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Search Results for: Van Van

Johnny Vega Musical legend Composer and Vocalist

Born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, veteran songwriter, and singer Johnny Vega grew up surrounded by music and relatives with the same natural talent he discovered in himself at an early age.

It wasn’t long before his obvious gift of writing accompanied by strong vocals was in demand.

Many salsa greats highlighted Johnny Vega, as a songwriter and vocalist at an early age New York was the vanguard of his success.

Relocating as a teenager, with his family, he mastered his craft in both Spanish and English being one of the first Puerto Rican musicians to compose and sing a bilingual hit, singing with Cortijo for the legendary band “Cortijo y su Combo” in the early 70s.

His musical career as described here gave him the notoriety that follows today, currently involved in multiple projects, Johnny continues to write and often performs at sold-out venues in his hometown.

It wasn't long before his obvious gift of writing accompanied by strong vocals was in demand. Many great salseros highlighted Johnny Vega, as a songwriter and vocalist at an early age New York was the vanguard of his success.
Johnny Vega veteran Puerto Rican singer and songwriter Born in Santurce, Puerto Rico

Johnny Vega has participated with a myriad of orchestras to name a few:

Trio Las 3 Voces

Jóvenes Del Ritmo

Gil Suarez Y Su Orquesta Latin Highs

Sonora Casino

Cortijo Y Su Combo

Kako And His Trabuco

Conjunto Los Imposibles

Orquesta Sabor

Conjunto Antonetti

Orquesta La Muralla

Conjunto La Villa Arecibo

Paquito Guzman Y Su Orquesta

Conjunto Santurce

Los 7 Gatos

Renovación 90

Hermanos Gonzalez (Help Yourselves 2015)

Noel Quintana & Latin Crew Popeye Y La Flaca 2016

Soloist Tribute To Celia

From this era of inspiration, Johnny gives the master Tommy Olivencia the song "Pancuco", especially for Frankie Ruiz.
Johnny Vega has participated with countless orchestras.

Some of his compositions:

Popeye – Ay Caray – Adalberto Santiago

Pancuco – Frankie Ruiz

Tú y tu novela – Pasado, presenté y futuro – Mike Cora

Avísale – Clown – incredulous – La Muralla

I’m dying inside – Rafi Marrero

Volver- Tito Rodriguez Jr. Singing Gilberto Santa Rosa

My Salsa is my Cura- Josean Rivera

Hermano Cortijo- Josean Rivera

Sueño de un Borincano- Willie Morales “El Piloto de la Salsa”.

Que le Pasa al Cielo- Chevy El Pitirre de la Salsa

Aquí Mando Yo- Chevy El Pitirre de la Salsa

From that moment on Johnny began to write and share his compositions with local bands so that they could establish their own musical identity.

From that era of inspiration, Johnny gave the maestro Tommy Olivencia the song “Pancuco”, especially for Frankie Ruiz.

Also “Ay Caray” & “Popeye el Marino” for Adalberto Santiago. Many of the musicians who grew up under the supervision of maestro Johnny Vega initially, went on to form part of the orchestras of Celia Cruz, Sonora Ponceña, Héctor Lavoe and many other high caliber bands.

In Rochester, Johnny sang with Orquesta Sabor, Antonetti, and Mike Rosario’s Muralla with whom he formed a solid partnership which included great productions, one of them being “Avísale” a collector’s item for which royalties are still being paid three decades later.

Songs by Johnny Vega-

Father and Son

Compañera Mía

Tribute To Celia

Listen To My Message

Born To Sing

Johnny Vega lives in Rochester NY with his wife of 56 years, 5 children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

He continues to leave his great musical legacy.

Contact:

Facebook: Johnny Vega

https://www.facebook.com/johnny.vega.7503

Instagram: @vjohnny220

https://instagram.com/vjohnny220?utm_medium=copy_link

If you require Vega’s pen write to email.

[email protected]

Por: Erika Muñoz 

La Mulata Rumbera

Erika Muñoz 

“Se Armó la Rumba en México”

Corresponsal de International Salsa Magazine

Article of Interest: Willie Morales The Salsa Pilot Taking off with force… New, Tasty and Danceable Salsa!

 

What has happened with salsa in New York City recently

The ultimely passing of El Judio Maravilloso

Here you can see Larry Harlow
Larry Harlow

On August 20 this year, salsa fans around the world received of the devastating news about the death of Larry Harlow Kahn, who was one of the most transcendental figures of the Fania All-Stars at the time and Latin music in general. There have been many artists, writers and the general public have expressed their profound regret at the departure of pianist, leaving an unforgettable legacy and a profound mark in the minds of all those who admired him throughout his career. 

According to what writer specialized in music Aurora Flores said, Harlow, also known as “El Judio Maravilloso”, marked a unique style with great ease and innovation while staying attached to his traditions. From the hand of Johnny Pacheco and Jerry Masucci, this musician became a talented producer and creator for much of the work done by orchestra La Fania, resulting an approximate of 270 recordings for other artists and a good number of hits that continue to be heard today. 

This extremely talented pianist broke down all sorts of cultural barriers during his lifetime thanks to his great talent. He reached corners he has never dreamed of and will always be remembered for his great artistic endeavors. 

Ricky Gonzalez and Angel Fernandez make donations to support the Salsa Museum 

Johnny Cruz with two musicians
Angel Fernández, Johnny Cruz, and Ricky González

In recent days, it became known that both Ricky Gonzalez and Angel Fernandez have met with the director of the Spanish Harlem Salsa Gallery Museum, Johnny Cruz, to bring him with some highly valuable objects. Gonzalez is Marc Anthony‘s pianist and Fernandez is the musical director of his orchestra, so both musicians have much to contribute to the historic museum presided by Cruz. 

In the particular case of González, he plans to offer some jackets that were worn by the famous Puerto Rican singer, while Fernández will offer a trumpet played at one of the many concerts offered by the boricua and his team. Together with the already mentioned objects, both artists pledged to collaborate in every way necessary to continue donating valuable acquisitions to the cultural institution.  On the official Facebook account of Johnny Cruz, the president of the museum can be seen in the company of both musicians and some thanks from his part to both of them for supporting the Spaha Salsa Gallery, as this place is also known.  

Migdalia Sánchez joins the Salsa Museum 

Logo of Latino 99 FM
Logo of the station Latino 99 FM

It has been announced that Migdalia Sanchez, the head of Latino 99 FM in Florida, has agreed to join the Salsa Museum with Johnny Cruz. This means that the aforementioned station will start broadcasting the programme hosted by Johnny Cruz at the same time so that all its listeners can enjoy it without a single problem.  

Salsa returns to New York 

Following the restrictions imposed by the local authorities due to the advance of COVID-19, many clubs and nightclubs have decided to open their doors again, but meeting each and every one of the health requirements for these places can be considered safe for the clientele. 

Every day there are more well-known names that join the list of places that are working almost normally after all this time. Here we mention some of the places that have reopened their doors:  

  • La Marqueta  
  • S.O.B’s  
  • González y González  
  • El Sanjuan  
  • Taino Towers Crystal Ballroom 

Visit Club Tropicana and have a great time!

What Club Tropicana offers

Before the lifting of many of the restrictions caused by COVID-19 in Texas, the progressive reopening of entertainment venues that were forced to close due to the pandemic has taken place. Of course, Club Tropicana could not stay out. 

Founded in the year 1999, Club Tropicana is still considered one of the favorite places for Texans to go dancing and spend a night of drinking in the city of Houston. Although the place has a wealth of attractions for people of all ages, what is most striking to the audience is the great music being played there. Predominant genres played are salsa, merengue and bachata. Of course, the vast majority of the invited artists are linked to these musical styles. 

Although the club itself provides the music heard and danced every night, it usually invites singers and groups that delight all present with their talent. Many performers have walked across this stage, but there are many others who will be more than glad to give the bar customers precious time. 

Bottles of alcohol and drinks
Alcohol bottles and drinks at Club Tropicana

Artists, drinks, and so on

Among the groups invited to perform in the future, we can mention Porfi Baloa y Sus Adolescentes, who will offer a great show to fans who want to listen to their early hits and their new works. The general admission has a cost of $50, the assigned seat has a cost of $60 and the VIP entrance has a cost of $90. For those who wish to purchase a VIP platinum ticket at $125 apiece, they will have to pay for a full table, which will have an extra cost. This concert is part of the orchestra’s tour around several cities in the United States and Houston could not miss was a must. 

As well as this Venezuelan group, there are other Latino talents who have not missed the opportunity to perform in the theme parties at Club Tropicana. Such is the case of DJ Noel Velasquez, who performed last Tuesday and showed a varied musical repertoire that includes salsa, cumbia, bachata and many other genres. In addition, the Salsa instructor Jorge Melo was there as a guest, who was teaching a sensational class as a complement to the great work of the already mentioned DJ. 

Purple stage at Club Tropicana
Image of the stage at Club Tropicana

All the advantages that we have already mentioned have resulted in a huge number of positive reviews in which frequent and occasional clients reveal the fun they have had here and what they have liked most about the club. Among the many things they mentioned, we can highlight the fabulous live band, the party atmosphere, the delicious cocktails, the imposing atmosphere and many more. These elements and a few more have made Club Tropicana a great option for all who want to spend an afternoon of drinking among friends and dancing. 

Another detail that charms many people is the invitation to great exponents of Latin music, who delight the present ones with their talent. In fact, these artists represent a big part of the appeal of the place, since they welcome both their regular customers and the fans of the singer of the time. 

Glass tables and chairs at Club Tropicana
Chairs and Tables at Club Tropicana

Link to its official Facebook page: Club Tropicana

ISM interviews Héctor Cuevas and his Son Borojol Orchestra.

Dominican Republic where the traditional music is merengue expands to diverse musical rhythms such as bachata, rap, salsa, among others, and this time we had the opportunity to present 2 great musicians (both cousins) called Héctor and Cuso Cuevas , who have joined their talents and experiences in music to found the Orchestra who baptized it “Son Borojol” in March 2015, which is characterized by being a different and very tropical band, its name derives from a tribute to that popular sector because there the genre of son has always been danced.

Héctor Cuevas, was born in the Dominican Republic and lived a season in the USA, from the age of 13 and 14 he began his musical life with Johnny Ventura learning and working in the USA with respect to music, he was also in Caracas, Venezuela, Miami where He was musician for Hansel and Raul in the 80s.

 

In the “Son Borojol” Orchestra he is integrating a musical group that has several members from other countries apart from Dominicans and he mentions that the vast majority are Venezuelans, among them Cesar Augusto Anuel better known as Albondiga, a great trombonist, arranger, composer and musical director of the Latin dimension. He said he was very happy with the coupling of the members of the orchestra, who at each party give their best, showing their talents to please the dancing public.

Son Borojol Orchestra
Son Borojol Orchestra live

The orchestra is composed of experienced musicians who have the peculiarity of having 3 violins (which are from the symphony), trumpeters and other instruments which manage to make a difference in quality and sound, when playing either Cumbia, Merengue, Son , Guaracha, Charanga, Traditional Salsa (La sonora matacera style, jhonny pacheco, Roberto faz)

He comments that once they had a contract with a Latin music label, where Hector wanted it to be pure salsa but they wanted a compilation of different Latin rhythms (merengue, salsa among others) but the most important thing is that the music was from Son Borojol and not from other artists, for a time they were counting on the support of maestro Sony Ovalle (who passed away on December 13, 2020).

The experience that Son Borojol has, in addition to its members, is added the great career he has had in various orchestras with his cousin and renowned bassist Cuso Cuevas (he also died in 2020), who worked with Félix del Rosario, Joseito Mateo, Jhonny Ventura, Santa Cecilia among others. For his part, Héctor Cuevas, played with the orchestras of Hansel and Raul, Jhonny Pacheco, Primitivo Santos and others in the United States.

With this project, the Son Borojol Orchestra has the objective that the public can enjoy different musical genres such as cumbia, danzones, salsa, boleros, Latin jazz and of course the son, a rhythm that every day continues to penetrate more and more in taste. popular of young people; since normally the more adult people who dance are montuno, habanero, bolero and son.

But apart from this particular objective, they have the following as their main idea:

“Our goal is to conclude some songs in the portfolio and prepare to travel to the United States, where they already want to get to know the orchestra, but for that we continue to rehearse hard, because we want to stay for many years to make our people happy every weekend and at private parties. How we are doing it ”, he expressed.

Hector Cuevas
Hector Cuevas selfie

Héctor Cuevas, who is currently the musical director, once commented… “In those trips that I took to the Dominican Republic, I always had the idea of ​​forming an orchestra of my own, since I have the experience because I had The Boston Latin Band, I met with my cousin Cuso Cuevas and we invited other proven musicians and today Son Borojol, it is a reality that continues to rise every day and our presentations speak for themselves, because we try every day to improve in quality, sound and interpretation ”.

Although he currently conducts the orchestra alone, he continues on in honor of his cousin Cuso Cuevas; During the Covid 19 pandemic, they took advantage of this time when all the events were canceled and the closure to record their new musical themes so that when the events opened they were ready for everything that came to them in the future; At least now in 2021 they began to open clubs and other venues, mobilizing dynamic activity in the country, of course with a much shorter work period than before or opening much earlier to take advantage of the regulatory time given by the government ( flexible quarantine)

Hector and Cuso Cuevas - Charanson
Photo of directors Hector and Cuso Cuevas

Currently they have many television offers and live events on the beaches of the country, and when everything is normalized with the pandemic, make their musical tour that was planned in 2020 to different countries of the world And as the penultimate stop in the USA and finally in the Dominican Republic .

A message to his viewers in this interview was the following: “That they take care of themselves, that they always have friends in their hearts and many blessings, and if they have a goal to follow that they do not deviate and always continue forward … nothing stops me and I keep moving forward and that’s what makes you feel good and reach that goal and don’t look back … ”

 

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4 Salsa Books You Can Read In One Week

Spanish Author Saúl Delhom Immerses Us Into The World Of Salsa In Four Simple Illustrated Texts

Ficcionario Salsero and El Antimanual de la Salsa by Saúl Delhom
El Antimanual Para Bailar Salsa. Episodio I: El Social was published in November 2019 and contains 73 pages

The computer engineer, illustrator and dancer, Saúl Delhom, recreates the culture of Salsa in an exclusive selection of four short books that are easy to understand, a substantial exploration of the representatives of the genre, and an enjoyable reading that you can finish in a week.

The author of these different texts tells us quickly and with the characteristic Spanish humor about the skills, efforts, adaptability, and approach of Afro-Caribbean music.

With these books aimed at Salsa fans, you will get motivation, reflection, knowledge of history, tips, and advice on social dance based on real stories that will not allow you to get left behind in this competitive and fascinating world of Latin dance.

The four books on Salsa by Valencia-born Saúl Delhom will make you learn the most relevant data of the Salsa industry in a fast and exceptional way.

En Clave

En clave is one of the books by the Valencia dancer with which he makes a chronological journey of Salsa through the lives of 77 women artists around the world. For this reason, you will find singers, instrumentalists, composers, and directors of the genre from Croatia, Denmark, Spain, France, the United Kingdom, Japan, Puerto Rico, the United States, Cuba, and Venezuela, just to mention a few countries.

En Clave is structured by a timeline dating from 1877 to 1995, separated by decades. So in the first instance, you will read the biography of an artist who is probably the source of inspiration for another. Then, you will come across a connection diagram as visual support and contribution of extra information that will provide you with emotional ties, teachers, professionals, and collaborations between members of the industry.

Likewise, you will find at the end of each biography the title of a song along with a printed code that you can scan through your smartphone that will link you directly to the Spotify digital platform to listen to it.

And finally, you will observe a second timeline with the exhibition as a frame of reference for contemporary male singers and groups and the exact date of the incursion and musical performance of the artist reviewed for that moment.

“In short, for this book, I have opted for that general vision of the term Salsa… This has also allowed me to include interpreters of traditional Cuban music, to travel back in time making prominent women visible, and to the future including generations of artists who merge, and they reinterpret. For that reason, you will find exponents of the Trova, Danzón, Danzonete, the Cuban point, Guajira, or Latin Jazz. ” Excerpt from the En Clave book.

Remember that you need to read this book because…

“More Salsas are known with female names than female names in the Salsa”. Saúl Delhom

El Antimanual Para Bailar Salsa: Episode I. The social

El antimanual para bailar Salsa is an ironic and humorous illustrated guide on how to successfully overcome a social dance of this Latin rhyme on a dance floor.

In this first book by Saúl, you will find answers to common questions of beginning dancers, such as: Should the girl be dragged to the floor? Is it better to dance only with your partner? Is doing many figures the best to stand out? Do I have to know all the songs of memory to be a real Salsero? Is criticizing other couples a national sport? Who moves my drink from here?

Delhom tells us that his intention in creating this project was initially purely personal and without any commercial intention, but due to its success and the liking of the experience acquired, he decided to write an extension of this book with a few extra chapters and face a second different book.

 Ficcionario Salsero. 50 New Words Explained For Normal People

The Ficcionario Salsero is a dictionary of 50 words invented by the author.

These simple words with minimal modifications in the union of two of them or the exchange of one or two letters make the meaning vary entirely, creating a new terminology in salsa slang.

To do this, Saúl Delhom developed an advanced algorithm that allowed him to generate each new term, which in the writer’s words, that should already exist today.

In addition, in the last pages of the Ficcionario, you will find a story about the events that take place in a Salsa Congress and in which these new words are used as an example and that make you actively get involved in this fascinating world.

It should be noted that the style and method applied to the illustrations here are different from those applied previously.

 Trivial Salsero

Finally, there is the Trivial Salsero, a Salsa cultural enrichment book. Its base consists of 360 questions that join a playlist of 160 songs.

In the questions related to a hit, for example: According to a song from El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, what city do you recommend living in summer to have fun with charm and beauty? You will have the information about the correct answer and bring you the exact time within the song through a mark on the digital link to listen to it on Spotify.

Trivial Salsero also includes a system to choose pages randomly without the need for dice or cards.

And is that if you consider yourself a real Salsero you should already know the answers to any of these questions that appear in this book and that I leave you here below as a preamble to what you will find in its internal pages:

  1. With what instrument is the artist Noro Morales associated?
  2. What discipline did Celia Cruz leave to dedicate herself to music?
  3. What nickname has the artist Charlie Palmieri received?
  4. What is the meaning of the word Segundo of the artist Compay Segundo?

“I’ll tell you a little personal anecdote… The first time I tried a Salsa class was in a pub called Cachao. At that time, I had no idea who was the legendary double bass player Israel López “Cachao”. I believed that it was an invented word or the name of some island. Years later, I not only know his story thanks to dancing and the controversial term Salsa, but I have ended up writing a book in which appears his sister Coralia López, much less known”. Saúl Delhom

Saúl Delhom dancing
Saul Delhom

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International Salsa Magazine (ISM) is a monthly publication about Salsa activities around the world, that has been publishing since 2007. It is a world network of volunteers coordinated by ISM Magazine. We are working to strengthen all the events by working together.