• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

International Salsa Magazine

  • HOME
  • Previous editions
    • 2026
      • ISM / March 2026
      • ISM / February 2026
      • ISM / January 2026
    • 2025
      • ISM / December 2025
      • ISM / November 2025
      • ISM / October 2025
      • ISM / September 2025
      • ISM / August 2025
      • ISM / July 2025
      • ISM / June 2025
      • ISM / May2025
      • ISM / April 2025
      • ISM / March 2025
      • ISM / February 2025
      • ISM / January 2025
    • 2024
      • ISM / December 2024
      • ISM / November 2024
      • ISM / October 2024
      • ISM / September 2024
      • ISM / August 2024
      • ISM / July 2024
      • ISM / June 2024
      • ISM / May 2024
      • ISM / April 2024
      • ISM / March 2024
      • ISM / February 2024
      • ISM / January 2024
    • 2023
      • ISM / December 2023
      • ISM / November 2023
      • ISM / October 2023
      • ISM – September 2023
      • ISM – August 2023
      • ISM July 2023
      • ISM Edition June 2023
      • ISM – May 2023
      • ISM April 2023
      • ISM March 2023
      • ISM February 2023
      • ISM January 2023
    • 2022
      • ISM December 2022
      • ISM November 2022
      • ISM October 2022
      • ISM September 2022
      • ISM August 2022
      • ISM July 2022
      • ISM June 2022
      • ISM May 2022
      • ISM February 2022
      • ISM January 2022
    • 2021
      • ISM December 2021
      • ISM November 2021
      • ISM October – 2021
      • ISM September 2021
      • ISM August 2021
      • ISM July 2021
      • ISM May 2021
      • ISM April 2021
      • ISM June 2021
      • ISM March 2021
      • ISM February 2021
      • ISM January 2021
    • 2020
      • ISM December 2020
      • ISM November 2020
      • ISM October 2020
      • ISM September 2020
      • ISM August 2020
      • ISM July 2020
      • ISM June 2020
      • ISM May 2020
      • ISM April 2020
      • ISM March 2020
      • ISM February 2020
      • ISM January 2020
    • 2019
      • ISM December 2019
      • ISM November 2019
      • ISM October 2019
      • ISM Septembre 2019
      • ISM August 2019
      • ISM July 2019
      • ISM June 2019
  • Spanish
  • Download Salsa App
    • Android
    • Apple

Search Results for: Willie Colon

Freddy Sánchez one of the musicians with the greatest trajectory and hierarchy in Venezuela

In 1994, he participated for the first time in a group called “Sentir Caribeño”, from Mariara, Carabobo State.

Greetings my salsa people, here again with you, wishing you the best. First of all, lots of health, prosperity and optimism from your friend professor MSc. Carlos Colmenárez, who, through International Salsa Magazine and www.SalsaGoogle.com, presents you in this opportunity to: Freddy Sanchez bastion of this genre that we are so passionate about, for your delight Enjoy them.

“You must always remember that to be a good musician you have to maintain three fundamental elements, such as: discipline, responsibility and respect … Many do not understand that.”

These recommendations come from perhaps one of the musicians with the greatest trajectory and hierarchy in Venezuela, such as: Freddy Alí Sánchez Carvallo, born on November 9, with his musical beginnings at 15 years of age.

In 1994, he participated for the first time in a group called “Sentir Caribeño”, from Mariara, Carabobo state, playing bass; He continued his musical career with the “Mangüe” orchestra of Maracay, Aragua state and from there he went to the “Alteración” orchestra, then to the Sonostars de Mañito Junior, having the privilege of accompanying Yolandita Rivera and Luigi Texidor.

Freddy Sanchez bastion of this genre that we are so passionate about.
Freddy Sanchez one of the musicians with the greatest trajectory and hierarchy in Venezuela.

In 1999, he was called by the “Latin Dimension”, remaining in it for about 6 years.

At the same time, at the beginning of 2000, he participated in the orchestras of: Hildemaro, Erick Franchesky, Magia Caribeña, Puerto Rico es Salsa, Pasión Juvenil, Porfi Jiménez and Francisco Pacheco y la Pueblo de el.

Freddy, have you accompanied international artists?

Of course, Professor Carlos, thank God I have had the honor of playing for: Andy Montañez, Henry Fiol, Junior González, Domingo Quiñónez, José Alberto “El Canario”, Ismael Miranda, Adalberto Santiago, Wichy Camacho, Tony Vega, Willie González , Tito Gómez, Cano Estremera, Pedro Arroyo, Gabino Pampini, among others.

And I understand that you directed the career of Venezuelan musicians?

That’s right, my friend, I was the manager of Jimmy “El León” until 2005, when I joined the Oscar D’León orchestra “El Sonero del Mundo”, until 2013, visiting more than 32 countries.

And “Son Colón”?

Professor Carlos, in 2010, I founded “La Orquesta Son Colón”, with which I have accompanied figures such as: Joseph Amado, Rodrigo Mendoza, Hildemaro, Erick Franchesky, Paquito Barón, Néstor Rivero, Oscar Arriaga, Wílmer Lozano, Frederick El Coco, Wílmer Cano, Éukaris, Wiwi Buznego and Mariana “La Sonera de Venezuela”.

told us that the second production of the "Orquesta Son Colón" is well underway and that the promotional "El Monstruo de la Calle
“The Son Colón Orchestra”. Founded in 2010

It should be noted that Freddy Sánchez is currently the musical director of the “Orquesta de Porfi Jiménez” and also tells us that in 2019, he participated with the orchestras “Los Melódicos” and “Billos Caracas Boys Internacional” of Amable Frómeta.

–Master Freddy, honestly, let me congratulate you for this trajectory that you have.

Apart from being a bass player, do you stand out with other instruments?

In addition to being a performing bassist, both for the baby and the chest, I am also a trombonist, arranger, director and music producer.

In Colombia I directed “La Sonora Matancera Internacional Siglo XXI” and I had the great experience, being very young, of accompanying, when I was only 21 years old, the legend of the Venezuelan salsa, Orlando José Castillo “Watussi”.

Likewise, I formed the staff of “Albóndiga y la Pandilla de él, being the arranger of some of his songs together with David González and where Gustavo Gerardo and Rodrigo Mendoza vocalized.

-Freddy, from what you have told us, your career is quite broad, what can you add to us? Ok teacher, I’m remembering that I was also in the ranks of “Osuna Banda Show” and “La Bigband de San Agustín”.

Now, Freddy, where did you acquire your musical knowledge and of course your studies?

My friend, I practically studied alone. My uncle Elías Sánchez taught me the figures and I went that way, my story is very particular, my father showed me the bass notes and how it was played, since he is a guitarist, also my relatives, most of them are musicians and being next to of the braves of the time, I was learning and trying to get a sound out of the bass, but I never had a teacher, or anything ”.

Freddy told us that at 17 years of age he had already made his first musical arrangement and by asking Mañito Junior, he learned what harmony was; with the musician Pastor Rodríguez (Q.E.P.D.), regarding the reading of sheet music and with the teacher Gilberto Riera, also deceased, he explained to her how he should maintain the swing when there were percussion solos.

Oh and another musician, known as “Lopecito”, recommended that it is necessary to listen to music, because everything is not reading, but you had to read. Regarding the future projects of today’s guest in “Salsa Escrita”, through International Salsa Magazine, he told us that the second production of the “Orquesta Son Colón” is well advanced and the promotional “El Monstruo de la Calle ”, ”, Is already playing on radio stations and additionally on this album, national artists will be recording as special guests.

Likewise, “La Orquesta Son Colón” will be accompanying vocalist Joseph Amado again in 2020, in his second symphonic concert at the Teresa Carreño Theater in Caracas, in the middle of the year.

"I would like to say to musicians who are starting out in these times, never forget where you came from and what you were, and keep humility first and foremost.
Willie Colon “El Malo del Bronx y Freddy Sánchez

Finally, we asked Freddy Sánchez for some recommendations, as well as those made at the beginning of this review, for the new generations and he literally told us: “I would like to tell the musicians who are starting in these times, never forget where they came from and what that they were, and keep humility above all else, always thanking the opportunities given and do not forget that music is not a competition, because there is always someone who can be beyond you today and here tomorrow ”.

Finally, we would also like to add the following: “music must be learned daily, as it is an infinite world much adored and which is part of our lives.”

Humility and perseverance will make us great in every way. Congratulations Freddy Sánchez and we hope you continue to achieve success, inside and outside our country with your master’s degree.

Facebook: Freddy Sánchez 

By: Carlos Colmenárez Correspondent in Venezuela

Home

What causes the birth of salsa in New York and other cities

Background

It is no secret that music has always been a vast source of social expressions that tell an infinite number of stories dating back to the time and focused on the awakening of the personal and collective conscience of the people at the time. This is exactly what has happened with salsa and Latin music in general from its origins. 

As is the case for almost all known musical genres, salsa was the result of a set of migration waves caused by the political, social and economic issues that were gestating in a large part of the Latin countries. These people saw in various cities across the U.S. the place they were looking for to start a new life far from the suffering of the past. This is how large Latino communities were growing in the country, New York being one of the cities with the highest number of these new residents.   

Although people from all over the continent immigrated to the United States, there is no denying that Puerto Ricans and Cubans started making an impact on their new home, at least in cultural terms. Cities that received these new citizens were already becoming too small for the large number of immigrants who would not stop arriving, which presented a challenge for the old and new inhabitants. 

A number of new arrivals were forced to live in inhumane conditions to find themselves in places which did not have minimum conditions of dignity to house human beings. This led many of them to live a life of squalor equal to the one from which they were fleeing, or even worse.   

This is how neighborhoods were starting to be born in New York City, which was gradually configured in small communities inhabited only by people of one or certain nationality. It was this mix of old and new culture that gave birth to new rhythms that were born on the streets and began to spread robustly. At that time, we were starting to enjoy the talent of Cheo Feliciano and historic boleros of Pedro Flores were becoming increasingly present in the rickety windows of Latin low-income neighborhoods. 

Picture of the Bronx in the 70's
The Bronx during the 70’s

This social situation coincided with the creation of the record label Fania Records from the hand of the legendary Johnny Pacheco and Jerry Masucci. The early work of the label attracted a great deal of attention due to its freshness and novelty in comparison with what was being done at the time. Fania All Stars, Bobby Valentín’s orchestra and a few other groups, not noticing it, began to start a trend to the sound of timbales and claves whose rhythm was increasingly fast and furious. 

The young people of the time were clamoring for music far from art academies and social circles which became more and more unattainable for them. Something that many would call music closer to the street and much more like them. The black population had ceased to be represented by much acclaimed jazz artists at the time and could feel its purest essence in boogaloo.   

For those who do not know, boogaloo can be defined as a genre of Latin origin resulting from the mixing of Afro-Cuban rhythms and American soul, which was already beginning to be sung in both English and Spanish. This last shows the widespread influence of the arrival of so many Latinos to the United States in such a short amount of time. 

This is what made the figures that would later emerge so famous. In addition to Pacheco and Valentin, names like Pete Rodriguez, Monguito, Ismael Miranda, and Ismael Rivera were also popularized. And of course, nor can we fail to mention the explosive duo formed by Héctor Lavoe and Willie Colón.   

Hector Lavoe and Willie Colón singing
Willie Colón and Hector Lavoe

What the term salsa means 

After the emergence of the already mentioned artists, there came about a great confusion concerning the meaning of the term salsa, as that was the word chosen to refer to the music done by a growing group of singers in New York. This, of course, did not make Tito Puente and Machito content, who saw the pioneers of this new trend as intruders who came to take the place they had already earned by pluck and application. 

Some scholars of the subject have stated that the term salsa comes from a kind of like campaigning in which this rising genre was likened to the seasoning used in food to make it more appetizing. Others said that it was just a phrase that says échale salsa (salsa in Spanish can also refer to sauce used in the kitchen) used by various musicians for sudden changes in rhythm. Fania Records used this to make its artists famous and it worked as well as expected. 

During the 1970s, the genre hung over the youth of the time and the old school that took quite a lot to impress. 

The Fania in japan
The Fania is arriving to Japan

What part Cuba and the Cuban Revolution played in all this.

It is undeniable that Cuban music had a before and an after due to the Cuban Revolution. When Castro came to power, high tensions began to arise between the island and the United States, which caused the Caribbean country to be perceived as a threat by the media of the time. This made its cultural and artistic expressions to be no longer seen with good eyes. This led artists who were afraid of being censored to rename it as salsa and pass it off as Latin music. 

This salsa ended up by uniting an entire continent in a single voice, for it spoke of a shared culture and a common origin that not only stood for Cuba, but also for Latin America in full. This was what turned the genre into an identity movement for countries such as Puerto Rico, Colombia, Venezuela, and many more. There was a time all these nations were competing to be considered the official home of salsa. 

This brought about a countless number of historic concerts in which the Fania All Stars, other groups, and artists proved that the Fania got huge potential as a product. This was the exact same Cuban music with certain variations that never left the art world despite pressures to do so.

Johnny Pacheco smiling with a tobacco
Johnny Pacheco

If you want more information, you can read Génesis of Salsa, its essence, characteristics, rhythm, history and expansión 

Home

Sonora Ponceña and her 1982 álbum “Determination”

A production that placed “Yambeque” on its first song

Enrique Arsenio Lucca Quiñones (Ponce, Puerto Rico, April 10, 1946), known as Papo Lucca, is a pianist and multi-instrumentalist of salsa and Latin jazz.

An arranger and virtuoso of his instrument, he was co-founder with his father, Enrique “Quique” Lucca Caraballo, of La Sonora Ponceña. He has also performed and recorded with the Fania All-Stars, Willie Colón, Celia Cruz, Johnny Pacheco, Bobby Valentin, Ismael Quintana, Gloria Estefan, Adalberto Santiago, Andy Montañez, Pablo Milanés and Rubén Blades.

La Sonora Ponceña is a Puerto Rican orchestra of Afro-Caribbean music founded by “Quique” Lucca in 1954.

Directed by the son of “Quique”, Papo Lucca, it is one of the most important groups of the musical genre

This time we highlight the album “Determination” from 1982, a production that placed “Yambeque” on its first song

Sonora de Ponce, Papo Lucca, Los Gigantes del Sur, Determination
Sonora Ponceña and their 1982 album “Determination”.

A melody from Regla de Ocha to the orishas that brings a rumba within its particular style of salsa and excelling in a solo he “little” Johnny Rivero and the interpretation “Toñito” Ledee.

On the song “Soledad,” it was Yolanda Rivera‘s turn, along with Miguelito Ortiz and Toñito Ledee, where they sing about loneliness and its peculiarities and dangers.

In “Creo en ti,” the arrangement of the ninths and suspended chords on the trumpet harmonies stood out, very well complemented by Yolanda Rivera’s interpretation of this bolero.

The song “Herida cerrada en falso”, lyrics and interpretation provided by Toñito Ledee, where we enjoy the vocal style of this great singer.

The melody that followed on this album was “Date cuenta“: a call to young people who go around playing with hearts.

In “Si la ven”, where the piano solo turned the main line of the melody into a Classical Music Minuet and where we enjoyed the harmonies that were used in the trumpets and flute horn by Juancito Torres.

In “Joldo” Maestro Papo Lucca makes Jazz taking this melody to a more accentuated Latin plane.

In “Aunque te quiero” Songo with Salsa was employed for a sense of harmony and dance-driving, where this melody reflects the heart of the true and full romantic lover, who regrets the love that does not return to him.

In this production we have wanted specially to detail that we counted on Enrique Quique Lucca like Musical Director; to Enrique Papo Lucca like Producer, Arranger, choir and piano; vocalists to Yolanda Rivera, Miguelito Ortiz and Toñito Ledee; in the choir to Edwin Rosas and like guest also in choirs Mr. Adalberto Santiago.

We were fortunate and honored to have lyrics by Adalberto Alvarez, Jose A. Mendez, Toñito Ledee, Francisco Alvarado, Roberto Anglero, Joseito Gonzalez and one with DRA.

This album continued to mark the musical line that we brought and continued to have the privilege of the favor and acceptance of each of our fans, who to this day continue to fully enjoy each of the melodies present in this production.

We say goodbye to you and thank you for your attention, and we will return soon with another release for all of you.

Facebook: Sonora Ponceña

Yambeque

Home

El Nene de Ponce and El Malo del Bronx

Héctor Lavoe y Willie Colón

A finales de los sesenta, el mundo fue testigo de un interés por la música latina, y esta vez, el sonido se llevó a cabo en Nueva York con condimentos puertorriqueños y dominicanos y un condimento basado en los sabores culturales que se mueven en la Gran Manzana.

Fue una mezcla de sonoridades latinas aromatizadas por las calles de Nueva York, que resultó en una especie de guarnición musical que se llamó Salsa.

Concretamente en el año de 1967, que es cuando este sonido cobra vida de la mano de la combinación más letal concebida por nuestra música latina, Héctor Lavoe y Willie Colón.

El primero es oriundo de Ponce con un registro vocal envidiable que se fue a probar suerte a Estados Unidos con tan solo 17 años. El siguiente era un neoyorquino de ascendencia puertorriqueña con el oído más privilegiado de su generación, unido por Johnny Pacheco para iniciar el imperio de los primeros chicos malos de la música latina con el disco “El Malo”.

Concretamente, fue en el 67 cuando este sonido cobró vida de la mano de la combinación más letal que jamás haya concebido nuestra música latina, Héctor Lavoe y Willie Colón.
El Nene de Ponce y El Malo del Bronx

Esta es la primera producción de Willie Colón que realmente se empieza a grabar en el 66 desde Alegre Records. Sin embargo, el sello cerró y el proyecto se detuvo hasta que recibió la propuesta de Fania Records con la condición de buscar un nuevo vocalista, y es entonces cuando apareció Héctor para terminar el disco.

Cuando se estrenó en el 67, fue un bombazo en todos los sentidos, desde la estética hasta los sonidos sofisticados que Willie capturó como líder de orquesta al traer elementos de mambo-jazz, son montuno, timbales diabólicos por parte de Nicky Marrero, Guaguancó, blues. pianos y Boogaloo.

Todo el mundo hablaba de la trágica vida de Héctor Lavoe, pero Willie Colón vio más allá de eso, e hizo once álbumes de estudio, lo vio como un dulce chico de campo con buen sentido del humor. Lo vio como el mito antes de convertirse en tal.

Willie Colón & Héctor Lavoe, este dúo es considerado uno de los más importantes de la música salsa.

Willie Colón & Héctor Lavoe fue un dúo de salsa formado en Nueva York, Estados Unidos, con orígenes puertorriqueños en 1967 por Willie Colón (trombón, coros) y Héctor Lavoe (voz, maracas).
Héctor Lavoe y Willie Colón “El bueno y el malo”

Criado entre los “chicos malos” del Bronx, Nueva York, Willie Colón se ha hecho a sí mismo a pulso y ritmo, innovando y esforzándose siempre por ofrecer algo diferente. Y no fue fácil. Así que tuvo que inventar otro Willie con el que nadie se enredara.

Así nació “El Malo” con una niñez poco común, también es “El Malo” de Salsa, el que cambia las reglas en cada disco. Su familia era de Puerto Rico y llegó a Nueva York en la segunda década del siglo XX. Su madre tenía 16 años.

Su abuela fue la que le regaló su primera trompeta, le enseñó a hablar español, también tocó música tradicional a cambio de que él le leyera el periódico.

Willie tocaba la trompeta y ese parecía ser su instrumento. Luego escuchó el solo de trombón de Barry Rogers quien tocó la pieza “Dolores la Pachanguera” con Joe Cotto y también descubrió lo que hacía Mon Rivera con el bombo y el trombón y nunca quiso volver a tocar la trompeta.

William Anthony Colón Román es una leyenda viviente. No cualquiera celebra más de medio siglo de carrera musical sin mostrar demasiadas cicatrices en su vena artística.

Así nació “El Malo”, con una niñez poco común, lo que también lo llevó a adoptar el nombre a su pasión por la música, pasando a ser conocido como El Malo de la salsa. Cambia las reglas introduciendo algo diferente con cada álbum. Su familia era de Puerto Rico y llegó a Nueva York en la segunda década del siglo XX. Su madre tenía 16 años en ese momento. Su abuela le regaló su primera trompeta, le enseñó a hablar español y también le tocó música tradicional a cambio de que leyera el periódico.

Willie tocó la trompeta como su instrumento hasta que escuchó el solo de trombón de Barry Rogers a dúo con Joe Cotto en la pieza “Dolores la Pachanguera” desviando su interés por ese instrumento pero descubriendo lo que hacía Mon Rivera con el bombo y el trombón. lo llevó a no volver a tocar la trompeta.

William Anthony Colón Román es una leyenda viviente. No todo el mundo celebra más de medio siglo de carrera musical sin mostrar demasiadas cicatrices en su vena artística lo que lo convierte en un ícono de la salsa.

Héctor Juan Pérez Martínez, conocido como Héctor Lavoe y William Anthony Colón Román, más conocido como Willie Colón.
El Nene de Ponce y El Malo del Bronx “Héctor Lavoe y Willie Colón”

 

Home

 

Gerson Aranda “La Tabla de Caracas”.

Restarting again our usual reviews, this time we return with a special guest, the virtuous and spectacular Venezuelan percussionist Gerson Aranda, who kindly gave us this interview from the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he is currently based.

 

Gerson Aranda Rodil was born on March 8, 1973, in the Concepción Palacios maternity hospital in the parish of San Juan, Caracas.

He is the son of Pedro Aranda and Ana Teresa Rodil. Gerson, welcome to the salsa column that is currently at the forefront of Afro-Caribbean music worldwide and in which our Venezuelan musicians make themselves known, project themselves and share their artistic life with our regular readers.

To begin with, we want to know how did you get started in music and who were your mentors? -Thank you Professor Carlos Colmenárez for this opportunity that you give me to share with my dear brothers from my country and other countries around the world. Well, I have been a musician since I can remember, thanks to my parents, brothers, cousins and uncles.

Since I was very young, my father Pedro Aranda, was the founder of the Sonero Clasico del Caribe, who recorded the first two productions of this famous group, which celebrated my birthday, since my father always brought them to my house.

I was raised in the parish of Catia, in Cútira and well, the whole neighborhood would come into my home to listen to the famous Sonero Clásico, and they would listen to the songs: Carmelina, Papá Montero, El enterrador and many more.

Well, since I was a child I had an interest in music, because at home they used to play those rumbas and I had the desire to play the congas and bongo.

Gerson Aranda Rodil was born on March 8, 1973, at the Concepción Palacios maternity hospital in the parish of San Juan, Caracas.
Gerson Aranda “La Tabla de Caracas”

But there was a tres player, a great friend of the family, who met a lot with my father, who was also a tres player, bassist and guitarist; then he saw my interest in percussion and took me to the Sarría school of the maestro Orlando Poleo, who saw me playing despite my young age, he told the tres player René Zambrano, let him always come, because he has interest and conditions and that’s when things started.

At that time those greats like Gerardo Rosales, José Martínez Viruta, Willian Troconis, Wladimir Rivero, Miguelito Urbina were studying and well in that concern I began to study theory and solfeggio with Professor Carlos Ramírez, in the “Tucosan” school and then I studied percussion with Professor Jesús Blanco, known as “El Totoño”. From there my musical career practically began and at the age of 13 I started playing professionally with “El Trabuco Venezolano”, Swing y Color, Magia Caribeña, Hildemaro, Trina Medina, Grupo Repicao, Los Incorregibles, Pasión Juvenil, Grupo Mango and many more orchestras.

Gerson, I understand that you accompanied Soledad Bravo musically and performed advertising jingles? Indeed Professor Carlos, I had the joy of playing with her and toured the world and let me tell you that at that time I did advertising jingles for products on television and radio.

-Gerson, you are known as “La Tabla”, referring also to your hard hands to play the tumbadoras with very accurate hits.

I was raised in the parish of Catia, in Cútira, and well, the whole neighborhood would come into my home to listen to the famous Sonero Clásico, and they would listen to the songs: Carmelina, Papá Montero, El enterrador and many others.
Gerson, you are known as “La Tabla”, referring also to your hard hands to execute the tumbadoras with very accurate blows.

Now then, tell us, which international artists have you accompanied? Well my friend Carlos, I had the honor of accompanying Celia Cruz, Cheo Feliciano, Luigi Texidor, Junior González, Larry Harlow, Marvin Santiago, Willie Colón; among many; thanks to the fact that Naty and his Orchestra and Magia Caribeña, were the base orchestras for those artists.

I also played with Silva and Guerra, of Mauricio and Manuel. Hey Carlos, I also accompanied Justo Betancourt, Adalberto Santiago, Ismael Miranda, Andy Montañez, Jhonny Pacheco y Casanova, Pete Conde Rodríguez and others.

Gerson, what are your current projects in Argentina? -Carlitos, in Argentina I am well thank God, because I have a big band called “La Salsa Brava”, I play a lot and now with the problems with the COVID-19, everything is paralyzed, but I have been very active for three years in all the “boliches”, name given to the night clubs and I have accompanied Los Adolescentes, Rey Ruiz, Charlie Sepúlveda, Jimmy El León, Charlie Aponte, among many others.

My band is made up of Venezuelan, Argentinean, Colombian and Cuban musicians. I have earned respect and they call me “maestro”; I am also giving classes to advanced percussionists, with techniques of different genres and rhythms, unknown to them, since here what is known is the Cuban timba and salsa brava.

Excellent Gerson, apart from the full band, do you have other smaller formats? Yes, I have a sextet called “La Crisis”, because when there is not much money, we make it available and play music by Joe Cuba, Conjunto Libre and others. With “Salsa Brava” I am about to record my production, which I suspended due to my accident before coming to Buenos Aires and the other thing is that my comadre Indira Velasquez came over there and I made a Sonora Matancera format, which is called “Sonora Consoltura” and we have made several presentations and people are very happy with that genre, since they are getting to know what a pachanga, a danzón, among others, is.

Apart from that, I am also doing advertising jingles again. What can you tell us about the Tributo Orchestra and El Guajeo? -The thing about Tributo and Cheo, is that since I was very young I had the fortune that before Tributo and Bailatino existed, we formed the group “Repicao”, which was a school band formed by: Édgar Dolor Quijada, Tuky Torres, José Soto Mortadelo, Prisco Oropeza, Manuel Barrios, Cheo Navarro, Catú Rodríguez and myself, which we played emblematic themes and from here begins the affinity with Cheo and from there, then he arms Tributo and tells me to conform his staff, which was integrated by: Alberto Crespo, José Soto Mortadelo, Jhonny Rivero, Javier Vivas, Johán Muñoz, Eliel Rivero, Osquita, Marcial Istúriz, Édgar Dolor Quijada, Gonzalo Díaz, Rónald Gómez and my substitute is Miguel Urbina and we recorded several albums. They are my friends and we are still in contact, and with “El Guajeo”, the experience was wonderful with the great Alfredo Naranjo. Professor Carlos, I tell you in all honesty that the musical level in Venezuela is very superior and out of this world, with all due respect.

a tres player, a great friend of the family, who used to meet a lot with my father, who was also a tres player, bass player and guitarist.
Gerson Aranda “La Tabla de Caracas”

-Gerson, who are the members of your band of musicians in Argentina? Professor Carlos, it is made up of A Barquisimetana named Lauremys Vanesa on trombone, Catalina Keiti (trombone), Luis Sulbarán (trumpet), Bruno Espinola (trumpet), Ángel Vargas (piano), Bernardo Vásquez (bass), Esteban Leandro “El Puca” (singer), Felipe Figueroa (singer), Deiby Bandre (bongo), Martín Barrera (congas) and me on timbales; It’s my orchestra called “La Salsa Brava”, here in Buenos Aires.

Your social networks? My social networks are: [email protected]. Instagram: Orquesta La Salsa Brava. Facebook: Gelson Aranda Musician. Cell: +54 911 36244963.

Well friend Gerson, for me it was a pleasure to have had you as the protagonist of this installment of Salsa Escrita “La Columna Salsera de Barquisimeto”, through International Salsa Magazine, www.salsagoogle.com and at the same time we wish you the greatest success and continue to represent us worthily outside our borders, giving “tabla” to percussion. Thank you professor and friend Carlos Colmenárez for this opportunity that you give to all the artists of Afro-Caribbean music to project us worldwide in your prestigious salsa column and may God bless and protect you greatly and you know that you count on your brother Gerson Aranda.

Gerson Aranda “La Tabla de Caracas”
Gerson Aranda “La Tabla de Caracas” y su Sexteto

By: Professor MSc. Carlos Colmenárez  Correspondent in Venezuela for International Salsa Magazine

Home

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 18
  • Page 19
  • Page 20
  • Page 21
  • Page 22
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 27
  • Go to Next Page »

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.