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Andy Gonzalez started as a musician at the age of 13 in the Latin Jazz Quintet in New York
Andrew “Andy” Gonzalez passed away on April 9, 2020.
Virtuoso bassist, arranger and musical director of Don Manny Oquendo’s “El Conjunto Libre” and Eddie Palmieri’s “La Perfecta”.
Andy has worked throughout his extensive artistic career that spans almost 50 years, with approximately 800 recordings, where he has had the opportunity to be as co-leader, producer, musical director or sideman.
Andy began as a musician at the age of 13 in the Latin Jazz Quintet, a group inspired by the music performed by vibraphonist Cal Tjader and in which he shared with his brother Jerry.
Although long before that, Gerardo Gonzalez, Gonzalez’s father, had already begun his son’s musical
Gerardo was the vocalist of Augie Melendez y Su Combo, an ensemble influenced by the sound of Sexteto La Playa.
It is worth mentioning that during their time in the Latin Jazz Quintet, the Gonzalez brothers met a person who would change their lives: pianist Llewellyn Matthews, with whom they learned the discipline necessary to “graduate” as professional musicians, both were part of the big band of this decisive leader.
Later came Eddie Palmieri’s La Perfecta, his brother’s Fort Apache Band, the Grupo Folklorico Experimental Nuevayorquino and Manny Oquendo y Libre, 4 groups that changed forever the perception of the music we know today as Salsa.
He collaborated with The Fort Apache Group, Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Astor Piazzolla and Ray Barretto.
Andy González is a fundamental reference in the history of Caribbean music and Latin jazz. He has played with almost mythological musicians at times when they left a deep mark on both Latin jazz and dance music.
He has been bassist for Eddie Palmieri, Ray Barreto, Conjunto Libre, Grupo Folklorico Experimental Nuevayorquino, Fort Apache Band, and on some occasions for Ismael Rivera y sus Cachimbos, Cortijo y su Combo and Sonora Matancera.
In this conversation, held in Santiago de Compostela -during the Compostela Millenium Festival in August 2000- he vibrates when talking about his record collection, he declares himself a fan of the study of the roots of the music he makes and reviews his artistic life since when with his band, at the age of 13 and together with his brother Jerry, they imitated the sound of Cal Tjader.
I’m as much a music fan as I am a musician. Just like any music lover. I’m a fan of the things I appreciate that are important in the history of music. I have studied a lot and that has allowed me to notice the quality and quantity of artists that this music has produced. Great artists, people who have contributed a lot. When you have and study a collection of records like the one I have, you realize that now there are few.
Inspiration
Cal Tjader was my inspiration when I started. Also for Fort Apache Band, because their music had a strong jazz component, but with Cuban rhythms. Good rhythms. We had a great interest in what Cal Tjader was doing.
When we started playing we were copying what Tjader was doing. We were little kids of 13 and 14 years old. We had a very similar repertoire with the same quintet, where Jerry played congas.
Once we even had a dance next to the place where Tjader played, doing the same music. Armando Peraza played congas for Tjader and once he saw us and congratulated us. We always had the support of musicians with more experience, veterans of other generations.
Main Source: Pablo Larraguibel
Virgilio Martí was an excellent rumbero and composer of the classic “Cuba Linda” where he was vocalist and percussionist in Grupo Folklorico Experimental Newyorkino
Virgilio Martí, born in 1919 in Havana, Cuba.
Fine Rumbero, Singer, Composer, Arranger, Percussionist, Actor and Orchestra Director well known since the late 40’s, especially as a guaguancó singer.
He began touring the world in 1949 and met his later wife in 1960 in Peru.
That same year, he settled in New York, participating in the local scene. He participated in the LP “Patato y Totico” in 1967, he also participated with his brother Eloy Martí in a Quintet accompanied by Gene Golden for the year 1979.
Israel López (Cachao), Arsenio Rodríguez, Héctor Cadavieco, Francisco Valdés, Papaíto, Tony Mayari and Mario Cadavieco also worked on that album.
He participated in the “Grupo Folklórico Experimental Newyorkino” where he was their vocalist and percussionist in 1975. During his stay with them, he composed the song “Cuba Linda”.
Another work of Martí of great remembrance is the album titled: “Saludando A Los Rumberos” published by the Caimán label in the early 80’s and in which the Cuban acts as vocalist and main star.
In it Martí is involved with talents such as: Tony Cofresí, Andy and Jerry González, Yomo Toro, Paquito Pastor, Ray Romero, Claudio Roditti and Ignacio Berroa, among others.
“Iya Modapue” is in itself a guaguancó with open rumba, being at the same time the favorite number of the ‘Grupo Folklórico’, and even the first groove to be recorded.
The levels of experimentation and the freedom to unload several rhythms in a single musical performance are the factors producing the attraction of the musicians for “Iya Modupue” (which means Thank You Mother).
The vocal part is in the hands of Virgilio Martí. The trumpet of “Chocolate” Armenteros, the trombones of José Rodríguez and Reinaldo Jorge, the flute of Gonzalo Fernández and the percussion of Frankie Rodríguez stand out.
“Se Me Olvidó” a bolero by Lolita de la Colina but adapted in guaguancó to the style of the Grupo Folklórico, which, by the way, turned out to be the piece of greatest radio diffusion in the tropical environment and therefore, the one that would open the doors to the group.
The song was interpreted by Virgilio Martí, who also plays the congas. In “Se Me Olvidó”, the violin of Cuban Alfredo de la Fe, the quinto of Julito Collazo, the street redoblante of Jerry González and a Mexican marimba played by Andy González in counterpoint to the notes of the double bass, also played by Andy, stand out. Here it is worth mentioning that Alfredo de la Fe is a virtuoso violinist and among his many performances, I remember his work with Eddie Palmieri, Larry Harlow (the wonderful Jew), the Fania All-Stars and the avant-garde Típica 73.
In the early 80’s he formed a band with brothers Andy and Jerry González, and percussionist Ignacio Berroa.
It is worth mentioning Virgilio Martí’s 1985 performance in the film by Cuban filmmaker León Ichaso entitled “Crossover Dreams” (Sueños truncados).
In it, the Havana native plays the role of “Cheo Babalú” and vocalizes the song “Llora Timbero”.
In that film production made in New York City, he also participates with actor Rubén Blades, who plays the role of “Rudy Veloz”, where they sing the song “Todos Vuelven”.
In 1990, he contributed to the “Soundtrack” of the movie Azucar Amarga.
He maintained a great skill in converting songs from other genres into rumba arrangements.
We can mention the adaptation of the theme of the Brazilian composer Jorge Ben, “Más Que Nada” in which he appears on the LP with Patato and Totico.
Martí died on October 17, 1995.
Virgilio Marti – Guaguanco (1979)
Tracks:
- Amanecer (Armando Manzanero)
- Todos vuelven (Rafael Otero)
- A tus pies (D.R.) (Agustin Lara)
- My childhood (Laureano Martinez)
- Saluting the rumberos (Manolo Albo)
- I’m going to divide it (R. Livi)
- Acanapon (D.R.)
- The little handkerchief (D.R.)
- Que susto (Virgilio Marti)
- Odiame (Rafael Otero)
Information realized (June 1, 2024)
Also Read: Carlos “Nene” Quintero comes from a family of musical prodigies
Contributor: Dj. Augusto Felibertt (International Salsa Magazine)
Cultural impact of Edwin “El Calvito” Reyes and his management of the “salsa nueva”
On November 9, 2024, the second edition of the International Bailable in Honor of Our Heroes was held in Orlando, FL. The first edition of what is already shaping up to be an annual activity was held in November 2023. This unprecedented initiative is the brainchild of U.S.-based Puerto Rican salsa artist Edwin “El Calvito” Reyes. During both editions of the bailable, personalities within the music scene have been recognized for being pillars in the production, promotion and dissemination of the salsa sound.
The night before the bailable, a press conference was held in Kissimmee, FL. Afterwards, the five salsa generals of the year 2024 were named: Carmen Aguilar, Bella Martínez, Migdalia Sánchez, Herman Olivera and Richard Román. The ceremony was framed by the protocol and discipline characteristic of the civilian and military decorations that exalt with seriousness the personnel who fulfill the mission entrusted to them. In the first collation of salsa generals, invested in the 2023 ceremony, the work of the following was recognized: Chamaco Rivera, Eduardo Robles, Joey Hernandez, Luis Gonzalez and Richie Sanchez.
“The idea arose from the need to recognize the sacrifice of our heroes,” said ‘El Calvito’, adding: ‘I wanted to create a space where veterans could feel valued and celebrate with their loved ones’.
Since its first edition, the bailable and the activities surrounding it seek to acknowledge the commendable work and dedication of veterans, active duty military and other heroes of the community whose mission is to maintain the integrity and security of our nation, our communities and our families.
The bailable featured a good balance of established and emerging artists. Attendees enjoyed performances by Chamaco Rivera, Edwin “El Calvito” Reyes, Izis “La Enfermera de la Salsa”, Ivan Cacu and Christian Ray. Fernandito Rentas, Jai Ramos, José Cheo Torres, Harold Montañez and Wiki González were the evening’s special guests. Last year, the artists who also celebrated with “El Calvito” the 5th anniversary of his so-called salsa nueva were: Melina Almodovar, Kharim Santos, David Atanacio, Christian Ray, Fabian Rosales and the ensemble Reunidos por la salsa.
The production of Con Clase Media Group and La Feria Salsera, with the collaboration of Taíno Shirts and Latinos in uniform was at the level of any concert of international stature. Thus, “El Calvito” has materialized an unprecedented idea, achieving the recognition of the sacrifice of the heroes of the nation, in the key of salsa. For the second consecutive year, the novel initiative brought together a large number of veterans, family members and members of the community, who are also followers of salsa. This staging, at the initiative of “El Calvito” promotes respect and gratitude to those who have served the nation from different trenches.
Having been more than pleased, we have reserved in our agenda the weekend of November 7-9, 2025, to go to Orlando, FL to celebrate the third “wikén de sabrosura para nuestros héroes”. Once again, the team led by Reyes will aim to pay tribute to U.S. military veterans, as well as police officers, firefighters and first responders who have dedicated their lives to protecting and serving the nation. November 8 already promises to be a night full of music, dancing and recognition.
Images: Jefferson López
Also Read: Sessions from La Loma brings together salsa fans from all over the world in Puerto Rico
New Year’s Eve party 2024/2025
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New Year’s Eve 2025Reggaeton Party in Los AngelesDec 31 (9 pm) / Jan 1, 2025 (2 am) Catch One |
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New Year’s Eve Party 2024-25Dec 31 (6 / 11:30 pm) Maggie’s Pub |
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New Year’s Eve FlamencoDinner Show ExperienceDec 31 (7 – 8:30 pm) Cafe Sevilla of San Diego |
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QUEEN BEE’S
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Salsa Cumbia New Year’s Eve PartyDec 31 (7 pm) / Jan 1, 2025 (12:30 am) Lienzo Charro Mexican Restaurant Bar & Grill |
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New Years Eve San Francisco 2025Dec 31 (9 pm) – Jan 1, 2025 (1:30 am) W Hotel San Francisco |
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Comfort & Joy Afterglow New YearDec 31 (10 pm) – Jan 1, 2025 (6 am) Salsa and Bachata Dance at Dance Fridays |
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New Year’s EveDec 31 (8 pm) / Jan 1, 2025 (2 am) The Cigar Bar & Grill |
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NYE dinner and Dance CelebrationDec 31 (7 pm) Sausalito Seahorse |
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New Year’s EveWith Pete Escovedo & Sons / MystiqueDec 31 (5:30pm) Signia by Hilton San Jose |
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