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International Salsa Magazine / www.SalsaGoogle.com and its correspondent, Professor Carlos Colmenarez from Barquisimeto, Venezuela have the privilege to present one of the most important bastions of our Latin music in the Caribbean.

In this opportunity we honor in our salsa column, the Venezuelan percussionist Heyzer Cabrera, born in the city of Caracas, on May 3, who already has more than 30 years of musical career, because at the age of 7 years old he was part of the Venezuelan Children’s Choir, directed by Professor Raul Cabrera, his uncle.

At the age of 15 he began his interest in percussion, with the help of his great friend and also percussionist Juan Pablo Barrios and at 17 he began his career as a professional musician with the “Orquesta Canela” in 1994 and since then he has been part of many groups of the salsa genre, such as: “El Combo de Venezuela”, “La Negramenta” and accompanying international artists such as Andy Montañez, Van Lester and Pedro Arroyo.

In 2013, he began his project to make a recording studio, which is called “A Tempo Récords” and in parallel he studied sound engineering at the academy (Audio Place), under the guidance of Jesus Sanchez and Jean Sanchez. In his career as a sound technician he has participated as a producer of several orchestras and in 2019, he gets his first recognition by being nominated in the production “Con Todo” by Coco y su “Sabor Matancero”, for Record of the Year, Salsa Genre, at the Pepsi Music Awards in Caracas.

Heyzer, at the international level you have had presentations? Indeed Professor Carlos, in 2018 I had the pleasure of being in Cali, Colombia, with the orchestra “La Negramenta”, in La Topa Tolondra and the reaction of the public was of great emotion, chanting all the songs of the orchestra; later in 2019, I returned to Cali, but with the orchestra “Noche Caliente” and soon we will return to the neogranadino country.

And with Juan Pablo Barrios, you were part of his wonderful jazz-salsa band? Hey, yes, I was part of that wonderful orchestra for 8 years.

Heyzer, with which of the percussion instruments do you feel better for its execution? My friend Carlos, with all the irons equally, that is: timbales, congas and bongos.

Also, Heyzer Cabrera has just become part of the musical project “Ritmo Caliente”, the group formed by the musicians: Cheo Navarro, Alfredo Naranjo, Jhoán Muñoz, José Soto, Miguel Urbina, Rodrigo Mendoza on vocals and of course, Heyzer on percussion and also the first personal single entitled “Mi social”, was recorded in Cabrera’s studios.

For those who wish to contact and hire the excellent percussionist Heyzer Cabrera, you can do so at 0412-9782696, through Instagram: heyzer_drums, atemporecords. Facebook: Heyzer Cabrera and A Tempo Récords.

From Salsa Escrita, International Salsa Magazine / www.SalsaGoogle.com and all its staff, we wish the greatest success to this bastion of Venezuelan percussion.

Facebook: Heyzer Cabrera, brilliant and virtuoso Venezuelan percussionist

Everything prior to the 20th century is in the History of Salsa, since what happened in the Caribbean is common to mankind.

As in the rest of the world, salsa in Venezuela entered in the 60s from the new sounds created in New York, and driven by musicians like Federico Betancourt (Federico y su combo latino), or radio programs like La hora de la salsa, although rumba and Cuban son were already rooted since the 40s and 50s.

Article of Interest: Johnny “Dandy” Rodríguez Jr.

See you next time and let’s keep on salsaing!

By: Professor Carlos Colmenarez from Barquisimeto, Venezuela

On this occasion it is appropriate to honor in our salsa column one of the most spectacular and sensational Venezuelan percussionists, Alfredo Villamizar, born in Caracas on August 2nd.

Welcome maestro Alfredo to “Salsa Escrita” and International Salsa Magazine, www.SalsaGoogle.com, it is a pleasure to have you as our special guest.

Thank you Professor Carlos, for inviting me to your renowned salsa tribune for all Venezuelans who are in my country and also for those of us who are currently abroad.

Well, let me tell you that for me it is already a commitment to support musicians who make Afro-Caribbean music and you in particular Alfredito, you could not miss this appointment with regular readers; now, tell us how did you get started in Latin music? I started with the orchestra “Renovación” of Nico Monterola, whom I consider my teacher, I continued acquiring knowledge in the timbal with Alfredo Padilla and I learned with Alfredo Franchesky (Cutuflá).

Alfredo, you are considered one of the timbaleros with a high level technique in the rhythmic execution of this instrument and you are catalogued as one of the best worldwide; let’s see, tell us with which orchestras have you participated? My friend Carlos, I can mention among many others the Oscar D’León Orchestra, Evio Dimarzo’s Adrenalina Caribe, Hildemaro’s Orchestra, Nico Monterola’s Renovación Orchestra, Andy Durán’s Orchestra, Erick Franchesky’s Orchestra and Urbanda de los Hidalgo, among others.

Excellent Alfredo, and at the international level, who have you accompanied? I have accompanied Celia Cruz in Spain, as well as Papo Rivera and Alex de Castro in Venezuela.

By the way, Alfredo, I understand that you have composed some songs. Indeed, my friend Colmenárez, the songs I have composed are: Malditos celos, El brujo Pincumpán, Canto a la vida, Luna llena; which are included in a production recorded in 2005 and also of my authorship stands out the theme “Allá va el lobo” of the collection “Venezuela Demo 2”, vocalizing Aníbal Vegas.

Let me tell you professor Carlos, that I have dictated workshops and clinics of timbal, in the 23 de Enero de Caracas and in the Mamera Keyboard Museum, next to the teachers Edgardo Morales and Alberto Borregales. Currently, since 2017, I am based in Chile, performing various activities and hoping very soon to return to Venezuela, God willing.

Alfredo, for me it is a great satisfaction to have you in Salsa Escrita, because I have always followed your career and your way of playing the rhythm with the drumsticks in the pailas. Finally, we would like to give us your digital platforms and a farewell message.

Very well professor Carlos Colmenárez, thank you for your good concepts towards me, you can contact me by email: [email protected] and on Facebook: Alfredo Villamizar. Thank you very much professor for allowing me to interact through the Barquisimeto salsa column, as it is “Salsa Escrita”, which I think should be called with your permission “La Columna Salsera de Venezuela”, for the support you give us all the salseros of my beloved country. Blessings and keep it up, Professor Carlos.

By: Carlos Colmenárez Correspondent in Venezuela

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