Search Results for: World Salsa

Spanish Harlem Salsa Gallery & Johnny Cruz: ¡Que viva la Salsa!

North America / USA / California

Spanish Harlem Salsa Gallery & Johnny Cruz: ¡Que viva la Salsa!

A private collection that was built over four decades has opened its doors to the public in El Barrio, New York, becoming the only permanent exhibition dedicated to salsa and its heritage

By Carmen Mercedes Aular

With the magic and passion of Johnny Cruz as host, Spanish Harlem Salsa Gallery opened its doors to the New York community and the world a year ago, after 5 years of starting as a private gallery for an exclusive audience.

In this extraordinary place are exhibited 40 years of music, experiences and memories that now everyone can relive and consequently know the history behind each instrument, behind each object that rests in this immaculate space and carefully organized by Cruz. The collection includes instruments, pictures, newspapers, clothing and several gadgets donated by great musicians of Latin music.

Must share the good things

The initiative to bring the VIP experience to more people was conceived by Johnny Cruz to realize the positive impact that the gallery would have on the community of El Barrio and the way in which, through it, he could get more involved with schools from the neighborhood. The goal is to continue teaching children and adults the history of Latin music and show them how music is part of history and culture, and how it’s also part of El Barrio.

Cruz hopes to tell the story of each element of the gallery to anyone who wants to listen, and continue to increase the collection with donations from the stars of Latin music. Anyone interested in the history of music can learn something new and continue to share this information with other people so that the successes of these artists are never forgotten and kept alive in the collective memory.

In the near future, they hope to carry the information from the gallery to schools and universities in New York. In addition, they are working to collect resources to expand the collection and preserve exposure in the best and safest way possible, and become a source of employment for the community.

What awaits you at SpaHa Salsa Gallery?

At 1708 Lexington Ave NYC, you can find a wide variety of instruments, costumes, and other items from top artists of Latin music. One of the pieces of more recent data is the costume used by Sophy from Puerto Rico, in the tribute concert to Rafael Hernández at the Center for Fine Arts of Puerto Rico.

The great Eric Vélez supported the gallery by donating the congas that are in the permanent exhibition. You can also appreciate the tuxedo that Adalberto Santiago used in his 55th anniversary concert and a Bobby Cruz costume. A piece that you definitely have to watch is the colorful and vibrant Celia Cruz’s dress. Mike Rodriguez donated his güiro, maracas and tamboril. Willie Álvarez’s trombone also rests in this exposition.

Tourists and locals can learn about the history of objects belonging to musicians of La Fania All Stars or La Sonora Ponceña, the shoes of Héctor Casanova perched on the congas of Eddie Montalvo and numerous pieces full of anecdotes that will always, very gladly, share their host. The commitment of the gallery, and Johnny Cruz, is reaffirmed every day with donations of great glories that have a single purpose: to keep the music alive.

Soon, you will have access to the membership of the SpaHa Salsa Gallery, with which you will get information about the events before the general public and discounts in a wide network of restaurants in town, among other benefits, as a way to promote the gallery and obtain funds for its expansion and maintenance.

Within the gallery’s events programming for this month is Pablito Rosario and Cachete Maldonado’s visit, a celebration for Governor Andrew Cuomo for his triumph in the primaries vote in the state of New York, and another for Assemblyman Roberto Rodríguez, who has the support of the Latino community in the area where SpaHa Salsa Gallery lives. Moreover, Nicky Marrero, musician of the Fania All Stars, will donate the timbales he used recently in a tribute to Celia Cruz, so you can meet him in the gallery; on that day, he will be signing the instrument to formally deliver it to the collection.

The gallery is open to the public from Wednesday to Friday from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and Saturdays from 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm at 1708 Lexington Ave. NY 10029 (El Barrio).

You can get more information about events, membership and donations by calling 917-747-8505.

About the precursor of the initiative

Johnny Cruz has a history of 40 years in the world of Latin music, during which he has been collecting musical instruments. In the last 5 years he created Spaha Salsa Gallery in El Barrio in New York City and a year ago he shares it with friends, contacts, tourists and the community.

He has been a percussionist for the last 40 years and is passionate about music, singing it, producing it, composing it, telling it, living it today and keeping it alive forever. He has worked closely with some of the most outstanding Latin musicians in the business throughout his career and has been honored with a variety of awards over the years.

Photo by Johnny Cruz with more music instruments

At this time, he produces a public access television program for mnn.org called The Windows of Latin America. The program has been on the air weekly for 20 years, and it is the only TV space in New York where salsa is broadcast.

In a few days he will be premiering a collaborative production with Adalberto Santiago, with songs that recap his musical career of more than six decades and have the admiration and gratitude of Cruz. Within the framework of this launch, there will be an event in which great Latin music personalities will meet again at the Spanish Harlem Salsa Gallery to share a fun time with fans and friends.

Since the beginning of this trip, his desire has been to create a space for the community. Sharing these artifacts is their way of giving back to a community that they have had the pleasure of being part of for many years, a bit of their culture and their heritage for the world.

La Candela Salsa Orchestra has a new album titled “On Time”

Europe / Peru

After the worldwide success of their previous work on the best dance floors, the Candela Salsa Orchestra makes a new foray into the sound of legendary sextets like Joe Cuba’s, seasoned with the characteristic sound of the vibraphone. The DJs at conferences and salsa parties, who support Candela’s work worldwide, have had a lot to do with this success, such as:

Members of the new musical theme On Time - Candela Salsa Orchestra — Members of the new musical theme On Time – Candela Salsa Orchestra

DJ Pablo Bat (Spain), DJ Hugo Leite (Portugal), DJ Chino (Colombia), DJ Momo (Japan), DJ Lasse (Norway), DJ Antonio La Conga (NYC), DJ Mauri (Holland), DJ David Muñoz ( Germany), DJ Toni (Switzerland) or DJ Andrea Martini (Italy) among many others.

With this new work, La Candela promises not to leave lovers of a pure and authentic sound focused on the dancer, where there is no shortage of montuno, mambo, guaguancó, pachanga, boogaloo and danceable Latin jazz.

On Time - Candela Salsa Orchestra Members — On Time – Candela Salsa Orchestra Members

The album, which is produced by Batlei Productions and with the collaboration of Canarian musicians, such as Manuel Ángel Lorenzo “Mangüi” and the “Original Big Band”, makes a nod and at the same time a tribute to the great dance bands of the 50s, the golden age of the prestigious Palladium in New York.

After the success achieved in the last edition of the Benidorm Salsa Congress, the most important congress held in Spain, this year they repeated the visit once again last Thursday, July 13, where they officially presented this new album, which has been recorded at Arena Digital under the direction of sound engineer Juan Carlos Hernández.

Presentation "On Time" Benidorm (Photo by Alfil Photography) — Presentation “On Time” Benidorm (Photo by Alfil Photography)

In a very short time and leaving from the Canary Islands, La Candela has been able to carve out a niche for itself within the salsa scene worldwide. Their music can be heard from Australia to California, passing through such exotic places as Taiwan, Malaysia, India, etc. With the new album, they intend to establish themselves in this market and make different presentations that are already closing both in Spain and in the rest of Europe and America.

La Candela is made up of: Rafael “Richie” Rodríguez, voice; Fonsi Rodríguez, piano: Alejandro Fuentes, bass: Jordi Arocha, vibraphone; Fran Martín, congas; Alberto Martín, timpani; José Brito, bongo and bell. A band that mixes experience with youth, which provides a fresh and different sound for the dancer. Without a doubt La Candela is here to stay “On Time”.

The album is now available on the digital music platform CDBaby.com and soon on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, etc. It will also be available very soon in CD and vinyl format at www.cucumpa.com

More information on Facebook: lacandelasalsa

Front Pagedisco On Time - Candela Salsa Orchestra — Front Page
disco On Time – Candela Salsa Orchestra

Charlie Aponte presents his best salsa album

North America / USA / Las Vegas

Charlie Aponte presents his best Salsa album. Partying with his first Latin Grammy 2018 nomination

Puerto Rican salsero Charlie Aponte has plenty of reasons to celebrate his first Latin GRAMMY nomination, with his second production

“Pa’ Mi Gente” which was recognized in the category of “Best Salsa Album” for the nineteenth installment of these prestigious awards that will be delivered on Thursday, November 15 in Las Vegas.

“Very grateful to the Recording Academy, especially its members, for this important support that is definitely one more step to continue reaping success” said the artist who is reaching his five years as a solo artist.

“Pa’ Mi Gente” achieved an important debut, reaching the top of the “record pools” lists, with its songs, “La Salsa se Hizo Pa’ Bailar” and “No se le Presta el Alma”, which have been the most listened to, likewise; “Nobody takes away what you dance”, which was the first promotional single and which contains a video on his official YouTube channel, by this artist who works independently with the Criollisimo Inc. label.

This album is made up of 11 songs, among them one of his own authorship under the guidance of the musical director on the album and all his presentations, maestro Sammy García, who together recorded this production in the MÁS Audio studio of the sound engineer and producer Angelo Torres.

Charlie Aponte, who will soon release his new music video “Besos de Azúcar”, continues with his artistic commitments, including New York, Medellín and various presentations in his native Puerto Rico, and to end the year he will be with the public of Colombia, in the “Heroic City” Cartagena.

Biography Charlie Aponte:

Charlie Aponte, one of the most beloved voices remembered by thousands of salseros around the world, returns to the stage as a soloist in 2015 after 41 years of belonging to the salsa university, “El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico” Now he’s back as a solo artist.

Born in Caguas, PR on February 2, 1951. It was in 1973 when, after the departure of Pellín Rodríguez, he joined the “Mulatos del Sabor”. Since then there have been many successes that have been proclaimed as successes through Charlie’s voice. He has contributed as a vocalist and displayed his capacity as a sonero in hits such as “Brujería”, “Amor Brutal”, “La Loma del Tamarindo”, “Compañera Mía”, “No hay cama pa’ tan tan Gente”, “Hojas Blancas”, “ Rice with Beans”. Among many others.

In 2014, together with the multi-award winning producer, Maestro Sergio George (Top Stop Music), he presented his new musical proposal “Una Nueva Historia”. This new proposal has the best and most recognized composers and arrangers. Presenting the song “Para Festejar” as his new single in promotion, and grateful for the public’s reception of his musical production, which was on the Billboard charts for 10 consecutive weeks, which catalogs it as an excellent piece of music.

He debuts as executive producer of his new proposal “Pa’ Mi Gente”, a production by the best musicians, arrangers, composers, available in all major stores and digital platforms. In this new project he has a bolero composed by the artist, among other surprises for the public that follows him.

Accustomed to leaving his soul in each of his performances, he assures that with this album he intends that his followers listen to him, dance and continue to appreciate the quality with which his music is made.

Mariantocook: In this kitchen “La Salsa” puts in the flavor!

Europe

Maiantocook:

Mixing two passions to a perfect match, is possible. Going into the kitchen of this beautiful woman means tasting a universe of flavors with your tastebuds, soul and hearing, yes your hearing comes included, when we talk about Marianto.

Teaching how to make fresh pasta in your kitchen in Panama

By Carmen Aular

María Antonieta Pérez Mendoza is Mariantocook, a culinary reference for those looking for options to learn professional cooking techniques and run to apply them at home and delight everyone with exquisite flavors, and preparations of an executive chef. She delights her followers constantly with recipes made with love, sense of humor and a lot of stories that she shares with a special happiness in her social media. She opens the doors of her home and shows us how to prepare, in the simplest way, amazing dishes that seem more elaborate. She is, also, very open to helping her followers, when they contact her in private asking for tips and a word of advice.

All this is wonderful and exciting to share, but why did Mariantocook really catch our attention? ¡La Salsa! This Venezuelan chef living in Europe not only makes everything look easy and exquisite in a few minutes, but, as if that were not enough, she enjoys cooking, listening to music and being inspired by it. Her Salsa Brava repertoire has inspired too many interesting and delicious dishes. Music is a ‘must’ in her kitchen.

This’ how it all started

Marianto is a Professional Chef at CEGA (Gastronomic Studies Center) in Caracas, Venezuela, and although her love for cooking began at a young age, her professionalization in the area did not come until many years later. She can cook for private dinners for 25 people or in the kitchen of “my little piece of heaven in Tuscany” as she calls it.. The kitchen is the same, what changes is the context.

In the middle of process to discover something in what could be good no matter the age, Marianto decided to cook; because she could take the kitchen and go anywhere in the world and at any time. And so, she took her kitchen to Italy, where she settled with her family and where she continued to learn from the original source of the recipes.

This entire project that has made a very good impression in social media and that she decided to call Mariantocook, began when her son going off to college in the United States and she needed to do something to not be sad and at the same time learn something new. Many videos, recipes and bloopers later, the result has been fantastic.

Cooking is passion, and that extra flavor in Mariantocook’s kitchen, is the music. There is a careful selection of a theme for cooking, from which derive colors, ingredients and even smells. Creating a menu inspired by music, depends of the chef’s mood. There is nothing tastier than cooking, singing and dancing.

For this passionate cook, the most dynamic and wise menus are inspired by the notes of Salsa, while the most passionate ones come straight from Jazz. After this affirmation we wanted to make a creative exercise and we decided to ask Mariantocook how she imagines a menu to the rhythm of Salsa Brava, a menu, especially designed for International SALSA Magazine. This was the extraordinary result:

International Salsa Magazine menu to the rhythm of Salsa Brava and masterfully designed by Mariantocook.

Appetizers

“First the tasty percussion” to begin with: Andean sweet ‘Arepitas’ (cornflour tortillas) with banana, ‘Telita’ (type of cheese produced in Venezuela) cheese and colorful sweet pepper jam. Mini dogfish ‘empanaditas’. Arepita Reina Pepiada (specialty of Caracas with chicken and avocado). “Here we have represented a few regions of Venezuela: Los Andes, Margarita and Caracas.” (Different regions of Venezuela with their own and very characteristic flavors). The “arepitas / arepas” are round tortitas made with cornflour, water and salt and are usually enjoyed fried, roasted and even baked.

Arepa with grilled chorizo, arugula and tomatoes

Entry

“The introduction begins with the instruments of the whole orchestra”: Minced grilled octopus, seasoned with tomato, escalonias, olive oil, coarse salt, pepper and fresh thyme.

Main dish

“Then comes the discharge”: Matricciana and fried pancetta, tomatoes, pepper and pasta with some grated pecorino romano cheese.

Dessert

“It ends with a bolerito”: Pears candied with syrup.

Bon appetit!

Auyama and mandarin cream with bread croutons

First the music

Before starting to cook, Mariantocook first puts the music, Thinks of a theme, and even improvises her culinary compositions when she has an opportunity. She also selects the wine, and cooks for it. She is a faithful believer of the argued kitchen, and to transmit to the diners what she feels while cooking. Marianto’s kitchen is a deep kitchen that comes from the soul and the heart and looking for memories, not only to be in a kitchen worthy of remembering, but that it also brings back memories to whoever sits at the table.

We want to close this editorial note with three of the questions we asked Mariantocook during a pleasant interview and a lot of learning. Marianto, as a good Venezuelan, flees from the Italian winter and takes refuge in her little house in Panama, where she was able to talk with ISM about her project, her passions (cooking and music), her plans for the future and her motivations.

ISM: What would you advise, from your life experience, both in the kitchen, as in the initiative to undertake the Mariantocook ’s project, to those entrepreneurs who want to start in the world of cooking or who want to venture into culinary art?

Mariantocook: Study, read, learn. Understand the reason for each process in each recipe. Be curious; do not be dogmatic, because dogmas close your head. Be humble, although with self-esteem, but without falling into the fatuous. Keep an open mind to new knowledge. Love everything. Cook with love and passion, no halves, give it your all.

Marianto Cook making delicious fresh pasta

Variation of La Carbonara with smoked salmon

ISM: What are your salsa recommendations?

Mariantocook: ‘El libro de la salsa’ de César Miguel Rondón is the tastiest thing you can give away. Rubén Blades, Adalberto Santiago, Ray Barretto, Bobby Valentín. ¡Salsa Brava!

ISM: What comes with Mariantocook?

Mariantocook: Cooking, editing, music. Learn many things to improve the videos and all the material I’m doing. I want to buy 2 or 3 cameras so that everything looks more professional.

You can follow Marianto on Instagram: Mariantocook, and by the same name subscribe to her YouTube channel. From wherever, she will always share her human warmth and that magic to cook and teach everything she has learned since she was 10 years old.

Photos: Mariantocook’s courtesy

Pedro ”Pocholo” Segundo supports the Spaha Harlem Salsa Museum

At the Spanish Harlem Spaha Museum we always welcome the best of Latin music and, on this occasion, we could not stay behind, so we are glad to have had the opportunity to share with one of the best percussionists of the moment, Pedro Pocholo, who has a very interesting career that we will review below.

Pocholo signing his album — Pedro ”Pocholo” Segundo signing a copy of his album ”A Guapetear” in 2022

Who is Pedro ”Pocholo” Segundo? How were his beginnings in music like?

Pedro ”Pocholo” Segundo is an important producer and percussionist who has made a recognizable name in the Latin music industry thanks to his participation in some of the most critically acclaimed salsa and jazz orchestras.

In music, it all started for him at the young age of 13, which is when he began playing with Ismael Miranda, representing the formal beginning of his professional career as a teenager. His efforts fortunately paid off, since a few years later, he was playing with Andy Montañez.

In 1988, he joined Johnny and Ray’s group, causing him move to New York City, a place that gave him the greatest opportunities he would ever have in the artistic area. He became so well known for his skills as a percussionist that he was sought after by many artists to play with them such as Celia Cruz, Héctor Lavoe, Andy Montañez, Tito Rojas, Tito Nieves, José Alberto ”El Canario”, David Pabón, among many others.

Pocholo playing the cowbell — Pedro ”Pocholo” Segundo playing the cowbell in his studio

Important things Pedro ”Pocholo” Segundo has done in his career

Pedro ”Pocholo” lived many peak moments in the musical aspect, but without a doubt, the possibility to play to former presidents Bill Clinton and Al Gore with Celia Cruz and ”El Rey de Los Timbales” Tito Puente has been extremely important to his prestige as an artist, so he just went for more and more.

This performance would not be the only collaboration he would have with Puente, as he also joined his talent to that of the timbalero in the DVD entitled ”Live at Manhattan Center” and traveled with him, The Big 3 Orchestra and Jimmy Bosch’s group to several countries in South America, Central America and Europe.

Sometime later, in partnership with vocalists Carlos Santos and José Peña, Pocholo formed the group Madera Fina, with which he and his two fellow musicians managed to place some hits such as ”Guarimbo”, ”Palo de Son”, ”Desde Que Te Casaste”in very good places on the charts. They also went to Puerto Rico to promote the group and seek the support of local media such as La Mega 97.9 FM, being this radio station very important in the dissemination of these musicians’ work.

Thanks to the experience gained from belonging to Madera Fina, Pocholo was more than ready to face bigger musical challenges, which led him to take on the creation, production and percussion of Boricua Legends, which has become one of the most popular New York orchestras of the moment.

One of the best years of Boricua Legends was undoubtedly 2015, which was when it released its own version of ”Si Por Mi Llueve”, a song that was part of the world-renowned Cheo Feliciano’s repertory. He also took second place in the GenGenSalsa Top 70 chart and eighth in the LatinosUnidosOnline chart.

Pocholo performing live — Pedro ”Pocholo” Segundo during a live performance

Pocholo supports the Salsa Museum

As many other Latin artists, Pocholo also supported the Spaha Harlem Salsa Museum and was a special guest on The Johnny Cruz Show to talk with the host and director of the museum, who was very pleased to welcome him on his show.

In a video uploaded to Johnny Cruz’s social networks, the host can be seen introducing his guest and saying that they would talk about a number of very interesting topics, such as the beginning of his career, the founding of Boricua Legends and much more. Then, Cruz asks Pocholo to greet the audience and the musician, who was decked in a grayish suit and pink shirt, invites people to tune in to the show and assures them that they will talk about important things such as Latin music in New York and Puerto Rico.

Finally, Johnny closes by saying that viewers can enjoy the show from 3:30pm to 4:30 every Saturday on channel 67 and says goodbye with the song ”La Fama” by Héctor Lavoe playing in the background.