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Rolando Sanchez from Honolulu – Hawaii
Percussionist, Singer, Singer-Songwriter, Producer and Leader is Hawaii’s Best Selling Latin Artist
Rolando Sanchez, percussionist-singer-songwriter-producer, leader of Hawaii’s first longest recording Latin recording artist.
In this Site you will experience the history and achievements of this musical Family called “SALSA HAWAII” for over 20-years, performing, recording, touring and just sharing the love and ALOHA of our Latin Music Wolrdwide.
With CDs sold Worldwide and the number of awards and accolades from press, government, musical organizations, community organizations, locally, nationally and Internationally.
HONOLULU TROPICAL Celebrating 20 years of Latin Music in Hawaii Rolando Sanchez Salsa Hawaii Singer, Songwriter, Percussionist (timbales-congas-bongos- drums) Recording Artist, and Producer. Born in Masaya, Nicaragua, to a musical, artistic family; his father, an accomplished songwriter, pianist, and singer.
His mother also played piano and sang as with most of his immediate family.
His musical influence began at a very young age playing drums with neighborhood kids emanating the music of the time (i.e.: Beatles, Trini Lopez, Paul Anka, etc.).
In his early teens he began listening to more Latin music styles, which formed the basis for his music today. The bands that influenced him at the time were Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Billo’s Caracas Boys, Sonora Matanzera, Sonora Santanera, Daniel Santos, and a Nicaraguan band Los Satelites del Ritmo.
In the late 60s, the family relocated to San Francisco, California where he grew up and truly realized that music was to be his life. The music scene in the Bay Area at this time was very diverse. He delved in all the different styles.
During that time, Latin music was beginning to blossom and all kinds of Latin-style bands such as The Aliens, Latin Bloods, Los Beamers, Bandido, Unidad 77, and Limbo began to play in and around the Bay Area.
Cesar’s Club was THE place to be to experience the best Latin musicians (Pete and Coke Escovedo, Roger Glenn, Luis Gazca, Pablo Telles, Victor Pantoja, Francisco Aguabella, Carmelo Garcia) performing live.
That’s when Rolando realized his passion for Latin music and particularly Timbales.
Then it happened! Santana Band came out and proved to be the biggest inspiration for all Latin musicians in the Bay Area (the world) including Rolando. It seemed that Latin bands were coming out of the woodwork: Azteca, Malo, Sapo,Dakila, and Salsa De Berkeley to name a few. He played with different bands in San Francisco’s Latin music scene and shortly thereafter, decided it was time to start his own band called SOLAR; they played a mixture of Latin rock and Latin jazz fusion.
Rolando and his brother Mario (still playing congas with Bay Area bands) were alsosome of the guys hanging out at Dolores Park in the Mission District playing congas and timbales along with such notables as Raul Rekow, Karl Perazzo, Chepito Areas, Carlos Badia, John Santos, and many other well-known Bay Area Latin percussion artists of today.
His band gained popularity and started playing the circuit where he met and befriended such artists as Pete and Sheila E. and Master Armando Peraza who helped develop his affinity for percussions.
While playing in the Bay Area, SOLAR was billed with bands like Azteca, Azuquita, Sapo, Cal Tjader, Cesar’s All-Star Band, Willie Bobo, and others.After their break-up, he formed the band SUNSMOKE together with his uncle, Freddie Velasquez, who had just returned to the Bay Area from touring the country with the Phil Driscoll Band. SUNSMOKE quickly became well-known in the Bay Area and they toured the west coast and Canada where they opened for blues master B.B. King and performed at the Canadian Rock Festival with bands from all over the world.
After a couple of very busy years, including recording some demos for major record labels, they broke up and Rolando spent some time in Los Angeles checking out the music scene there.
Upon returning to the Bay Area, he joined MESSIAH, one of the hottest Funk/Gospel/Rock/Disco bands. Their single, “Get up on Your Feet and Dance”, became a hit in the International disco scene. MESSIAH then went on to Japan where they enjoyed instant success and toured for 4 months. Shortly after their return, the band broke up and THE ROLANDO SANCHEZ BAND was born. Composing and writing his own material, Rolando released his first single cassette with two original songs, “She’s the Lady” and “Cold Hearted Woman”.
She’s the Lady” was made into a music video shown on local stations on both east and west coasts at the very beginning of the MTV movement.
It featured some of the Bay Area’s finest musicians including vocalist Jo Baker (Elvin Bishop Band). After being in the Bay Area for nearly 20 years, Rolando felt the need for a change of pace in his life.
In 1984, he visited his sister in Hawaii and the rest, as they say, is history.
Not long after arriving in Honolulu, Rolando decided to make it his home and the place where he would throw his musical fate to the wind.
His very first musical engagement in Honolulu was at the Waikiki Shell with one of Hawaii’s hottest singer/songwriters of that year, Mr.
Audy Kimura, in celebration of 25 Years of Statehood. This made it all the more clear to him that he was in the right place.
Enrique Ramil presents his new single “Mentira”
The Spanish Enrique Ramil brings “Mentira” as part of his new stage
Enrique Ramil presents his new single “Mentira” as part of what he wants to show us in this new facet, which begins with AGTE Live. The single is not only exciting because it is Enrique’s latest, but is produced by the acclaimed Venezuelan duo SanLuis, made up of brothers Santiago and Luigi Castillo.
“The song talks about the moment when you discover that everything you have lived is a lie, because of someone who has been cheating on you. Feelings are mixed because it hurts that they have lied to you, but also having been slow to realize it. It’s something which is, in a way, liberating. On an emotional level it is a long but satisfying journey, “explained Ramil.
This single is composed by Luigi and Santiago Castillo, Juan Mari Monte, Enrique Ramil and Frederick Meléndez. Recorded recently in the United States under the attentive and dedicated production of Santiago and Luigi who wanted to give more light to Enrique’s talent, while launching their own label “La Castillera Music”.
“We introduce you to Enrique Ramil, one of the most incredible performers we have ever met, and with whom we have the honor of presenting our label La Castillera Music. Thank you @enriqueramil @agtelive and @ada_latin for trusting in our pen and our artistic vision to develop such beautiful work. This is just the beginning… ” the duo posted on their Instagram account.
At the same time Enrique took advantage of this step to work with Erika Ender, Yasmil Marrufo, Ángel Pututi, Johan Morales, Juan Mari Montes, Julio César Rodríguez, Linda Briceño and Mario Cáceres, all Latin Grammy winners, in various songwriting sessions.
“Many people are going to feel identified. I like having worked with SanLuis, Frederick and Juan Mari, people that I admired from before,” added Ramil.
Learn more about Enrique Ramil
Enrique was born in Ares, A Coruña in Spain. Since he was little he had a penchant for music, singing, dancing and acting. His career obtained a new level and achievement when he won the 2020 edition of “Tierra de Talento” a program on Canal Sur, but Ramil is not new in the field, he already has more than 15 years of career with hard work.
In fact, being part of a program is not something new for him and he is phenomenal, he has already participated in more programs in different facets as a contestant, coach, chorus or guest artist. He is a very versatile and chameleon artist, but what he has always stood out for has been his very unique voice and his brilliant personality. He has tried various genres like jazz, gospel, and even bossa nova.
“Music heals me, excites me and makes me a better person. That is what I want to provoke in whoever listens to me”, he maintains.
After his triumph in “Tierra de Talento” he secured a contract with AGTE Live Entertainment, a company based in the United States that marks the beginning of Enrique’s internationalization. “Mentira” is the first step in this new stage, a single that can be found on all digital platforms and whose official video already has almost 540 thousand views on Enrique’s official channel.
Eddie Palmieri Memorable Career
Eddie Palmieri
There are not many musicians who try to step outside the industry’s pre-established mold and experiment, but those talented artists who dare to do so are often remembered. Some define him as a genius, others as a revolutionary, the truth is that it is evident that Eddie Palmieri’s style has always been ahead of his time. He is among those artists who preferred to do something different rather than simply adapt to the commercial trends that existed in the music industry in the 1960s, which is why he has always been considered an experimental and brilliant artist.
Born in New York, although with Puerto Rican parents, Eddie showed interest in music since he was just a kid. At the young age of 14, his talent did already lead him to create his first orchestra. Tropical music and jazz were special genres for Palmieri, so Palmieri showed a special interest in both. Despite starting out as a percussionist, he eventually showed more interest in the piano, and his natural talent was evident, so he decided to become a pianist. That was the beginning of a career that would be full of success.
His career began when he participated in the orchestras of Vicentico Valdés and Tito Rodríguez, where he gained experience that would later lead him to create his own band, one that would mark a crucial change in Palmieri’s personal and professional life, the name of the legendary band was “La perfecta” (The perfect one).
In 1962, la perfecta made their debut, adding trombones and trumpets to the sound of the flute and violins of the era, thus creating a fresh, and peculiar sound that people were starting to love. It is normal that his love for jazz led him to continually experiment with different sounds, but what Eddie did not know at the time, was that those “experiments” would eventually make him a person worthy of being considered one of the greatest exponents of Latin jazz and salsa.
Awards
It is true that the quality of a great artist is not only defined by the awards he owns, but it is a prove of how relevant his music has been in different eras; in Eddie Palmieri’s case, his showcase is quite full of awards, here are a few of the most important ones: In 1976 the American achieved a memorable feat at the Grammy Awards by winning the coveted statuette, all thanks to The Sun of Latin Music, a production recorded by him. This would be the first Latin American production to win this award.
On the other hand, Eddie also won the award for Musical Excellence, an award given by the Academia Latina de la Grabación (Latin Recording Academy); Another important achievement was being recognized by the NEA Jazz Masters Award thanks to his passage through jazz.
His musical career is very extensive, as is his discography, so his biggest hits have been compiled in the following compilations: The History of Eddie Palmieri (1975), Gold: 1973-1976 (1976), The Music Man (1977), Salsa Caliente de Nu York! (2001), Sugar Daddy (2007), El Virtuoso (2010) y Salsa Brothers (2011).
Written Salsa, Barquisimeto’s Salsa Column presents Pamir Guánchez
By: Professor MSc. Carlos Colmenárez (Venezuela)
Pamir Guánchez, brilliant Venezuelan singer, flutist, saxophonist and arranger.
The special guest of this edition of Salsa Written is the brilliant Venezuelan singer, flutist, saxophonist and arranger Pamir Guánchez, born in Caracas, who began his artistic career at an early age.
Welcome Pamir to the Barquisimeto salsa column, we would like to know how were your musical beginnings? Thank you Professor Carlos for inviting me to your column, which has won praise both in my country and here in the United States of America. I received formal training in my beginnings at the National Conservatory of Music “Juan José Landaeta” in the city of Caracas, where I studied for 10 years, graduating as a flutist.
I studied theory and solfeggio, harmony and music history, I received saxophone lessons with Maestro Rolando Briceño in New York City for 5 years, I was also part of the Youth Symphony Orchestra with Maestro José Antonio Abreu and also in the Caracas Chamber Orchestra for 3 years.
Which orchestras have you belonged to? I belonged to different orchestras and tropical groups such as Orquesta La Bronko, Los Melódicos de Renato Capriles, Orquesta La Magnífica de Elio Pacheco, Tabaco y sus Metales, Orquesta Amistad de Chuito y Rodrigo, Orquesta Fascinación de Maracay.
Excellent Pamir, by the way, how did you join the orchestra of the Sonero del Mundo? In 1989, while I was with the Fascinación Orchestra, I was discovered by maestro Oscar D’León, who recognized my talent and opened the doors of his orchestra for me to enter as a flutist and saxophonist. I was there permanently for 15 years, where I was able to travel the world and experience some of the most important moments of my career, such as playing at the famous Carnegie Hall and Madison Square Garden in New York City. Guanchez thanks to his preparation, experience and artistic career with Oscar D’Leon, went on to join one of the iconic orchestras of salsa, as is the Orchestra of the Queen of Salsa Celia Cruz, where he remained for 2 consecutive years, performing as a flutist and baritone saxophonist, experience that marked his artistic career, to live very emotional moments next to the “Guarachera de Cuba“.
Pamir, I understand that you also participated with maestro Tito Puente Jr? Indeed professor, I was also a flutist and saxophonist, making myself known during my time with the orchestra of Tito Puente Jr., with whom I recorded his penultimate musical production “Siguiendo los pasos de mi padre” alongside Latin Jazz stars such as the sax master Mario Rivera and I also accompanied him in his presentations around the world.
In terms of recordings, what can you tell us? In 2004 I began recording my first musical production entitled “Pamir con alma de protón“, which with the song “La Charanga de Pamir” won the Estrella award, an award given to local artists with international projection, the CD was signed by the company Protel and was distributed by Universal Latino, with this CD I begin another facet of my career and it is as a singer.
In 2006, looking to attract and enter the Anglo-Saxon market I recorded my second CD called “Via Miami“, completely instrumental and with the Latin jazz cut, a production that has had great acceptance among jazz lovers.
In 2009 I recorded my third musical production entitled “Pamir inconfundible“, with the promotional number “El soñador“, lyrics, music and composition by Oscar D’León, and also with the participation of former Fania All Stars bassist Salvador Cuevas in a tribute to Jhonny Pacheco, director and flautist of Fania, This CD was on the list for the Latin Grammy nominees, I also counted with the participation of the musicians of the Oscar D’León Orchestra with whom I have a magnificent relationship both professionally and as a friend.
Professor Carlos, I also had the honor of recording with José Alberto “El Canario”, the song “El canario y la flauta”.
Also, with Oscar D’León the song “Baila apretao“, both compositions of the maestro Víctor Gámez.
Pamir has received certification of participation in the 11th annual Latin Grammy Awards, for his participation as a musician in the winning recording, “Tesoros de la música venezolana” (Treasures of Venezuelan music), as he accompanied Ilan Chester.
He has appeared on numerous television programs such as “Despierta America” on Univision, Azteca TV, America TV, interviews on different radio stations in Venezuela, USA, Colombia, Peru, Europe, where they have given him the opportunity to make himself known and continue advancing in his artistic career. Recently he was promoting his fourth musical production called “Se pega“, which has its promotional video. With this production Pamir & La Pachanguísima has won for two consecutive years the 3rd Annual Legends Award and 4th Annual Award as best flutist, at the same time when he is requested by maestro Oscar D’León he accompanies him on stage.
Congratulations Pamir for your extraordinary artistic career and from International Salsa Magazine and from www.salsagoogle.com and from this server Carlos Colmenárez, we wish you to continue reaping success, putting the name of Venezuela on high. Thank you very much Professor Carlos for giving me the opportunity to make contact with my country through your column and I hope to be with you again, blessings, a hug in the distance.
