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Search Results for: World Salsa

Interesting conversation with vocal coach and YouTuber Ceci Dover

Who is Ceci Dover and what she has done

Ceci Dover is a professional vocal coach and singer of Argentinean origin residing in Spain, where she has been dedicated to voice, music and technological advances that have emerged out in this world over the past few years. All this accumulated experience has made her worthy of sharing the stage with several of the most important Spanish-speaking artists such as Coro Kennedy and Alejandro Lerner.

Ceci Dover working in her studio
Ceci Dover working in her studio

In her talent and knowledge, we can notice that she has received a very solid training in the issues she always touches and two very important teaching centers in her academic life were the Manuel de Falla Conservatory and the singing academy Valeria Lynch, both of which contributed greatly to make Ceci the professional voice teacher she is today. Another important detail to highlight from her route is the Still Voice Training academy in the United States in 2020, which would complete her studies as a coach and professional singer.

Currently, Ceci is dedicated to perform vocal diagnosis for those who request it and she works as a content creator through YouTube, a platform on which she offers her analysis to well-known voices in the entertainment world so that the public can know a professional opinion on their quality or the absence of it.

In view of Ceci’s great career in the world of music, we wanted to talk to her and learn a little more about her career and experience from her own mouth.

How did your interest in music and vocal technique begin?

After thanking us for the space we gave her, Ceci went on to explain that it all started when she was in high school, which she combined with singing studies at a particular level since she turned 13 years old. Once she finished school, she enrolled in a conservatory and began studying lyrical singing full time for about 12 year until she chose to specialize in folk singing in order to achieve a change of range.

Throughout this process, she discovered that she enjoyed singing and teaching, although she would be dedicated exclusively to the latter.   

Major references and inspirations

Her most significant influences are Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carrey, Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, Freddy Marcury, Michael Jackson, among others. Ceci said to belong to old school because of her tastes, but it took a few years for her to start paying more attention to music in Spanish. It was in 2020 that she started paying attention to Latin voices such as Juan Gabriel, who has gone on to become one of her favorite artists worldwide. Although she has discovered a lot of talent in music in Spanish, she has been really fascinated by Mexican culture, which has given birth to several of the songs that did not have faces during her childhood.

Italian singer Laura Pausini and Ceci Dover
Italian singer Laura Pausini and Ceci Dover

One of the things that has caught her attention the most about rancheras and boleros is that they allow artists to show all their talent and vocal ability. In addition, he says that these genres come from times when singers ”sang for real, excellence was demanded of them and had to be good in order to succeed”.

The industry dies not require artists to offer quality because it only focuses on creating characters and products carefully designed to make shows,” said the professional singer on this subject.

Importance of lyrics in culture

Ceci has been highly critical of everything related to the kind of lyrics that have been used in modern genres such as reggaeton and considers that so much vulgarity is not necessary to express what is wanted. In fact, he considers that these lyrical resources are an involution and a total reversal in music. Ensures that trap and reggaeton do not bother her, but she believes that explicitness, offenses and vexations used by many of its exponents do not send any positive message to the youth.

For the artist, this issue becomes even more serious and delicate when talking about young children as well, who are the primary audience of this musical content. She comments that her own son learns these lyrics at school and comes home singing them, something that makes her very angry and leads her to do everything possible to reverse the negative effects that this may have on his upbringing.

Peruvian composer and singer Eva Ayllón with Ceci Dover
Peruvian composer and singer Eva Ayllón with Ceci Dover

It is possible to talk about heartbreak without being vulgar and degrading. I understand that this is what many young people like nowadays, but I think it is not a generational thing, but a matter of education. I have very young students who also disagree with that way of expressing music”, she added.

In that sense, he also points out that parents should instill other musical references and listen to other music so that their children get to know other voices and styles. Few people know Freddy Mercury or Michael Jackson, but everyone knows Bizarrap, Rosalia and Quevedo. That has to change” said the performer.

Vocal diagnosis and training

When Ceci was asked if a person without natural vocal talent could develop it, her answer was yes, although with several points to consider. A person without natural singing talent can develop his full potential and educate his voice. I know singers who don’t have good voice, but they strive to make good songs, write good lyrics and convey the listening audience special things” Ceci replied.

”I encourage everyone to educate their voice, even if they weren’t born with the natural talent that can make that process a little easier. I think we all can work on our voice and offer quality singing, but within our means. You can’t promise people that they are going to sing like Celine Dion in a year if they don’t have the conditions to do that. There are borders we simply cannot cross, but we can look for the best version of ourselves” she added.

Ceci working in one of her videos
Ceci working in one of her videos

Scenography and details unrelated to voice

Just as voice is a very important part of the analysis, there are other aspects that can distract Ceci from her analysis, such as lyrics, costumes and choreography. In that sense, she mentions the recent case of Shakira, whose story of heartbreak attracts much more attention than the technical details involved.

He also mentioned the case of K-Pop groups, whose choreographies, pirouettes and costumes stand out much more than their members’ voices. ”Before, the technical aspects related to voice were what stood out on stage, but now the visual part of the show is much more important than before,” said the artist. ”I was very much against backing tracks, but I have realized that K-Pop groups cannot achieve a perfect voice with such demanding dances and aerobics,” she concluded on this issue.

Salsa exponents

Although Ceci has focused on analyzing rancheras, boleros, pop and reggaeton, she thinks it is time to dedicate some of her material to analyze other more tropical genres such as salsa or merengue. In this part of the conversation, she expressed her admiration for stars such as Juan Luis Guerra, Marc Anthony, Celia Cruz and many more. There have been many followers who have asked her to react to voices of this genre, so she is considering making an exclusive special for tropical rhythms such as these and thereby appeasing the part of her audience that enjoys these styles.

Read also: Mexican announcer Jesse ‘‘Chuy’’ Varela and the radio today

Bebo Valdés is considered one of the central figures of the golden age of Cuban music

On March 22, 2013 in Stockholm, Sweden, Dionisio Ramón Emilio Valdés Amaro, better known as Bebo Valdés, died.

He was an excellent musician of Cuban music and Afro-Cuban jazz, considered one of the central figures of the golden age of Cuban music.

In addition to being a pianist, his best known facet, he has been a composer, arranger and orchestra conductor.

He was born in Quivicán, Cuba, on October 9, 1918. He was the father of the Afro-Cuban jazz pianist Chucho Valdés (b. 1941). From 1931 to 1935 he studied piano in his hometown with Moraima González; in 1936 he moved with his family to Havana, where he studied music theory, harmony and composition with Oscar Bofartigue.

In 1938 he made his professional debut with Happy D’Ulacia’s orchestra. He played in Havana, since the 1940s, in the orchestras Ulacia, García Curbelo, Julio Cueva and Orquesta Tropicana, and recorded albums with groups dedicated to performing Afro-Cuban jazz.2

Known among his family and friends by the affectionate nickname of Caballón because of his considerable stature, he composed mambos, such as La rareza del siglo, which covers the genre recently introduced by Pérez Prado and which would change the course of Cuban music. From 1948 until 1957, he worked at the Tropicana cabaret as pianist and arranger for Rita Montaner.

The Sabor de Cuba orchestra, of Bebo Valdés, and that of Armando Romeu, made the show of this night club, in which Valdés stopped performing in 1957, when he was hired by Ernesto Roca, of the Peer International Music Publishers, to make arrangements for Xiomara Alfaro and Pío Leyva; at the same time, he joined Guillermo Álvarez Guedez, of the Panart and Rolando Laserie in Radio Progreso. With his orchestra Sabor de Cuba, he accompanied singers Reinaldo Henríquez, Orlando Guerra (Cascarita), Pío Leyva and Ada Rex; Beny Moré also sang with this group, and Chucho Valdés made his debut.

About the descarga or jam session, there are multiple versions, this is the one by Bebo Valdés which, due to the concreteness of data, dates and record labels that made the recordings, is the most objective: “One night in October 1952, I was resting in a cabaret in Havana with members of the Tropicana orchestra.

Bebo Valdés Fue un excelente músico de música cubana y jazz afrocubano, considerado como una de las figuras centrales de la época dorada de la música
Bebo Valdés Fue un excelente músico de música cubana y jazz afrocubano, considerado como una de las figuras centrales de la época dorada de la música

It is important to know that since 1948, Cuban, Mexican or even American musicians used to meet on Sunday afternoons at the Tropicana to play descarga, in the course of which we mixed jazz and Cuban rhythms.

Sometimes the descargas were held at four o’clock in the morning, at the end of the [Tropicana] show. The percussionist Guillermo Barreto was the one who animated them; we had received Roy Haynes, Kenny Drew, Sarah Vaughan, Richard Davis and many other musicians passing through; in fact, all the great names of jazz paraded through the Tropicana.

All of that could have been recorded, but no one was interested. So, that night Irving Price, the owner of a record store on Galiano Street, announces to me that producer Norman Granz is in town and that he can’t believe that Cuban musicians are capable of playing jazz.

Granz and Price ask me to go to the studio to record. It was September 16, 1952. So, I called some musicians, but I myself was late for the session, because in the morning I had another recording for RCA: I was going to accompany a singer! When I finally arrived at Panart’s studio, Granz had already left for the United States.

We called the orchestra The Andre’s All Star, after the name of Irving Price’s record store. We had decided to play classic jazz tunes, such as Distrust, Taboo, Sleep and Blues for Andre. At the end of the session, as there were still a few minutes available for the record, I started playing a riff, from which we improvised. We called that track “Con poco coco.”

The record was titled Cubano! and the participating musicians were all from the Tropicana cabaret: Gustavo Más, tenor saxophone; Alejandro Vivar (El Negro Vivar), trumpet; Kiki Hernández, double bass; Guillermo Barreto, timbal; Rolando Alfonso, tumbadora and Bebo Valdés, piano.

The works it contains are the same as those mentioned by Bebo Valdés, and the label, Mercury. In 1955, Bebo Valdés recorded, in the studios of Radio Progreso, Holiday Habana and She Adores the Latin Type, for the Decca label, which contained mambo, chachachá, bolero, jazz descarga, even jazz with bebop tendencies.

According to Luc Delannoy, in 1956 the Panart recorded Cuban Jam Session, with Julio Gutiérrez and Pedro Jústiz (Peruchín), as directors, and the musicians Alejandro Vivar (El Negro Vivar), Edilberto Escrich, Osvaldo Urrutia (Mosquifin), Emilio Peñalver, José Silva (CHombo), Juan Pablo Miranda, Salvador Vivar, Jesús Esquijarrosa (Chucho), Oscar Valdés, father, Marcelino Valdés, Walfredo de los Reyes and José Antonio Méndez. The participation of Israel López (Cachao) in a descarga did not occur until 1957, when the Panart recorded Descargas cubanas, with the participation of Cachao himself, Guillermo Barreto, Gustavo Tamayo, Rogelio Iglesias, Richard Egües, Andrés Hechavarría (El Niño Rivera), Rolito Pérez, Alfredo León, Arístides Soto (Tata Güines), Alejandro Vivar (El Negro Vivar), Generoso Jiménez, Orestes López (Macho), Emilio Peñalver and Virgilio Vixama. In other years, there were also recordings of downloads, and some unrecorded ones, such as those recalled by Leonardo Acosta at the Cuban Jazz Club, held between 1958 and 1960, with the participation of Pedro Jústiz (Peruchín), piano; Guillermo Barreto, drums and pailas, and Arístides Soto (Tata Güines), tumbadora (drums). This proves -or at least shows another side of the coin- that Bebo Valdés was one of the initiators of descarga in Cuba, a resource used by Cuban musicians in the most diverse instrumental formats, genres and styles of our popular music, as, for example, did the composers of the filin movement.

On June 8, 1952, with a band of twenty musicians, Bebo unveiled the batanga rhythm in the studios of RHC Cadena Azul; among the three singers in the orchestra was Beny Moré.

Bebo Valdés un virtuoso de la música cubana
Bebo Valdés un virtuoso de la música cubana

That same year he travels to Mexico with the purpose of recording a disc with this new modality of Cuban music, which also included a new choreography; they were not successful, and, according to Bebo Valdés, “the batanga died a natural death”.

When he left Cuba in 1960 due to disagreements with the Cuban government, Bebo also abandoned his family, his wife Pilar Valdés and his five children (including Chucho). Bebo Valdés goes to Mexico, then moves to Los Angeles, California, where he works with singer Miguelito Valdés; from there he travels to Spain, where he records two albums as director of the orchestra that accompanies Chilean singer Lucho Gatica.

Later he toured England, France, Holland, Germany and Finland with the Lecuona Cuban Boys. In 1963 he settled in Sweden, and worked with the Hatuey Orchestra, a Swedish group playing Cuban music. In Sweden he formed a new family when he married in 1963.

International career

After thirty years of relative anonymity, on November 25, 1994, Valdés received a call from Paquito D’Rivera, who invited him to record a new album in Germany for the Messidor label. A new beginning in his career took place at the age of 76 with the recording of Bebo Rides Again.

He participated in Fernando Trueba’s film Calle 54, along with, among others, pianist and composer Chucho Valdés, Paquito D’Rivera, Elaine Elías, Chano Domínguez, Jerry González, Michel Camilo, Leandro J. Barbieri (Gato Barbieri), Ernesto Antonio Puente (Tito Puente), Arturo O’Farrill (Chico), Israel López (Cachao), Orlando Ríos (Puntilla) and Carlos Valdés (Patato).

In 2004 he traveled to Salvador de Bahia, Brazil, to participate in Trueba’s film El milagro de Candeal, along with Carlinhos Brown, Marisa Monte, Mateus Aleluia and César Mendez.

Bebo y Chucho Valdés una verdadera dinastía de la Música Cubana
Bebo y Chucho Valdés una verdadera dinastía de la Música Cubana

An integral musician capable of tackling the most diverse genres and styles of music, not only as a pianist and composer, but also as an orchestrator and orchestra conductor of sublime values; of solid technical training, both theoretical and pianistic, Bebo Valdés is one of the all-time greats of Cuban music. He was, with Israel López (Cachao) and Patato Valdés, nominated for the Latin Grammy Award for El arte del sabor, best traditional tropical album 2002.

In 2002, Fernando Trueba produced Lágrimas negras, an album that unites flamenco singer Diego el Cigala with Bebo Valdés on piano.

After its release in 2003, it became an international success, recognized with a Grammy, three Music Awards, an Ondas Award, five Amigo Awards, three Platinum Discs in Spain and one each in Argentina, Mexico and Venezuela. The New York Times praised the album as Best Latin Music Album of the Year and opened the doors to a tour of Paris, New York, London, Havana, Buenos Aires, Tokyo, Mexico City, Madrid and Barcelona, among others. By the end of 2004 the album had sold more than 700,000 copies worldwide.

He retired to Benalmádena, a village in the province of Málaga (Spain), until his death in Stockholm (Sweden).

Chucho Valdés

Read also: Carlos “Patato” Valdés one of the best percussionists in the history of Latin Jazz

You always can count with friends

Latin America / Puerto Rico

I want to congratulate Gilberto Santa Rosa for a great job done with his first Virtual concert “Canta Mundo” to inaugurate the Coca-Cola Music Hall in El Distrito, located near the Puerto Rico Convention Center, in Miramar.

Gilberto offered a magnificent a virtual live concert with his band of Puerto Rican musicians. This is the first time, since the emergency began in Puerto Rico due to the pandemic created by COVID-19, that this modern room was activated to present a live concert recorded live, especially for Rums of Puerto Rico, and that they have chosen such an extraordinary artist for the inauguration was without a doubt a great success.

After much expectation, the Coca Cola Music Hall had its opening in a totally different way than imagined, with a concert that did not have the presence of the public or applause between songs, due to the limitations imposed by the COVID pandemic- 19. Gilberto Santa Rosa was entrusted to offer the first recital in the space. Both the singer and his musicians took all possible security measures to prevent the spread of the disease, but obviously, without the use of masks that would prevent them from playing their instruments or singing.

The concert “Canta Mundo” continues online so that the millions of Gilberto fans throughout the world become intimate audiences in their favorite spaces, you will surely enjoy it. The event was exclusively presented by Rums of Puerto Rico, and can be seen through the social networks of Gilberto Santa Rosa, as well as those of Coca-Cola Music Hall and Rums of Puerto Rico.

Gilberto Santa Rosa and Johnny Cruz - friends
Gilberto Santa Rosa and Johnny Cruz

I send a warm greeting to my good friend Jerry Rivas, singer of “El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico” since April 19, 1977, who now shares hits and music with his son Gerardo Rivas. In 1977 Andy Montañez, the lead vocal of the Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, announced his departure from the orchestra. Many saw the group debacle coming. When everyone expected to see an experienced singer, the always-wise director Rafael Ithier found a young singer to suit his group’s style.

The chosen one was a young man of just 21 years: Jerry Rivas. A shy Jerry Rivas presented himself with a cassette recorded with the music of the first groups that he joined for a short time, the musicians of the Gran Combo, looked at him suspiciously. Ithier, with his traditional good humor, contained his musicians with these words: “you rest easy, it is a black painted white”.

On April 19, 1977, Jerry began singing with El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico. Jerry Rivas’ first performance was “Buscando Ambiente” at El Club Caborrojeño de Guaynabo and his first international success was “La Clave y el Bongó”. Rivas, self-taught and who in addition to singing plays guitar, cuatro and cuban tres guitar, remembers that as a young man he was a rocker, but he was struck by the joy that the members of the Gran Combo projected in their dances and choreography.

In his long career with El Gran Combo, Jerry Rivas, has become a renowned sonero and one of the oldest members of the Universidad de la Salsa, has recorded 30 albums with the group and many of the greats were recorded in his voice. hits from the orchestra, such as “Y No Hago Más Na”, “El Menú”, “Azuquita pa’l Café”, “Que me lo Den en Vida”, “Ojitos Chinos”, “Me Liberé”, among many others. The Gran Combo was the key to success for Jerry, who thanks Quique Lucca, founder of Sonora Ponceña, for his recommendation that Ithier give him the opportunity to audition. His talent was passed on to his sons, who became Los Rockolos as children.

Gilberto Santa Rosa Concert Without Public
Gilberto Santa Rosa Concert Without Public

Today, Gerardo begins his solo career, and Jerry Junior together with Samuel conducts the Los Rivas Orchestra organized more than a decade ago. Gerardo always affirms that no matter how many differences they may have, music unites them. He revealed on some occasion that his father did not want him to dedicate his life to popular music due to the strong and unstable environment, the risks and swings of the artistic world.

However, when Jerry looks at them during rehearsals and on stage, he is proud and always advises them to be responsible, avoid the negative and assimilate the positive. Recently, the vocalist of El Gran Combo joined with his son, also singer Gerardo Rivas, and his grandson Gerardo Gabriel to carry a musical message to his followers in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19).

The trio came together to perform a classic by the legendary salsa orchestra, Mente Positiva. “In difficult times, the best we can do is carry a positive message,” wrote Gerardo, also a member of NG2, in his social media. Rivas father was in charge of the Cuban tres guitar, Gerardo Gabriel of the key and the maracas and Rivas son interpreted the theme. It is not the first time that they have joined this quarantine to delight their followers with a musical number.

Photo by Jerry Rivas and his family
Photo by Jerry Rivas and his family

I applaud the initiative of Pedro Oggie García as CEO of Salsa Artist Booking Entertainment Group (SAB), who with his daily work supports all the salseros in the world at SalsaArtistBooking.com. SAB is the company specialized in the digital coding of music, administration, promotion and representation of Artists of the Salsa genre, With an experience of more than 30 years in the media and with relationships worldwide, always characterized by our responsibility, seriousness and compliance.

Using their experience, international relations and positioning, they will make your musical work a success. Always taking care of their interests and rights, trying to take the artists and their music where their public requires it. Contact them +1 956-442-0099

José Mangual Jr
José Mangual Jr

I would like to share with you my admiration for José Mangual Jr. “El Campanero Mayor”, who is an American percussionist, of Puerto Rican origin, son of also percussionist José Mangual Sr. He was born in New York on January 11, 1948 and has a trajectory of almost half a century in Salsa.

His contribution to this genre began in the mid-sixties in his native city, when he joined the group of Monguito Santamaría, son of the great percussionist Ramón “Mongo” Santamaría. He also played with La Conspiración. He was part of Tony Pabón’s band, which marked the beginning of his role as a singer. On the LP “La protesta”, recorded in 1972 for the Rico Records label, José Mangual Jr. sang the song “San Miguel”.

In 1971 he joined the Willie Colón band, and since the singer was Héctor Lavoe, José participated in the best and biggest albums recorded by that great duo. Mangual Jr. also recorded with Rubén Blades on some of the most representative albums in the Panamanian singer’s musical career. His talent has allowed him to be making simultaneous recordings with other groups, musicians and singers, such as Ismael Miranda, Mon Rivera, Frankie Dante, Ismael Quintana, Celia Cruz and the Willard Orchestra, conducted by Willie Pastrana.

In 1977 he launched as a soloist, recording with his own group the album titled Tribute To Chano Pozo, and so far, he has around twenty of his own albums. These are added to almost thirty recordings with Willie Colón, Rubén Blades and Héctor Lavoe. But they are only part of the huge list of his recordings with other orchestras, musicians and singers. His meritorious career has allowed him to travel to many countries of the world alongside countless great musicians and singers, and become an example of dedication and love for music.

This has also allowed him to make friends around the world who admire, love, respect; and be with him in important moments, triumphs, defeats and also in goodbyes … José Mangual Jr. lost his grandson Tyrell Bryant a few weeks ago to the covid-19. I extend my heartfelt words of condolence for such an irreparable loss, and reiterate my unconditional support for the entire family at this difficult time. You are not alone! I dedicate special tribute to his grandson Tyrell Bryant who always be present in our hearts. RIP 04/04/1992 – 04/18/2020.

My friends, I need you know that we continue working hand in hand with prominent artists from New York and Puerto Rico on the CD dedicated to maestro Adalberto Santiago on his 60th Anniversary. I promise to have more details about this fantastic musical production very soon.

Johnny Cruz and Adalberto Santiago
Johnny Cruz and Adalberto Santiago

I appreciate the support of Carl Cristiano, L&S Custom Tailors and cKc for my TV Show outfits and my public performances. Tailored suits with total care and confidence. Contact them, I recommend them with pleasure. www.LSTailors.com. Address: 138 E 61st Street Suite 201. New York, NY 10065. Phone: +1 212 752 16 38.

Don’t forget tune in to my new Fm / Internet radio station on Live365.com: Salsagallery. Great music, artist interviews and much more made with love for you all. There is the link: https://live365.com/station/a77973

Although yet It will not be possible to open to the public the Spanish Harlem Salsa Gallery in 1708 Lexington ave New York N.Y. 10029, you can see the entire exhibition with more than 200 articles through our social media. Check the updates in our website: spahasalsagallery.com.

Salsa Artist Bokking logo
Salsa Artist Bokking logo

New York City is slowly returning to normal. We hope to be sharing with you physically again, but now we follow the instructions of the authorities to keep us safe and healthy.

Contact: Johnny Cruz. 917-747-8505. [email protected].

By Johnny Cruz, ISM Correspondent, New York, New York City

Mauro Mosquera Singer and Composer from Medellín Colombia

Mauricio Esneider Mosquera (Mauro Mosquera) was born in the city of Medellín and has composed songs for various artists such as El Combo de las Estrellas, Pipe Bueno, John Alex Castaño, Diego Galé, among others.

He has been part of great orchestras as a singer and some are: El Grupo Niche, Fruko y sus Tesos, The Latin Brothers, La Sonora Dinamita, Orquesta Metal Puro de Ecuador.

He has also recorded choruses with Los Gigantes del Vallenato, Hevert Vargas, El Grupo Niche, Olga Tañon, for different artists of Codiscos y Discos Fuentes, Los Grandes de la Salsa Volumen II, Maité Hontelé, etc.

As a soloist he has recorded three albums and has been contracted by: Manizales, Pereira, Bogotá, Pasto, Cali, Quibdó, Chile, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Mexico, Los Angeles California, New York, Dallas, Utah, Montreal, Toronto, Quebec.

Mauro Mosquera Singer and Composer
Mauro Mosquera Singer and Composer

He is currently producing music for national and international Salsa artists and national popular music.

He has been invited as a singer to important events with the Symphony of Pereira in several opportunities, with the Symphonic Band of the University of Antioquia and with his Swing Orchestra he has performed in Medejazz, in the Fair of the Flowers and in the municipal parties of Antioquia.

Ángel Canales the Legacy Perico Macoña

Angel Canales is an icon of Salsa, one of the performers who despite his early retirement, his music is still frequently played in countries like Colombia, Venezuela, Peru and Panama among others, his legacy has impacted many generations of musicians and producers, who admire his ideas, his rebelliousness, his daring when choosing arrangers and musicians, breaking patterns and schemes.

Perico Macoña - MAuro Masquera Ft. Budu
Perico Macoña – MAuro Masquera Ft. Budu

“Perico Macoña”, the voice of Mauro Mosquera from Colombia and the urban touch with Budu from Venezuela.

This musical project was born with the idea of showing this legacy to new generations, keeping the essence in the arrangements and without trying to imitate him, each performer gives a new personality to the songs, a production full of special guests, directed by the young talent Irving Manuel, the first promotional cut was presented in November 2019 in the voice of Rafu Warner with the classic “Hace Tiempo”.

Beginning in 2020 the recordings continued until the whole project and the recording of the guests was delayed due to the pandemic, although not with the same speed several musical sessions could be finished and thanks to today’s technology that allows us to record from a distance, the second single of the production entitled “Perico Macoña” was completed, the voice of Mauro Mosquera from Colombia and the urban touch with Budu from Venezuela, achieving a mix between the classic sound and the current.

These two songs are available worldwide on all digital platforms and of course on YouTube. Throughout the year, the new cuts of the production will continue to be presented, seeking to bring together a strong group of guests who, with all due respect, will take this musical legacy to new generations to last for many years to come.

Mauro Mosquera Singer and Composer from Barranquilla Colombia.

Mauro Mosquera
Mauro Mosquera

By: Diana Maria Ruti – Miami Correspondent for International Salsa Magazine

Eva Gordillo, psychologist by profession and director Salseros Academy

Eva Gordillo: The so-called Cuban style is the original way of dancing “casino” or “rueda de casino”.

The first steps of this dance were developed in the sports casino in Havana and other dance halls in the Cuban capital at the end of the 1950s, hence its name in Cuba: “–“, as it was originally called “El baile del casino”.

Photo of Salseros Academy Dance Academy
Photo of Salseros Academy Dance Academy

In Barquisimeto, the musical capital of Venezuela, the dancers of Afro-Caribbean rhythms have a place to develop, improve and learn skills with the help of professionals, who achieve the integration of its participants, creating an atmosphere of great joy for all ages.

In this sense, our special guest in Salsa Escrita “La Columna Salsera de Barquisimeto”, through International Salsa Magazine, www.salsamundi.com, is Eva Gordillo, psychologist by profession and director of the dance academy “Salseros Academy”.

Dancers of Salseros Academy Dance Academy
Dancers of Salseros Academy Dance Academy

Eva has been a passionate dancer since the age of 13 and today, with only 22 years old, she has toured most of the dance schools in the twilight city and some outside the state of Lara, projecting and developing herself as an instructor of proven hierarchy and reliability.

Welcome Eva to the only salsa magazine in the world, International Salsa Magazine and Salsa Escrita. Thank you, Professor Carlos, for giving me the opportunity to be present in your prestigious salsa column, which is already recognized in my country, the Caribbean, the United States and Europe, thus supporting the entire existing salsa movement in Venezuela.

Eva Gordillo and Members of the Salseros Academy dance academy
Eva Gordillo and Members of the Salseros Academy dance academy

Eva, how and when did the idea of having your own dance academy come up? Friend Carlos, on November 26, 2018, I started and materialized my great dream, my own academy and together with my colleagues and friends, Eleazar Hernandez and Manuel Gamez, we started this adventure, from which today, we are harvesting many fruits and we feel extremely happy with this project and grateful, mainly with God, because everything is thanks to Him.

Excellent, very good friend, by the way, what kind of dances do you develop and teach in “Salseros Academy”? In our academy we give group and personalized classes, for all ages, conditions and levels. Our strength is Latin rhythms, especially Salsa, as our name indicates.

We focus on their different dance ramifications, such as New York style mambo, Salsa en Linea or Los Angeles style, Cuban Timba en Linea and En Rueda or “Salsa Casino”. Amiga Eva, in addition to salsa, do you teach other dance rhythms? Indeed Carlos, in addition we teach some Cuban music derivatives such as the chachachá, pachanga and boogaloo.

We are also projecting ourselves strongly with the bachata and its variants, as well as other Latin genres, such as merengue, among others.

During a visit to the headquarters of “Salseros Academy” in the city of Barquisimeto, by the Latin American correspondent team of International Salsa Magazine, we were able to see the excellent, comfortable and spacious facilities, located on Carrera 16 between Calle 61 and Avenida Rotaria, where Eva is accompanied by four experienced instructors specialized in different dance styles. The attendance and registration of participants is massive, given the proven quality and recognized throughout the city of Barquisimeto.

Dance Academy Salseros Academy
Dance Academy Salseros Academy

Friend Eva Gordillo, do you also have other projects at a musical and danceable level? That’s right teacher, at present we are heading to be producers of salsa events, thus promoting the Latin dance movement in our state Lara.

By the way, last year we had the pleasure of carrying out an event called “La Gran Gala de la Salsa” (The Great Salsa Gala), on the occasion of the celebration of the 1st anniversary of our academy, in which the dancers were able to enjoy the “Kadencia Latina” and “Jossy y su Banda” orchestras. Digital platforms and contacts for those interested in dancing at Salseros Academy? Friend Carlos, they are: Instagram: @salserosacademy, @evacarolgz, Whatsapp: 0424-5697908, Facebook: Grupo Salseros.

On behalf of the academy, my team and students, we would like to thank you for your support and projection of our work through your column “Salsa Escrita” in International Salsa Magazine. We wish you success and blessings to continue driving the Venezuelan salsa movement.

ISM Salseros Academy Dance Academy Fund
ISM Salseros Academy Dance Academy Fund

By Carlos Colmenares, ISM Journalist Correspondents, Barquisimeto, Venezuela

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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.