Search Results for: eddie palmieri

Willito and Japhet from La Sonora Ponceña

The stories of two great musicians

The island of enchantment, Puerto Rico, has been one of the places with the most talented musicians in Latin America, so it is always worth mentioning some of the most important names in the music scene in this beautiful land. Today it is the turn of talented musicians Willito López Vázquez and Japhet O. Rodríguez from the world-famous orchestra La Sonora Ponceña.

Next, we will talk a little about both salsa exponents’ stories separately so that our readers can get to know these great personalities of the entertainment world who are not so famous for some.

Willito López

Wilfredo López Vázquez, artistically known as Willito López, is a famous percussionist whose career over time has been brilliant and has countless great collaborations with other exponents of the genre such as Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Tito Nieves, Jerry Rivera, Luis Perico Ortiz, Lalo Rodríguez, Bobby Valentín, among many others.

One of the instruments that makes this musician excel more than another is the conga and it is present in several of the greatest records of La Sonora Ponceña, the orchestra to which the artist currently belongs.

Willito playing the conga — Willito López playing the conga during a performance

In one of his last interviews, he talked a bit about maestro Ángel ”Maldonado” Maldonado, of whom he cherishes fond memories after his unfortunate death a few years ago. He mentioned that the sonero lent his support to him when he needed it most and was very grateful for that, while regretting that he was already no more in this world.

Undoubtedly, he is a pride to his family and the artists who have had the opportunity to feature his talents for any project in the past. He has always left everything on stage with each of his works and we have no doubt that he will continue to do so as long as his arms allow him to delight the audience with his talent.

Japhet Rodriguez

Japhet Rodríguez is also a talented Puerto Rican-born percussionist who has a very interesting career behind him.

The artist was initially invited by La Sonora Ponceña to participate in some projects in 1998, but after having shown what he was really made of, he continued working with the orchestra for years to come.

Japhet with his timbales — Japhet Rodríguez with his timbales

It was in 2007 that he became an official member of the group and thanks to which he became popular all over the world while serving as the timbalero of La Sonora Ponceña.

While it is true that he has reached a huge popularity worldwide thanks to the aforementioned Puerto Rican orchestra, Japhet has been part of many other important names in Latin music such as Sabor Ponceño, La Terrífica de Ponce, Costa Brava, Moncho Santana, Los Hermanos Moreno, Willie Crespo, Camilo Azuquita, Impacto CREA, Raphy Leavitt Y La Selecta, Manix Martínez, Rafy Class, Conjunto La Perla, La Tropicana de P.R., and Homenaje Matancero.

Something very interesting about the musical career of this great artist is that all these groups to which he has belonged have not only been from Puerto Rico, but also from countries such as the United States, Panama and Colombia. This shows that his talent has not only shone in his native country, but also in other latitudes.

In next editions, we will be talking a little more about other salsa exponents who have left our music in high, so you can not miss the section of Johnny Cruz in coming months.

Roberto Quintero

North America / United Stated / New York

Roberto Quintero, The Master in the Congas, Bongo & Timbales NY

Roberto Quintero was born in Caracas, Venezuela, surrounded by Afro-Venezuelan and Afro-Cuban rhythms and music.

His father, a respected composer, singer and percussionist, tutored and encouraged Roberto Quintero on percussion throughout his adolescent years.

Roberto Quintero comes from a long line of outstanding musicians, including his Uncle Carlos Nene Quintero and cousin Luisito Quintero.

Roberto Quintero studied at the Conservatory of Music in Caracas, Venezuela and Sinfonica Orchestra Juvenil from Venezuela.

Besides his skillful Congas work, Roberto is also well known for his work on Bongos, Drum set, Djembe, Timbales and a wide variety of assorted percussion instruments.

He (Roberto Quintero) has played with Dave Samuels, Dave Weckl, Chicago, Gato Barbieri, David Sanchez, Roy Hargrove, David Sancious, Eddie Palmieri, Jack DeJohnette, Roy Haney, Marc Anthony, Timbalaye, Celia Cruz and countless other high-profile music acts in all genres, from symphonic to Jazz, Latin Jazz and Latin House.

Orchestra “Real Expression”

Latin America / Venezuela / Caracas

Orchestra “Real Expression”. Relay youth in Afro-Caribbean music

The “Real Expression” Orchestra was born under the initiative of a group of friends who converged during the 90’s as part of their free time and to liven up their family parties.

Empirical musicians moved by the passion for the salsa genre and their musical preferences chose a series of songs to inspire their repertoire of “hard sauce” paying homage to orchestras such as: Los Satélites, Fruko y sus Tesos, Dimensión Latina, Roberto Blades, among others.

Relaunching

The “Real Expression” Orchestra in 2016 had an unexpected loss. Its founder Oswaldo García and pianist of the group, exercising his role as a GNB official, lost his life in a confrontation.

This moment marked a silence in the Royal Expression Orchestra, which after the physical disappearance of Oswaldo, could not find a path to musical growth and there was no longer reason to celebrate.

After a year, his son Wladimir A. García, who learned the magic of the piano from his father, decides again to summon these friends of his father to continue the legacy that was Oswaldo’s passion in life.

During the year 2018, the “homemade” rehearsals and the desire to consolidate the group continued and in December of that year Wladimir Alexander formally decided to start piano lessons with the teacher Alberto Crespo, a Venezuelan pianist recognized in the salsa scene for his participation. in Bands such as Bailatino, and professionalize their innate skills in order to take on the challenge of Musical Direction of the Orchestra, under a concept of varied salsa repertoire and coupling talents of different ages in order to capture audiences of all ages.

With this impetus and desire, “Orquesta Real Expression” was born with a group of musicians of all ages and periods, a fresh and original repertoire with a “street tumbao”, extolling what is born at night in the Caracas parish “23 de January” cradle of salsa par excellence and in homage to all “street and guataca” dancers.

Musicians

After the call, many musicians were encouraged to participate, including Gilberto Gil (tumbadoras) who has been supporting Wladimir Alexander since he took over the orchestra, we consider him “the brother of the house”.

There is also Gonzalo Ribas (singer) of the old school with an original soneo and a musician by vocation formally dedicated to the business of selling spare parts. In the voice is also part of this project Jeanmicet Canónico, singer with a career in traditional Venezuelan music.

Jeanmicet is currently part of the “Francisco Pacheco y su Pueblo” Project and his son, also renowned percussionist Roland Orozco, decided to join the percussion base for “Real Expression” with Luis Urbina.

On bass we are accompanied by “Yimmito León” from the family of the great Oscar D’ León, son of Yimmy Leon. The sax is represented by Javier José Torres Perez (saxophonist and flutist).

Following the line of brass Meyderson Rada (trumpet) who also belongs to the project of Francisco Pacheco y su Pueblo, and as arranger and bass Premmlim Villamizar of the new generation of, under the direction of Wladimir Alexander singer and piano.

Repertoire

The repertoire includes songs covered by orchestras such as Los Satélites, Grupo Canela de Colombia, Spanish Harlem, Hildemaro, Eddy Santiago, Eddie Palmieri, Oscar D’ León, among others.

Real Expression Orchestra. Musical Direction: Wladimir Alexander Garcia. Phone (0414)3175583. email: [email protected] Instagram: orchestrarealexpression / twitter: @ExpressionReal / Facebook: Real Expression Orchestra.

Under the production of: La Negrix Salsera

Email: [email protected]. Instagram: Yohelia Acosta / Facebook: Yohelia Acosta.

Argenis Carruyo is known in the music scene as “El Volcán de América” (The Volcano of America) due to the power of his voice

Carruyo He was born in Maracaibo on August 22, 1953 at the Chiquinquira Hospital in Maracaibo, located in the same sector where he grew up.

Argenis Carruyo he had the good fortune of being a neighbor of Los Blanco, who 12 years after his birth hired him as an instrument picker, an experience that served to awaken in him the love for music, a feeling that was nurtured when he discovered in him an unmistakable talent to make singing his life support.

“The Volcano of America” because the power of his voice makes the senses of those who have the opportunity to listen to him rumble; so sings Argenis Carruyo, from Zulia, who from a very young age began to demonstrate the vocal quality that characterizes him.

Argenis Carruyo is known in the music scene as "El Volcán de América" (The Volcano of America) due to the power of his voice — Argenis Carruyo is known in the music scene as “El Volcán de América” (The Volcano of America) due to the power of his voice

He has stood out as an interpreter of the gaita zuliana and during the 1970s and 1980s belonged to the Dimensión Latina.

The 80’s was a very busy decade for this multifaceted character; he sang with Orlando y su Combo, and did a duet with Ender Carruyo in the orchestra “Los Hermanos Carruyo” and then again with the Super Combo Los Tropicales, until 1985 when he decided to found his own group called “Argenis Carruyo y su Orquesta”.

He began his musical career with the youth group Los Larkings. Later, he was part of Los Juglares and Los Casinos.

In 1973, he joined the ranks of Súper Combo Los Tropicales and in 1977 he was recruited by Dimensión Latina, with whom he sang until 1981. Later he joined the group Los Melódicos.

During the 1980s he had an intense artistic activity in which he sang with Orlando y su Combo, duetted with Ender Carruyo in the orchestra Los Hermanos Carruyo, worked again with the Súper Combo Los Tropicales and, in 1985, formed his own group: Argenis Carruyo y su Orquesta.

Sabor a Gaita:

Apart from his work with rhythms such as guaracha and salsa, Carruyo has also performed the gaita zuliana.

The Volcano of America has not only stood out among the great interpreters of the Caribbean for playing rhythms such as the guaracha, he has also honored his land by making famous great gaita compositions.

During his time in the genre he worked with groups such as El Número Uno, Rincón Morales, Guaco, Los Morillo and Gaiteros de Pillopo.

He owes part of his fame to the gaita, because the Zulian melody accompanied him on stages and still accompanies him in his veins as it does to anyone who appreciates being a worthy Maracaibero.

During his artistic life he has received numerous recognitions, as well as the publication of a book with his biography.

In 1975 he won the Festival de Cantantes y Compositores Zulianos and has received the Mara de Oro (1993, 1994, 1995) and Gran Cacique de Oro awards as best singer, the Gran Aguila de Venezuela as best singer and dance orchestra (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001), and the Catatumbo de Oro as best popular singer (1993) among others.

"The Volcano of America" — “The Volcano of America”

His orchestra received the Orden Ciudad de Maracaibo in its first class as best dance group.

He has performed in the most important nightclubs in Maracaibo, the country and abroad, alternating with the most recognized figures of the song, which is why he is considered one of the most genuine interpreters of tropical Caribbean genres in the Zulian region, such as salsa, guaracha, cumbia, merengue and bolero.

With a prolific career of more than twenty-five years that has served to demonstrate his talents as a vocalist and his own characteristic style, which gives him his most authentic identity.

Argenis Carruyo, with pride from Maracaibo, proclaims that he owes to Zulia the success and fortune that always accompanied him since he discovered the enormous talent he carried in his blood, his homeland became his main fan, to Maracaibo he owes his life and to its inhabitants the affection and the memory that will always keep him alive through his songs.

For 2023 Argenis was specially invited to participate in the excellent group Quintero’s Salsa Project – Tributo A La Dimension Latina directed by New York based percussionists Luisito Quintero and Robert Quintero.

Luisito Quintero grew up in the Latin and African percussion tradition. His father is as percussive as his uncle Carlos Nene Quintero and cousin Roberto Quintero. He became a member of the Venezuelan Symphony Orchestra, but soon joined ensembles such as Grupo Guaco and El Trabuco Venezolano and toured with Oscar D’León.

He then moved to New York, where he met Latin jazz musicians like Willie Colon, Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente and Celia Cruz worked. He then turned to the fusion of jazz, funk, salsa and African music and played with George Benson, Herbie Hancock, Ravi Coltrane and Toshiko Akiyoshi, but also with pop musicians such as Gloria Estefan and Marc Anthony. Louie Vega produced his first album with him.

Quintero’s Salsa Project – Tribute To The Latin Dimension

Tracks: Ya Tu Lo Véras; Sin Tu Cariño; Cara de Guabina; Sigue Tu Camino; Irimo; Dulce Cantar; De Quintero a Dimensión; Ahi Nama; Te Conocí; Parampampam; Arroz Con Manteca; Frutas del Caney.

Musicians: Argenis Carruyo; Jimmy Bosch; Marcial Istúriz; Roberto Quintero, Luisito Quintero.

Record labels in which Argenis Carruyo has participated.

Top-Hit (TH), Maracaibo Record’s, Argenis Carruyo, Discos VRZ, SonoVen Records, L. G. Record’s C. A; iMusician | EDGARSARMIENTO, Palacio, among others.

Sources:

La Buena Musica: Argenis Carruyo

La Salsa es mi vida: Quintero´s Salsa Project – Tributo A La Dimension Latina

Also Read: Víctor Porfirio Baloa Díaz, more commonly known as Porfi Baloa