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Dominican trumpeter Wilson Portuondo talks about La Sonora Nuyorkina

As shown in the most traditional media and digital platforms, Dominican artists belonging to diverse musical genres have been working hard for many years to finally be recognized in the world. That is the case of talented bandleader and trumpeter Wilson Portuondo, with whom we managed to contact to know much more about his life and career.

How Wilson became interested in music

Wilson, our protagonist in this story, became interested in the musical world shortly after his 15th birthday in his native Dominican Republic, which was already well known for various types of merengue at the time. The young man frequently attended concerts performed in parks on weekends, which were free of charge, allowing him to enjoy the bands from his town without representing excessive expenditure for his family.

This was awakening in the boy a great desire to imitate the musicians he saw on stage and be as great as them someday, so he wanted to start studying music and see what he could achieve with that knowledge.

Professional beginnings

Wilson’s first experience as a professional musician came from the hand of the town’s municipal band in the city of Santiago. He also got to play in the municipal band of the firemen and the municipal band of the Dominican National Police, which had a headquarters in the aforementioned city.

Thanks to these groups and others, he specialized in playing classical music and merengue, but things changed greatly when he decided to move to New York as a young adult who was about to celebrate his 20th birthday.

Wilson playing — Wilson Portuondo playing the trumpet live

Wilson as a trumpeter

The instrument for which Wilson is best is the trumpet, which he confesses he began playing almost by accident. His fascination with the trumpet started when he was studying at the Culture and Art Institute while still in Santiago, as it was the first instrument he came in contact with that caught his attention at the institution.

At that time, he would never have imagined that he would play it, but he ended up feeling an enormous love for it and now considers it his favorite instrument among all others. However, he does not limit himself to this, as he can play the piano and is learning to play percussion, which includes the conga, bongo, Dominican tambora, güira and many more.

Once he arrived in New York, he continued committed to learn as much as he could about music and studied at various institutes such as the Harlen School of the Art and later at the State University of New York (SUNY), where he studied classical trumpet for four years until he graduated.

He has learned to play the rest of the instruments through practice and lessons with other musician friends.

Arrival in the United States

When he arrived in New York, Wilson had to take an extra year in high school and, thanks to his studies, he was able to make friends with music students who invited him to enroll in the Harlem School of Art, a place where he had contact with many other people linked to the environment who began to call him to play with them as a freelancer.

Wilson at an event — Wilson Portuondo at the social dance event ”Salsita Social Pa’l Pueblo”

In parallel to this, he was taking dance classes in New York style, which allowed him to attend many social dances and such live music events. Something that the artist noticed at that time was that the groups he saw always played the same songs like ”El Cuarto de Tula”, ”Soy Pilongo”, ”No le pegue a la Negra”, ”Rebelión”, among others. In addition to notice that they did not meet to rehearse, but played together the same as always.

To some extent, he feels that these mistakes on the part of so many orchestras inspired him to create his own project which he would baptize as La Sonora Neoyorkina, since he wanted to offer the public a fresh and new repertoire that did not include the same old thing. However, he always makes sure that he and his musicians rehearse as much as possible so as not to make the same mistakes as other groups.

Among the musicians who are currently in the group, we can mention Anthony Almonte, Osay Calvo, Nestor Villar, Carlos Mena, Carly Maldonado, among others. Venezuelan percussionist Robert Quintero, Luisito Quintero’s cousin, has also played in the band.

However, although they usually do covers of various classic songs, they have also strived to create their own original music, so they already have original songs such as ”Sonora Llegó” and ”Summertime”. Also, the group is making preparations to complete their first studio album next year.

Great Christmas salsa songs and their stories

Christmas is a time of joy where one of the most important elements is music, so we believe this is the best opportunity to feature some of the best Christmas salsa songs that we can remember. Here are the most cheerful songs in Latin music to listen to during the most beautiful time of the year.

Aires de Navidad by Héctor Lavoe and Willie Colón

”Aires de Navidad” is a great song which is part of the Christmas album ”Asalto Navideño Vol. I” from 1971. In the same year, Lavoe and Colón were already making preparations to record an album entirely dedicated to the festivities, indeed, they already had some songs recorded, but they knew that there were still details to finish.

Then, Héctor asked musician Roberto García to join the project that was underway, as they needed a guitarist to accompany them. Garcia accepted the proposal almost immediately and got excited about the project that he even proposed Yomo Toro to join them, to which Hector and Willie agreed with no problems.

The day they agreed to record the material, Toro came in first and began playing a Puerto Rican cuatro when he was scheduled to play the electric guitar. However, Johnny Pacheco, upon hearing the sounds, liked the arrangement and approved it without question.

That is how the four artists set out and recorded what would soon become one of the greatest Christmas hymns in recent times, and it will surely be in thousands of homes around the world this month.

One of the photos taken during the recording of ”Aires de Navidad”

La Fiesta de Pilito by El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico

”La Fiesta de Pilito” is included in the album ”Nuestra Música” by El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, which was recorded in 1985 as a tribute to the most beautiful and endearing of the Island of Enchantment during the Christmas holidays. Back then, any musical work created by El Gran Combo always became a resounding success once it was released and its members were sure that this would be no exception.

It is then when the composer of one of the main songs of ”Nuestra Música” came on the scene, and we are talking about Luis ”Pilito” Cruz, who would become part of the internationally acclaimed salsa group that same year.

What is known in the first instance about the song is that it did not have a specific name, so it was baptized as ”La Fiesta de Pilito” honoring the composer of its first two verses. Subsequently, the piece was completed with pregones and soneos created by the rest of the orchestra members.

Additionally, they received the support and collaboration from ‘‘El Caballero de La Salsa” Gilberto Santa Rosa, who served as a guest artist for the legendary recording.

Nuestra música at Christmas — Cover of the Christmas album ”Nuestra Música”

Bembé en Casa de Pinki by Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz

”Bembé En Casa de Pinki” is a Christmas song written by the famous duo Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz, which was released in 1971 and is the first single from the Christmas album ”Felices Pascuas”.

The song’s title comes from someone who would be very important in the career of the two aforementioned artists and that was the Panamanian-born diplomat named José Rogelio ”Pinki” Arias. The gentleman was a close friend of Richie and Bobby and, at the same time, director of the Panamanian Institute of Tourism. He used his friendship with the vocalists to invite them to various events in his country, knowing that they would be a complete success with the presence of the duo.

Such was the affection both exponents had for ”Pinki” that they dedicated to him two songs from their extensive repertoire, which were ”Bembé en Casa de Pinki” and one belonging to the album ”El Diferente”.

Among other songs, ”Felices Pascuas” also includes tracks such as ”Bomba en Navidad”, ”Mi Niñez”, ”San José”, and ”Aguinaldo Navideño”.

Felices fiestas at Christmas — Cover of the Christmas album ”Felices Fiestas”

Estelita by La Sonora Ponceña

Another group that never misses a chance to offer their talent to please their fans and make them enter the Christmas atmosphere during the holiday season, leaving great classics that can not be missing every year in our homes and one of them is ”Estelita”.

Something that can never be missed in a Christmas album is that colorful character who always brings playfulness and good humor to the atmosphere. In this case, it is Estelita, who is a party neighbor who always sneaks into the Christmas parrandas in her neighborhood, something that many people will surely feel identified with in various parts of Latin America.

The song was written by the late maestro Joe Torres and was part of the album ”Otra Navidad Criolla!” along with ”Opera Gandinga”, ”Vamonos Pa’l Campo”, ”La Vengo Siguiendo”.

The world’s sonero returns to dance with the bass, this time from the Coca Cola Music Hall in Puerto Rico

On October 26, 2024, the Sonero of the World, Óscar D’León, arrived at the Coca Cola Music Hall in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The concert, scheduled for 6:00 p.m., began an hour late. However, attendees waited patiently until Óscar made his energetic entrance onto the colorful stage that was dressed in salsa for the occasion.

The world's greatest singer returns to dance with the bass, this time from the Coca Cola Music Hall in Puerto Rico — The world’s greatest singer returns to dance with the bass, this time from the Coca Cola Music Hall in Puerto Rico

For approximately two hours, the bassist was accompanied by his own orchestra, whose musicians traveled from Miami, Florida, USA. Between soneo and soneo, the Oscar of Salsa informed us that the inconvenience causing the delay had to do with a musician, who having stayed in Miami did not have the possibility of reaching Puerto Rican soil on time.

D´León, with more than half a century of musical career and a long list of hits, delighted the audience with the songs that have made him one of the favorite salsa singers of the Island of Enchantment. He started the evening with “Llorarás”, which ignited the passion of the audience gathered at the Coca Cola Music Hall, and who sang the hit at the top of their lungs alongside the bassist. This was followed by the songs “Bravo de verdad”, “Yo quisiera”, “Hechicera”, “Taboga” -from Dimensión Latina-, accompanied by his backing singer, Johnny Silva, “La murga”, “Detalles”, “La cadenita”, “Idilio” -also a duet with Johnny Silva- and “Mi bajo y yo”. During the interpretation of the latter he was accompanied by the instrument with which he achieved fame to recall his beginnings as a bassist, vocalist and dancer.

The world's sonero dances again with the bass — The world’s sonero dances again with the bass

The historic concert with the bass was followed by ‘Irimó’, ‘Sigue tu camino’, ‘La piragua’, ‘Que buen baila usted’, ‘En mi Viejo San Juan’, ‘La Mazucamba’, ‘El frutero’, ‘El manicero’, ‘Esa mujer’, ‘Juanita Morell’ and ‘Matasiguaraya’.

As usual, the concert was characterized by the energy of El León de la Salsa and the affection he receives every time he visits Borinquen. Rosalis Torres’ production team took care of every detail, making sure that everything flowed with the same impeccability as always. Once again, the salsa audience was pleased and waiting for the next concert.

Oscar D' Leon The Return — Oscar D’ Leon The Return

Also Read: Willie Rosario, El Rey del ritmo by journalist and music researcher Robert Téllez M.

Hernan Olivera the sonero of the 21st century

Latin America / Puerto Rico / Puerto Rico

Hernan Olivera, this excellent Salsa singer named Hermenegildo Olivera was born on January 30, 1959 in Newark, New Jersey.

Hernan Olivera is the son of Puerto Rican parents and from an early age he felt a great affinity for Latin music since his father listened to the groups of the moment such as Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Machito, Ismael Rivera with Cortijo y su Combo, Alegre All Stars, Tito Rodríguez, Santitos Colon, etc.

Then, in the 70s, in the midst of the Salsa Boom, Herman began his love of singing listening to the performances of Chamaco Ramírez, Héctor Lavo’e, Cheo Feliciano and Marvin Santiago, among others. These vocalists were mainly his source of inspiration; That school of soneros served as an apprenticeship for him and that is when he made the decision to sing professionally.

Hernan Olivera - photo — Hernan Olivera – photo

When he was just 15 years old, Herman began his career as a Salsa performer with an orchestra called “La Justicia”, after this he was part of the band “La Sónica” where he met his friend and trombonist Jimmy Bosch, after this He spent time with the “Caramelo” orchestra and later made the most important leap in his career by joining the “Con Conjunto Libre” in 1978, where he left his voice for the first time on the LP “Increíble” from 1981 under the direction by percussionist Manolo Oquendo and Bassist Andy González where he stands out with the song “Decide”.

Then in 1983 he would record with the Conjunto Libre in the production “Rhythm, sound and style” the song “Que Humanity” that would become a success. In 1988 Herman left the group “Libre” and became part of a project by Mr. Fernando Pastrana and under the musical direction of trumpeter Miguel Santiago whose album was called “La Exclusiva” which shared the vocal part with Roberto Mier, in this album stands out interpreting the songs “Xiomara” and “Te vi pasa”.

After this, in 1990 he was invited to record on the album “Salsa Sudada”, for the Valdesa Records label of Víctor Raúl Sánchez “Patillas” and with the musical direction of Isidro Infante, sharing vocals with Mario Muñoz “Papaíto”, Adalberto Santiago, Eladio Peguero “Yayo El Indio” and Pablo Villanueva Branda “Melcochita”; in this work he interprets the themes “La needle” and a tribute to the city of Cali called “Valle plata de salsa”.

He continued with his career as a performer and in 1993 he was once again invited to record the production “Now” with the Free Ensemble, where his great conditions and resources as a singer are undoubtedly reflected, there the song “You belong to me” became a hit in addition to other songs such as “Obsesión” and “El Son” stand out on this album.

Subsequently, he launched an independent project called Herman Olivera and La Exclusiva “Chequea La Mercancía” produced by Fernando Pestana, where the song “Me Extra Spider” is one of the most outstanding. In 1996 he reunited with the Conjunto Libre and made the live album entitled “On The Movie”.

Caratula Alta resolucin sin letras of Hernan Olivera

In 1997 he participated in the CD of the band Rikoson All Stars called “Evoluciones Del Son” where he stands out very well in the romantic theme “Aquella Noche”.

Photo - Hernan Olivera in concert — Photo – Hernan Olivera in concert

In 1998 he was requested by the piano teacher Eddie Palmieri and together with the vocalist Wichy Camacho they recorded the album “El Rumbero Del Piano” in which he stood out as a singer in the songs “Malagueña salerosa” and “Oiga mi guaguancó” that same year. he is invited to the recording studios by the trombonist Jimmy Bosch and they release the album titled “Soneando Trombón” which contains the hit “Otra opportunity” that he performs as a duet with Frankie Vázquez, on this CD the song “Descargarana” is also inserted. ”.

That same duo Olivera and Bosch meet the following year (1999) and make the production “Salsa Dura” where Herman shines interpreting the full “Impact we will have” this album also has the participation of the singers Frankie “Nene” Morales and Frankie Vázquez parallel to this album, the RMM label launches a live CD and DVD entitled “Eddie Palmieri & Friend’s” where Herman looks excellent in the number “Palo Pa’ Rumba”.

Cubanoson

Northeast – Middle Atlantic- New Jersey

Cubanoson is a traditional Cuban dance orchestra as created by pianist and composer, Leonel “Papo” Ortega. This Orchestra unites the “Punto Cubano” and the “Son Montuno” bringing danceable Cuban music to any public or private event.

In 2006, Cubanoson released their debut album “Recordando a Cuba” which contain 10 tracks. Four years after, this NY’s Cuban orchestra presented their second album “Rumba Nueva” with 13 singles including 7 originals in Spanish, English and French. Likewise, Cubanoson has the purpose to unite the talent and dedication of excellent contemporary musicians, (true exponents of Latin roots), to offer and express the traditional Cuban music to all cultural venues! Please, visit them in https://www.facebook.com/cubanoson

Next Event: Tuesday, August 7^th

Time: 7:00 PM

Venue: National Night Out Festival. Bergenline Ave and 43rd St, Union City, 07087.

Come and dance with Cubanoson for the 13th straight year LIVE!

This is a great festival free to all over a span of 3blocks.

Support of the Police.