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Argentina and its musical genres of origin and the tropics

Argentine musical genres and development to date with tropical genres

 

Each country has its essence with respect to what it represents above all in its culture, and in Latin America there is a great variety of musical genres and dances unlike Europe since during the colonization of the new world a mixture occurred not only at the level of races but also of culture, emerging a great variety of musical genres…

In this time we have Argentina, a country full of cultural diversity being the most interesting characteristic of this great South American country. It is a country where music is expressed with great style and elegance, especially at the level of dance, since its presentations are made in various places, including outdoors, especially in Buenos Aires (usually in summer).

Argentinian dance
Argentine Collash

Among the musical genres that stand out are:

  • Argentine Rock: it is the mix of rock and roll, blues, country & western, R&B, doo wop, boogie woogie and swing; It is characterized by having an outstanding and recognized Hispanic lyrics throughout Latin America thanks to the great popularity of the bands and artists that participated and reaped records in album sales and in attendance at recitals in the mid-1950s to date. (sample bands)

 

  • Tango: a musical and dance genre very characteristic of the Rio de la Plata region and its area of ​​influence, but mainly of the cities of Buenos Aires (in Argentina) and Montevideo (in Uruguay). Their music and dance is very popular in Argentina and this expressive dance has strong European influences. It is danced as a couple where the dancers merge in a romantic embrace, showing their sensuality, passion and feeling in each step taken, leading it to become one of the most famous dances and musical genres in the world.

 

  • Cumbia: despite the fact that this rhythm from the Caribbean countries, particularly Colombia, has spread in several Latin American countries including that country, the cumbia and the different variants are part of the music called “tropical”, and in Argentina Cumbia Villera is a subgenre born in popular areas, born approximately in 1997. It emerged from the fusion with local rhythms such as chamamé and tango, due to its instrumental endowment; Another particular characteristic of Argentine cumbia is the inclusion of flamenco within its musicalization.

 

  • In Argentine there are folk rhythms:

 

  • Zamba: its name derives from the daughters of black slaves and aborigines, who were sought to seduce through dance, this genre is located in the central part of the country and is generally associated with the Argentine Pampas. It is danced in pairs where the man surrounds the woman’s shoulders with a handkerchief with the intention of seduction.

 

  • Carnavalito: this genre is located in the Andean region, north of Argentina, its music and dance make up a part of the Andean pre-Columbian culture, it has a festive and lively tone.

 

  • Chacarera: a dance native to the north-central part of the country, has a marked aboriginal influence where the Quichua language is manifested. With vehement and intense tones, it is used in regional Carnival dances and is danced by stamping and courting figures.

During the 50s in the USA (United States) several musical genres were called “Latin Rhythms” to differentiate them from African-Americans, among which are salsa, merengue, samba, bachata and bolero among the most known. You will say that this has to do with the musical genres mentioned above … because there is a great difference and history since each musical genre or dance has its own rules to perform them either on a musical or dance level, but when a mixture arises. from two or more musical genres, a new one more innovative, fun and with a taste to the population, like what happened with the Latin rhythms in that country.

Photo of some dancers
Tango dancers photos

Salsa is a contagious and fun rhythm most of all for the general population at the time of dancing it, since people enjoy a very lively music where they usually shine with the amount of turns to magically show themselves with their spectators and to achieve this you are born with it or you train with professionals in dance; this generally applies to all Latin and / or tropical rhythms.

It does not matter what genre this popular in each country, the important thing is the dedication, expression and that each person has when producing their musical theme or dance to the public, giving the native his personal touch to his music or dance, becoming more unique and not as generic as it is made in other countries.

 

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DIEGO “EL CIGALA”

The “Cantaor” Of The XXI Century

Flamenco has been his principal victory. Tango his maximum exploration. Salsa his greatest ambition, and Bolero his deepest romanticism. The world has witnessed his talent, Diego Ramón Jiménez Salazar or better known as Diego “El Cigala” has immersed us in these torrential musical genres with his masterful voice for 24 years. Each album shows us intoxicating rhythms that introduce you to joy on many occasions, and many others evoke stories of deep melancholy in their unequivocal lyrics.

Diego, a good, upright, and friendly man has lived very hard moments like the loss of the two most important women in his life. Her wife, Amparo Fernandez, a victim of cancer that took her life in 2015 in her home (Punta Cana, Dominican Republic), and a year after lost her mother, Aurora Salazar Motos.

Diego "El Cigala" with his Wife Amparo
Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) “… It is a place where you can live, not just work. There is more space for life. “Amparo Fernandez

For 26 years, Amparo was his manager, friend, confidant, wife, and mother of his two oldest children (Diego and Rafael). She was always his stick of support even during the worst stage of his career.

Diego El Cigala has always been very familiar, sentimental, and a believer in God. “… My children make me and they will always keep me going, music heals me from the inside, and God accompanies me making everything possible”, explains the nationalized Dominican artist.

A year and a half after these fateful circumstances, the XXI century cantaor resurfaces and rebuilds his life with his current couple Dolores “Quina” and his third son Manuel, who was the product of this relationship.

Quina loves me, I love her, and she understands me like nobody. I have grief and joy every day of my life. I see my children, my wife, my granddaughters and shot forward.”

The Meeting

At the beginning of 2000, there was a meeting. Diego “El Cigala” and Bebo Valdés got together for the first time, and very much in the style of a bridal link, Diego and Bebo created a strong bond of friendship, mutual respect, and professional admiration.

Diego "El Cigala" with Bebo Valdés
His popularity arrived with Bebo Valdes and his album Lágrimas Negras

It was an afternoon at the house of musical director Fernando Trueba where they met and did not stop exchanging opinions about flamenco and Cuban music. From there their first collaboration together, three songs from the CD “Corren tiempos de alegría” released in 2001.

Bebo ever transmitted serenity and tranquility to Diego, which allowed them to record two years later Lágrimas Negras, an album with which they won a Latin Grammy Award for Traditional Tropical Album in 2004.

Both artists lived moments of unique and spiritual teachings. Each day Diego regrets Bebo’s physical departure and misses him so much that every day he looks up and sees Bebo saying to him: What’s wrong?

Bebo helped him get to know the Caribbean where he ended up living, helped him transcend flamenco, and learn about other genres. For that, the only way to pay tribute to him was with the sixth track belonging to the Indestructible record production, Fiesta para Bebo, with the special guest, Los Muñequitos de Matanza.

Since Lágrimas Negras, the cantaor of the XXI century has been able to venture into new genres and collaborations, such as the material Cigala & Tango (2010), Indestructible (2016), and his most recent record production “Cigala canta a México” presented in 2020.

El Cigala Indestructible

Since 2016 Indestructible presented the greatest musical fusion of the American and European continent. It was a Salsa and flamenco production that brought together the founders of the Fania All-Stars after 25 years and recalled emblematic songs such as El ratón, Periódico de ayer, Moreno soy, and Juanito alimaña popularized by Willie Colón and Hector Lavoe, among many others.

Diego "El Cigala" cantando
Indestructible released in 2016 is the tenth studio album of Diego “El Cigala”

Diego El Cigala from the gypsy ethnic group grew up in love with this Latin music since his childhood thanks to his father and the great stars of hard Salsa such as Héctor Lavoe, Celia Cruz, Cheo Feliciano, La Fania All-Stars, and El Gran Combo.

Diego "El Cigala" black and white
Diego “El Cigala” has always been very familiar, sentimental, and a believer in God

This tenth studio album in tribute to his wife Amparo Fernandez, and his great teacher and friend, Bebo Valdés, was recorded in different territories of the American continent, bringing the color and sound of Salsa from each area to this CD. The cities that he visited and captured part of the recording were: Cali (Colombia), San Juan (Puerto Rico), Havana (Cuba), Punta Cana (Dominican Republic), New York (United States), Miami (United States), and Jerez de la Frontera (Spain) where the production ended with the addition of guitar, choirs, cajón, and flamenco clapping.

As part of this fusion of genres, El Cigala had the opportunity to count on the talent of Oscar D’Leon, Bobby Valentin, Larry Harlow, Roberto Roena, Eddie Montalvo, Nicky Marrero, Jorge Santana, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Luis Perico Ortiz, Horacio el Negro, José Aguirre, Diego del Morao, and the percussion group Los Muñequitos de Matanza with whom he created a very special connection because they have a lot of similarity with the culture of his gypsy people, “I love them, no I’ve seen better people with so much heart “, that’s how El Cigala described them.

Indestructible, nominated for the Latin Grammy for Best Tropical Album in 2018, represents the immortality of Salsa, the essence of the Afro-Caribbean rhythm that endures in the Latin roots of the new generations although it no longer has the same boom that is enjoyed between the period from 1970 to 2000.

Salsa was in the 70s a way to confront racism and xenophobia that Latin Americans were experiencing in the United States. That unites Salsa with gypsy music and the gypsy people, who have also experienced these prejudices”. Diego “El Cigala”

Gerardo Rosales meets Orlando Poleo, who invites him to study Afro-Caribbean percussion in Caracas

Gerardo Rosales was born on July 6, 1964, in Caracas, Venezuela. He has been living in the Netherlands since 1993.

At the age of 8 he started studying piano and at the same time he became interested in playing congas and bongo.

In 1977, at the age of 13, he met Orlando Poleo, who invited him to study Afro-Caribbean percussion at the “Taller de Arte” in the Sarría neighborhood in his hometown Caracas.

From 1977 to 1980, he studied congas and bongo with Orlando Poleo, and timbales with Alberto Borregales.

In 1985, he studies Afro-Venezuelan percussion with Alexander Livinali at the “Fundación Bigott”.

Gerardo Rosales Mr. Tambo
Gerardo Rosales Mr. Tambo

In 1987 Gerardo starts his career with very important figures such as: Soledad Bravo, Cecilia Todd, Canelita Medina, Alberto Naranjo y el Trabuco Venezolano, Maria Rivas, Joe Ruiz, Ilan Chester, Orquesta Café, Trina Medina y Yarake, Victor Cuica among others.

At the same time, Gerardo began his own orchestra called “Salsa 70” and with it he toured the neighborhoods, theaters and night spots of the capital.

In 1992, he receives an invitation to participate in the Expo Sevilla in Spain, with the group ‘Caracas Son 7’.

From that moment on he decided to settle in Europe. In 1993, he releases his first CD “Gerardo Rosales y su Salsa Pa’lante”, in Spain, which was recorded in Venezuela.

At the same time, Gerardo started his own orchestra called "Salsa 70" and with it he toured the neighborhoods, theaters and nightclubs of the capital.
In 1992, he received an invitation to participate in the Expo Sevilla in Spain, with the group “Caracas Son 7”.

From this moment on he is invited to work in France with Alfredo Rodriguez and Orlando Poleo; in Germany with Conexión Latina and Nicky Marrero and in Holland with Saskia Laroo, Jose Avila y su Quimbombo and Cedric Dandaree. In 1995, Paquito D’Rivera invited him to participate in the recording of the CD “Bebo rides again” together with the legendary Cuban pianist Bebo Valdés.

From 1996 until now, Gerardo Rosales has been touring Europe with his own salsa and Latin jazz projects. Gerardo has earned the respect and admiration of the public through his concerts and recordings, managing to spread and project rhythms from Venezuela, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Peru, Curaçao, Suriname and the Caribbean.

In 2002, he produced the music for the film “Madamme Jeanette” directed by Paula van der Oest which was nominated for an Oscar as a Dutch film.

These are the titles of his CDs: “Salsa pa lante” (1992), “Venezuela Sonora” (1996), “Señor Tambó” (1998), “El Venezolano” (1999), “Rítmico & Pianístico” (2001), “La Salsa es mi Vida” (2001), Tribute to Fania all stars (2003), Charanga La Crisis “Salsa Antigua” (2005), Mongomania “Tribute to Mongo Santamaria.

Gerardo Rosales has accompanied on tours, recordings and performances in Europe artists such as:

Dee Dee Bridgewater, Benny Bailey, Paquito D Rivera, Bebo Valdés, Toots Thielemans, Jimmy Bosch, Juan Pablo Torres, Herman Olivera, Oscar D’León, José Alberto “El Canario”, Andy Montañéz, Meñique, Edy Martínez, Carlos “Patato” Valdés, Conexión Latina, Orlando Valle “Maraca”, Alfredo Rodríguez, Armando Peraza, Luisito Quintero, Robert Quintero, Ramón Valle, Larry Harlow, Adalberto Santiago, Frankie Vázquez, Oscar Hernandez, Africando, Chamaco Rivera, Luisito Carrion, Jorge Herrera, Edgar Dolor, Dorance Lorza, Ajo Porro, Luisito Rosario, David Cada and Tito Allen.

Discography by Gerardo Rosales:

Gerardo Rosales has accompanied artists on tours, recordings and performances in Europe
Discography by Gerardo Rosales:

2019 Gerardo Rosales “Cachandera and Singapore Vibes” (Single)

2016 Gerardo Rosales “Salsa Vintage” (Download – CD )

2014 Gerardo Rosales “Son Del Sofa” (Single) ITunes

2013 Gerardo Rosales “Síguelo” (CD)

2011 Gerardo Rosales “Chano Pozo’s Music” (CD)

2011 Gerardo Rosales “30 Aniversario” (CD)

2010 Cachao Sounds “La Descarga Continúa” (CD)

2010 Gerardo Rosales “Buscando Chamba” (CD)

2009 Venezuelan Masters Orchestra “Toros y Salsa” (CD)

2008 Gerardo Rosales “Salsa Mundial” (CD)

2007 Our Latin Groove “Bringin’ it All On Back” (CD)

2005 Gerardo Rosales “Mongomanía” (CD)

2005 Charanga La Crisis “Salsa Antigua” (CD)

2004 Gerardo Rosales “Tribute to Fania” (CD)

2001 Gerardo Rosales “La Salsa es mi Vida” (CD)

2001 Gerardo Rosales & Edy Martínez “Rítmico y Pianístico” (CD)

1999 Gerardo Rosales “El Venezolano” (CD)

1998 Gerardo Rosales “Señor Tambó” (CD)

1996 Gerardo Rosales “Venezuela Sonora” (CD)

1992 Gerardo Rosales “Salsa Pa’lante de Venezuela” (CD)

1991 Gerardo Rosales “Salsa Pa’Lante de Venezuela” (33 RPM Vinyl)

Discography of Gerardo Rosales with other artists:

Orquesta Cafe “Criollisima” 1987 (Fama) Venezuela ( Salsa )
Joe Ruiz – Javier Plaza – Jose Torres – Gerardo Rosales

Bebo Valdes “Rides Again” 1994 ( Messidor) Germany ( Latin Jazz )
Bebo Valdes – Paquito D Rivera – Patato Valdes – Amadito Valdes – Gerardo Rosales

Conexion Latina – “La Conexion” 1996 (Enja) Germany ( Salsa )
Rudi Fuesers – Leslie Lopez- Anthony Martinez – Nicky Marrero – Gerardo Rosales

David Rohschild “Looking Up” 1997 (Via) The Netherlands ( Salsa )
David Rothschild – Adalberto Santiago – Banjamin Herman – Gerardo Rosales

Leslie Lopez “Bomba Moderna” 1999 (Buitenkunst) The Netherlands (Latin Jazz)
Leslie Lopez – Ramon Valle – Joe Rivera – Nils Fischer – Gerardo Rosales

The Rosemberg Trio “Suenos Gitanos” 2001 (Polydor) The Netherlands ( Latin )
Rosemberg Trio – Toots Thielemans – Leonardo Amuedo – Gerardo Rosales

Ronal Snijders “Bijlmerjazz 2004 (Independent) The Netherlands (Jazz)
Ronal Snijders – Randal Corsen – Jesse van Ruller – Gerardo Rosales

Cubop City Big Band “Arsenio 2004 (Tam Tam) 2004 The Netherlands (Cuban)
Lucas van Merwijjk – Edy Martinez – Nelson Gonzalez – Gerardo Rosales

Drums United “World of Rhythm” 2006 (Tam Tam) 2004 The Netherlands (World Music)
Lucas van Merwijk – Nils Fischer – Aly N ‘ Diaye Rose – Gerardo Rosales

Samba Salad – Metropol Orkest “Live Vredenburg” 2006 The Netherlands (World Music)
Herman Link – Dick Bakker – Maurice Luttikhuis – Rita Iny – Gerardo Rosales

Aquilez Baez “ La Patilla” 2007 (Cacao) Venezuela (Latin Jazz)
Aquilez Baez – Anat Cochen – Huascar Barradas – Diego Alvarez – Gerardo Rosales

Maria Catharina “Obsecion” 2010 (Independent) The Netherlands (Jazz)
Maria Catharina – Adinda Meertins – Thomas Bottcher – Marc Bischoff – Gerardo Rosales

Masalsa “Resurreccion” 2012 (Independent) The Netherlands (Salsa)
Soeshiel Sharma – Ray de La Paz – Marcos Bermudez – Cachito Vaz – Gerardo Rosales

Izaline Calister “Kandela” 2012 (Coast to Coast) The Netherlands (Latin)
Izaline Calister – Yumarya – Vernon Chatlein – Larc Alban Lotz – Gerardo Rosales

Africando “Viva Africando” 2013 (Sterms Music) France (Salsa)
Boncana Maiga – Oscar Hernandez – Doug Beavers – Luisito Quintero – Gerardo Rosales

Mezcolanza “Headbanger” 2015 (O.A.P Records) The Netherlands (Jazz)
Peter Wenk – Chistof May – David Barker – Mick Paauwe – Gerardo Rosales

Tango Extremo “ Havana” 2015 (JWA) The Netherlands (Latin)
Ben van den Dungen – Rob van Kreeveld – Tanya Schaap – Gerardo Rosales

Orquesta La Potente “ Potente “ 2018 (Independent) Colombia (Salsa)

Coco Ramirez – Guarnizo – Gerardo Rosales

Barry Hay & JB Meijers (Universal Music Group) 2019 The Netherlands ( Pop)

Barry Hay – JB Meijers – Gerardo Rosales.

Gerardo Rosales

( Salsa – Latin – Jazz – Cuban )

Bands – Percussion Workshops – DJ – Percussionist – Shows

+31627862001

[email protected]

The Netherlands

Gerardo Rosales was born on July 6, 1964, in Caracas, Venezuela. He has been living in the Netherlands since 1993
Gerardo Rosales meets Orlando Poleo, who invites him to study Afro-Caribbean percussion in Caracas

ISM: Goce Pagano , one of the salsa places in Bogota Colombia

Goce Pagano, a Historical Salsa icon in the city of Bogota, Colombia :

Many Latin American rhythms have been present in different countries worldwide, especially in Latin America because of its culture and customs through time, and in Colombia music has its own history, it is influenced by Spanish, indigenous and African elements since colonization, and there are two large groups: Andean (with emphasis on the bambuco, the pasillo, the torbellino, the guabina and the bunde), llanera, Caribbean (the cumbia, the mapalé, the bullerengue, the porro, the vallenato, and the calypso), and Anglo-Saxon. Did you know that Colombia is known as the land of a thousand rhythms for its more than one thousand twenty-five (1025) folk rhythms?

Currently, the most played music everywhere (music venues, bars, restaurants, parties, academies or the streets of the country) are bolero, ranchera, tango, ballads, champeta and salsa.

Photo in Pagan Goce
Photo by Cesar Pagano

We can not ignore the main salsa icon in Bogota, Colombia with respect to history, how can we not be when we are talk about 39 years of tradition? It all began during the year 1978 when it comes out from a space oriented to Salsa in a city where this rhythm was not so normal like it was in Cali or Barranquilla (Bogota). By that time acetate discs, vinyl, became the element number one that made this capital dance, a case that incredibly remains in effect.

Here in the so-called Goce Pagano, we can delight with an important record collection from the most important salsa era, it was the 70’s. To the surprise od many, this years are the ones that still put rhythm in this place.

For its great tradition, it is common to gegatherings of collectors, forums or discussions with great personalities, therefore, this place not only calls you to dance and enjoy good music, but also to be a corner for those who make the history of salsa the fashion. On my visit I was able to enjoy a cocktail known as Joe Arroyo that shows us the flavors and colors of this beautiful country united to the well-known rhythm of the salsa icon in Colombia. The Goce Pagano opens its doors on Fridays and Saturdays from 7:00 pm (19:00 hrs) in a contemporary and trendy format, orange walls, candles, fireplace, wood and leather furniture calls you to an intimate space of great warmth and full of Latin rhythms that lets moonlight penetrate into the center of the ceiling.

Photo outside Goce Pagano
Photo by Cesar Pagano

For all the above reasons we can not fail to enjoy a space so full of history, rhythms and flavors like this, we can go to the diagonal 20-A # 0 – 82, in the town of Santa Fe near Las Aguas Transmilenio Station, Bogota, Colombia, attach yourself to the roots of salsa and request your most popular songs, it is sure that the Goce Pagano will pleasure you in that beautiful Latin evening.

If you want more information about the Goce Pagano club, click here in this links:

WebSite: https://www.elgocepagano.co/

Phone number (Whatsapp): +57 316 8710646

Facebook: @el.goce.pagano.bar

ISM wants you to know a little about the Orchestra Oeste 11

Meet the Venezuelan Orchestra Oeste 11

Did you know that tropical music arises from the region surrounding the Caribbean Sea and the Antillean region of the American continent (Antigua and Barbuda Bahamas Barbados Cuba Dominica Grenada Haiti Jamaica Dominican Republic Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Saint Lucia Trinidad and Tobago) where, there is a mixture of rhythms from the African continent, fused with the folklore and rhythms of the different American countries such as merengue, bachata, salsa, reggaeton, samba, rumba, ranchera, bolero, bossa nova, cumbia, tango, tambourine, fado, milonga, latin rock.

In this edition we can say that many of music and dance lovers tend to choose Salsa and / or Tropical Music, since they are musical genres that people enjoy as a couple or in a group, whether at an event, party or festival, giving it essence, life and sharing among all the members, for that reason there are many singers and members of orchestras who specialize in these genres, today we have as a special guest the Orchestra Oeste 11 of Caracas, Venezuela.

It was made up of young musicians belonging to the Venezuelan Orchestral Movement, among them the Venezuelan percussionist Alejandro Alfonzo, who baptized it in 2007 with the name of ” Orchestra Oeste 11 ” for all the musical experiences they shared since childhood, because most of their members were formed together in said parish.

It is currently composed of 13 musicians, who specialize in the musical genre “Salsa”, giving life to 2 discographies, the first entitled “AL NATURAL” that came out in 2015, consists of 8 unreleased songs and a cover.

“With its themes I lie, Al natural, I forgot about you, Forget you, Medicine, You made fun of Me, I have decided to forget you, My sweet friend and Dancing”

Orchestra Oeste 11 on stage

Orchestra Oeste 11 (Venezuelan) on stage

And for month of May  2019 their second discography “Amor y gusto” will be available, which will be composed of 11 unreleased songs, and to give a preview of the new album they already presented us this March 31 their first single (theme), entitled ” I want you to feel Mine ”, which is accompanied by a music video that you can enjoy on its YouTube page https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpleKvxCg9Y.

And over the years they had the opportunity to share on the stage with various well-known artists and / or groups, such as the Latin Dimension, Rafael el Pollo Brito, Proyecto A, Los Saélites, Magia Caribeña, Grupo Mango, and other national artists. of different musical genres.

Among their achievements, they mention that in the National Festival of Salsa Orchestras Say no to the Payola of PDVSA La Estancia were the winners in 2014, they were also selected to honor Sonora Ponceña for their 60 years of artistic career and they were in the Festival Sounds Caracas.

If you want to listen to their discographies “Al Natural” and “I want you to feel mine”, they are available worldwide on the platforms Amazon, Itunes, Spotify, Tidal, Google Music, among others.

For more information the Orchestra Oeste 11 :