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Los Boleros Latin Band Bandleader Rudy Furlan kindly talked to us

Cuban music has managed to conquer so many hearts around the world that even many who were not born on the island have come to feel a great fascination for it. Such is the case of the bandleader and leader of Los Boleros Latin Band, Rudy Furlan, with whom we were able to talk for a few minutes about his career and his band.

Rudy playing the guitar — Rudy Furlan playing the guitar for the camera

How Rudy got started with music

Although Rudy was born in Guatemala, he moved to the United States when he was just three months old and has lived in the country ever since. His parents loved music and having parties at home, where various members of the family brought out guitars and broke into song to lighten the mood.

Most of his parents’ friends loved to sing boleros and the Latin classics of the time, which Rudy found pleasant and enjoyed musical activities of the adults around him to the point that he wanted to participate in those impromptu gigs within his means.

Soon after, he started taking guitar lessons at the age of nine, but it was at 16 that he started to take music more seriously and realized that he wanted to play the genres his parents always listened to such as bolero, cumbia, Cuban son, danzón, among others. Only drawback he found was that he could not find boys his age who wanted to play that kind of music, added to the fact that the communication possibilities that we enjoy today did not exist.

So, Rudy had no choice but to start forming small bands with kids who lived on his block and play rock and other local genres that were normally played back then. However, this whole situation changed when he placed an ad on Craigslist (online classified company). That is when he finally managed to get the people he needed to play what he finally wanted to play and how he wanted to play it.

Rudy at the museum — Rudy Furlan at the Motown Museum in Detroit

Los Boleros Latin Band

Rudy finally fulfilled his dream of playing his parents’ favorite music as an adult and managed to recruit a group which he named Los Boleros Latin Band. The artist chose this name as a tribute to the genre he liked to listen to since his childhood, plus he likes how the name sounds.

In the early 2000s, he set up the band’s website to have an internet presence, which was not very common for Latin bands in Northern California in those years. There was so much rock and soul in that area, but Latin music did not have the boom that it has acquired today.

Practically from day one, they managed to have a lot of work in many events, which led several talented musicians to contact Rudy to work with him. One of them is vocalist Felix Samuel, who comes from Cuba and joined Los Boleros Latin Band in 2009. Felix comes from a family of professional musicians, so it was easy for him to integrate into his family’s craft and exercise it with the same talent and momentum as his relatives.

Something interesting to say about Samuel is that his talent began getting noticed, so he was recruited by an HBO producer to soundtrack the film ‘‘Hemingway & Gellhorn’’ with Nicole Kidman and Clive Owen.

Another important member of the band is Zareen Tangerine, who is also a vocalist in the group and joined it in 2000, making her one of the first to join Los Boleros Latin Band.

Another fundamental part of the band is David Somers, who is currently the group’s saxophonist, although he also plays the flute to perfection.

Among other members, we can also mention bassist David Pinto, percussionist Dominic Cabrera and Oswaldo Carvajal, who also plays for La Moderna Tradición.

Dominic, David, Felix, David, Rudy, and Zareen — Percussionist Dominic Cabrera, singer Felix Samuel, saxophonist David Somers, bandleader Rudy Furlan, and singer Zareen Tangerine

Great references and inspirations for the music Los Boleros Latin Band makes

A few years ago, Rudy bought an album by Buena Vista Social Club, which he says changed his life completely and made him change direction in terms of the music. He listened to the material every day for months, to the point that he even memorized the songs and started playing them with his guitar.

When forming Los Boleros Latin Band, his musicians played many songs from that album and other great artists such as Eliades Ochoa, Ibrahim Ferrer, Compay Segundo, Omar Portuando and many others.

Those already mentioned were some of the greatest inspirations Rudy and the members of the band had for their project, this being the vision with which the artist wants to go on through time as far as possible.

Our friend Tito Allen supports the Salsa Museum

From the Salsa Museum, we can boast of having a long list of important artists who have supported us since the project started or over the course of all these years. One of them is Roberto Romero Caballero, better known as Tito Allen, who is called ”El Elegante de La Salsa” by his most loyal fans as a result of the book ”Swing Latino” by Angel Mendez.

A little bit of Tito Allen’s biography

Tito Allen was born in the neighborhood of Santurce, municipality of San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 1946. He began his professional career in music as a 16-year-old teenager, when he was already part of groups in which he played the guitar and even performed on Puerto Rico’s Channel 4.

Although it is true that, initially, he was much more inclined to rock and roll and also used to play the bass, he changed his mind as time went by and decided to become a salsa singer, to the delight of all fans of the genre who gained forever one of their greatest Puerto Rican references. The best thing is that he turned out to have an incredible voice, so it was a very wise decision.

Obviously, Tito had his own inspirations to become what he is. In interviews with Tito, from his point of view, Cheo Feliciano is one of the best salseros of all and he has been listening to him since he was with Joe Cuba Sextet. As for the orchestras, he has also revealed that his favorite is that of Bobby Valentín and the song with which he identifies the most is ”Contento”. Another artist for whom he also expressed his admiration and desire to collaborate is the legendary pianist Eddie Palmieri.

Tito and Johnny — Johnny Cruz, Tito Allen, Viti Ruiz, Jorge Leureyro, Christopher Rey and Ray Sepulveda

Tito Allen’s career

This talented man’s career is so wide that it is impossible to list everything he has done since he started in music, but it is possible to highlight that he has always tried to collaborate with as many groups and artists as possible and the list of recordings he has with other great names proves it. Tito Allen has sung along with Cheo Feliciano, Ray Barreto, La Típica 73, Adalberto Santiago, Papo Lucca, Willie Rosario, Fania All Stars, Pupi Legarreta, among many others.

It should also be noted that the singer traveled to New York in 1972 in order to attend Tito Puente’s shows and try to sing with him, but unfortunately he had no vacancies at that time. In view of this refusal, he decided to meet with pianist Edite Martínez, which resulted in a quintet that used to play in nightclubs.

He went back to Puerto Rico, but traveled again to New York very soon after, since he got a chance to play at ”El Corzo” with Ray Barretto’s orchestra, which was in need of a singer after the departure of Adalberto Santiago. After that, he finally managed to sing with Tito Puente for a few months and then went on to join La Típica 73 and La Puerto Rico All Stars.

All this without counting the large number of productions and recordings in which Tito sang and delivered backing vocals with many other big names in the industry.

Supporting the Salsa Museum

Recently, Tito visited us at the Salsa Museum to give us his support and promote the institution as so many of his colleagues have done. In our social networks, you can see two pictures of the artist with our president Johnny Cruz, Viti Ruiz, Jorge Leureyro, Christopher Rey and Ray Sepulveda.

Dance. The best of America United in a Single Project

Latin America / Cuba / La Habana

Since the 1950s, a very humorous genre called the casino dance was born in Cuba, a style based on dancing the Cuban music of the moment between couples. This lies in history since the fashion of Mambo and Cha Cha Cha in the most aristocratic clubs and in the fraternal halls of poor blacks of the beautiful island, they danced on Saturdays, Sundays or special parties on specific days, for the moment the rhythms sounded de la Aragon, Chapotin, Orquesta Casino, el Benni, among others, without leaving aside rhythms such as rock and roll, sounds of the time that fought for a space in the fans.

From the mixture and the dance relationship of those attending the clubs is born that change of couples in circular formation called the Rueda de Casino, a name that we will be developing in other editions of the magazine.

In America, especially in the south of this continent, Salsa Casino, as it is called in many places, has managed to lay firm foundations, much more than what is known in Europe or North America, in some countries becoming the reference number 1 of the Salsa dance modality. We have the best example in Venezuela, land of casinos par excellence, where we can add a great hundred dance schools nationwide, without leaving behind how strong it is in Colombia and Peru, among some countries that also use this discipline. as a strong influence on young and old.

It is incredible to see the great differences in styles and forms between the casinos in Europe and those in South America, but always the same concept, joining several couples to enjoy a good timba or a good son.

From the foregoing, the Cubashow Project arises, born with the primary objective of generating a training and development channel for the new generations that venture into the beautiful world of dance, mainly those linked to Cuban Salsa and its roots in popular music or traditional Cuban music, folklore and its Afro tendencies, all in relation to the strong wave of this discipline that is developing in the main capitals of many American countries.

BAILA QUE BAILA AMERICA a concept of union between southern countries to extend the dissemination of Salsa Casino in the continent brings together some of the best instructors from each country with the sole intention of conducting national and international training tours in all trends of the dances of Cuban culture, in this way we obtain from the best exponents classes, seminars, talks, forums, workshops and shows that can be viewed through the social networks of @BailaQueBailaAmerica the different schools, academies or instructors registered to the project.

Professional dance teams are structured based on their local projections, the work they do within each of their countries. An event of great proportions is expected for the month of June where we will be able to have the best instructors from all over South America together in a high caliber event, we just have to be attentive to social networks and future reports of this great magazine to join us. to this casual wave.

Maite Hontele in CONCERT!

Europe / France / Utrecht

A great musician is someone who can enlighten the stage only with his/her presence, this is the case when Maite Hontele is on stage. Full-house, the stage full of colors and all the audience is ready to dance and enjoy the best rhythm: SALSA!

International Salsa Magazine had the honor to be part of the last concert of Maite Hontele, the incredible dutch trumpeter, in Caracas, Venezuela.

The silence is interrupted with the beautiful sound of a characteristic trumpet playing a melody, the stage gets full of musicians and Maite comes out with the biggest smile that characterize her.

She starts with a speech where she explains how thankful she is for being there, talks a little bit about Colombia, and then the party starts! Two hours full of hits of herself, Oscar d’ Leon, and many other artists, with the performance of her Colombian band by her side.

But let’s get deeper in who is her. Maite Hontelé is a trumpeter who was born in Utrecht, Holland, and was raised with music. Her parents owned a huge collection of salsa and son Cubano, and every day she would listen to Latin music, quite unusual for a Dutch girl. After playing a few years with the local brass band, she decided to become a musician, and studied latin and jazz trumpet at the Conservatory of Rotterdam.

Her first big tour was life-changing. She went to Colombia, the country where she now lives. In 2004, Maite Hontelé toured with the world-famous Buena Vista Social Club. In 2009 Maite launched her first album, Llegó la Mona, a salsa-tribute to Colombian music. This album was made with the purpose to tour more in Colombia. Among the gigs she played was the Medellin Jazz Festival.

That year has been very important for her. Not only did Maite record her first album, she also found the place where she wanted to continue to live and make music. That’s when she decided to move to Medellin, Colombia.

In 2010, she released her second production, Mujer Sonora. The album is focused on oldschool styles such as son and charanga, but also contains some spicy salsa-tracks. This album was presented at the 2010 North Sea Jazz Festival, and on various international tours. In 2011 and 2012 Maite toured many countries with her band, and was a guest with Ruben Blades, Yuri Buenaventura, Issac Delgado, Diego Galé (DVD-recording), Juan Carlos Coronel, Oscar D’León, and many others.

Her 3rd album, Déjame Asi, was released in April 2013. She is currently touring Europe and Latin America.

“My Outlaw Loredo is the most elegant gig-bag in the universe. A perfect match for me!” Maite Hontelé

Maite Hontele in concer - Photo — Maite Hontele in concert – Photo

The show ends with the best energy. Maite Hontele is not only an amazing trumpeter, but also a great singer and composer. We are glad to be part of his musical journey.

The best Salsa-Latin bands in London! Are you in London?

Europe / England / London

London: Here we bring you the best Latin bands you must check right now!

PALENKE, the Latin dance leader in London

Palenke was born in 1990 to the collective talents of Fernando Suarez – “Kinacho” and Lisandro Zapata from Colombia. Both are highly professional performers and are widely experienced in the Latin and Jazz scene.

Photo 1 - The best Salsa-Latin bands in London — Photo 1 – The best Salsa-Latin bands in London

The Band’s eclectic repertoire is passionate, dynamic and eminently danceable: from the characteristically hot blooded tempos of Cuban Salsa and Brazilian Lambada, the traditional folk rhythms of Colombian cumbia and Dominican Merengue, to the latest Caribbean Reggae and universally popular Spanish style “Gypsy Kings”. This all singing band includes the traditional latin rhythm section, piano, guitar, bass, congas, bongos and timbale. It is fronted by Adriana Santana also Colombian, who has become the “Queen of Salsa” in London captivating the audience with her magnetic voice and sensual dancing.

Over the years Palenke has toured: Switzerland (Montreaux Festival), France, Italy, Spain, Tunisia, Morocco, Malaysia, Indonesia, Ireland and Turkey. The band has performed for dignitaries such as Prince Charles, the late King Hussein of Jordan, King Juan Carlos of Spain and has become a spicy ingredient at hotels, clubs and many pop stars parties.

In the UK, the band is well known from North to South as a leading Latin band spreading the Latin fever from small to big audiences. Palenke has been invited to the Barbican Centre, the South Bank, The Edinburgh Festival and several TV shows. Palenke over the years had worked with the collaboration of great Musicians such as: Oscar Ruiz, timbale; Bill Bland, congas; Alejandro Martinez, multi-percussionist and Luis Carlos Fuentes, Drummer.

Photo 3 - The best Salsa-Latin bands in London — Photo 3 – The best Salsa-Latin bands in London

SAMBOSSA, a band playing the sounds & rhythms of Brazil

With music ranging from sultry Bossa Nova & grooving Afro-funk to blistering samba, Sambossa have everything needed to delight both the listener & the dancer.

Featuring the unique vocal talents of ELISANGELA MAHOGANY, who brings originality to some classic Brazilian tunes.

Also from Rio is hugely talented multi-instrumentalist MARCELO ANDRADE who showcases his saxophone & flute styles.

Guitarist PAUL RUMBOL leads this band as well as being band leader of the celebrated group Viramundo. He also sings & plays the cavquinho (small Brazilian guitar) & has been working alongside the most talented Brazilian performers for more than 20 years.

Completing the quartet is XAVIER OSMIR from São Paulo, Brazil who brings his wonderful percussion & vocal talents. The band is also available as a trio and duo for smaller events/budgets. SAMBOSSA, a compact but very powerful Brazilian/Latin group.

Photo 4 - The best Salsa-Latin bands in London — Photo 4 – The best Salsa-Latin bands in London

RIAMBA: the professionals of rhythm!

With flair for performing, Riamba is one of the most sought after and lively Latin music bands on the London scene today. Its flexible 3 to 7 piece line-up is led by a superb female vocalist and backed by a strong rhythm section which includes: piano, trumpet, bass and typical Latin American percussion.

With their combined musical talents, the group is perfectly suited for the many different occasions and requests that Riamba receives; from a fully blown Salsa dance band with optional dance tuition, to a more relaxed event where lively background music in the Latin style is required.

Photo 5 - The best Salsa-Latin bands in London — Photo 5 – The best Salsa-Latin bands in London

Riamba’s musicians, who are from Latin America, Europe and the UK, have had an eclectic musical training with professional experiences to match, encompassing: Latin American, jazz, pop and classical music.

As individuals this has led them to perform on tours in the UK and around the world with artists such as: Björk, Jason Rebello, The Ghana Dance Ensemble, Stewart Copeland (The Police), and at venues which include: Pizza on the Park, The 606 Club, The Royal Festival Hall, Glastonbury Festival, The Sydney Festival (Australia) and The National Theatres (London and Ghana).

Photo 2 - The best Salsa-Latin bands in London — Photo 2 – The best Salsa-Latin bands in London

Riamba has performed for many private clients and at venues which include: The National Theatre (London), The National Portrait Gallery, The Dorchester Hotel, The Cultural Olympiad, Battersea Park and Regent’s Park Festival as well as travelling abroad for European performances.