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Israel “Cachao” Lopez Sobrado in fame and respect in the seventies was dedicated to maintain the tradition at the highest level

“Cachao Dos” for the year 1977.

It will be enough to mention the name of this celebrity to open a whole range of creativity and genius embodied in what is considered a cult discography.

Since 1931, the year in which he started musically as a member of the Havana Philharmonic Orchestra, the precocious Israel would give a foretaste of the talent he had and that, as time went by, would be consummated hand in hand with his right-hand man and musical accomplice, Orestes “Macho” López, his older brother.

Certainly, music was impregnated in the DNA of the López family, a generating machine of musicians by tradition, something that Lázara Cachao, Israel’s niece and daughter of his deceased younger brother Orlando “Cachaito” Lopez, reaffirms: “The tradition of being musicians comes from the grandparents and great-great-grandparents, all the Cachao are musicians”.

Regarding his transcendence, he and his older brother Orestes are said to be the creators of the Mambo, a rhythmic variation of the Danzón and a genuine musical expression that would mark a before and after in Latin music.

However, and as it is known, this contribution would change its clothing and would reach worldwide popularity when it reached the hands of another “inventor” born in Matanzas, Cuba, named Dámaso Pérez Prado, who as it is known, gave it another treatment and musical twist reaching surprising popularity.

“Cachao”, after a 31-year stay with the Havana Philharmonic Orchestra, decided to leave Cuba, settling for many years in New York City.

As it is understandable, his presence in this city was more than important for the musical guild and music fans.

He was nothing less than one of the managers and protagonist of the famous Jam Sessions recorded by the Panart whose presence was capitalized among many others by Tito Puente, Tito Rodríguez and Eddie Palmieri.

From the first one we could say, a whole school, a musician with a deep knowledge of his double bass and creator of his own style, bow in hand, and as a prolific composer, with approximately three thousand compositions together with his brother “Macho” López.

The years in New York were musically very good for Israel Lopez as well as in Las Vegas and finally Miami, where he lived until his last days.

Making a discography of him is quite a task and a challenge. However, after his arrival, I remember with great pleasure his collaboration for the album Latin Explosion by Joe Cain and his orchestra in 1964, where among others, Listen dos Trompetas and Mungo, Mungo Baby stand out.

Esta es mi Orquesta, theme/performance of Tito Rodriguez’s musicians emulating what Stan Kent and his Big Band did, or those performances as special guest in the famous Descargas at The Village Gate Live and Tico All Stars, among many others.

In the seventies, Cachao, with his fame and respect, dedicated himself to maintain the tradition at a supreme level, and from that period, punctually 1977, Cachao will present two epic works, the first one entitled Cachao y su Descarga Vol. 1 and then Cachao Dos, both recorded for Salsoul Records under the production of René López and Andy Kaufman.

The latter contains only a total of five tracks, but they are well fulfilled in their purpose of maintaining a fierce defense of the rhythms that Gran Cachao has been proclaiming for years.

This album, like everything else recorded by the double bass player, is genuine and of supreme quality, something that is due to Israel’s responsible and dynamic character, something that the leader Julio Castro can attest to, having not only known him personally but also having worked with his orchestra La Única, which arrived in NYC for a prolonged stay of a little more than half a year.

Repertory

Ko Wo Ko Wo: (Guiro): Julito Collazo

Israel “Cachao” López: Contrabajo

Julito Collazo: Vocal, Chekere, Conga

Mario Muñoz “Papaito”: Campana

Diane Cardona: Coro

Marcelino Guerra: Coro

Héctor “El flaco” Hernández: Coro

Zunny López: Coro

Frankie Rodríguez: Coro

Fela Wiles: Coro

Jóvenes del Ritmo: (Danzón): Israel López

Israel “Cachao” López: Contrabajo

Julián Cabrera: Congas

Gonzalo Fernández: Flauta de Madera

Oswaldo “Chihuahua” Martínez: Timbales

Charlie Palmieri: Piano

Rolando Valdés: Guiro

Cuerdas:

“Pupi” Legarreta: Violín

Alfredo de la Fe: Violín

Eddie Drenon: Violín

Yoko Matsuo: Violín

Carl Héctor: Violín

Patricia Dixon: Cello

Centro San Agustín: (Danzón-Cha): Israel López

Israel “Cachao” López: Contrabajo

Carlos “Patato” Valdés: Congas

Gonzalo Fernández: Flauta de Madera

Lino Frío: Piano

Rolando Valdés: Guiro

Nelson González: Tres

Mario Muñoz “Papaito”: Percusión

Alejandro “El negro” Vivar: Trompeta

Alfredo “Chocolate” Armenteros: Trompeta

Rafael “Felo” Barrios: Coro

Roberto Torres: Coro

Trombón Melancólico: (Descarga): Israel López

Israel “Cachao” López: Contrabajo

Manny Oquendo: Timbales

Charlie Palmieri: Piano

Barry Rogers: Trombón

José Rodríguez: Trombón

Andy González: Campana

Frankie Rodríguez: Percusión

Gene Golden: Percusión

Milton Cardona: Percusión

Rafael “Felo” Barrios: Coro

Roberto Torres: Coro

Chambelona (Popurrí de Congas): Neri Cabrera

Israel “Cachao” López: Contrabajo

Julito Collazo: Bombo

Lino Frías: Piano

Mario “Papaito” Muñoz: Percusión

Oswaldo “Chihuahua” Martínez: Percusión

Virgilio Martí: Percusión

Eugenio “Totico” Arango: Coro

Rafael “Felo” Barrios: Coro

Cachao

José Madera

North America/ United State / New York

José Madera, Percussion & Arranger of Machito, Tito Rodriguez and Tito Puente

One would think that a job with the world famous Tito Puente

Band keep busy a percussionist.

But the musician, arranger and composer José Madera had yet found the time to record and write music for some of the most influential bands in the world.

Prior to joining Tito Puente over 35 years ago, Madera play for four years with the famous Machito Orchestra, and recorded with many artists of R & B (including James Brown, Diana Ross, David Sanborn and Aztec Two – Step).

As an arranger for Fania Records Plant, played in several comerciales successes, and through the years has composed music for the Fania All- Stars, Larry Harlow , Johnny Pacheco , Willie Colón, and Celia Cruz .

Although he has recorded some 75 albums in 20 years, as well as numerous radio jingles and film soundtracks, Madera still had time for his other career for 15 years he had worked as a teacher and conductor in a high school for the performing arts with private funds, in the city of New York.

Jose has written many arrangements for countless commercial Latin artists and has recorded or worked with many of them as well. Some of them include: Larry Harlow, Johnny Pacheco, Chico O’Farill: The Lincoln Center Afro-Cuban jazz orchestra, Celia Cruz, Tito Rodriguez, Fania All-Stars, Willie Colon, Joe Farrell, Machito, Graciela, Mario Bauza, Willie Rosario, Earl Klughand Eddie Palmieri, just to name a few.

Jose has also worked and recorded with many pop, R&B and jazz artists.

Some of them include Diana Ross, James Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, Paquito D’Rivera, George Benson and Lionel Hampton among others.

Jose has performed on over 250 recordings. He has worked on several television show soundtracks including “The Simpsons” and several motion picture soundtracks including ”The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love” where he was the musical arranger and conductor for the Tito Puente segment of the film.

Jose also taught the art of playing Latin percussion instruments at BOYS HARBOR in New York City for 28 years.

Jose has done and continues to do musical clinics around the country at various schools.

¨He was the musical director of the Latin Giants of Jazz from 2001 to 2009¨.

José Madera continues his musical direction with the Mambo Legends Orchestra, a band comprised of former members of the Tito Puente Orchestra, which is dedicated to performing new creative Latin and Latin jazz concepts, as well as some of the music of Machito, Tito Rodriguez and Tito Puente.

José Madera has personally re-created and re-arranged much of the music that the ban ds performed during the heyday of the Mambo at the Palladium Ballroom in New York City, which is considered by many critics to be the “Greatest and Mostinnovative Era” in the history of Latin music.

Madera’s saxophonist father Jose “Pin ” Madera, was one of the original members of the Afro -Cuban Orchestra Machito .

Young Joseph was influenced by drummer Machito (The best Latin Big Band drummer I’ve ever heard).

Later I was influenced by José Mangual and the same Tito Puente. The LP Timbale bell (circa 1966) was the first instrument Wood LP , today plays a variety of congas , bongos , guiro and bells LP.

Compared with the instruments that were used years ago , the sounds I get from the LP instruments are very authentic.

As an arranger, it is very gratifying to know that whatever you write will be accompanied by instruments LP, which only improve the quality of interpretation.

In 2008, Madera was entrusted to the Department of Research and Development LP designing the Signature Series José Madera Congas .

José Madera is proud that these drums, bearing his name, present a sound and a visual such outstanding features.

When it comes to compositions, Luis “Tata” Guerra is widely known internationally

On June 9, 1934, in Guanabacoa, Cuba, Luis “Tata” Guerra was born. Excellent Percussion Master with a Guinness World Record for having accompanied more orchestras live and in recordings.

A virtuoso musician, Luis Tata Guerra, member of a humble and hard-working family, is the last of 4 brothers, born of a musical tradition, his father played guitar, and his older brother Emerio Guerra is a guitarist in Havana.

He studied music and saxophone at the Salesian School of Guanabacoa. He learned to play the tumbadora, and the rhythms of Rumba and Guaguancó in his neighborhood in the 50s.

He joined the Almendra Orchestra in 1954, performing in the best nightclubs of the island. He rehearsed with Conjunto Casino and Conjunto Arsenio Rodríguez.

In 1956 he arrived in Colombia with the Cuban Swing Orchestra, he stayed for 4 years working with the groups Sonera del Caribe and the Pepe Reyes Orchestra (Cuban singer). From there he went to Venezuela where he has lived since 1960.

Maestro Guerra has an extensive career as a musician for his activity in different groups such as: Los Melódicos, Víctor Piñero y sus Casiques, Aldemaro Romero, Chucho Sanoja, El Pavo Frank, and accompanying on percussion in Caracas Tito Rodríguez, Miguelito Valdez, Rolando Laserie, Daniel Santos, Olga Guillot, Rubén Blades, Paco de Lucia, including the Timbal King Tito Puente and many Others.

Recognition for Luis "Tata" Guerra — Recognition for Luis “Tata” Guerra

His compositions have been played in the media in Santo Domingo, Spain, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Venezuela.

The composition “Son Matamoros” dedicated to this famous Cuban trio, was included in the movie “Salsa” with the participation of Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, Grupo Niche and other values. He was a member of the VTV Orchestra (channel 8) for 23 years (1965-1991).

Member and Director of the trio Hermanos Rodriguez, in 1994 they traveled to the Canary Islands invited by President Hermoso, and are well known there for the hit “Son Canario” (composition by Guerra himself).

Again in 1999, they returned to the Canary Islands for more than 2 months, in addition to performing at the fabulous The Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

He presented his program “RAICES CARIBEÑAS” on ANTV.

When it comes to compositions, Luis "Tata" Guerra is widely known internationally. — When it comes to compositions, Luis “Tata” Guerra is widely known internationally.

His fondness for acetate collection was recognized throughout Venezuela. A work with his conjunto became very popular and the voice of “Kiko” Mendive reminded us of the grilles and discómanos of Cali in the 80’s. “Barara Bururu”.

We also remember the time he shared with his compatriot Rafael “Felo” Bacallao Hernandez, who had retired from the Aragon orchestra.

With great regret we recorded on February 24, 2015, the unfortunate news of the death of Tata Guerra, four months shy of his 81st birthday, he had been suffering from an accelerated affection in his respiratory system, remaining hospitalized at the Florida Clinic in the city of Caracas, where in the early morning of that day he left us.

“When I listen to reggetón/ my heart stops/ because my thing is rumba and son”.

Maria Luisa Guerra

Source:

Por: Carlos Molano Gómez

Bogotá – Colombia
Derechos Reservados de Autor -primera publicación – 2016
Actualizado 2021.

Antonio Cartagena is an acclaimed artist, leaving the name of Peru on high all over the world

Antonio Cartagena is one of our best bastions who was born artistically in 1990 from a humble family with Afro-Peruvian roots.

Born in the Constitutional province of Callao (Bellavista) and having studied higher education in the National Police of Peru and half of career in the course of Psychology at the University San Martin.

Being able more the art is consecrated presenting his first success “Sin Ti” belonging in that instant to the Orchestra Peru Salsa All Star at the same time is invited to record songs like Niña and Tengo Todo Execto a Ti by the Orchestra of the Prestigious Oscar “Pitín” Sanchez La Sensual 990 achieving a greater acceptance the demands of work.

They were not made to wait in all the Peruvian literal for such reason is that Antonio Cartagena is traced important goals as the conquest of other countries reason others so that in 1991 produces his first album as a soloist with 10 songs where they highlighted songs like; Sedúceme and Necesito un Amor.

Becoming known in countries such as Colombia, Venezuela and part of the United States.

In 1992 he launches to the market a fresh and romantic Salsa where he highlights songs like Y que Tiene el and M Dueña; from there he reaffirms the internationalization being hired for a tour in the United States with all his group visiting places like New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Virginia, Dallas, Texas, San Diego, among others.

Then in 1993 he is hired by the prestigious international record company RMM of Mr. Ralph Mercado, one of the biggest salsa producers in the world; recording his first international album entitled Dime Que Si, where the most outstanding songs are Apaga La Luz and Perdone Querida.

To perform in dream stages such as Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden and Miami Arenas, alternating with many stars such as Oscar Leon, Van Lester, India, Marc Anthony, Tito Puente, Cheo Feliciano, Ismael Miranda, Celia Cruz, Domingo Quiñonez, Ray de la Paz, Tony Vega, Ray Sepulveda, Johnny Rivera, Tito Nieves, Jose Alberto el Canario, Luis “Perico” Ortiz, Giovanni Hidalgo, and an innumerable list of the greats of the firmament of the salsa market. The tour continued to include Canada, Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, Santo Domingo, Puerto Rico and Argentina.

These were events that marked a milestone in the vertiginous career of the artist; who arrives in his country after three years of coming and going; with a production titled Punto de Vista (1996), where he consecrates himself with the songs Si Tu No Estas and Pídele Perdón, successfully placing himself at the threshold of his career in his own country.

Already in 1997 he wants to impose the criollismo converting famous and traditional waltzes of our country in salsa; Disc that made him known all over the world even in Europe, presenting himself in stages of Germany, France, Holland, Italy, Switzerland, Spain among others.

In the year 2000 and without stopping touring nationally and internationally, Antonio Cartagena produced a new album which highlights the theme Nadie Quien te Quiera como Yo.

Then in 2001 he travels to New York to produce an album titled Volveré, with songs such as Ni Siquiera, giving much to talk about in that country and in Latin America, visiting countries such as the United States, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, etc.

In 2005 he presents a renewed and updated product imposing themes such as Salsa Regaee, titled No Me Digas Que No, placing himself in the first places of our musical environment.

Antonio Cartagena, is one of our best internationally recognized bastions, who is going through his best moment, considered in salsa as the best exponent of music in his genre and winner for this year of a number of awards such as: Nominated for Best Interpreter of the year in the salsa music genre.

Cartagena is an acclaimed artist, leaving the name of Peru on high all over the world.

Antonio Cartagena

Francisco Aguabella “El Tamborero de Cuba” Bravo and Virtuoso Percussionist of Afro-Cuban Ritual Music

Aguabella was born on October 10, 1925 and grew up in the drumming tradition of Matanzas in Cuba.

On May 8, 2010, Francisco Aguabella “El Tamborero de Cuba” passed away in Los Angeles, United States. Bravo and virtuoso percussionist of Afro-Cuban ritual music, Latin/jazz and jazz.

Of remembered links to Tito Puente’s band, Mongo Santamaría, Cachao López, Eddie Palmieri, Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Sinatra, Jorge Santana’s group “Malo” and his own “Latin Jazz Emsemble”.

Aguabella nació el 10 de octubre de 1925 y se crio en la tradición de los tambores de Matanzas en Cuba

In 1953 he emigrated to the United States and settled in California as an olu batá (bata drummer).

Batá drumming is a ceremonial musical style that plays an integral role in the African-derived Santeria religion practiced in Cuba, Puerto Rico and since the 1950s in the United States.

No other music of the Americas bears a more striking similarity to West African music than the batá. Its set of three double cone drums reproduces the Nigerian Yoruba drum set of the same name.

Francisco Aguabella “El Tamborero de Cuba” Bravo y Virtuoso Percusionista de la música ritual afrocubana

Many of the rhythms closely resemble their African prototypes, and the Afro-Cuban language of Lucumí, in which Aguabella sings, is clearly a derivation of Yoruba.

Prior to 1980, Aguabella and Julito Collazo were the only olu batá in the United States who had been initiated into a secret society of drummers designated to perform a very sacred type of batá known as batá fundamento .

The batá fundamento is an integral part of Santeria ceremonies in which an individual’s initiation into the religion cannot be consecrated unless he or she has been presented before this sacred ensemble.

Each year Aguabella builds a shrine for his patron saint, Santa Barbara (Changó), and plays music at a birthday party held in her honor.

Francisco Aguabella “El Tamborero de Cuba”

It’s an all-day celebration for invited friends who are primarily but, not exclusively members of the Santeria sect “Santa Barbara knows it’s her birthday,” Aguabella said, “I know how she feels.

She feels happy if I honor her, I feel bad if I don’t so on St. Barbara’s day every December 4 whatever work I am doing today I don’t do for anyone, I love this saint very much and I promised her I was going to have a party every year.

Se recuerda sus vinculaciones a la Banda de Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaría, Cachao López, Eddie Palmieri, Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Sinatra, el grupo Malo

Although Aguabella is widely respected for his sacred drumming he is also known for his virtuosity in the secular forms of Afro-Cuban music.

Choreographer Katherine Dunham was so impressed with Aguabella’s drumming that she invited him to join her company for tours of South America and Europe.

The most influential of Aguabella’s secular styles is rumba, a complex of several musical genres that evolved in Cuba in the early 20th century.

Rumba was the basis for much of the Cuban dance hall music that in turn helped shape American popular music through dance bands based throughout the United States.

However Afro-Cuban rumba bears little resemblance to the ballroom dance rumba that inspired Francisco. Rumba as Aguabella said is part of daily life for many Afro-Cubans, it doesn’t have to be a special day to play rumba, we could start a rumba here without a drum.

You could play it here or there on the wall, in Cuba rumba is 24 hours a day, we gather in a corner and have a glass of rum…. And someone says: Why don’t we play a little rumba? Some people touch the wall and someone else plays a bottle and maybe takes a cap off the bottle and ‘ca ca ca ca ca ca ca ca ca’ and the Rumba.”

Aguabella’s goal has long been to maintain the integrity of the tradition he so respects, while incorporating it into “crossover” music aimed at a wider audience.

It was his superior musical ability and commitment to tradition that led musicians such as Mongo Santamaria, Malo and Carlos Santana to bring him into their groups.

Aguabella lived in Los Angeles; where he continued to performand exert a great influence on Latin American music.

Afrontilas Music