi Gaziri ventures into the Salsa world with the album Cuba Classic, independent record production in collaboration with his German colleague and great friend Fritz Wengler.

Cuba Classic fuses the incredible universe of emotions that classical music transmits with the passion, conventional melodies of Jazz, and the rhythmic base of the Caribbean that characterizes Latin culture.

“Arranging classical pieces to fit a Salsa vibe was surprisingly easy… The melodies can be rhythmically changed to suit the Latin vibe while keeping authenticity…” Voiced by the talented British pianist.

This masterpiece with hybrid two-language titles strikes a perfect balance between the original title of a classic work and the sensation of the indicated awakening of a Latin melody. “I always liked Salsa for its quality to make people dance, so naturally and with such confidence.

As for the music itself, I love the colorful brass arrangements and Latin percussion. It’s a lot of fun to listen to and to play… ”. Fadi indicated.

The 13 songs on the album are El Capo (Zarathustra, R. Strauss), 5 Sinfonía De Salsa (Beethoven’s 5th Symphony). “I had a lot of fun with this one. …The Reorganization, the phrasing, using repetitions, increases, and the complete brass arrangement to make it sound like a proper Cuban track”. Fadi added recalling his experience with the production of this theme.

The next track on the album is Mambo Loco Nórdico (Grieg’s Piano Concerto in LA minor), resembling Havana at its turbulent peak and with great determination. Continues, the fourth track Mambo Austriaco (Mozart – Symphony No. 40 and Eine Kleine Nachtmusik), and the exquisite mix of Calipso Alemán (Beethoven’s Symphony 9).

In addition, you will also find in Mambo Classic: G-String Bossa (Air on a G string, JS Bach), Salsa Húngara (Brahms Hungarian Rhapsody) thought for the Latin ballroom dance competition tracks, due to the grace of the exuberant exposure of the horns.

Funeral De Che Guevara (Liszt, Hungarian Rhapsody in C sharp minor), Havanera (Carmen Bizet) is another of the themes that stand out on this album. “It was inspired by the character of Che Guevara and his revolutionary spirit. Along, with a trumpet blast from Mariachi… Fernando’s lyrics and voice also add to the overall feeling”. Gaziri commented to us.

Rumba Rusa (Swan Lake, Tchaikovsky), La Toccata Loca (Bach Toccata in D minor), Green Leaves (traditional Greensleeves), and finally the piece Lambada A La Luz De La Luna (Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven) beginning with the funeral march played with a trumpet solo intervened with a joyous lambada, ending in a Latin urban sound.

Fadi’s main idea with Mambo Classic is to simplify the music on this album for use in schools across the country and have children perform it by simply playing percussion with the backing tracks.

Similarly, Gazziri hopes to present this record production live in 2021 on the big stages of Berlin and the rest of Europe.

Why The Fusion Of Latin Rhythm With Classical Music?

Fadi Gaziri in black and white playing the piano
Fadi Gaziri can handle musical instruments alongside cinematographic elements, folk, and ambient electronic sounds

This talented artist since his return to Hamburg in 2017 has been involved in teaching music to children and teenagers in schools in this port city located in northern Germany.

Gaziri showed signs of concern every day as he observed his students’ reluctance to learn classical music, a feeling already developed as a famed behavior among young people today. But why don’t German students like to learn about their cultural heritage? The main reasons that Fadi realized were that his students were not motivated to continue with their studies due to the complexity of the music and the difficult handling of the instruments that did not allow them to master them quickly.

Realizing this, Gaziri began to devise the fusion of the Latin genre with classical music and thus seek to reverse the discouragement of his students. “I wanted children to learn classical music in a fun and interactive way. Something that would not take long to learn and that could involve all participants, regardless of their age, nationality, or musical ability. Most schools have Latin percussion that sits on the shelves and is rarely used.

So, I thought it would be a great idea to put in some classic melodies and accompany them with this Latin percussion. Wouldn’t it be fun and a good learning experience at the same time? Fadi told us.

Currently, this prodigious pianist is evaluating the possibility of continuing to teach in German schools full-time by 2022.

The Story Of Fadi Gaziri

Fadi Gaziri in his recording studio with pianos around
Fadi Gaziri played the piano first time at the North Pole in August 2021

Fadi Gaziri is a natural music producer and composer for audiovisual media, film, and theater. He was born in Moscow and began his musical studies of piano and violin at the famous Gnessin Music Academy.

At age 12, he moved to Sweden with his family and later to England (1998) where he continued his musical training.

This extraordinary producer studied Music Composition, Piano, and Languages ​​at Durham University in 2004 graduating with great honors and passing his ABRSM piano exams with distinction. Two years later he entered Bournemouth University to study for a Master’s in Film Composition.

That same year (2006) Fadi moved to Hamburg and started working on music for commercials, films, and sound branding. At the same time, he began touring the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Germany accelerating his musical career.

In 2014 Fadi released his first solo album titled Northern Lights, a mix of cinematic and folk sounds that he combines with electronic texture. He used his technological knowledge to loop while playing piano, violin, and adding subtle voices that he performed himself.

Over the next three years, Gaziri released his second EP “The Jump”, founded a music supervision company, and has been dealing with song placement, and licensing for film and television ever since. He assumed a permanent position as an in-house music producer at TUi Cruises in Berlin and composed, and arranged music for more than ten theatrical productions performed on board the ships.

Now You Can Enjoy Tromboranga In Concert

The Orchestra With The Purest Essence Of Hard Salsa Performs Live On October 11th-12th In Valencia (Spain)

The members of Tromboranga with black shirts
Their world tour began in 2019 with almost 20,000 people at their first concert in Ecuador.

As part of the reactivation of local events in Spain, Tromboranga continues with the series of concerts scheduled for 2021. Two will be the concerts that will take place this October 11th and 12th at the Sala Madison Massanassa located in the port city of Valencia on the southeast coast of the European country.

This Concert Hall is located on the outskirts of the city and is less than 10 minutes from the center in the town of Massanassa. You can access it through public transport: train with a nearby stop of 400 meters and by bus (800 meters).

This orchestra made up of ten Latin and European musicians residing in Barcelona will present their unmistakable rhythm of the Salsa brava, which maintains the influences of the 60s – 70s and mixes them with the original sound and danceable discharge to the sound of their trombones, the solid percussion, and the rescue of the soneo (voice improvisation between choirs).

Tromboranga cataloged as one of the new generations of independent Salsero artists will perform their greatest hits such as Humildad, Palo Pa’ La Campana, Ah Caraj, and Mi China Colombiana that have positioned themselves as number one on the main radio and Latin dance charts in the world for the current plot of his lyrics with which surely anyone feels identified.

Black and white African American woman illustration from Tromboranga album cover
Songs like “Un Extraterrestre” and “La Moda” are now very popular with Salsa dancers and DJs in Europe

Also, in this celebration of the tenth anniversary of Tromboranga, you will sing along to the songs from his most recent album Te Voy a Contar recorded between Barcelona, ​​Puerto Rico, and Japan.

This record production was released to the music market in March 2019 and contains nine tracks including Te Perdono in collaboration with Jimmy Bosch performing the Trombone solo, Un Extraterrestre to the rhythm of guaracha, and Huracán No Me Tumbas whose special guest is Ismael Miranda.

Start Time: 9:00 PM

End Time: 3:00 AM

Capacity: 816 people

General Ticket: 25 € 

Learn More About Tromboranga

The members of Tromboranga taking a selfie on stage
Joaquín Arteaga (Director, Timbal, and Composer-Venezuela), Diego Coppinger (Sonero-Cuba), Freddy Ramos (Singer-Venezuela), Rafael “Madagascar” Arciniegas (Piano and Arrangements-Colombia), Lorenzo “El diablo” Barriendos (Bass-Venezuela), Trombone Section: Vladimir Peña (Venezuela), Albert Costa (Catalunya), and Miguel Moises (Spain), Oriol Martínez (Conga), and Climent Campa (Bongo)

Tromboranga released their first studio album in April 2012 titled “Salsa Dura” ranked by DJs, dancers, and bloggers specialized in Salsa among the top ten record productions of that year.

In 2013, they recorded “Al Mal Tiempo Buena Salsa” rewarding them with the first international tour that took them to visit France, Belgium, Switzerland, Holland, Tunisia, Germany, and Colombia. That same year (November 2013) they released a Special Edition Vinyl for only 300 people called “Solo para coleccionistas Vol. 1”.

Likewise, they were invited to the biggest Salsa festivals including the Cali Fair with sold-out crowds and in the following years. Since then, they have created a community known as the “Salseros Tromborangueros”.

The orchestra has recorded six albums in consecutive years: Como La Marea (2014), Sangre, Sudor Y Salsa (2015), Golpe Con Melodía (2015), Tumbando fronteras (2017), Una Noche En Bankok (2018), and Te Voy a Contar (2019).

Nowadays, the songs “Agua Que Va Caer”, “Te Provoca”, “Mama Calunga”, “Amigo El Ratón”, and “Boogaloo Marilu” among others, are being danced on the dance floors of Salsoteca, dance schools, parties, and festivals Salsa worldwide.

Do You Know In Which Country Rubén Blades Start his Tour?

The United States Will Be The First Country Where The Panamanian Artist Will Present Salswing Tour!

Rubén Blades with blue hat on stage
Rubén Blades will be recognized as “Person of the Year” at the Latin Grammys on November 17th in sin city, Las Vegas (Nevada)

The multifaceted artist and political activist, Rubén Blades, announced his return to the American stage with his friend and fellow countryman Roberto Delgado & Big Band, starting next November 20th.

The Salsero icon announced the beginning of his tour through his official Facebook account: “We are very happy to be able to work and get in touch with our audience again, after almost two years without being able to do so. With the Roberto Delgado Big Band, an orchestra of 20 musicians that is sounding better, we are eager and want to share our latest album Salswing!, and the usual songs… Please, don’t stop getting vaccinated”.

There are eight cities that the living Salsa legend will visit in North America, starting on November 20th in Oakland (CA), Los Angeles (CA), Atlanta (GA), Miami (FL), passing through Boston (MA), and New York (NY) on November 28th and December 2nd respectively, and having as a special guest the extraordinary American actress, singer, and wife of Blades, Luba Manson who will be showing the repertoire of her Jazz album Triangle released in October 2020.

Rubén Blades with black hat and Luba Mason with white shirt
Rubén Blades and Luba Manson have been married since 2006

Later, Salswing Tour! & the Roberto Delgado Big Band will present their penultimate concert this year on Friday, December 3rd in Washington (DC), and will close this magnificent tour on Sunday, December 5th on the southwest shore of Lake Michigan at the mighty Arena Arie Crown Theater in Chicago (IL).

Regarding this great 2021 tour, Nelson Albareda, CEO of Loud And Live, the company in charge of carrying out this series of concerts and those of Latin stars such as Carlos Vives, Juanes, Farruko, among many others, commented: “It is an honor for us working with a Latin icon, who has inspired generations through his salsa music and long artistic career. Rubén Blades is not only a great artist but also a great ambassador, and activist for our Latin community”.

The prestigious Panamanian songwriter will show for the first time the eleven songs of his most recent album “Salswing!” title that also gives the name to the tour.

Digital album cover Salswing! in red background and yellow letters
“Music is a universal gift, and from Panama, we renew our contribution with this album, SALSWING!”. Rubén Blades

Salswing! has 11 tracks including, Mambo Gil, Cobarde, Canto Niche, and Ya No Me Duele, the latter written by Jeremy Bosch and Rubén Blades with arrangement by Tom Kubis. Salswing! was recorded in collaboration with the record’s bassist and musical producer, Roberto Delgado, and his band made up of 20 talented Panamanian musicians, and it was released on the digital market on April 15th, 2021.

“Although the connection between Jazz and Salsa has been historically documented, much remains to be described and recognized. The combinations and collaborations between musicians of these genres have been numerous over the years and include figures of the stature of Mario Bauza & Dizzy Gillespie, Machito & Charlie Parker, Luis Russell, and Louis Armstrong. With this record production, I try to continue that relationship, verifying that art does not have a nationality but rather represents a spirit that transcends races, geographies, and languages”. It is extracted from his official page.

Rubén Blades has been performing with Roberto Delgado & Bing Band for ten years in the most prestigious stages around the world. In these eight concerts, there will be a historical tour of recognition of the Latin origins of jazz as well as the influences of the son, Afro-Caribbean music, and swing. In addition to including the hits always chanted by the crowd in any corner of the planet.

Who Is Roberto Delgado?

Roberto Delgado dressed in black holding a Grammy in his hand
Roberto Delgado and his Orchestra along with Rubén Blades won a Grammy for Best Latin Tropical Album in 2018

Roberto Delgado was born in the capital of the Chiriquí province in western Panama on June 27th, 1961. This prodigious artist has developed in the musical environment as a Producer, Singer, Bassist, and Arranger.

His upward career began with his studies at the prestigious Conservatory of Music of Fine Arts in Mexico City (Mexico) and later at the Golden West College of Huntington Beach California (United States).

With more than 40 years of experience, Roberto has been a member of ten Panamanian groups counting the Salsa singer orchestra, Roberto Blades (1992) and he is currently the director of his big band made up of 20 musicians and with whom he has shared the stage since 1996 together with the master Rubén Blades.

In the enormous list of famous artists that Delgado has accompanied in productions and tours in addition to the Blades brothers are Cheo Feliciano, Celia Cruz, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Ismael Miranda, Andy Montañez, Tito Nieves, La India, Víctor Manuelle, José Alberto “El Canario”, Luigie Texidor, Maelo Ruiz, Charlie Aponte, Joan Manuel Serrat, Carlos Vives, and many more.

The conductor together with Rubén Blades has performed on the major international stages, including Madison Square Garden (New York), Hollywood Bowl (Los Angeles), Shepherd’s Bush (London), Poble Espanyol de Barcelona (Spain), numerous Latin American auditoriums, and acclaimed festivals in Europe and the Caribbean.

Also, this duo has three Latin Grammys (2015, 2017) and two Grammys for Best Traditional Tropical Latin Album in 2016 and 2018.

Currently, Roberto Delgado (60 years old) and Rubén Blades (73 years old) continue to transgress the barriers that will be the first Latin artists touring Salswing! in the middle of the pandemic throughout the North American territory.

An important fact to attend the Rubén Blades and Roberto Delgado & Big Band concert series in Los Angeles County is mandatory to wear masks. At the moment, mandatory vaccination in the United States only applies to public employees and workers of large companies.