Tregar Otton, founder of the orchestra, playing the violin
Orquesta La Moderna Tradición has been one of the most legendary groups of Cuban music in its entire history. It is a group whose members are based in San Francisco, California, and consists of 11 members who play different genres such as danzón, timba, guaguancó, cha cha chá, son, rumba, charanga, among others. They also mix in elements from American jazz, violins, and Afro-Cuban rhythms.
The beginning of this orchestra’s story goes back to 1996, since they started to perform throughout the United States to bring the best of traditional Cuban music to every corner of the country and transport Cuban immigrants back to the Havana’s streets and clubs during the 50’s. All the success accumulated allowed them to perform at the San Francisco Jazz Festival, the Smithsonian Institution, the Lincoln Certer and many other venues of high prestige.
Recently, Orquesta La Moderna Tradición once again displayed their talent at Yoshi’s, a jazz club and restaurant located in Oakland, California, whose reputation in the San Francisco Bay Area is not up for discussion. Our editor Eduardo Guilarte was present at the show to cover the details of the event, which left all those present in awe.
Conversation with Tregar Otton, founding director of the orchestra
Tregar Otton and Maru Pérez-Viana, his wife and an important part of the orchestra
Based on the above, we talked with Tregar Otton, founder, director, composer, and violinist of the group. This talented musician, born in the Marshall Islands and raised in Texas, started to learn about classical music from an early age and joined the Berkeley Symphony while he still was a teenager. By the 1990s, this musical promise worked as a regular part of Virgilio Mart Y Sus Majaderos, La Tipica Novel and the Charanga Orquesta Broadway.
By the year 1995, Otton founded Orquesta La Moderna Tradición with Roberto Borrell. At the beginning, the group started to become well-known for its soft sounds of Afro-Cuban charanga, which are accompanied by a set of wind instruments and violins that give a unique touch to this group’s music.
Today, we have the welcome presence of the musician to talk about each and every one of the issues raised in this brief review and anything he wants to reveal to our dear readers. It is such a pleasure to have you here today, Tregar. How are you feeling?
I am fine here near San Francisco. Good to see you today.
Very good, Tregar. You got started in the world of music at a young age. Could you tell us a bit about your beginnings?
I started playing violin when I was four years old and my family had a violin teacher as a neighbor. My parents did the laundry for all our neighbors, so we met her and she ended up giving me classes every day. After that, I studied a lot of classical music, bought music when I was about 20 and fell in love with it because it used the violins differently from classical music. I really enjoyed playing dance music because the connection with the public is quite different from that of classical music. In the case of classical music, many people get bored, but Cuban music and salsa music make a much more direct connection to the audience. There is nothing like playing for a floor with dancers.
We understand that you were born in the Marshall Islands, but grew up in Texas, is that correct?
Yes. After my dad married my mom, they both moved to Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, in the middle of the Pacific. After that, I grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas, till I was 13 or 14 about when I moved to California.
I asked because it is very interesting how you set your eyes on Cuban music despite your origins. Where does this interest in Cuban music and the rhythms you play come from?
For the same reasons I play dance music. It caught my attention when I heard Charanga de La 4 or one of these New York bands. I was impressed that violins were part of the percussion and were making repetitive sounds with the refrain and the son montuno. We are more part of the rhythm section than the melodic section in many of our songs. We can dance while we are on stage. I was also impressed by the improvisations of Cuqui and Alfredo de la Fé. I had many Latin friends I met in college while learning Spanish because no one in my family spoke it.
How did Orquesta La Moderna Tradición come about and who joined you in its foundation?
I was working with a group. I was in New York, where I was playing with the Broadway Orchestra and the Orquesta Tipica Novel. I was very lucky to have been in that city because I got to know many veteran musicians in the 80’s like Renato Valdés, Virgilio Martí, and Adalberto Santiago. I visited a Cuban friend from San Francisco named Fito Reinoso, who had a group called Ritmo Y Armonía and he visited us here in New York. I was tired of the cold in New York, so I decided to go to San Francisco, where Tito and I had the idea of creating a group. It was there that I met a great drum instructor and dance teacher Roberto Borrell, who joined us to found Ritmo y Armonía. After two years, we had to be apart, but Roberto and I still wanted to play danzón. At least here in the Bay Area, it is very difficult to get singers. The ones we have are good, but there are not so many. So, we planned to make a danzonera or danzón group. When the orchestra began to work, we only played danzón songs, rehearsed every week and did many tours with this musical genre because there was a boom with swing dancing and dance music during the 40’s. So, we were surfing that wave. So, we were surfing that wave and doing collaborations with swing groups because it was older music. Danzón is a very rich genre, but it is no of interest to many people because they do not know how to dance it, so we started expanding our repertoire to include more modern and dance music. We still play danzones, but only two per set. There are still musicians from the original group in the orchestra including Michael Spiro. Roberto went to Peru about a decade ago, so Michael and I stayed with the group and invited Eduardo Herrera, who is a singer born in Caracas, Venezuela, to perform with us. We expanded the repertoire by doing the best we could with my own creations. Let’s remember I am the arranger of the group, so I do some songs and we have one that is included in the new recording in which I wrote the music and maestro Carlos Caro from Cuba added the lyrics.
Orquesta La moderna Tradición at one of its shows
Although rhythms like danzón are not so popular, did you feel the acceptance of the public?
There were many people who knew danzón who began to notice that it was a very interesting genre due to the presence of the violins. As Roberto Borrell is a dance teacher, he teaches many of his students how to dance danzón, which is not easy because they should be affixed on each turn they have to make according to the sounds of the instruments.
Can you go from one genre to another in the same song?
Yes, we do that a lot. On our new album, we have rhythms with batá drums from music of Santería, which we use for our danzón songs. It sounds complicated when I explain it, but it is easy at the time of listening to it.
What makes Orquesta La Moderna Tradición different from other Latin music groups in the United States?
Well, I know no other group that plays danzón or charanga. There are two genres of popular dance music in Cuba that come from son montuno, which uses violins and flutes. In the case of charanga, the musicians use violins and flutes. Since the 70’s and 80’s, charanga is now no longer heard in the United States. In Cuba, neither do you hear danzón much. We are a group that has so many danzones in the repertoire. There are not too many groups that play cha cha chá. Me being an arranger, I try to create cha cha chá songs that are not copies of what was played by Orquesta Aragón and other bands in the 40’s and 50’s.
Given that music has evolved so much, what reaction do you perceive from the young public when you play charanga, cha cha chá, danzón and other rhythms?
Interesting question. For young people who do not know and are not salsa fans, our music sounds like salsa because it is difficult to distinguish the genres without knowing them well. However, I work as a music teacher and I have many groups of children, in which there are many salsa fans. They listen to Ray Barreto, Willie Colón, and Hector Lavoe. They also like charanga and understand it well. However, I think danzón is more difficult because it has to be a reflection of what people are feeling in their culture. Cha cha chá is simpler and innocent, but danzón is finer and refined. I think music can influence people and play its part in changing the direction of their culture.
Can you tell us a little bit about your performance at Yoshi’s?
Because of COVID-19, for a year and a half, we could not do anything. We could not even rehearse until the vaccine came on the market. We got this date with Yoshi’s because we have played there many times before as well as Yoshi’s in San Francisco. So, they gave us a date and we had the support of local DJs like Luis Medina, Chuy Varela and Jose Ruiz. We also made use of social media to promote us, sell our CDs and attract people to our shows. The staff of Yoshi’s was impressed because it is rare that a local band has been able to sell so many tickets. We were very excited to see so many people loving us and showing how much they love music. We have a large audience that is very loyal to us and has been going wherever we perform for over 20 years.
Orquesta La Moderna Tradición performing at Yoshi’s
What are your future projects?
We get everything ready for the repertoire of the new album. When I was in New York, I was working with Juan Carlos Formell, Juan Formell’s son, who is the bass player and took over his father’s position in Los Van Van. I was one of the first people he met here in the United States and we became very good friends. Then he told me that I could arrange any of his songs without any problem, so I have about four or five of his songs ready and some others that I have not finished yet. We have enough material to make at least two albums, but it is very expensive. One could only cost us about $15 to start with.
Cover art work for the Orquesta La Moderna Tradición new album El Encantado
The Most Recognized Pianist Of The 21st Century Comes Back To The Voll-Damm Barcelona Jazz Festival After Two Years
Chucho Valdés has received the award for Musical Excellence from the Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and was inducted into the Hall of Fame of Latin Composers
The master Chucho Valdés returns to the stage of the Voll-Damm Barcelona Jazz Festival on November 23rd, 2021 after two years of absence. The most recognized Cuban pianist of the 21st century will present his most recent musical production La Creación, a suite in four movements that exalts Yoruba-African history and its influences in South America and the Caribbean. A work dedicated to Olodumare and the worldwide celebration of his 80 years of life.
The founder of the Irakere group comes back to the incomparable sound of the Big Band, Afro-Cuban percussion, Blues, and the set of voices that represents his histrionics as a director, composer, and pianist with La Creación.
On this album, Valdés is accompanied on arrangements, keyboards, and conducting by Canadian Juno award-winning Cuban musician Hilario Durán and the Grammy Award winner and Emmy nominee John Beasley. Playing the Drums is Grammy winner and two Latin Grammy nominee Dafnis Prieto. Also, in La Creación stand out Erick Barbería, Yosvany González Franco, and Felipe Sarria Linares (Batá and voices), José A. Gola (Double Bass and Electric Bass), and Roberto Jr. Vizcaíno (Percussion). Former Van Van member Yeny Valdés adds her melodious voice to this production, while two Grammys winner Brian Lynch and “Daring Improviser” (rated by Jazz Times) Etienne Charles do it by playing the Trumpets. On the other hand, Carlos Averhoff Jr., considered one of the new voices in the new generation of Cuban jazz saxophonists, flaunts his virtuosity on the Tenor Sax and Marcus Strickland on the Alto Sax.
So remember…
Enjoy the concert of the master Chucho Valdés & The Yoruban Orchestra in the Iberian Peninsula!
Date: Tuesday, November 23rd
Time: 8:30 PM
Address: Palau de la Música Catalana. Music auditorium located on Sant Pere més Alt street in the Ribera district of Barcelona, Spain.
Ticket: From 26 €
Chucho Valdés was born on October 9th, 1941, in Quivicán (Cuba)
In addition to this presentation in Barcelona, the winner of six Grammys and four Latin Grammys, Chucho Valdés has scheduled an autumn tour that will visit the main cities of France and the neighborhood of the principality of Monaco, Monte Carlo. Finishing his tour in the city of Girona – Spain (December 4th) and Castellón de la Plana – Spain (December 11th). Tickets can be found from € 15 depending on the location.
Currently, Dionisio Jesús “Chucho” Valdés Rodríguez, with more than 60 years of experience, directs a course of group classes that contain 14 recorded chapters lasting one hour. This exclusive virtual academy for pianists was inaugurated on March 15th, 2021. However, this online study platform already includes live lessons and individualized tutoring with the delivery of certificates for advanced pianists.
“After the experience of the group classes in a virtual way, I realized that the students have different needs, so I decided to start with individual classes for advanced musicians. In this way, the classes will be focused directly on the needs of each one”. Chucho Valdés.
Perhaps These Data May Interest You:
To attend the Festival, minors under 16 must be accompanied by their father, mother, or legal guardian
The Barcelona Voll-Damm Jazz Festival is one of the oldest events and a world reference in Europe. Their first concert was held on November 3rd, 1966.
In this festival, master classes are offered by the best specialists, conferences with fascinating and current topics, meetings with artists, as well as outstanding concerts (some free) for fans and lovers of the Jazz genre.
For 32 years (1989) The Project has been the Barcelona promotion company in charge of organizing this autumn meeting annually.
The Project was created in 1988 and organizes more than 400 concerts a year with approximately 10,000 musical calls to date.
The Voll-Damm drink became part of the festival in 2002, becoming its main sponsor.
Born on December 8, 1974 in the city of Matanzas-Cuba.
He enters in 1996 in the National School of Art (Ena) in, where he graduated in 2000 in the specialty of Guitar, Tres, and Ensemble Direction, in his student stage he was part of groups like Septeto Cohiba, Cuba Nueva, Conjunto Chapotin y sus Estrellas, Clave Cubana, Charanga Latina, etc.
In 2000 he was the founder of the Gardi Orchestra, of which he was its musical director, making several tours abroad with this orchestra and taking care of the musical direction of his first album ”Gardi” and the authorship of most of his songs.
In 2005 he participated in the prestigious contest of the Cuban TV Adolfo Guzman where he was 2nd prize in the category of dance music with a song that he orchestrated and produced, being interpreted by Joaquin More.
Roniel Alfonso Mella, Omara Portuondo y Aymee Nuviola
Later he joined the ranks of Haila María Mompie, being in charge of the musical direction of the band.
In 2006 he joined the Cuarteto Fusión with which he toured abroad for a long period of 4 years in countries such as Oman, Egypt, and Jordan.
In 2010 he returned to Cuba and made the musical production entitled Mala, Haila’s 5th album, which was awarded the Cuba Disco Award 2012, in the category of Latin music. At the same time, he returns to the orchestra and is once again in charge of the musical direction.
In 2011 he was in charge of the musical production of several artists, such as the Cuban singer Leoni Torres, 3rd album production of this, entitled “salseando” which was nominated for the Cuba Disco 2013 in the category of popular dance music and nominated for the Latin Grammy 2013 in tropical music, another production was the American percussionist Luis Carreras, entitled Luis Carreras and The Cuban Stars Project album that orchestrated and composed all his songs.
Roniel Alfonso Mella Music Producer, Orchestrator, Composer and Instrumentalist
In 2012 he was part of the work team of composer and producer Descemer Bueno in his album “Bueno” which was awarded the “Cuba Disco Award 2013”, working frequently with him in numerous productions.
As a composer he has written songs for prestigious performers of our country such as Issac Delgado, Haila, Omara Portuondo, Leoni Torres, Aymee Nuviola, Yumuri, Alexander Abreu, Coco Freeman, Mario Rivera, Gardi, Calunga, Ricardo Amaray, Sixto Llorente, “El Indio”, Maykel Ante, Pedro Lugo “El Nene”, Wil Campa, Tania Pantoja, El Noro, Luna Manzanares, Hector Daniel, Alain Daniel, Rosaliz, Ruben y Gabi, Yai Valcarcel, Indira Hernández.
Internationals such as Jose Alberto “El Canario” (Dominican Republic), Dlg (USA), Ng2 (Puerto Rico), Willy Garcia (Colombia), Josimar (Peru), Septeto Acarey (Peru), Kewenaonda, David Kada (Dominican Republic), Nikki Alva (USA), Miguel Angel Caballero (Chile), Agustin Aspa (Spain), Orlando Max (Angola).
As a producer, he has collaborated with national and international artists.
Enrique Iglesias (Spain), Gilberto Santa Rosa (Puerto Rico), Jose Alberto ”El Canario” (Dominican Republic), Luis Enrique (Nicaragua), Olga Tañon (Puerto Rico), Dlg (USA), Ng2 (Puerto Rico), Willy Garcia (Colombia), Bebe (Spain), Nikki Alva (USA), Miguel Angel Caballero (Chile), Kewenaonda (Dominican Republic), Arturo Ortiz, Calle 7 (Puerto Rico), Septeto Acarey (Peru), David Kada (Dominican Republic), Luis Carreras (USA), Agustin Aspa (Spain), Orlando Max (Angola), Lalo Santos (Mexico) and Orly Solomon (Israel).
Roniel Alfonso Mella con Gilberto Santa Rosa
Nationals Omara Portuondo, Chucho Valdés, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Aymee Nuviola, Grupo-Orichas, Leoni Torres, Descemer Bueno, Gente de Zona, Issac Delgado, Haila, Charanga Habanera, Alexander Abreu, Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, Mayito Rivera, Sixto Llorente, Yumuri, El Noro, Emilio Frías, Paulo Fg, El Nene, Septeto Santiaguero, Tania Pantoja, Coco Freeman, Alain Daniel, Wil Campa, Gardi, Ricardo Amaray, Calunga, Mandy Cantero, Roberton (Van Van), Maykel Ante, Luna Manzanares, Arlenys Rodríguez, Yenisel Valdés, Omi, Nelson Valdés, Yoyo Ibarra, Mayco de Alma, Héctor Daniel, Dayani Gutiérrez, Laritza Bacallao, Juan Guillermo, Rubén and Gabi, Alexis Zamora, Alain Pérez, Rosaliz, Eylen Remón, Yai Valcarcel, Beby Verdecia, Zunilda, Leo Garrido, Heydi Chapman, Trio d’ Ley, Mulatason, Insurrecto, Joaquín More, Karamba, Alisbet Reyes, Compañia de Danza “Rakatan Azúcar Negra, Patricio Amaro, Aíran Muñoz, Yani, Ángel Yos, Jose Luis Cortes, Osain del Monte, Son del Guaso, Orquesta Failde, Conga “Los Hoyos”, Lenny de la Rosa, Indira Hernandez, Liz Castillo, etc….
Achieving Hits such as “Idilio”, “Vivir Sin Ti”, Soledad (Leoni Torres)” Mala”, “Baila”, (Haila), “Si no Fuera por Ti”, Gardi, Lloro por ti, La Vida es Buena, Súbeme la Radio, Nos fuimos lejos, (Descemer Bueno).
In 2013 he started his own record production, entitled -Roniel Alfonso presents “Son del XXI”, this CD comes out under the label Egrem in 2016, nominated for the Cuba Disco 2017 in this is responsible for the musical production, orchestrations, and composition of each of the themes, the album that shows his vision of what would be the son of this XXI century, our purest and most traditional son, mixed with the new influences of this era. The album features performers such as Issac Delgado, Yumuri, Haila, Calunga, Mario Rivera, El Indio, El Nene, Wil Campa, El Noro, Alexander Abreu and Orlando Max (Angola) going deeper into his work as an orchestrator, using different orchestral formats, such as the Típica Orquesta Salsera, Jazz-Band, Grupo de Rumba and Septeto Tradicional.
In August 2014 he has invited Lucas to the gala offered in tribute to Formell to be in charge of the musical production of several themes of this great Cuban musician, with performers such as Laritza Bacallao, el Indio, el Noro, Dayani Gutiérrez, and el Niño.
In 2016 he collaborated in the 2nd edition of the television program sonando en Cuba where 3 songs of his authorship and 5 songs produced by him previously for other singers were interpreted, being interpreted this time by the contestants of this event.
In 2017 his song “Baila” sung this time by Haila and Alain Perez was the theme of the television program “Bailando en Cuba”.
In June 2017 he obtains the silver trophy (2nd place) at the International Music Festival “Viva la Música”‘ in the category original song, with his song “Que Locura” sung by Roberto Pulido, a Cuban singer based in Switzerland.
In 2018 under the record label Top Stopmusic is in charge of the musical production and all orchestrations of the CD AJourney Through Cuban Music of the great Cuban singer Aymee Nuviola, Grammy Awards Winner 2020 and nominated for the Grammy 2019 in the category of Best Traditional Tropical Album in which music stars such as Chucho Valdez were present, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Omara Portuondo, Muñequitos de Matanzas, Septeto Santiaguero, Pancho Amat, Coto, Samuel Formell, Mario Rivera and his first single “Donde estabas anoche” was positioned at number 6 on the Billboard chart.
Grammy 2019 in the category of Best Tropical Traditional Album
In March 2019 he has the honor of being accepted as a voting member of the Latin Academy of Laras Recordings (Grammy).
On June 14, 2019, he founds his Orchestra “Son del XXI”, an orchestra that will have two objectives, to function by itself with its repertoire and its singers and also to continue accompanying the record productions to the many performers who request my work.
He is currently putting the final touches on his new production Roniel Alfonso y Son del XXI Orquesta, which will have national and international guests such as Jose Alberto “El Canario”, DLG, Septeto Acarey, Willy Garcia, Ng2, Nikki Alva, Aymee Nuviola, Leoni Torres, Issac Delgado, Haila, and will be released under the record label Puntilla Music based in Miami.
Alain Pérez y Roniel Alfonso
He has worked in productions such as:
Sun and Soul (Canada)-2000
Carmen Flores (Babalu)
Latin Man Bobamba (Japan) 2000 Oasis Records
Helito George (Italy) (Simply My Way) 2002 Musical Production
Gardi “Gardi” 2003(Bis/Music) Musical Direction
Beby Verdecia “Montaña Mia” 2005 Colibrí
Issac Delgado “Prohibido” 2005 Luz Africa
Gardi “Lo que tu Querias” 2008 Egrem
Leo “Rodo de mi” 2009 / Egrem (Nominated Cuba Disco 2013)
Havana Heavy Hitters “Vestido de blanco” 2010
Haila 2011 “Mala” Bis Music (Cuba Disco Award 2012) music production
Luis Carreras (USA) 2012 8 y 5 Studios Music Production
Leoni Torres 2012 “Salseando” Egrem (Nominated Cuba Disco 2013) music production
Descemer Bueno “Bueno” Bis Music Emi 2012 (Cuba Disco Award 2013)
Zunilda “A mi tierra” 2012 Colibrí (Nominated Cuba Disco 2014)
Agustín Aspa (Spain) 2013 “De la Habana a Barcelona” Cuba Music Musical Production
Willie de Cuba” Prohibido” Italy) 2013
Luna Manzanares Egrem 2013
Eilen “Aquí estoy” 2014 Cuba Music
Gala Lucas “Tribute to Formell” 2014
Héctor Daniel “Alegría pa’ mi gente Cuba Music 2016-Music Production
Nelson Valdés and Leoni Torres “Tribute to Omara Portuondo” 2014 Bis Music
Omi (USA) 2014
Juan Guillermo Egrem 2015
Rosaliz “Dame Salsa” Egrem 2017 (Nominated-Cuba Disco 2018) Musical Production
Mulata Son “Mujer y Artista” Cuba Music 2017-Music Production
Issac Delgado” Made in Habana” Egrem 2016 (Nominated-Cuba Disco 2017)
Yoyo Ibarra “Tropical” Egrem 2017 Musical Production
Yai Valcarcel “Mi Esperanza” Yagruma S.A 2015
Miguel Herrera “Hoy quiero Fiesta (Sweden) 2017 Cuba Music and Egrem 2019 Music Production
Yenisel Seva “Romántica” (2016) Cuba Music Musical Production
Dance Company “Rakatan” 2016
Roberto Pulido “Mi locura” (Switzerland) 2016-2018 Music Production
Charles Manuel (Spain) 2017 Musical Production
Roniel Alfonso Presents “Son del XXI” Egrem 2017 (Nominated Cuba Disco 2017) Music Production
Gala “55 Aniversario del Icrt” 2017.
Miguel Ángel Caballero “Vista Fija” Blam Producciones 2017 Music Production
Kewenaonda “Arriésgate” (Dominican Republic) 2017-2020 Music Production
Enrique Iglesias Feat Gilberto Santa Rosa” Súbeme la radio” (Salsa) 2017 Music Production
Lalo Santos “Caribe 2018” (Mexico) (Mexico)
Azúcar Negra Egrem 2019
Patricio Amaro 2017 Musical Production
Haila” Canta a Armando Manzanero” Egrem 2018 (Cuba Disco Award of Honor 2019)
Grupo Orichas Feat. Luis Enrique” Sastre de tu Amor” (Salsa) 2018
Miguel Herrera (Sweden) 2018 Egrem Produccion Musical
Issac Delgado 2018
Descemer, Enrique Iglesias y Charanga Habanera “Nos fuimos lejos” (Salsa) 2018 Musical Production
Descemer, Enrique Iglesias y bebe-”nos fuimos lejos”(Acoustic) 2018 Musical Production
Leoni Torres “Amor bonito” Egrem 2019
Orquesta Failde y Omara “Homenaje a Benny” Egrem 2019 (Cuba Disco Award 2019)
Aymee Nuviola” Journey Through Cuban Music” Topstop Music 2019 Production Musical (Grammy Awards Winner 2020), (Latin Grammy Nominee 2019)
Nelson Valdés “Cubriendo Ausencias” Bis Music 2019 (Nominated-Cuba Disco 2019)
Leoni y Gente de Zona “Mejor sin ti” (Salsa) 2019 Music Production
Indira Hernández 2020 Music Production
Lenny de la Rosa 2020 Music Production
Yarima y Sabor Latino “Pa mi Tres” Egrem-Soundwear 2020 Musical Production
Leoni Torres “Deja la Tristeza” 2020 Music Production
Septeto Acarey ‘”Vamos a Pasarla Bien” 2021 Musical Production
Wil Campa “Zapato Nuevo” Egrem 2020 Music Production
Angel Yos Egrem 2020
Liz Castillo 2021 Bis Music Music Production
Gabriela 2021 (Denmark-Cuba) Music Production
Nesty-2021 (USA) Music Production
Kel-2021 Music Production
Cd Herederos (Tribute to Irakere) Egrem 2021
Roniel Alfonso and Son del XXI Orchestra 2021-Puntilla Music.
The major Salsa Festival in France announced the lineup of orchestras to perform at Les Arènes: Pacific Mambo Orchestra, Los Van Van, Interactivo, London Afrobeat Collective, Alain Pérez, and Issac Delgado will display their talent on stage
Les Arènes (the only paid access area of the festival) will be the Latin and Afro-Caribbean music concerts. Here, you will enjoy the cultural and generational exchange, also the talent of the great trajectory & emerging artists, who will present their repertoire for the maximum Salseros. In this 27th edition of Tempo Latino (a festival held outdoors), all the biosecurity measures implemented in the country will be respected.
Concerts in Tempo Latino 2021
Pacific Mambo Orchestra
Friday, July 30, 2021 – 9:00 P.M.
The renaissance of the Latin sound of the Big Bands of the 1940s will be in the performance by one of the most important orchestras in the United States, Pacific Mambo Orchestra. Their music combines Mambo, Pop, Cha Cha, Timba, and Bolero. Additionally, Pacific Mambo Orchestra was the winner of the “Best Tropical Album” at the 2014 Grammy Awards.
This North American orchestra was founded 11 years ago by the Mexican pianist Christian Tumalan and the German trumpeter Steffen Kuehn. They have collaborated with famous artists such as Carlos Santana, Poncho Sánchez, Pete Escovedo, and Arturo Sandoval. Currently, this Latin Big Band performs on the west coast of the United States, and its repertoire is in English and Spanish. His third album: The III Side fuses the Mambo traditions of the 50s with the music of the moment.
Los Van Van
Friday, July 30, 2021 – 11:00 P.M.
The emblematic Cuban music orchestra will celebrate its 50 years of experience on the Les Arènes of Tempo Latino stage.
Los Van Vanwas founded in 1969 by the bassist, composer, and legend of Cuban music, Juan Formell.
Juan, accompanied by José Luis Quintana, known as “Changuito” and César “Pupy” Pedroso, invented the “Songo”, a Cuban rhythm predecessor of the “Timba” or Cuban Salsa. This rhythmic fusion generated the Salsa-Son, a sound with a Cuban style.
In 2018 they recorded their first record production “Legado” since Juan Formell’s passed away in 2014. This tribute album has 14 songs with 3 new versions of international singles: “Te extraño”, “Por qué lo haces”, and “Amiga mía”.
Interactive
Saturday, July 31, 2021 – 9:00 P.M.
The avant-garde Cuban collective, Interactivo, is the most innovative and interesting project in Cuban music today.
This emerging orchestra on international stages brings together the brightest and most eclectic talents in Havana. Each member brings his specialty: Timba, Funk, Jazz, Hip Hop, Rock, Rumba, Cuban traditional music, and Soul for an optimal result of great richness, where individual originality, musical creativity, and avant-garde ideas enrich the group.
London Afrobeat Collective
Saturday, July 31, 2021 – 11:00 P.M.
London’s addicting Afrobeat for ten years has offered festive music based on Jazz, Funk, Rock, Dumb, and African Vibes. Its international ADN, composed of nine members from England, Italy, France, Congo, Argentina, and New Zealand, has made its rhythm together with the powerful voice of the Congolese singer Juanita Euka, addictive music with powerful and committed messages. Enjoy this emerging band from international stages, London Afrobeat Collective, at Tempo Latino.
Alain Pérez and The Orchestra
Sunday, August 1, 2021 – 9:00 P.M.
Alain Pérez, bassist, singer, and arranger, composes his orchestra of 13 young musicians on stage to offer a mixed show of contemporary Cuban Salsa, Timba, and Latin Jazz. His talent has given him marvelous experiences with internationally renowned orchestras and musicians such as Los Van Van, Irakere, Issac Delgado, Paquito D’Rivera, and Celia Cruz. He always is accompanied by his elephant-head cane, in homage to Cuban musician Benny Moré.
Alain also has been influenced by flamenco for his work with Spanish artist Paco de Lucía.
This multifaceted artist born in Havana was nominated twice for the Latin Grammy Awards, the first in 2015, in the category Best Traditional Tropical Music Album with “El alma del Son, tributo a Matamoros” and the second, “ADN” nominated in 2017 in the category Best Salsa Album.
El Cuento de la Buena Pipa 2020 is his most recent record production, and you can enjoy it on the main stage of the festival.
Issac Delgado
Sunday, August 1, 2021 – 11:00 P.M.
The great voice of Cuban Salsa, Issac Delgado, released his first album “Dando La Hora” in 1991 under the direction of Cuban pianist and composer Gonzalo Rubalcaba.
On November 13, 2020, he presented his new album “Dando La Hora 30th Anniversary Gold Edition” with eight temas remastered themes: La Novia Que Nunca Tuve, Aunque Soy Como Soy, Amor De Tierra Y Cuerpo, Entrégate a Mí, Cuando estás Lejos Estas Inalcanzable, Centímetro a Centímetro, Si La Vuelvo a Encontrar y Ella Es Un Reloj. “¡Vaya que chévere!”
Purchase your tickets at:
At the Tempo Latino Office: 3, rue du Général Delort, 32190 Vic-Fezensac
Authorized payments: Check (payable to Tempo Latino), Vacation Voucher, Cash, and Credit Card
During the Festival: The Tempo box office moves to Les Arènes. 18-20, Avenue Edmond Berges, 32190 Vic-Fezensac. Telephone: 05 62 06 40 40 / 05.62.06.66.56
Authorized Payments: Check (payable to Tempo Latino), Vacation Vouchers, Cash, and Credit Card
The festival in its 27th edition will present international stars of great trajectory and emerging from July 29 to August 1
Tempo Latino, the leader Salsa Festival in France, resumes its activities after its forced pause due to the Pandemic. The whole family will be able to enjoy this summer in the open air, on its main stage “Les Arènes” of the presentations of established and emerging artists of Latin music in Vic-Fezensac (Gers, France) during the last weekend of July. Tickets for all performances are already available in advance since last January on their website.
At Les Arènes (main stage),Tempo Latino will present the concerts: Pacific Mambo Orchestra (Friday, July 30 – 9:00 P.M.), Los Van Van (Friday, July 30 – 11:00 P.M.), Interactivo (Saturday, July 31 – 9:00 P.M.), London Afrobeat Collective (Saturday, July 31 – 11:00 P.M.), Alain Pérez (Sunday, August 1 – 9:00 P.M.), and Issac Delgado (Sunday, August 1 – 11:00 P.M.), to close all their nights.
Every day of the festival, before the nightly live performances, in between each concert or before leaving Les Arènes, Tempo Latino offers a Caribbean atmosphere where you can taste exquisite dishes and enjoy a guest DJ each day in La Conga. Also, you can do the same at Bar Habana, in front of the bullring “El Pueblito”. Here, from 12:30 P.M. to 1:30 P.M., you can improve your Salsa steps with Atocha Showman with a free dance lesson.
To quench your thirst, you can head to La Placita, located at the back of Les Arènes. In this corner from 6:00 P.M., you will be able to savor varied and national wines, or if you prefer to continue discovering Latin specialties and crafts, you will find them in the dozens of stands in El Barrio. The El Barrio area is located in the center of the international market.
Tempo Latino will take place under favorable sanitary conditions for all attendees.
First Salsa Festival in Europe!
The Festival Tempo Latino maintains since 1994 its artistic focus on Latin and Afro-Cuban Music. The desire of this festival was and continues to be to make this live and popular music known. Its 500 volunteers invite event attendees each year to discover Latin rhythms for four consecutive days.
Since the beginning of Tempo Latino in the town of Vic-Fezensac, Les Arènes and its georithmic satellites of Conga and Cap Tempo have been the places designed to receive the maximum Salseros, who discover and enjoy the rhythms, artists, and Caribbean flavors of the moment.
Tempo Latino, being the Salsa ambassador in Europe, has presented for 27 years more than 200 renowned and emerging artists and orchestras, among which are: Papo Luca, Sonora Ponceña, Oscar D’Léon, Yuri Buenaventura, Los Van Van, Ernesto “Tito” Puentes, Afro Cuban All-Stars, Celia Cruz, Eddie Palmieri Orchestra & Alfredo De La Fé, Jimmy Bosch, Willie Colon, La Sonora Ponceña, Orishas, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Omar Sosa, Omara Portuondo, José Alberto “El Canario”, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Johny Pacheco and his Tumbao Anejo, among many others.
Know the Ticket Reservation Methods
The three-day ticket for access to all Les Arènes concerts, which will take place from Friday to Sunday, is available for € 85 on its online platform.
This pass can be exchanged for a bracelet, valid for one person, and can be collected starting Friday at noon, at the counters dedicated to ticket controls located on both sides of the doors of the main stage.
You can also purchase your tickets at:
Tempo Latino offers a special pass for the three-day festival of concerts
At the Tempo Latino Office: 3, rue du Général Delort, 32190 Vic-Fezensac
Authorized payments: Check (payable to Tempo Latino), Vacation Voucher, Cash, and Credit Card
During the Festival: The Tempo box office moves to Les Arènes. 18-20, Avenue Edmond Berges, 32190 Vic-Fezensac. Telephone: 05 62 06 40 40 / 05.62.06.66.56
Authorized Payments: Check (payable to Tempo Latino), Vacation Vouchers, Cash, and Credit Card
At the Artagnan Tourist Office in Vic-Fezensac: 18, rue des Cordeliers, 32190 Vic-Fezensac.
Authorized payments: Check and Cash
How do you Get to the Festival?
By car:Distance by car. Bordeaux – 170 km | Montauban – 115 km | Toulouse – 100 km | Tarbes – 80 km | Agen | 70 km | Auch | 25 km
By Train: Vic-Fezensac does not benefit from a station. Toulouse, Agen, and Auch are stations suggested for arrival. Tempo ferries will meet you there and escort you directly to the festival venue.
Unmissable Will Be Tempo Latino 2021!
Pacific Mambo Orchestra, Los Van Van, Interactivo, London Afrobeat Collective, Alain Pérez, and Issac Delgado will display their talent on stage
In this Twenty-Seventh Edition of Tempo Latino (a festival held outdoors), all the biosecurity measures implemented in the country will be respected.
First Salsa Festival in Europe!
Los Van Van will close on the first night of the festival. They will celebrate its 50 years of trajectory in Tempo Latino 2021.
Los Van Van was founded in 1969 by the bassist, composer, and legend of Cuban music, Juan Formell.
Juan, accompanied by José Luis Quintana, known as “Changuito” and César “Pupy” Pedroso, invented the “Songo”, a Cuban rhythm predecessor of the “Timba” or Cuban Salsa.
